Today- appreciate YOUR life : )

Celebrate your life today! Give thanks for what and who you have in it. I have a quote that I love to revisit, "Someone always has it worse than you". Although it is unfortunate that this is true, it is a great quote to help you realize and appreciate what you do have.

I want to share my day and what led me to this post. I had a friend come with me today to a follow up doctor's appointment for my Thyroid Cancer. I kind of kept this appointment under the radar from my family and friends because I have asked for so much help and support over the past 2 years. I mentioned it to her last night because I was still a little nervous. This doctor's appointment would tell me if I needed to have a 2nd radioactive iodine treatment that would give the Cancer the extra kick in the butt. I was very (secretly) relieved when she asked if she wanted a friend there. This morning, we took the drive over an hour to the appointment. Even knowing that I am cancer free, I still get nervous going to these appointment, especially because this one was to either prolong treatment or give me the clear... and I got the clear! The doctor told me I did not need to have another treatment, and that I just needed to follow up every 6 months for the next couple years. Other than that, I am "normal" again! What a great way to feel some appreciation for your life! I feel so full of life today, and I am so grateful that the weight is lifted off my shoulders. I am so grateful that I had a friend reach out and ask if I needed help. It reassured me that I am very fortunate to have people care so much about me! On the way home, my friend and I were discussing how so many people need to appreciate the life that they have because they are so many less fortunate out there. It is amazing how so many people lose sight of the greatness of their own life by only focusing on the bad things.

Focus on the great things about yourself today. Even make a list of all of the things in your life that you are grateful for. Put down on paper how amazing your life actually is. Also, take a minute to throw some thoughts and/or prayers out to all of the less fortunate people in the world. I believe that everyone can use this hand of harmony today to find a new appreciation for their life. Celebrate today because you have today!

-JR

Look at something differently today...

At first glance, the image above is just a leaf. Take a second look. Study the color, the veins, the shape. The bright and vibrant colors are spectacular. They remind me of the most beautiful autumn day. You know, the one where you can even smell the wood burning from a fire? Yes, taking a fall drive seeing all of the magnificent and unique colors that make up the trees. Take it all in. Perfection. The life seaping through this leaf is outstanding. The veins flowing left and right all the ways to tips of the leaf exhibit so much life. The shape of the leaf is exquisite and unique. The grooves and edges make it one of a kind. Truly amazing.

Just by looking at this leaf differently, I gained so much appreciation and admiration for it. Looking at a leaf is just one way you could look at something differently today. Maybe you even look at someone instead of something differently. It's all about just seeing a new light in something or someone that you feel maybe gets looked over at first glance.

I would love to know what kinds of things you gave a new attention to today... Feel free to to join our hands of harmony and share your new appreciations!