Friday’s Fave Five – September 27, 2019

Friday is here and it’s time to recount five blessings from this past week. Read on to see why I do this.

A gratitude practice is “like polishing your nails. If you want them to always look good, you have to keep up with it. Visit the manicurist once and you’ll look great for a week. But if you fail to make a return visit, your hands will soon look pretty grim.” (Deborah Norville)

“Writing a gratitude letter or jotting down what you’re grateful for might make you feel good for a day or a week. But if you don’t keep up with it, Your outlook can become dark.

“If you try it on for size for one month and you notice good changes, you can’t assume those are permanent changes. It takes intentional; effort. It needs to be sort of woven into your daily habits and daily ways.” (Dr. Barbara Fredrickson)

Writing my FFF is part of my weekly habit.

ONE. Airport Pick UP. I went with my brother-in-law to pick up my sister and their daughter from the airport in San Francisco. They had been to Cuba for 18 days. They were there to support a local church. My 17-year-old niece was one of the translators. It was so fun to hear about some of her adventures with food, sites, and cool people. We didn’t talk a lot because it was almost 1am when they disembarked. I am looking forward to photos as both my sister and niece are great photographers. I am grateful they got to go on this trip. They were a blessing and were themselves blessed.

TWO. Donner Lake Day Trip. Normally the women from my church spend a summer day at the beach at San Francisco. This year we went to Donner Lake (near Truckee). It is much easier to get there; none of that horrid Bay area traffic with its tons of pedestrians. Several women asked if we could go there again. YEP!

10 CNC women enjoyed this place. The time sped by. … We walked (and some of us may or may not have gotten lost) … ate … told stories … played dominoes or Boggle … toured the little museum… took photos … read … snoozed … enjoyed quiet time … gazed at the lake. … It was a busy, refreshing, fun day. I am grateful for the time I got to spend in nature and time with women from my church.

THREE. Screenshots. I have finally mastered how to take a screenshot on my cell phone. Before this week, it was hit-or-miss. NOW, however. I can get a screenshot every time. I am grateful when I can learn new things especially when the mastery is harder than I expected.

FOUR. Shows and food. One afternoon, Marsha and I made up a YUMMY salad and then settled in to watch The Good Witch. We finally have only two episodes left. When we finish this series, we will then get to watching The Midwives. I am grateful for a clean show that is pleasant with a touch of suspense. And I am grateful for a friend who likes to watch TV, eat salad, and visit.

FIVE. Critique Group. Twice a month I meet up with my writer’s group. Because of my shoulder, I haven’t been able to write much. But because of this group at least I am writing some. And each time I go, I learn more about the craft of writing. I am grateful for that, and I’m grateful for their friendship.

Leave a blessing or two in the comment section. Or write your own post and link at Susanne’s Living to Tell the Story.