Freedom and Stability

My Daily Gratitudes: 08/27/2013

I'm grateful for the stability that we currently enjoy in the US.

I'm grateful for the extent to which African-Americans have gained civil rights-- especially as compared to 50 years ago.

I'm grateful for being able to go out and enjoy an evening out as a family. OK . . . so everybody wasn't happy, but most of us had a good time.

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Positive Events from the Past 24 Hours:

Despite oversleeping, our kids still made it to the bus stop on time!
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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

The Internet: A Wonder of the World

My Daily Gratitudes: 08/25/2013

I'm grateful that I have employment and a place to live that is comfortable. No, I don't have riches or a big home, but what I have is enough and is comfortable. Upon watching a new story about "ant colonies" forming among college students in parts of China, I realized that what I have is something to be very thankful for in this day and time.

I'm grateful that my wife doesn't give up or give in to the stresses of life.

I'm grateful for the Internet: I'm still amazed at the way it can bring us entertainment, news, useful information-- all while at the same time keeping us in touch with close friends who live far way.

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Positive Event from the Past 24 Hours:

I enjoyed a moment of nostalgia with my kids as we watching cartoon intros from the '80s.
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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

Rumbly Tummy

My Daily Gratitudes: 08/12/2013

I'm grateful that my job is easy going about taking sick days. I felt really sick to my stomach today.

I'm grateful that I had a chance to catch up on rest and try to nurse myself.

I'm grateful for my wife also doing things to tend to me while I was feeling bad.

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Positive Event from the Past 24 Hours:

I had the chance to spend some quality time with my wife, just before my stomach got all nasty on me. Also, at the moment, I'm feeling a bit better now.
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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

An Easy Going Day, and a Night Owl Actually Get's a Little Sleepy

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/30/2013

I'm grateful for having a fairly smooth day at work. I had to replace a mail server and restore the new server from a backup config. Worked well.

I'm grateful for that crossover cable always hanging around in my laptop bag.

I'm grateful for being able to spend the evening with my family and celebrate my son's birthday tonight. We'll celebrate it some this weekend, too.

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Positive Event from the Past 24 Hours:

I got some good sleep last night. I felt great this morning. But, now I'm very, very sleepy. Time to sign off and hit the sack. But, being sleeping is positive too, for me, since usually I can't fall off to sleep very well before midnight.
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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

Just Hanging Out

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/27/2013

I'm grateful for having a lot of downtime today. Today, I just basically sat around and chilled out after exercising. Nice.

I'm grateful that our family gets along overall. Having that is underrated.

I'm grateful for my wife's love.

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Positive Event from the past 24 hours:

Today was my free day to eat something outside of my eating plan. I got a few donuts with the kids. Krispy Kremes rock! My daughter ate one and said: You can always count on Krispy Kreme to make the day a happy one!

I agree.
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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

Kind Employers allow Employees to Take Care of Familly Needs

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/22/2013

I'm grateful that my employer gave me time to tend to some sudden needs that came up with my mom.

I'm grateful that I had some time to spend with my family today.

I'm grateful for the level of stability we have in the United States. How long will we keep it? I dunno. I'm glad it's here today, though.

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Positive Event from the last 24 hours:

My mom got her plumbing in her house fixed today. Also, my wife and I got down on the floor and played with our kids.


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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

Good Job, Dad . . .

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/17/2013

I'm grateful for the way my son told me, "Good job, Dad" after I finished my workout. I think he could tell I really wanted to be doing something else. But, when he slipped that one in on me, I felt really good. He's watching. I made the right choice and he noticed (and complimented me on it. His manners surprise me sometimes!)

I'm grateful for the time I had to talk with my wife today about making improvements for our lives. We're planning together. I think we're about to shake things up together (in a positive way, that is).

I'm grateful that my after-hours server maintenance completed before midnight. Whether or not it's problem-free depends on when the end-users test it tomorrow. Looks good so far . . .

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Positive Event from the past 24 hours:

Today, I could really feel the results of the time management strategies I from the book Time Management for System Administrators. If you're a SysAdmin, you need this book.
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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

Feeling Good

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/15/2013

I'm grateful for the feeling I had when I woke up this morning. I woke up today and I felt great starting out. I had some pep in my step when I went off to work today. I liked that and I value that.

I'm grateful that I could be helpful at work today.

I'm grateful that I could be helpful at home for my wife this evening.

I'm grateful that I had time to come home over lunch and enjoy a meal and take it easy before heading back to work.


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Positive Event from the past 24 hours:

I had a nice time with my wife last night on our little date. Yeah, the movie sucked, but we had a good time just being together. I felt really good most of the day. I wish I could bottle that feeling and sell it!

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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

Date Night Looks Possible Tonight

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/14/2013

I'm grateful that my children are safe. I reflect upon the high profile case that involved the State of Florida against George Zimmerman and I think about my family's safety. I imagine a lot of moms hugged their children tight last night and silently wished that their children never end up in such a terrible situation. My heart goes out to both families involved in that case. All around, it was a very unfortunate chain of events. I hope some positive social change comes out of that event. The first step is to remember that no person or group is exempt from the need for deep, self examination. After we do that, the members of all racial groups need to work to discontinue stereotyping each other-- and themselves as well.

I'm grateful that I was able to get up before the afternoon again. I got up around 10:00 AM. Not as good as yesterday, but way better than what I normally do. And to top it off-- I had forgotten to take my melatonin on time. So, I had to skip it. That makes getting up a 10:00 AM a bit more impressive.

I'm grateful that my mom will keep the kids tonight so my wife and I can catch a movie. Thanks, mom!

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Positive Event from the last 24 hours:

I got my kids to put away their laundry and I got caught up on the dishes. I also got my workout done early in the day and I've got chill time until we get ready to go to the movies. I guess I can take the kids out somewhere in the meanwhile . . . just to get them out of the house walking around.

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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

A DSPD Sufferer Rises Early and Wins Some Quiet Time with Spouse

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/13/2013

I'm grateful that I was out of bed by 08:30. For me-- on a Saturday-- that's a great accomplishment. Melatonin rocks. (if you actually get around to taking the stuff . . .)

I'm grateful that my wife went to the store today and offered to cook breakfast. She works at least as hard as I do plus school, so we're very fortunate that she's so willing to put the energy in fixing the family hot meals.

I'm also grateful that my wife seems to be doing really well in her accounting class. She seems to like it some, too. I'm happy about that.

Positive Event from the last 24 hours:

Two things so far-- I'm enjoying looking out my window at the green grass and realizing that I don't have to cut it this weekend. I did that last week. It looks so nice and neat.

I enjoyed spending time with my wife this morning. Before the kids woke up, we had some time together. Kids are wonderful, but they really do take up that alone time you were used to having with your mate before kids come along. Something as simple as a short conversation is a challenge when kids are around. So, to have a quiet moment to talk uninterrupted for a bit was really nice.
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If you haven't already done so, I invite you to read my main title post in order to better understand the purpose behind this blog. In that post, you'll find links to three TED Talks that could really impact your life in a positive way.

Mommy

My Daily Gratitudes: 07/08/2013

Today, I realized I'm grateful that I live in a nation with a stable government (as compared to Egypt).

I'm grateful that my mom is still living and I got to have one more moment with her today.

I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to show myself useful at work today. A co-worker had trouble making a serial connection to a Unix server. It wasn't really any fault of his, but I knew my laptop could do it trouble-free. I zipped over to the data center and helped out. The feeling you get from showing yourself competent and helpful is wonderful; I'm grateful for that.

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Positive Event from the past 24 hours:

I spent time with my mom today. I told her about all the things I'm learning about happiness. We talked about movies and old times. I love my mother deeply, but I sometimes have trouble showing her affection. So, today I determined to give her a hug. To which she responded-- Oooh, I haven't gotten one of those in a while! I think that lifted her spirits. If you haven't done so in a while-- give a loved-one or your loyal pet a hug or a warm pat on the back. Bond. It starts to work wonders.

Happiness Inculcate

I pondered the most basic, most essential thing to life. As one who is not religious any longer, I desired to know the things that I should concentrate on most. I started to hone my thoughts towards what people most often regret before dying. After a few events recent to this post, I have realized that the best I can do is make a great pursuit for happiness and work very hard at not ending up with the most common regrets cited by dying people.

I have come across several videos over the past few weeks that have inspired this blog and this practice of posting "daily gratitudes" and journaling something positive that has happened in my life within the past 24 hours.

My goal is to reach out for happiness and wellbeing by using these techniques as well as sharing them with anyone who should stumble upon my journal.

Here are some TED Talks links that I feel would be invaluable to anyone who wants to make their life just the tiniest bit better:









Don't let that last one fool you. While it may talk about "better work", it's not just for that. He should have titled it "The Happy secret to Better Work AND and Better Life". But, that's just me.

I thoroughly enjoyed all three of the above videos and they have a heavy influence on this blog springing into existence. I encourage everyone who stumbles by this post to watch all these videos! You not only have the chance of improving your life, but you may even add some years to it, too! I'll spend an hour to add 10 years to my life any day of the week!

Pancakes and Family Time

My Daily Gratitudes -- 07/06/2013

I recently saw a picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. that I had never seen before. He was pulling the remains of a burnt cross out of his yard. I'm grateful for the sacrifice of such men and women and that today, I'm not familiar with the feeling of pulling burnt crosses out of my front yard.

I'm grateful for the fact that although my body kept telling me today was Sunday, it's really Saturday. Four day weekends rock! Woot! Woot!

I'm grateful that I have the means to go to a movie with my family and feel safe and we enjoy it together. My wife and kids are connected quite well most of the time. I'm thankful for that.

Damn the diet; I'm thankful that my wife made us pancakes today. I'm convinced that pancakes, warm cookies and milk, and fresh, warm, homemade cake is good for you-- at least, now and then, anyway. Not every day, of course!

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Positive event from the last 24 hours:

I really enjoyed going out to the park with my family today. We had lots of fun together. My kids and my wife road their bikes and I walked around. We played around out on the soccer fields then let the kids play out on the playground.

After that, we visited my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. We had a good time just talking and joking. My wife hinted that her sister was feeling really down before our visit. She thinks we really cheered her up. Awesome!

My wife told me earlier in the day that getting out of the house was something she needed to do today, but all she had accomplished was laying around in the bed and watching movies on-line. So, I put forth effort and coxed her to get up and go to the park today. All that I just mentioned was the result and we all benefited from it; Today was a good day today!