BEING INTENTIONAL
By Sue Graber
I have tears in my eyes as I sit down to write this. I just walked by an Intensive Care unit and was reminded firsthand just how awful it is to hear the words that your loved one has passed on.
As I saw family members embracing each other and holding each other up, it brought back memories several times in my life, when I went through these same emotions.
In one instance, it was somewhat expected; in another it was totally unexpected – a shock where there were no “good byes” to be uttered – no last minute words of love & gratitude for everything this person was in my life.
Thankfully, I did have a good relationship in both of these instances, and I know that both of these special people knew I loved them. But, if they were still here, I know I would be telling them even more how much they meant to me.
It’s so easy to take for granted the things
that we already have in our lives.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life that sometimes we simply forget to be grateful for the people who mean the very most.
That is why I am so excited about a Gratitude Challenge that is sweeping our country.
It's all about starting your day in gratitude,
letting it become a natural part of what you do every
day and sharing it with others!
We don’t want to think about the fact that our journey this side of heaven is temporary … that there is something so much bigger and better waiting for us. It's human nature to want to be with those we love for as long as we possibly can be.
Sometimes, we do become complacent and take relationships for granted, thinking that there will be time to get to that later.
A statement I heard recently really hit home: "Don't wait until someone is in a casket to say nice things to them."
We don't want to think about this type of situation, so we don't always intentionally do what's really in our heart.
But, what if time is cut short?
Let's make a commitment to be intentional in letting those we love and care about know it while we can. Good relationships are a blessing and worth working towards.
Take the time today to reach out in love and gratitude to those special people in your life.
Are we connected on Facebook and Twitter? Hope so. Would love to get to know you better and hear how gratitude in your life is changing your relationships. There's no better time to start than right now!
Sue Graber has been happily married for 35 years, raising 3 daughters while working creatively from home in a variety of roles, including being a fund-raising specialist. She loves reaching out to others in kindness and is on a mission. She has an amazing ability to teach others how to build and nurture relationships, spend quality time with their families while establishing their own card and gifting business. Sue is passionate about showing others how they, too, can make a difference every single day!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post, Sue. You are always so caring. I am grateful to have you in my life even though we’ve not met in person. Bless you for all the smiles to bring to everyone!
Thanks for the sweet words. You my friend are such an encourager to me and can’t help but smile when I think of you (and your furry friends)! Looking forward to the day we can meet in person!
Sue, such a beautiful post. You are right, we should be grateful every day for the ones that we love. All of us have limited time and we need to appreciate each other and not take each for granted. Thank you for the reminder, dear Sue.
You’re welcome Sheri. It’s easy to push off those feelings sometimes thinking we will always have time to get to saying the things to those who mean so much to us; Life’s too precious and short to procrastinate in simply telling others we care. Thanks for stopping by!
Every time I read your articles Sue, I can really feel how thoughtful and caring you are. Always inspiring others. Thanks for sharing this, Sue…
Thanks Lori! Having experienced the death of my brother in such an abrupt tragic way changed me forever and caused me to never put off telling others what they mean to me. Thanks for the comment!
I love the sentiment behind what you’re saying and I know this is a semantic issue but since I am a writer and I’m all about the words I want to present this challenge: what is the difference between gratitude and appreciation? To me, “gratitude” or being grateful almost sounds like you’re undeserving and are lucky to get what you have; appreciation sounds like a relishing and basking in it. I do believe that words shape thoughts so what do you think?
This is the definition of gratitude that I was using: The state of being grateful; a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.
Expressing gratitude to someone to me is simply sharing that feeling of thankfulness for having them in your life — as a family member, friend, business client — appreciating them .. Hadn’t thought about it any other way
Thank you so much for posting this! I try to remember each morning before I even get out of bed to say my “Thank you” prayer!
That post is right from your heart to the heart of every single one of your readers. I love it! Straight to the point with no fluff.
Thanks Edmund.. Appreciate your comment. Life’s too short to have regrets. Sometimes just a simple “I’m thinking of you” can make a huge difference to someone! Appreciate your comment
Thank you for Sharing this post. It reminds me of when we lost my Grandfather. He knew, but I always felt like I could have spent more time with him. The year before he passed, I move 600 miles away from “home base” I would work 10 days straight to get 4 days off in a row and come home to visit with him. I still was not there when he passes and it does bother me. Thanks again. You really touched my heart!
I totally understand Stacy. I wish I had spent more time with my grandpa in his later days, too. Tried to do as much as I can but as we get older, it becomes easier to see the importance. Sounds like you did a lot to be there with your grandpa and I know he wouldn’t want you to have any guilt. Hold on to all the special tmemories you made together just as he’d want you to! Thanks for stopping by. (HUGS)
Gratitude is the underlying characteristic of every successful person…and expressing that gratitude is fundamental in experiencing true gratitude…When it comes from the heart you can’t help but share it! Thanks so much for this thoughtful article! Love it!
We should be grateful for every breath and take time to tell the ones we love that we love them and make amends with those we have had a hard time with. It’s never too late to show gratitude. Thank you for being such a warm, kind, caring person!
Thank you for sharing such an Amazing article, Sue! Gratitude is one of my favorite words. It is so important not only to have love in our hearts, but gratitude
Thank you for the reminder to be intentional and make the conscious effort to be grateful for the gifts we are given each day.
What a touching post Sue! I totally agree that we must share with those we love how much we care for them while we are able to do so and be grateful for the time that we spend together. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful lesson!
“Sometimes, we do become complacent and take relationships for granted, thinking that there will be time to get to that later.” I don’t want to make that mistake Sue. What an important post, thank you.