Give Thanks that Life is Good

I am thankful that...life is good

One of the simplest and greatest insights I have ever learned is that a heart of gratitude is essential to true happiness. I have always believed that love is the foundation to a truly blessed life and I still do. However, we can be loved unconditionally and even learn to love ourselves and others without practicing gratitude.

There is a difference between knowing that someone loves us and being grateful that he or she accepts us just the way we are. Knowing we are loved, we might take it for granted or even reject that love. However, if we are thankful that we are loved and accepted unconditionally, we are more likely to receive that love with joy and appreciation. Gratitude causes us to cherish and value something. This, in turn, brings us joy. There is a difference between loving someone’s sense of humor and being thankful for the times of laughter we enjoy with him or her. There is also a difference between loving our innate strengths and talents and being thankful that we can use them to help and bless others.

Gratitude helps us to put love into action. It helps us to experience love and to live it out. For example, I love my Godmother and really enjoy spending time with her. Just recently, we had a wonderful time together celebrating my birthday. She made it so special. I truly felt loved, but more than that, I was so grateful for everything she did to make it memorable. Love made me feel good and gratitude brought me joy. I notice that the more I reflect on the reasons I am thankful, the more appreciation and joy I experience.

A very effective way to increase our daily experience of gratitude and joy is to make it a habit to list at least three things we are thankful for at the end of each day.  I remember when I first started doing this years ago.  I was surprised by how many little things were real blessings to my day.  I typically would not have thought much of them and probably would have taken them for granted.  And I am talking about simple things like being thankful for having good weather so I could ride my bike, watching a funny movie with my family, discussing the day's events with my husband, running into an old friend, getting a big hug from my son, hearing a new song I like, and so on.

The more I disciplined myself to take notice of the good things in life, the more I began to recognize just how much there is to be thankful for.  Napeoleon Hill said, "Your big opportunity may be right where you are now."  Our greatest opportunity right now is to appreciate life, know that it is good, and enjoy it.  We seize that opportunity every time we reflect on our blessings and give thanks!

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved. Written by Krystal Kuehn. New Day Counseling Center

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What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life. ~Oprah Winfrey

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Joy is a heart full and a mind purified by gratitude. ~Marietta McCarty

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Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more. ~ David Steindl-Rast

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Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. ~- Denis Waitley

Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family couples counseling and child teen counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Check out Krystal's new Be Your Best blog and Words of Inspiration blog!


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Give Thanks that One Person Can Make a Difference

I am thankful that.... one person can make a difference

The other day we had the opportunity to vote in the primary elections.  I was talking to someone about it and he told me that he didn't want to waste his time. He said it was because he believed his vote wouldn't make a difference anyway.  Can you imagine if we all felt this way?  Every one of us has a voice to be heard and every one of us counts.  The attitude that our efforts are unimportant and worthless can transcend into the many other areas of our lives.  It will keep us from speaking up because we think no one will listen.  It will keep us from giving, because we think it won't ever be enough anyway.  It will keep us from believing, because we won't stretch our faith, try to accomplish great things, or hope for miracles.

This man's comments made me think about all the people who believed that they could make a difference even if they were the only one to take the steps of faith necessary to accomplish their goals and dreams.  I thought about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Theresa, and the countless others we may never know by name.  We enjoy their contributions today and are blessed by the fruit of their fortitude.  There are nonprofit foundations that are changing lives every single day that began with just one person willing to believe, make sacrifices and take action. 

I understand not everyone is called to be a pioneer, world changer, or entreprenuer.  But that doesn't exempt any one of us from doing our part to make a difference right here, right now.  I recall what a professional counselor once said:  It takes just one caring person to make a difference in the life of a hurting child.  I never forgot her words.  They are so true.  If we ever think for a minute that we have nothing to offer that can make a positive difference in this world, we ought to think again.  Our words, time, kindness, love, service, sharing, wise counsel, understanding, hugs can all make a positive difference in someone's life.  I am so thankful that we don't have to wait around for someone else to change the world.  We can all do our small part today and make this world a better place.


Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved. Written by Krystal Kuehn. New Day Counseling Center



Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family couples counseling and children therapy center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Check out Krystal's new Be Your Best blog and Words of Inspiration blog!


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Give Thanks for God's grace

I am thankful for...God's grace

We always have something to be thankful for!  I love this quote:  If you can't be thankful for what you receive, be thankful for what you escape. ~unknown 

Just yesterday as I was driving through a construction zone, I almost got rear ended when I stopped at a light.  The person behind must not have seen the light change.  When the driver suddenly realized I was stopped for the red light, he slammed on his brakes and started turning his wheel into the construction zone to avoid hitting me. Thankfully, I saw this in my rear view mirror so I let up on the brake and tried to give him more room to stop without moving into oncoming traffic.  That was close! I was so thankful that an accident was averted and I could go along my way without any problems, delays, or injury.  I believe there are many times we escape problems or accidents without even knowing it.  It is good for us to remember to not only be thankful for all our blessings and for the good things in life, but we can also be thankful for what we escape!  We can be thankful for God's grace!



Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved. Written by Krystal Kuehn. New Day Counseling Center



Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a marriage family counseling and children therapy center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Check out Krystal's new Be Your Best blog and Words of Inspiration blog!

<< Go Back to Krystal's Give Thanks Journal Home

Give Thanks for the Opportunity to Serve

I am thankful for... the Opportunity to Serve Others

To serve others demands selflessness and sacrifice. So how can it be something to be thankful for? Do we really want to put the needs of others before our own? In most cases, we honestly do not. We may even become agitated when our goals are blocked or when we have to change our plans to accommodate someone else’s need. This has happened to all of us. We give our time, attention, resources, whatever is needed of us, and we are not too happy about it. What I learned recently is that this is not only a sacrifice, but it is an opportunity to serve. After reading a story about a man who spent much of his life serving, I pondered on his life and his words. He said that his purpose for living was to serve. Serving people was his privilege and calling. It filled his life with purpose and meaning. Being a very spiritually-minded man, he had his mind and heart set on things above, things eternal. His treasure was in heaven and he found no greater joy. The more I thought about this, the more convicted I became. I am thankful to have come across this man’s testimony. It caused me to reflect and repent. What became so much more important to me than serving? Why was it difficult for me to accept my present station in life? Maybe it is because my focus became self-centered causing me to temporarily forget what really matters and the joy in giving and serving from the heart. I believe there is no greater purpose in living than to serve others and our God. It only becomes a dreaded chore or burden when we do it grudgingly. It is my prayer that I serve with a willing, obedient, and cheerful heart that is full of gratitude. It is then that I truly fulfill my purpose and calling. I am very thankful for the many opportunities I am given every day to serve my God and others.

Happiness... consists in giving and in serving others. ~Henry Drummond

It is the love that we give and the service we render that really is the great payoff. ~David B. Haight

c 2010 Krystal Kuehn, BeHappy4Life.com, NewDayCounseling.org

Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family and couples counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & inspiration, and Baby-Poems.com, where you will find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes & cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy!

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Give Thanks for Great Dads

I am thankful for...Great Dads

When I was thinking about what a great dad means to me, some thoughts that came to my mind were: a strong leader, caring, unconditionally loving, protector and provider. I suppose how we define a great father depends largely upon our own experience. I am thankful to have had a father who did the best he knew to do in raising us. He never had a chance to know his own father who had passed away when he was around 2 years old. So he didn't have any real role model to learn from and follow. He did his best and for that I am thankful.

Sigmund Freud said, "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." I believe this to be true. There is something about a Godly father that makes us feel safe and secure. This is what we want and need in a world filled with violence and suffering. A great dad helps us to know that we are loved and protected.

Great dads also love our moms. I really appreciate this quote: "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother," ~ Henry Ward Beecher. In doing so, children feel more secure and safe. A great father knows the importance of having a harmonious, loving relationship with his wife and the mother of his children. Parents getting along and loving each other is one of the healthiest things children can witness and experience. It makes their world and home a stable and happy place. It also models good and healthy relationships to them and prepares them for thier own intimate relationships and parenting.

I believe I learned what a really great father is from my husband. He is an amazing father. He emcompasses everything I mentioned earlier in describing a great and Godly father: strong leader, caring, unconditionally loving, protector and provider as well as a loving husband.

We may not all have a great dad, and many don't. However, we can appreciate the qualities of a Godly father in others. It doesn't have to be our own dad. I am so thankful for men who love their wives, who care for their children, who care deeply and love unconditionally, who are strong in their faith and walk in integrity, who love the Lord and are good leaders and role models, who walk in humility, gratitude, and wisdom. For this I am very thankful.

My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland


I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. ~M*A*S*H, Colonel Potter


It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. ~ Anne Sexton




Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved. Written by Krystal Kuehn. NewDayCounseling.org and BeHappy4Life.com


Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a marriage family counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & inspiration, and Baby-Poems.com, where you will find beautiful baby poems, quotes & videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy!

<< Go Back to Krystal's Give Thanks Journal Home

Give Thanks that Our Words Can Encourage & Motivate Others

I am thankful that my words can encourage and motivate others

It is amazing how a simple compliment and words of appreciation have the power to encourage and brighten someone’s day. When I was a kid, I recall a magnet on the refrigerator. It said, “Give someone’s day a little lift, give a kind word as a gift.” Even a simple “thank you” or “you look nice today” can be encouraging and remind us that we are appreciated.

The other day, I thanked one of my son’s teachers for the positive impact she was having on his learning. He enjoys her class and was so inspired by a movie she showed the students that he purchased the DVD. When I told her this, she was very surprised. She said she often wondered if her students were getting anything from her class. Learning that she is having an impact made her so happy. She smiled as she repeatedly thanked me for letting her know. I was so glad I did.

Too often we have an opportunity to say something kind or encouraging, but we keep it to ourselves. If we only knew how much of a positive impact our compliments and words of appreciation can have, I am sure we would share them more often. Every time I get positive feedback or am told of how something I wrote or did helped someone, I am encouraged. It brightens my day. I don’t think we can ever feel too appreciated. I am so thankful that every day I have a chance to show kindness and appreciation to others. My words can encourage and motivate others. I am thankful that I can use them to really make a difference!

Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family marriage counseling & child counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights and inspiration, and the soon-to-be launched Baby-Poems.com, a celebration of children with baby poems, baby quotes, articles and more.

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Give Thanks for Restful Sleep

I am thankful for.... restful sleep

Waking up refreshed and alert after a sound night of sleep is a great way to start a new day. We feel energized and ready to face new opportunities and challenges. It feels good to know we can be our best because we are more focused, calm and productive. I truly appreciate the gift of rejuvenating sleep. There was a time when I struggled with sleep problems. I wasn't getting enough of the quality sleep that affects every area of our lives (health, productivity, relationships, safety, and work). As a result, I could not be as productive as I wanted to be, and I was tired throughout the day.

For years I tried everything I could think of to get better sleep. I tried many psychological techniques as well as any other tips that sounded like they might help. They did help to a point, but there was still an underlying problem. It wasn’t until I learned that I had a magnesium and vitamin D deficiency, that the sleep problem was resolved. Supplementation was what I needed and it has worked for me ever since. I am grateful for this insight. I am also grateful for the many tips I have learned on my quest to getting better sleep. The one I find to be most helpful is to relax the body and mind by slowing down physically and mentally. Deep breathing works well for the body.  For the mind, I have to stop working mentally. If necessary, I write down what I want to remember for later and let go for the time being. The goal is to have a peaceful state of mind, free of worries, cares or unresolved anger. Another tip that I find extremely helpful is to think about at least 3 reasons to be thankful for this day. It focuses my mind on what is good and it reminds me that I am blessed in many ways that are so easy to overlook or simply take for granted. I value good physical and mental health. And I appreciate the amazing ways the body and mind work together. Restful sleep isn't just a necessity. It is good for our overall health and well-being. I am so thankful for the refreshing that comes from a great night of sleep that prepares me to enjoy and appreciate a new day!

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved. Written by Krystal Kuehn. NewDayCounseling.org and BeHappy4Life.com

Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family marriage counseling & child counseling center and BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights inspiration.


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