Today has been a test on patience and forgiveness.

My day was going fine until I learned that the gift I gave Kernan was taken away. Then the bank shut down its systems for maintenance right on payday and I can’t withdraw my salary from anywhere until Monday. I go home to an empty house because Kernan and the kids went to visit their aunts.

I could probably go on and on about the bad things that happened today if I look for more reasons to be disgruntled. But I won’t.

So I bought myself two pieces of buttered toast using the 100 bucks I had left in my wallet, went home, settled in the bedroom, plugged my happy movie “The Holiday” while I blogged.

Yes, unpleasant things can still happen but this is just like dust on my shoulder that I can brush away easily. One reminder kept ringing in my head: Be thankful for your blessings.

Gratitude is always a major mood shifter. And when I think about it, in the grander scheme of things, these irritations are all small stuff.

I now have the perfect reason to give Kernan a better and cooler pair of Nikes. I can be thankful that I had more than enough money left in my wallet so I can get a ride home. I can be thankful that tonight I will be snuggling next to my angels and we can sleep in tomorrow because it’s finally Saturday.

I’m feeling better already because I still choose to focus on all the blessings I have today. And when I reflect on it, I have all the big stuff.

I’ve passed the test.

Tomorrow will be an awesome day.

Have you ever been filled with so much joy that you feel like you’re overflowing?

I wake up with a smile on my face saying, “Thank you God for this wonderful day!”

I look at my loving husband and my beautiful daughters and I am so happy because God has blessed me so much.

I feel at peace with myself and with everyone in my life.

I see beauty and miracle in everything around me.

What has changed?

One thing I know for sure: it’s an amazing feeling when we are filled with so much gratitude in our lives.

Gratitude transforms you. It lifts you up. It blesses you in so many ways beyond your imagination.

Life takes on a whole new meaning and rises above a whole new level when you are always thankful. It’s like celebrating Christmas everyday.

I have received so many gifts that have put a smile on my face. But the best gift I will always be thankful for, the gift I will always treasure beyond compare is my family.

They are God’s love in human form.

This Christmas, let us be thankful because God has already given us the greatest gift He could ever give: the perfection of his love, Jesus.

Photo by: Barandalla

Everything else you received today is just a bonus.

Amid all the festivities, take a moment to pray and remember to greet Him a happy birthday.

Happy holidays everyone!

8 o’ clock.

I glanced at the time and silently computed how fast I needed to move if I wanted to make it to work at 9 a.m. Not very much, I thought.

Until I suddenly realized, it’s a Sunday today. I sighed in relief and relaxed a little bit.

“It’s okay, you can go back to sleep. The bed looks so inviting…” That’s the lazy part of me talking.

“This is just the right time to get up. Church starts at 11 and you need at least two hours to get the kids ready.” Of course, that’s the more sensible me.

I was tempted for a moment to justify my laziness thinking weekends are the only days I get to sleep in. I even thought I could skip Church today. One day wouldn’t hurt, right?

But then I remembered how I’ve been waking up tired and sluggish for the past days, always dragging myself from place to place.

When I look back, I can always trace those blah and tired days to mornings like this: giving in to laziness and gobbling on more sleep.

“You can make this day different, you know. You can make it great!”

I got up from the bed and scooped my pink journal out of my bag.

Then I started writing…

“Thank you, God….”

I filled up three whole pages for my gratitude journal and I felt energized instantly.

I took out my vision journal and reviewed my life goals and dreams. I felt on track immediately.

I read my abundance affirmations out loud and finished with a prayer. I felt blessed simultaneously.

Two hours later, I was at the church service with Jamaine and Kalia thanking and praising God for blessing me with motivation and inspiration to start my day right.

Just imagine how much of a difference it would make if I started every single day like this? I would go from blah to good to great.

Do you want to have a great day?

Say thank you the moment you wake up. The fact that you opened your eyes and you’re alive means God is blessing you today.

Take time to remember the things you are grateful for and thank God for all of them. I assure you, it would instantly make you feel better about your life and blessed beyond words.

Review your dreams and goals. Imagine them, write them down or say them out loud. Doing this will help you to act on purpose, remembering that everything you do should be aligned with your goals and every step you take should help make your dreams come true.

Days pass by so swiftly. Years end before we even know it. Every day that passes is a valuable part of your life, you owe it to yourself to make it great.

Photo: ifatma

I could feel the vile words starting to rush out of my mouth.

But I snuffed them out before they could even fire up.

My chest was beginning to tighten and I could feel the tears of frustration welling at the corners of my eyes.

Is it even worth it?

I stepped outside, took a walk and tried to breathe.

Slowly.

I looked up at the sky trying to imbibe it’s lightness.

I started to feel better and the tightness in my chest suddenly disappeared.

What do you do with sudden rushes of negative emotions?

1. Walk.

2. Breathe slowly.

3. Look up at the sky.

4. Imagine you’re in a beautiful and happy place.

5. Smile.

But the most important thing of all:

Remember that none of this will matter ten years from now. And no matter what happens, everything always turns out all right.