Tag: #gratitude

Gratitude experiment

emyminzel

Surfing through social media, I saw a meme picture of a pumpkin with words written all over it. The premise behind it was that each day, you write one thing you are thankful for. You can use the pumpkin as a fall centerpiece or just enjoy it as a visual reminder of all the blessings we wrote down throughout the month. Our pumpkin was gifted to us by my aunt, which is something I can already be thankful for!

I thought this was a lovely idea, and since starting this thankfulness practice, it seems to have had a splendid effect on my daily life. Each morning when I open my eyes, I have started my morning by giving thanks for the day before me. There were days I woke up grumpy, but after making it a point to give thanks for my blessings, it turned my mood around remarkably.

What I didn’t expect was that even random interactions with the world around me seemed to benefit. Was my face reflecting the peace of the gratitude I felt? Helping strangers feel welcome to show kindness, smile, or give me a compliment? I started to enjoy my work even more than usual when I made sure to send gratitude for the opportunity to help my clients before each session. Random people at the grocery store would start up conversations or compliment me.

Kindhearted interactions seemed to be a pleasant byproduct of the self-inflicted attitude adjustment I needed. I had been feeling frustrated and down about things beyond my control. It occurred to me that it is my responsibility to manage my attitude and I can change how I was looking at things. I decided I must do something to transform my negative ruminating. I needed a positive push and this Thanksgiving pumpkin idea came around the perfect moment.

I did not know how profoundly my shift in gratitude would move me! That is how it goes sometimes, isn’t it? One random choice to change something seemingly small turns out to be precisely what you needed all along! My new attitude of gratitude has remarkably helped lift my mood and the quality of my days. Instead of looking only for what’s wrong in each situation, I look for the blessings too.

Giving myself permission to be happy for no reason other than I decided too, was liberating. I found when I show thanks for life, family, friends, work, and all the blessings I sometimes take for granted, it is almost contagious. That’s my experience anyway. I know it sounds a little Pollyanna like but there is wisdom in choosing to be grateful!

Last week I bumped into a client while in town who said to me after a short chat. “You know, sometimes you just have to be thankful!” I said. “Yes! Yes!!!” That client did not know of my thankfulness experiment. Still, it was like she was a messenger from above confirming my findings. I love it when synchronicities happen! It’s like a sign from the Universe you are on to something useful here.

It seems it would be wise to continue this habit of saying grace every morning and throughout the day. Counting my blessings regularly has been a catalyst for better days and a lighter mood, which raises the vibes I bring to the world. It’s been such a lovely experience that I wanted to share this idea with you. I genuinely hope you have the same benevolent response from the world that I have felt.

Wishing you an abundance of blessings to be thankful for!

Love,

Emy Minzel

 

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EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com

@EmyMinzel

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Photo credit – Emy Minzel

Boundary Waters Solo Adventure Day 3

emyminzel

Last night was rough, I woke up wanting to go home, like right now. During the late-night, I had a tummy ache and needed to climb the hill with a flashlight, not once but three times! Ugh! I was doing my best to be brave while making a lot of noise at 1 am in a dark forest alone.

Listen I like to rough it, I don’t mind getting dirty, fighting dangerous waves, caring heavy loads or even sitting out a thunderstorm in a tent. Turns out that this girl draws the line at tummy tribulations in the Boundary Waters! I know I am not alone here.

I was feeling better when I got up at 6 am with the dawn, even though the skies were clear the sun did not peek over the treetops until around 8:00. As I sat drinking coffee, soaking in the scenery and contemplating if I was going to stay the one more day as intended or pack it all up. It was hard to decide.

Slim Lake sunrise
Emy in contemplation
Ride back home
Slim Lake Entry/Exit Point

The weather was warming up, and the sunshine was trying to talk me into staying. I wanted to stay, and I wanted to go home too. The weather was not going to be warm enough to swim for very long. Which was a bummer because that’s one of the reasons I go up the Boundary Waters to get some very needed hydrotherapy.

About an hour later, while I was cooking breakfast two canoes full of a family with mom and dad and three children family paddled by. They inquired if I was leaving today and I told them I was thinking about it. The other campers at the campsite they passed to get to me told them they were going later as well.

I felt terrible that they didn’t have a campsite free, and I think they were also bummed to have to paddle all the way to the other end of the lake to see if possibly the last of the three campsites on the lake would be open. If not, they would have to wait it out while we packed up.

As they paddled by me again, I felt the urge to tell them I would be packed up by noon. Giving the family at least some hope of getting settled soon if they could not find another open site. Had they not paddled by would I have stayed? I don’t know. Maybe I used their search as an excuse as I convinced myself I was being kind by making sure that family had a place to sleep tonight. Or perhaps I really had been there for long enough?

I certainly proved to myself what I knew I was capable of all along. What else did I need to prove? Going into the Boundary Waters alone was something I did for me. I needed to push myself in a way that was not connected to others needs. I needed to level up my courage and confidence for my personal development to prove to me that I can do the same in other aspects of my life.

The Boundary Waters is a holy place, you may think you come for the beauty of it and to get away from it all. What you don’t anticipate is how it changes you so profoundly in just the short time you are there. Having the time to be alone with only your thoughts and allowing the tranquility to seep into your soul that enables you to listen to your own inner knowing is powerful stuff.

The solo excursion I embarked on this year is no different. I knew inside that it was okay to leave because I had gotten what I came for. I had reconnected with myself and allowed the spirit of nature to reconnect with me. That morning I realized I could stay, but I wanted to go home.

As an only child of a single mother, I have always been fond of my alone time. I get cranky without it. Yet while out in the wilderness, I did not feel afraid or lonely, I did think that something was missing. I missed my husband and my dog, and this just confirmed that even though I don’t mind being alone, my life is much more enjoyable sharing it with those that I love. I learned that I must work at bettering myself without help, but it sure is nice to have support on the sidelines of life.

As the family paddled away to leave me to pack up in peace, I did just that. I did not rush myself. I did my best to enjoy the end of my journey. Even taking the time to put my swimsuit on and get into the lake one last time. The water was warmer than the air temp, so it was steaming as it was chilly only 59 degrees.

I did not allow the weather to detour me from getting the swim in I needed. I am Minnesota tough dontchyaknow and did not flinch as I made my way down into the water via the boulder shore. Where I could fully submerge allowing the healing stillness of the big water to wash away all that I did not need to bring back home with me. That last swim felt great and gave me the emotional boost I needed to get going.

After all, my gear was packed and loaded into the canoe. I sent a prayer of gratitude up once again. “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!” This experience had all the emotions and tests that I needed and came for. The Boundary Waters Wilderness never lets me down and always centers me to a much calmer space deep within. I am beyond grateful and blessed for this experience once again.

The wind was picking up, but this time the waves on Slim Lake carried me back to the bay. I took my time enjoying one last paddle soaking in all the scenery and the musical harmony of nature I could possibly absorb. As I pulled into the entry point, I was a little melancholy not wanting this healing time to end, yet also happy to be on my way to home sweet home.

Thank you, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Thank you for all the lesson’s past, present and future you continue to bless me with. Until next time my friend, you still hold a part of me.

Sending joy and blessings to you,

Love, Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

Visit me at :

EmyMinzel.com

EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com

@EmyMinzel

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

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My husband ~ My ordinary everyday hero

emyminzel

Is there divine intervention that happens, to put the people you need in your path, at the time you need them? Is it fate or divine order? I think there has got to be a little of both. I feel like my husband and I were put together at the right time, in the right place and for the right reasons.

Jason and I met at work, I was 28 and he was just turning 30. We dated four years before we got engaged. We were both doing our best to take it slow to make sure we were both happy in this relationship. My daughter was 11 and a huge factor in our relationship, it was imperative and non-negotiable that they got along.

Thankfully, Jason has a great sense of humor and handled it with laughter when Danica tried to frost his bald head with a spatula full of chocolate frosting. One of the first times they had met! They have been jokesters with each other ever since. He was very inclusive of her and their relationship has blossomed. At the age of 16, my daughter asked to change her last name to Jason’s last name, because he was more of a father to her than her own.

My husband had to go through many tests before I knew he was ‘the one’. I was not exactly an easy girlfriend, I was highly independent and had all that I needed; a car, a job, a house and a wonderful little girl. He was going to have to bring something to the table that I did not already have. What I needed was a best friend and companion to be my partner through life. I needed someone who made me laugh and help me do the things I could not. Someone who would stay by my side through the good times and bad.

Previous relationships I had experienced, were not horrible, for the most part. They were just not enough. When Jason and I met we said; “It took me so long to find you, I am not letting you go now.” We both felt that the life we lived before, was not nearly as good as when we finally found each other. So, I want to tell you what he does that makes me feel lucky to have an ordinary everyday hero like my husband.

My husband is always there for me and our daughter, Danica. He checks in morning, noon and night; just to keep in touch. His work has us away from each other quite often. We always let one another know when we get to where we are going. So, the other won’t worry. He also is always ‘there’ for his family and mine. Even if he doesn’t want to, he shows up, because he knows it matters and he loves me. Jason is the kind of husband who grumbles about going to some events but doesn’t let me down.

The first time I thought of him as an everyday hero, was the morning he acted as the best husband in the world. He woke up extra early to drive me to the airport. That morning I wanted to fill up the bird feeder before we left, while still dark. When I did, I stepped in dog poop! Yet, I did not notice until five minutes after we had left and were well on our way!

I was about to lose my cool and have a meltdown. I was horrified at the possibility of being the person on the plane that smells like dog poop! My husband just kept his calm used the random tools he had in his truck and a bottled water; to help clean it off and take care of me in a parking lot at 4:30 am. So, I didn’t have to fret. I’m telling you, at this moment, his help was like an angel sent from heaven just for me.

He takes care of me in other little ways almost every day. This morning he made my coffee. Yesterday he made me an oak bookshelf and one for my mom too.  The day before that, he held me and made me laugh about the week we had endured together; while both inflicted with the stomach flu. Day in and day out my husband is steady and here for me. He works, he comes home, he loves me and our daughter and will do all he can to give us the best life possible.

When I look at my handsome husband’s regular looking life, I see what it looks like to be an ordinary everyday hero.

It’s the men that show up to support you, who keep their word, who don’t leave when times are tough, money is low or tragedy hits that are the real heroes. He is still here, holding me, loving me and taking my crap through it all. My husband is not perfect, and I don’t want him to be. I just need him here with me. Being himself; the loyal, hardworking, handyman that makes my heart pitter patter is all that matters.

Some hero’s rescue you from a burning building. My husband saves me from day’s that feel like this, even if I’m the one who started the fire. (or stepped into some poo!) He is very much my best friend, my confidant, and my hero. I have known him for going on fifteen years, and watching him live with integrity, has earned my devotion and respect. When it comes to what matters, his consistent actions have made me quite certain, I picked the right one.

Thank you, Universe/God for the divine intervention of putting us on the same path. We have been taking turns rescuing each other ever since. I know I am incredibly blessed to have someone who loves me and helps me grow. I am beyond grateful for my husband. My ordinary everyday hero.

I’d love to hear what makes your husband or partner, your hero!

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@EmyMinzel

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Delegating

emyminzel

I am the kind of girl who likes to do things myself. Like my mom likes to say if you want something done right (or the way you like) you must do it yourself. I have had that same train for thought for many years. Often letting it rule most of my time and day.

I wouldn’t allow others to clean because it was not done to my high standards so, I did it myself. I like things to look just so, in the yard, in the house, in my business and so on. I don’t allow others to help me with much of anything really.

Life has taken a drastic change of pace from what I have been used to for the last several years. I had the time and energy to do everything I wanted done myself. Out of necessity, impatience, or shear stubbornness, I have always been self-sufficient.

Until just a few weeks ago when I need to work from the time I wake up answering emails, until bedtime, studying issues for the campaign, working, and writing has left me no time to clean, shop, cook, or even walk the dogs.  All the things still need to get done, I just do not have the time.

This is where the higher power teaches me how to ask for help, and how to delegate. These are not things that come easy or naturally for me. I will ask my husband will pick up something from the store, but I hardly ever ask him to clean the bathroom. The time has come for me to have to ask.

Does it really matter if he doesn’t clean as I would? Does it really matter if the home decorations aren’t dusted or look like they are in the exact right place? Does it matter if I have company come over and there is dog hair on the floor? Probably not. Does it matter if dinner wasn’t cooked the way I would have done it? It doesn’t, in fact it tastes better when I don’t have to cook it!

When it comes to campaign work I find it difficult to delegate even the simplest things like stuffing envelopes. I feel this way because it is my campaign and feel like I should be helping after all! I do like to help. That’s also part of the conundrum I face. I like to be the helper not the helped for some reason…

Going from someone who was able to do it all by myself; to a busy self-employed business owner, writer and Candidate that has more to do then I can get done in a day, is quite a riddle for me. I must learn to let go of how I think things should look and just be grateful that I have help at all.

Delegating is a skill I am working on and it eases my mind is knowing that most people also like to help too. Learning to let go of how I think things should be will help me grow as a person. It also allows others to step up who haven’t had the chance because I never let them. I am also learning it helps to be specific when asking.

Asking for help allows others to support me, when we assist others we feel good. At least I do anyways, and I am going to assume most people feel the same when they feel useful. I believe this lesson is was gentle reminder from up above saying. “Hey you down there, it is okay to ask for help!”

You don’t have to do it all yourself, delegating is entrusting people to help you. This facilitates others feeling good about themselves for being of assistance. It is kind of nice when I put it like that isn’t it?

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

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*Photo credit: maybusch.com*

 

Why I count my blessings

emyminzel

I am grateful for the abundance of blessings in my life. I am thankful for the relationships I cultivated over time and the new ones just seeds of beginnings. When I think about these people I have surrounded myself with I realize how blessed I am to have them in my life. I am grateful for the choices I have made to get me where I am today. Life has not been thorn free roses, but I have been rewarded with millions of dollars’ worth of love throughout my life and I believe that helped me shape you I am.

The life I have lived has led me to gain experiences unique to me, every soul I met had a role in my existence. Even the dogs I have fostered, rescued, transported, or unfortunately failed… positive and negative have had a significant influence on the character I hold today. Same can be said about all my relationships some have grown while some have failed to thrive, I know it takes two to have relationships, so I take some responsibility in those friendships I have lost now I work to cherish the ones I have.

Being grateful seems to increase the abundance of blessings that come my way. Or maybe it just makes them clearer for me to see and accept as truth? When you go around complaining about everyone and everything naturally you look for more things to complain about. The same is true when counting your blessings. When you go about your days being grateful for everything and everyone in your life, the more you will see things to add to your list of abundant every day miracles.

As the world turns around us, we have duality of good/bad, light/dark, happy/sad etc… so that we have contrast to compare our experiences. We would not know the deep sense of loss without great love, we wouldn’t appreciate the sun if it never rained. This is how life cycles us through the phases we grow through as we age; all of our experiences shape our perceptions of what to be thankful for. We appreciate what we have when we learn from what we’ve lost. Sometimes we see the beauty in life because we’ve seen ugly parts too.

I am grateful for my family, friends and others that love me and support me.

I am grateful for love expressed in little ways that say ‘I love you’ with no words.

I am grateful for the support I feel that allows me to brave and adventurous.

I am grateful for the inclination inside that nurtures my endless quest for knowledge.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to express myself through the creativity I have been blessed with.

I am grateful for being able to love myself in a way that I feel it to be true in my mind, body and spirit.

I am grateful for all these things because I have had experiences that have been the opposite. Remember this today as you go through your daily routine, the things you complain about maybe affecting the things that you appreciate because that is where you are putting your energy. I propose we put a little more effort into appreciating what we love today! And the next days too. 😉

What are you thankful for? Do you write down or even acknowledge blessings every day? I try to be thankful for at least five things a day, which is easy, so then I start looking for more! Contemplate this; Does thinking of your complaints make you happy? Does counting your blessings make you mad?

What mood/energy would you rather carry around in your body, mind and spirit to share with the world today?

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com