Letter from the editor
Did you ever notice that some people just seem to be happier than others…regardless of their circumstances?
In my family, Grammy Agnes was that person. She was born in the early 1900s, one of twelve children. Of all her siblings, she happened to be the one born with a large and unsightly birthmark – smack in the middle of her nose. This was long before cosmetic surgery or lasering procedures became an option, especially for poor farming families. She endured quite a bit of shunning and ridicule as a child. Ultimately she had the birthmark removed by a generous dermatologist in her late teens.
In her 20s, Grammy married my grandfather. He was not exactly a gem of a husband, often parking himself at the bar while Grammy Ag cared for his elderly mother and the children. She raised my dad as if he were her own, although he was actually wife number one’s. She then had two more boys with my grandfather. The oldest, Billy died at the age of 14 of leukemia and Kent had one eye removed at only two years old. Still, Grammy endured.
My grandfather got rich in real estate investments, left her for a more glamorous woman and took all the money with him. Grammy found herself living in a one bedroom makeshift basement apartment with cement floors. She lived there alone for the last 35 years of her life.
The remarkable thing though is that if you met Grammy and talked with her, you would think she had a wonderful, if not enchanted life. Because in her mind she did. She was filled with gratitude for all she had in her life and she often marveled over her good fortune, nature, a cool breeze or a pretty flower. Grammy had every reason to be sad and bitter, yet she never was. I’d like to tell you that I am just like her. I’m not, but everyday I aspire to be a little more like her.
November is the time of year when we begin to think about what we are thankful for. Gratitude is defined as an attitude or mindset of approaching life with appreciation, regardless of your circumstances. Those last four words are the hard part! This mindset though has the power to change everything in your life for the better. Grammy Ag lived to be 95 years old and aside from her famous dandelion tonic, I believe this was her secret to a life well lived.
Bob and I are thankful for you, the reader, and also for our talented team of writers and advertisers that make this possible. Shore Local is truly powered by the community.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
10 ways to cultivate gratitude in your life:
- Create a gratitude journal.
- Write a thank-you note.
- Share with a friend. So often we focus on the negative things in our lives when venting to our friends. Next time, try a “gratitude vent session” instead.
- Discuss gratitude at the dinner table. Have everyone say what they are thankful for before each meal.
- Meditate. Spend some time each day thinking about all the abundance in your life.
- Take a walk. Focus on all of your beautiful surroundings.
- Pray. When speaking to God/The Universe/Your Higher Self, add all of the things you are thankful for.
- Write it on a mirror. Using an Expo, this is a great visual reminder to be thankful.
- Post it on social media. Tweet or post an expression of gratitude for someone at least once per week.
- Say it. Incorporate the words “Thank You” into all aspects of your life each day.
