Tag: gratitude

Posted in optimism

It’s going to be a good day

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“I’ve decided it’s going to be a good day.”

I jotted those words my journal, a quote from Loewhaley I can’t find that post, but those words got me thinking.

Can I decide what kind of day it’s going to be? Can I decide in advance that I am going to be grateful? Is contentment an attitude I can choose? Can I deliberately frame my day with joy? Do I have any control over the kind of day I am going to have? Can I declare that I am blessed, and that today is going to be a good day?

My answer to all of the above is, “Yes!”

I can easily list out ten things for which I’m grateful. Gratitude feeds contentment. In any situation I can discover joy. If I decide it’s going to be a good day, no one can take that from me. I can determine how I will respond to the people, situations, and events going on around me. I define how I will react to the news, surprises, disappointments, success, insults, and compliments.

I believe we forget how much control we have over our reactions, emotions, and attitude. If you blame others for your feelings, you’ve allowed them to influence you. You’ve surrendered something to them.

How many people have forgotten that they have control over their feelings and attitude? Plenty.

If I set out on my morning walk intent on noticing the colors of the dawn, I will see a beautiful pallet of hues that leave me breathless. When I set out to make a list of things I am thankful for, I soon need an extra page. And if I determine that I am going to have a good day, no disappointment can steal that from me.

So shy not start with that assumption? Why not be an optimist, looking forward to the great experiences, interesting people, and fascinating stories to come?

Posted in Life

Gratitude and awareness: a wonderful pairing

Posted on by William Douthwaite

In a recent newsletter I read, “Noticing sparks gratitude; gratitude sharpens our noticing.” (It might have been Rob Walker’s “The Art of Noticing,” but I haven’t yet found it in my emails.)

I spend a lot of time noticing things on my daily dog walks. Sometimes I count how many houses have a Ring doorbell. Or interesting items at the curb on trash day. I like to whistle back and forth with the birds at dawn. I’m annoyed when I notice newspapers sitting in driveways for weeks.

I have many reasons to be thankful. I’m healthy and can take long walks with the dogs. I live in a safe neighborhood, know a lot of my neighbors, and live where it’s easy to be outside just about every day.

So the cycle of noticing and gratitude resonates with me. When I am tuned in to what’s going on around me, I find new reasons to be thankful. Once I start giving thanks, I begin noticing more things around me I’m thankful for. It’s a good upward spiral that develops both my gratitude and my awareness.

One morning, I notice beautiful colors in the eastern dawn sky. I whisper, “Thank you,” for an amazing sight, for the coolness, and the quiet of the morning. As I see the morning approach, tall pines escape the darkness, and I am thankful that there are still a few lots without houses.

Then I notice how many new houses there are in our neighborhood. I remember building our house decades ago, when these roads were lined with wooded lots. I’m so thankful we were able to build a house where we raised our children.

That’s how it works. Observation directs your mind towards the positive things in your life, spawning gratitude. As you ponder your blessings, you notice more good things around you. Again and again and again.

It’s such a cool concept. I try to initiate the cycle every time I’m out walking, starting with thanks or observation. Give it a try.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Pancakes!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Luke Pennystan on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Leviticus 2.

When the grandkids spend the night, I ask them first thing in the morning, “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Pancakes!”

I knew they would say that. That’s why I’ve already got the batter mixed up and the cast iron pan is heating up on the stove.

But a few weeks ago, I leveled up and asked, “Do you want pancakes or waffles?”

“Waffles!”

I had a feeling they would say that. So now I get to have fun with the new round non-stick waffle iron I found on eBay.

I chuckle when I read the second chapter of Leviticus. “When anyone brings a grain offering” it sounds like they’re baking a loaf of bread, making pancakes, or cooking waffles for God!

The grain offering is different than others. A person plants a field, harvests the grain, grinds and sifts it into fine flour. They mix it with oil and bake it in the over, on a griddle, or in a pan. It’s the work of your hands from cultivation to preparation. It’s not a sin offering. It’s a grateful reminder of and response to God’s provision.

Later in the chapter, we learn that no leaven or honey is to be used. Pagans used honey in their offerings. Leaven symbolizes sin. Animal offerings are to be without blemish. Grain offerings need to be pure, too.

But don’t forget to include a pinch of salt. Salt is not just for taste. Salt was not only of value, but it also represented purity and preservation. A lasting covenant with a holy God is precious!

I love to hear the words, “I made you some cookies!” I’ll stop whatever I’m doing to eat one. I like knowing that God feels the same way.

Posted in gratitude

They gave him a plaque.

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The thought was nice. They wanted to show their appreciation for nearly two decades of faithful volunteer service.

So they gave him a plaque.

Who came up with the idea of giving a plaque? The history of plaques is interesting. They date back to the fourteenth century to commemorate important people who served the Benin empire (modern day Nigeria). Memorial plaques were set in church walls and tombs in the Middle ages. Modern day plaques often mark places of historical events and remember those who died in military service. Your name might appear on an “employee of the month” plaque. Or as of your class in high school.

Chances are you’ve received a plaque for an accomplishment, for perfect attendance, volunteer service, or a generous donation. Did you hang yours on a wall? I’ve been in offices where plaques and framed certificates covered the walls. But I’ve also seen plaques piled in boxes along with old trophies at a yard sale.

I received a plaque for being a board member of a service organization in New England. I didn’t do much more than attend some meetings. But this thank you plaque was affixed to a wooden framed clock that sat on my bookshelf for many years. I positioned it so I could glance at it during meetings in my office rather than rudely looking at my watch. I appreciated that plaque.

My daughter received a plaque for a summer internship at a small concert venue where she went above and beyond expectations. On the back of the plaque was a lifetime admission ticket. Now that’s a great plaque!

I guess I’m not a huge fan of plaques. A note with a bottle of something or a gift card can express gratitude, too.

Posted in Life

My billboard: “Choose joy”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Daily writing prompt
If you had a freeway billboard, what would it say?
View all responses

I drive by billboards every day. The local ones I remember are those that make me chuckle. Like

  • “Zero wait time ER.” I recommend bringing a book to read.
  • “Number one hospital in the county.” Oh, by the way, it’s the only hospital in the county.
  • “The lawyer got me four million dollars!” Good luck seeing any of that. The other guy had no insurance.

My billboard would be short, sweet, and to the point:

“Choose joy.”

Plenty of drivers on the highway choose to be impatient, rude, speedy, irritable, oblivious, distracted, selfish, and irresponable. You know who I’m talking about.

Along with “Be generous,” “Pursue grace,” and “Be positive,” I’ve written “Choose joy” in the front of my journal, a daily reminder of that option. That billboard will remind me – as I drive by with all those drivers I mentioned above – that joy is within reach.

I find that gratitude leads to joy. I’m thankful for places to go, a car, fuel, and highways to get me there, people to visit, rays of sun from behind the clouds, a cup of coffee in the center console, music to listen to, and those in the car with me. It might take longer than I thought, I might have to go a different way, I may have to slow down because of the rain, and a truck may be right there on my tail. None of those things can steal my joy. Joy comes from within, able to overcome the frustrations, delays, and disappointments.

Those words always get me thinking. Maybe they’ll move someone else to make a similar choice. More joy, even a little bit, would be welcome out on the road.

Posted in Life

Thanksgiving: a path to joy?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Tucked away in a pile of ideas to write about someday I came across this quote: “If gratitude leads to joy, joy is never out of reach!” I searched and could not find the source or the author. While those aren’t my words, they seem like an appropriate place to start writing on the day before Thanksgiving.

From my experience, gratitude always leads to a good place. It melts my heart to hear a little two-year old voice say, “Thank you.” I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t appreciate receiving a thank you note. Gratitude makes you feel noticed. Gratitude leads to generosity for it usually reminds us that we have more than we need. And the gratitude of one healed leper led him to the feet of Jesus.

So what about joy? Would you agree that joy is different than happiness? I think so. I think happiness is a moment, while joy persists. Happiness comes and goes, depending on the circumstances, while joy is independent of what is going on around you. Happiness is an emotion, while joy is independent of your feelings.

Perhaps joy is a gift. We know it’s a fruit of the Spirit. We know Jesus left it behind for his disciples. We’re filled with it in God’s presence. There is joy in heaven. Nature expresses joy. John the Baptist leaps for joy in utero.

And that brings us back to thanksgiving. Or Thanksgiving. Why do we do this? Why do we feast like no other time of the year? Why do we travel to gather with family? Why do children dress up like pilgrims and native Americans for school programs? Why are front yards in my neighborhood lit up with inflatable turkeys or a wiener dog wearing a pilgrim hat?

Somewhere deep down, we know we need Thanksgiving. We need to express our gratitude, because it leads us to an elusive joy. A joy we can only find when we give thanks to the Lord whose steadfast love endures forever.

Posted in Stories

Behind the zipper

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The symptoms were obvious and ominous. High temperature, coughing, a feeling of weakness. After a week of this, on-again, off-again, he decided he needed to go to the emergency room. My wife was working, so I grabbed a mask, hopped in the truck and headed down to pick him up.

He was ready to go when I got to the house. But he could barely stand up and walk. It’s was a good thing that we were going that night. Had we waited a day, things might have been much worse. Somehow, as I was gathering up hearing aids and a list of medications, he made it out and into the passenger side of my truck. Without his hearing aids, our conversation was limited. I called my wife, working in the ER that night, and told her we were on the way.

After I pulled up to the ER entrance, I walked around to the passenger side to help him out. He could barely stand, much less walk the twenty or so yards to the door. A tech by the entrance heard me say, “I’ll see if I can get a wheelchair” and brought one out. With some difficulty, we transferred him to the chair and got him inside. He had a few questions to answer, I got a visitor tag, and the guard handed me an N95 mask to wear, “If you’re going where I think you are going.”

They took him back right away while I parked the truck. I had to wait a bit before my wife came out and said, “Come on back.” We turned left and went down the hall to a part of the ER that was draped in plastic with zippered entrances, an isolation unit for suspected Covid-19 patients. My wife looked at me and said, “If you go back there, we probably won’t be able to go on our trip.” I said, “I know.” But he wouldn’t be able to hear and I couldn’t just let him go back there alone.

So that’s when I went… behind the zipper.

It wasn’t all that exciting. In fact, it was eerily quiet. Because fresh gowns, masks, face shields and gloves were required of the doctors, nurses and techs every time they came in the room, their appearances were few and far between. I sat there in shorts, t-shirt and an N95 mask, wondering when I would get sick. Had we gone one day later, I would not have been allowed back there. Policies and procedures are subject to change, like the wind.

I stayed for about six hours, as we waited for tests, test results and the decision to admit him. He didn’t want to watch TV, and was finally able to snooze a bit, so I spent my time reading on my phone and keeping family up-to-date. I called his out-of-state son so they could talk. Finally they were ready to take him to another room, and it was time for me to head home. No one was allowed back in that part of the hospital.

As I write this, that happened a full eight weeks ago, and thankfully neither my wife nor I had any symptoms of illness. We did spend a couple of weeks staying further apart from family, just in case. It turns out he only had to stay in the hospital a few nights, and was discharged home. His wife had to do the ER thing later in the week, but she wasn’t admitted.

We were blessed. I am still careful. People are still getting sick. So far I’ve stayed healthy. I don’t take that for granted. I just give thanks each day.

Posted in Moments of grace

The value of “I forgive you.”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by geralt on pixabay.com

A few months ago I swallowed my pride and apologized to someone because I had hurt their feelings. I said “I am sorry,” and they replied, “I accept your apology.” I was relieved to hear that and we were able to move on.

Thinking back to that moment, though, I believe there is a difference between saying, “I accept your apology,” and “I forgive you.” Accepting my apology simply receives my admission of guilt but gives nothing in return. But when someone says, “I forgive you,” they have given me a priceless gift.

Forgiveness is costly. God’s forgiveness costs the life of Jesus on the cross. After our confession, the words of absolution, “I forgive you all your sins,” are His precious gift to us. “Apology accepted” would leave me wondering how God felt about all this. Forgiveness, on the other hand, leaves no doubt. We’re good!

In a similar way, when I say, “Thank you,” I mostly hear the reply, “No problem.” When I get a “You’re welcome,” I do a double take. “No problem” simply receives your gratitude as if it were no big deal. I simple “You’re welcome” raises the value of your appreciation.

Maybe it’s not a big deal. But since that moment, I have consciously and deliberately said, “I forgive you” and “You’re welcome.” In a time when I am more likely to hear impatient, angry and abusive words, I want people to know I value and appreciate them.

Posted in gratitude

Thank you for what you do

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash

After the late worship service last Sunday, one of our members who shook my hand said, “I just want to thank you for what you do.” At that moment I was losing my voice and I said as best I could, “You’re welcome.” He continued, “You’re here week after week and you always lay out the message clearly. I appreciate that.”

That was a powerful moment. Words of thanks that only take a few seconds to speak are potent. I know that, but I also need to be reminded. One can never say, “Thanks,” too often. And one ought never underestimate the difference those words make.

A simple “thank you” acknowledges a person, validates their actions, elevates them and expresses your feelings towards them. Your value and theirs increases with words of appreciation.

Here’s a great question to ask yourself each morning: “Who can I thank today?” A spouse, a barista, a teacher, a child or a contractor? How will your word of thanks make a difference?