STORIES OF BLESSINGS ON NOVEMBER 30, 2014, PART 3

TOPICS IN THIS BLOG POST:

1 MY NANWRIMO WRITING PROGRESS

2 END OF YEAR BLESSINGS COUNTED CHALLENGE

3 A BLESSINGS COUNTED LIST REVIEW

4 LEAVING A LEGACY

5 A GIFT OF BLESSING

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1 MY NANOWRIMO WRITING PROGRESS

Written 2014-11-30 14:25:34, Sunday

I am getting a little more written minute by minute and am sharing more thoughts on counting our blessings with you with every word I type. I have a total of 47,637 words out of 50,000 words (minimum) which are due today.  (Phew.)

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Which life will you choose-- a life of gratitude or ingratitude?

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2 END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE

Written 2014-11-30 14:29:22, Sunday

AN END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE PROMPT

Today is November Thirtieth, which means we have thirty-one days to make sure we finish this year with a bang and finish 2014 well. Consequently, here is a question to ponder: How can you live the next month the best you can? 

What can you do to live the best you can for the next month and make sure that you close the year of 2014 in the best way possible? 

Counting as many blessings as possible over the next thirty-one days would be a grand endeavor and would ensure you live mindfully and search for your blessings, which you would then count, and would remember and recount. 

The goal of the END OF YEAR BLESSINGS CHALLENGE is to count a minimum of thirty-four blessings per day, so we count one thousand blessings per month. Ideally, we would count a forty or more blessings per day. However, what about counting fifty instead? (Just a thought.)

Make sure to count today your blessings from 2014. 

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How would you describe the year 2014? Be specific.List as many words to describe it as possible. From each word, you can find blessings to count. Do so. Count your blessings from 2014. 

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3 A BLESSINGS COUNTED LIST REVIEW

Written 2014-11-30 14:38:54, Sunday

Every morning.

Every evening.

Every week. 

Every month. 

Every quarter.

Every year.

Every other year.

Every half decade.

Every decade. 

That is how often we should review our Blessings Counted List and remember the blessings the Blessings Giver has given us. At least. 

There is something very special and sacred about time, experience, and maturity. We tend to develop a deeper hindsight. As this happens, we learn how much more special our blessings were at the time, but we did not realize it or know it yet. We start to see a pattern of how the Blessings Giver has worked and is working in our lives. This is why it is so important to review out Blessings Counted List. 

The more we count a blessing, the more it comes to mean to us and the more special it becomes. As we do so, it brings us closer to the Blessings Giver. 

Also, as we review our Blessings Counted List, we then realize there were blessings at the time which we did not count and we are able to add it to our latest Blessings Counted List. 

Then, the blessings we repeat bring forth even more blessing.

I cannot explain it, but it always happens. A blessing multiplies. It is not an one-time only preposition. A blessing continues to give for the rest of our lives.

So, let us remember what the Blessings Giver has done.

Psalm 77:11-12 New Living Translation (NLT)

11 But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
    I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
12 They are constantly in my thoughts.
    I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Let us remember and review our blessings constantly and continually. Let us think on them and appreciate them for the rest of our lives--not just once.

Again, blessings multiply.

So, do not miss a blessing. Do not overlook one. And, do not forget one. Review your blessings over and over. Then, you will have blessing on top of blessing. 

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Blessings multiply.

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4 LEAVING A LEGACY

There is no greater legacy you could ever leave than counting your blessings. 

Share your Blessings Counted List with those closest to you. 

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5 A GIFT OF BLESSING

Make a list of every person in your life.

What are the five or so of the people closest to you? 

Can you imagine the following?

For the next year, keep a Blessings Counted List for them, even if they keep one already. Write down every blessing they are given. 

Also, write down every way they bless you over the next year in the same Blessings Counted List.

Then, for their birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anniversary, give them the Blessings Counted List you kept for them. 

The truth of the matter is, I cannot think of any gift that would be more special and meaningful than that. Can you?

So, count your blessings. But, also count the blessings of others. I call this stealing a blessing, and I mean that in the best way possible. every time you see and count someone else's blessings, you will be blessed. for, what do blessings do? They multiply. 

Give each of the people their Blessings Counted List and I guarantee they have never received a gift with more meaning. 

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NOVEMBER 11, 2014 STORIES OF BLESSING

NOVEMBER 11, 2014 STORIES OF BLESSING

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HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

Happy Veteran's Day to all who serve and have served.

Thank you, and your family, for your service.

We would not have the quality of life we do here in the United States of America if not for you. Thank you for protecting the freedoms most of us take for granted.

God bless you and the United States of America.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present 2008-2014.)

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THANKSGIVING AND END OF YEAR BLESSINGS COUNTED CHALLENGES

Are you taking part in either one of these challenges--where we are essentially trying to count 20 to 25 blessings each day between now and Thanksgiving and 10 per day between now and the end of the year? 

If so, let me know. Attach a comment at the end of any blog post. Let's hold each other accountable to this and talk about it--and share our stories of blessing. 

Now, I want to do a writing prompt for these challenges today:

BLESSINGS COUNTED PROMPT

Count at least five additional blessings today.

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THANKSGIVING AND END OF YEAR BLESSINGS COUNTED CHALLENGES

NOTE: This is in addition to the blessings you are counting already.

1. List 10 things you are grateful for in 2014. List whatever comes to mind, as it comes to mind, no matter how silly it may seem.

2. List 10 things you are grateful for in your life. List anything that comes to mind, when it comes to mind, no matter how silly or trivial it may seem. 

3. Wait 15 minutes or less, and repeat #1 then #2. It's okay if you repeat blessings in your blessings counted lists. Just make sure if it is a repeated blessing, to add one more to your total due and extend your list so you have at least ten new blessings listed. 

4. Do #3 as many times as you want between now and the end of the year. Preferably do this at least  couple times each day. 

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10 THINGS I'M GRATEFUL FOR IN 2014

Written 2014-11-08 14:25:06, Saturday

(Not necessarily in the correct order. Just listed whatever came to mind first.) 

1 Kara

2 An expanded vision of the future.

3 Dedicating myself once and for all to be a Blessings Counter.

4 Learning how much my faith has grown. 

5 Norfolk Botanical Gardens

6 How I've been using Penzu daily since July 12.

7 How B and I got rid of some furniture and downsized some.

8 Getting rid of books and being able to re-do my study. New organization. New look. Simplicity. Less cluttered.

9 Getting our blue dresser, which we use as a stand for Harry and his turtle tank. 

10 Driving to Roanoke with B. 

11 Seeing the Fall leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway--roadtrip. with B.

12 Growing my hair out. 

13 Visit home to Colorado in February.

14 Trips to Historic Jamestowne. 

15 Stories of Blessing Blog.

16 Future outlook of Stories of Blessing.

17 Becoming a Blessings Counting Coach.

18 Getting new vehicle.

19 Realizing everything I have, and everyone I have, is more than enough.

20 Choosing not to have children. 

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2014 BLESSINGS COUNTED JOURNALING PROMPT

When I say 2014, and you think 2014, what do you think about? What blessings pop into your mind? List as many as you can, as fast as you can. 

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NANOWRIMO WRITING PROGRESS UPDATE

Written 2014-11-10 09:52:05, Monday

As far as NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month of November of every year), my writing progress has been behind schedule each and every day. After all, the first four days, I wrote two different books (or was it three)? Then, I switched to the BLESSINGS COUNTED: A BOOK OF GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING. It's not a novel at all and is a nonfictin book, It's these blog posts copied and pasted into a book. I will then edit it and add new material later. 

The word count due today is 16,670.  

I have 14,731 words written so far. This means I need to write 1,939 more words today. 

I am rather satisfied with what I've written overall.

But, I know it's rather disjointed, needs editing, and the writing can be smoothed and tightened up in order to make it the best read. However, this is a rough draft... a first draft. For what it is, I'm quite pleased--and blessed. 

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WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WITH YOUR BLESSINGS COUNTED LIST?

Written 2014-11-10 09:48:46, Monday

Other than the obvious (of re-counting your blessings), what else can you do with your Blessings Counted List?

Let's stop for a moment. Looking back at the entirety of your Blessings Counted List, and particularly over the last thirty days, is one of the most beneficial things you can do. It reminds us of where we've come from and been blessed with, which we can forget over time. Also, as we count those blessings again, new blessings may come to mind we want to count and it might be a reminder of some old blessings we want to count again, and do so periodically, because they have made a difference in our lives. Therefore, re-reading our Blessings Counted List is really important. 

On bad days, challenging days, days we feel blah--or someone else does, it's important to pull out our Blessings Counted List and share some without ourselves or others. It's a reminder of what to be grateful for and how to appreciate what we have now. 

Another reason to count our blessings is because the Blessings Counted List becomes a Blessings Journal--or a form of a journal. It's where we can see our life in motion, where we have come from (where we were), where we are), where we are headed, and where we hope to go.

There is another reason to keep our Blessings Counted List, and what to use them for besides this, and that is to leave a legacy. It's a blessings legacy. It's a blessings legacy of our lives and of the lives of those around us. Can you imagine each year sharing with your loved ones the blessings you've counted of their lives and how they've been a blessing for you over the past year--and throughout their and your lives? Needless to say, make sure to count the blessings in their lives, not just in your own. This is particularly with those you don't think would ever keep a Blessings Counted List. Giving them the blessings you counted for them might be the biggest blessing they ever receive and get them to become a Blessings Counter as well. 

Also, another way to use your Blessings Counted List is for this... With every single blessing you ever write, you can expand it into a longer writing. You can share why it's a blessing today, how it's been a blessing in the past, and memories you have associated with such a blessing. This then becomes a Story of Blessing. 

Furthermore, it's really easy to write your memoir from your Blessings Counted List. 

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BLESSINGS QUOTES

A blessing is not something you wish for.

Rather, it is a gift given to you by the Blessings Giver that you don't deserve.

And, it's something you most often have to search for or you might miss it altogether. 

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STORIES OF BLESSING #7

THE BLESSING OF AGE AND EACH DAY

Written 2014-10-21 16:04:29, Tuesday

I am so grateful I am over four decades old. Quite grateful. After all, I've gained experience, knowledge, lessons learned, wisdom, and some maturity. The truth is age makes life easier to handle and take. Our bodies may not agree with this, we get slower in moving and healing. Never mind how we get sorer easier. But, there is more to life than just the body. There's a great deal more as a matter of fact.

I count it a supreme blessing to be the age I am. (I know I've said this before, but it is important to me.)

It breaks my heart when I hear people lie/tease about their age and say they are younger than they really are. After all, this life negates all of the blessings the individual has seen. And, the sad part is how often they don't even realize that this is what they are doing.

I've learned to live fully every day, and appreciate every day, because it very well may be our last. And, if today is our last, do we really want to spend it complaining, fibbing, being too busy, or not living our proper priorities? Do we want to live it and not count our blessings?

Age is a very good thing. It shows how many blessings you've lived.

Talk about a major blessing.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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BLESSINGS FROM ANONYMOUS IN PHOENIX

Stacy, you shared a blog post earlier that now sounds quite familiar to me. Just thought I'd share:

My gratitudes and blessings:

So happy coming home after hospital stay.

My daughter and son-in-law loving me so much and the decision that was needed regarding my health.

The wonderful care I received in hospital.

All of the staff for their gift of making things easier while experiencing the fear I was going through.

Hearing those glorious words you're being released.

Waking in own bed with good night sleep.

My cat who just wants love,  and getting love too.

Receiving email from daughter saying "Good morning sunshine." (Do you know what that did for me?)

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BLESSINGS COUNTED IN VIRGINIA

Today is a torrential rainfall type of day. The rain is falling and falling and falling, making it a cooler day. We need the rain, though. It's been quite dry, which is always a concern where we live. There are so many trees and vegetation it's unreal and all it takes is a little bit of a spark... So, thank God for the rain.

It's a new day. Today is a gift, an opportunity, and blank slate.

My new pillow worked! I slept last night and feel a great deal better. As a matter of fact, my shoulders, neck, and back feel looser than they have in months, maybe longer.

And, to double the blessing, my husband said the same thing about his new pillow. (Whew! High-five! Sigh of relief times two.)  What an extraordinary blessing.

Kara, our new once feral cat, ate well last night and this morning. she's finally putting weight on her once malnourished body. This is a major blessing.

Speaking of Kara, when I heard the downpour this morning, I said to B and God, "Thank God Kara is no longer outside!"

Flu shots. What a blessing. Getting one later today.

Had lunch with hubby yesterday and will again today. Oh, the sweet pleasure of the little things.

I'm getting used to this computer. Whew. Another blessing.

It's so relaxing watching a turtle swim.

One of my many daily devotionals was well-timed. It was a confirmation and was something to help carry me through until the next phase in B's and my lives, when he retires one day.

B and I did NOT want to workout last night. Felt terrible. Sleepy. Sore. But, we did. We both did 3.5 miles and feel great in our bodies because of it.

Cars and airplanes for travel.

Oh! So many to count this fine, beautiful, hope-filled morning.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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PHOTOGRAPHS: HOW TO TELL YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING WRITING TIP

{Other Title:

THE BLESSING OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND TELLING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING (ALSO A TELLING YOUR PERSONAL STORIES OF BLESSINGS TIP)}

Written 2014-10-21 17:02:07, Tuesday and 2014-10-22 08:18:37, Wednesday

TIP FOR WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSINGS

If you are not sure what to write, or just want an idea, pull out your photos. They are a wonderful inspiration.

Write abut what happened in the scene of the photo.

Or, about what you see.

Or, about who is in the photo.

Or, what you don't see.

Capture all the senses: hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, smelling, and sensing.

What did you think of the photo then? Now?

How much do you like the photo?

Put the picture into one thousand words.

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THE THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE

How is your Thanksgiving Challenge coming? Have you been able to write down at least three blessings in your life, and of those three, writing at least one story of blessing each day since the challenge began?

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365 DAYS OF COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS (AND WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING)

The minimum is counting three blessings each day, and expanding one of those to a story of blessing of 100-1000 words.

DAY 2

What are at least three blessings in your life right now, in this moment?

DAY 3

What are three blessings you forgot to count?

DAY 4

What are three blessings of someone close to you?

DAY 5

When you think of rain, list three blessings.

DAY 6

List three blessings about coffee or tea.

DAY 7

List three blessings from your childhood.

DAY 8

List three blessings from a storm in your life.

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THE BLESSING OF BEING AN INDOOR CAT

Written 2014-10-22 08:52:15, Wednesday

Shelter is a major blessing.

I know cats can survive in the wild just fine. Their instincts kick in an they can take care of themselves. It's their nature and who they are.

When Kara, our new black and white cat, found B and me, she had sunken in sides. You could count every single bone in her body as pet her, she was so thin.

She clearly had a home and shelter at one time. She's fixed and declawed on her front paws.

Then, she no longer had shelter.

She's also deaf.

So, add all that together. Once had a home. Then, didn't. No claws. Couldn't hear. Her life drastically changed the day we took her into our garage.

The thought of how she once had a home--and then didn't just breaks my heart.

There have been times in my life where I wondered about how to pay rent and when I might not be able to keep the place. I also wondered about food on the table. How could I afford shelter or food?

I know someone right now who is in that very boat (sorry about the cliche, but it's a rainy day and it's raining so hard I fear I will need a boat when I leave for the shot in order to get around). My thoughts and prayers are with them (and Ellen in Denver).

Kara's life and circumstances have really made me reflective of mine and how blessed I am. I am learning so much from Little Bit.

It's the rain that makes me so grateful Kara is now an indoor cat.

I just had to reach out on top of printer and pet Kara as she is nested on top of it. I pet her and counted this blessing again and again. As I pet her, she cooed like a dove. It's her sound of contentment. It's how she's earned her nickname of Little  Dove.

Kara knows how good of a life she has now. Constant food and water. Her own litter box. Shelter. Love. Attention, Affection. No longer being alone.

She's gained some weight. Her sides are no longer concave. I no longer can count most of her bones.

She really makes me think of the blessings in my life I am so apt to take for granted and overlook. she makes me reflect and look at my life with a fresh set of eyes.

I am blessed I can be a blessing to her and am so blessed by her and what she teaches me.

She doesn't need a million possessions or a fancy house. She doesn't need gourmet meals. And, she is content. She finds contentment in every place in her life. On the printer. On my desk. On a file box. On a folded paper bag.

What a blessing in an once outdoor cat. My life has truly been transformed because of her.

She's made me wonder how many blessings I've squandered, haven't seen, haven't paid attention to, wished for something different, taken for granted, etc.

This is what a 5.3# cat has made me wonder. And, oh how many blessings I've counted and will count because of her life and example.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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STORIES OF BLESSING WRITING PROMPT

What stories do you like most to tell? Write them down. They are blessings.

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BE A BLESSING

Do you want more blessings in your life? Be a blessing and allow people the opportunity to bless you.

How do you bless people? There are a trillion different ways.

Say please and thank you. It's simple etiquette few people use nowadays and it makes people feel a little pick-me-up when you do. Please and thank you show you are respectful of that person.

Smile at people.

Tip 20% and above.

Give monthly contributions to your favorite charity.

Pay it forward. Pay for the person's coffee in back of you.

Just because you are in a bad mood, or your life isn't going well, it doesn't mean you have to share it with everyone. It can bring others down or irritate them. Try to be upbeat instead. You'll feel better, too.

Go visit a nursing home.

Send a card to someone--just because.

Mow your next door neighbor's front yard when they are at work. Or shovel their walks before they wake in the morning.

Stop complaining.

Listen far more than you ever would dream of speaking.

Remember you are not in competition with that other individual. You both are just trying to get by in this thing called life. Try to love them instead. Challenge them, sure, But do so with love, not out of wanting to show you're better.

Tell the next man or woman in uniform you see, or one with a military baseball cap, thank you for their service.

Etc. (Any other way you can think of.)

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ALLOW OTHERS TO BLESS YOU

If someone offers to do something for you, remember this: They would not offer it unless they wanted to do it. Rather than say, "No thanks. I've got it."--try saying, "That would sure be appreciated instead."

Why do I say this?

It would be a real shame to not allow them to be a blessing to you. If you were to allow it, it wouldn't be because of you, but because of them. Maybe it would give them a pick-me-up to do something for you. Do not deny them the opportunity. When you allow them to do what they desire, you're being a blessing to them.

Have you ever thought of it like that?

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*** Updated last on Oct. 22, 2014 at 1249 p.m. ***