Friday, November 20, 2015

Gratitude - Five on Friday


1. Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, 
but the parent of all others
- Cicero -


Hello, Dear Friends, with Thanksgiving
just a week away, I wanted to share 5 quotes
on the subject of gratitude
with some thoughts of my own.

Gratitude is truly a way of life that
does not come naturally.
We are born in a state of want.....
this allows our needs to be met as infants
when we loudly express our desires.


As we grow and learn the virtues of
courage, faith, hope, wisdom, justice,
temperance, and charity,
we first must learn gratitude.


2.  As we express our gratitude, we must never forget
that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, 
but to live by them. 
- John F. Kennedy -

We learn gratitude by experiencing.


We feel gratitude when we overcome an obstacle
through courage.
We learn gratitude when we overcome a seemingly hopeless
situation with faith and hope.
We experience gratitude when we get justice.
We gain gratitude when we understand
that all experiences result in wisdom and temperance.
And we give gratitude when we understand
the meaning of charity.


3. True forgiveness is when you can say, 
"Thank you for that experience."
- Oprah Winfrey -

We also learn gratitude through adversity.
When we can come out the other side
and find the lesson.


We often learn gratitude by experiencing
the exact opposite of each virtue.
We sometimes learn the value of each
when it is lacking.

We learn to cultivate and appreciate that which
was not given.

Love, compassion, understanding, hope,
justice, temperance, charity.


We sometimes learn the value of these things
when we have not been given them,
but with wisdom, seek to cultivate
them in our own lives.


4. Cultivate the habit of being grateful for 
every good thing that comes to you, 
and to give thanks continuously. 
And because all things have contributed 
to your advancement, you should include 
all things in your gratitude. 
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

Our past might be bittersweet,
but with wisdom we learn
gratitude for the lessons we have learned.


We move forward with compassion
for those experiences in our lives
because we received the gift of gratitude.


These lessons illuminate our lives
and help us move forward
to a happier future because we have
used our experiences to learn and grow
with gratitude.


5. Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you 
kneel to say your nightly prayer. 
And let faith be the bridge you build
to overcome evil and welcome good. 
- Maya Angelou -



When we live in gratitude,
there is little room for
vice.

It is difficult to feel envy, greed,
intolerance, selfishness, self-pity,
hopelessness, or lack of faith
when you are in a state of grace.


When you have a grateful heart
you open the door....



To the power of wisdom, faith, hope,
courage, creativity, compassion,
and love.

It is not happy people who are thankful.
It is thankful people who are happy.

xoxo

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Dear Friends!

I will be taking a little break
next week, but will see you soon!
xoxo
Today I am linking with:
Love Made My Home - Five on Friday




xoxo

40 comments:

  1. Karen, What an absolutely beautiful post. I can tell that you are grateful for not only what you have-but for who are are in this life. This post is really a lesson and touches on so much of our "humanness". Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving (and every day). I LOVE all the warm pictures of your home. xo Diana

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  2. Beautiful post! I like your old hoosier cabinet.

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  3. Karen, what a wonderful post! Words of wisdom, and gratitude is the key. Excellent quotations and thoughts. Much to ponder. Thank you.

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  4. A truly beautiful post, with amazing quotations and personal thoughts. A thought provoking but very pleasant visit. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  5. Such lovely positive thoughts in an unsettled world. Have a good Thanksgiving and enjoy your break. x

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  6. What a lovely post, Karen! Beautiful, thought-provoking words... and let's not forget the wonderful photos of your cosy and welcoming home. :)
    Have a blessed day!

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  7. Hello, beautiful post and words. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  8. hi dear friend !! que bonito.. esepro que tenga un bendecido fin de semana junto a sus seres queridos
    cariños

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  9. Wonderful words, Karen (although I am going to have to work on the Oprah quote quite a lot!) and, as ever, lovely pictures. Thank you. x

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  10. What wonderful photos and words to accompany each, Karen. Your home is so warm and welcoming. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  11. wonderful, grateful, thoughtful words...but is it shameful that i am so distracted by your beautiful home. it is decorated with so much charm and warmth!!! have a wonderful weekend!!!!

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  12. Beautiful post and very inspiring quotes to live by. Have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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  13. Thank you for bringing thought and inspiration to the day! Maya Angelou, one of my favorites!

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  14. Your home is so beautiful, Karen! And I cherish your thoughts on gratefulness - Having Thanksgiving is a wonderful way of taking time to think all the things, we are to be thankful for ... I hope we would also celebrate Thanksgiving here in Scandinavia (Well, I might start it as a family tradition - to say aloud something each of us is thankful for :)
    Have a love weekend,
    Lots of Love,
    Nina

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  15. Dearest Karen,
    Lovely soul searching for the TRUE meaning of Thanksgiving!
    Yes, we all have so many reasons for being grateful, when not all the time but most of the time. We still are humans with our down days and exuberant days. But the sum best remains in the scala of gratitude. Very wise post and one can only write this at a certain age...
    Sending you hugs and many blessings in continued good health for you and yours!
    Mariette

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  16. Such a wonderful time of year. I love your white pitchers.

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  17. Karen, such a lovely post. Thank you for the reminder to greet each day with a heart of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  18. I love this post Mom! A great reminder to learn from adversity and appreciate those that helped you through it. Move forward with gratitude and a positive attitude rather than a victim mentality. I love your little white pitchers displayed in the kitchen. ❤

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  19. So thoughtful, thank you! I hope that you have a wonderful thanksgiving. Thank you for joining Five On Friday, I hope that you are having a great weekend too. xx

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  20. Such a perfect post for the season Karen! Thank you for the reminder of what this season is really all about. Those quotes were perfect - and from some of my favorite people. ;)

    The addition of the beautiful photos of your home just fit perfectly. Love love love!!
    God bless you dear Gal! Blessings for the week and holiday ahead. xoxo

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  21. What an inspirational post! Great words of wisdom here. Trust you and your family will have a very blessed Thanksgiving! Lynn

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  22. Wonderful post, full of many words of wisdom and quotes!! I may not be rich but I am truly thankful for the place God has put me in and all he does for me daily. Wishing you a wonderful week and time with your family!

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  23. A beautiful post Karen. I love your kitchen! It is so homey. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week and holiday! Blessings, Pam

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  24. Oh I LOVE your Hoosier cabinet and all your wonderful vintage things! And all the sayings about gratitude are awesome! Great post!

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  25. What a wonderful post!! Loved all the quotes and all the photos of your charming home!! The hoosier is to die for!!

    Thanks so much for visiting!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  26. aahh, I knew Maya Angelou's was going to be a good one. She's my favorite, you know? Karen, I read one time that grateful people are the happiest people. I believe this is true. Thank you for being such a grateful person, my friend.

    Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for your friendship. : )

    ~Sheri

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  27. Dear Karen,
    thank you for this wonderful and lovely post! I love all your pictures and the wonderful quotes!
    Wishing you a great new week, filled with Love and Joy,
    sending Love and hugs and blessings, my dear friend,
    Claudia xo

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  28. Beautiful post, Karen! Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving!

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  29. you have indeed a grateful grateful heart.. that's why I love popping in and visiting with you..
    Have a beautiful family filled Thanksgiving day...
    HUgs

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  30. What wonderful quotes. Maya Angelou has been a guiding star in my life for many years. I miss her! Hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving, Jan

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  31. Karen, this is a lovely post in time for your Thanksgiving celebrations.

    I wanted to tell you that you are the WINNER of my giveaway today. You will be receiving the Victorian e-advent calendar from Jacquie Lawson website. I think I'll need your email please. Congratulations!! So happy you won!

    Brenda
    xox

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  32. Good evening, sweet friend! This was such a beautiful post and it truly blessed my heart to read it on Thanksgiving :)

    I hope you had a wonderful day with your family, dear one. I am so grateful for you and your friendship. Love and hugs!

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  33. Karen, these quotes are so beautiful and your picrure too!!!
    Have a lovely Friday

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  34. Learn gratitude...your quotes are just lovely!
    Have a great weekend.
    Titti

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  35. An attitude of gratitude will take one far in life. I like your Hoosier, Sellers or is it another brand? I've got my MIL's cabinet, dish cupboard and table; lovely and all in use still. The old things bring me such pleasure.

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  36. I imagine walking into your home is like receiving a warm hug. It looks so inviting. Deb

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  37. Hello dear Friend!! I just wanted to let you know that I started a giveaway last week and it ends tomorrow night. I would love for you to pop by and enter, as it's to thank all of my blogland family for being such a blessings to me. I can't imagine you not being part of that dear Karen! I'd love for you to have a chance to win. ;) Blessings. xoxo

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  38. Karen, Just popping in again to let you know that you are the WINNER of one of the Jacquie Lawson advent calendars. Will you get in touch with your email address as soon as you can, tomorrow is Day One already!

    Hope you are well....
    Hugs,
    Brenda
    xox

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  39. Very nice collection of quotes and pertinent commentary, and so beautifully illustrated with your images of a welcoming home.

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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