Category: Gratitude

Haircut

Only about twice a year do I get my hair cut after a dry winter and humid summer when my hair has become stringy and full of split ends. I don’t do much when I get it cut. Typically, it is cleaning up the split ends, styling the bottom with a point cut to flip the hair out or under, and framing around my face. I like style, but due to my silky hair that holds almost nothing and my skin sensitivities, my haircuts are simple.

I had plans to get my hair cut on a Saturday after I had received a coupon in the mail, however, when Saturday came, it wasn’t until my husband mentioned my interest in doing it that day that I remembered. I was grateful for the reminder. Not only that, I was also grateful to check in on an app before arriving giving myself more time to get things done at home then sitting waiting for my turn.

As the hairdresser was cutting my hair, she took her time and was very detailed. I did not mind at all. I was appreciative of the extra care she was giving to my hair. As I observed another hairdresser moving quickly through her patrons and one patron seeming surprised with how fast she finished, my hairdresser spoke to her to slow down. I enjoyed the time my hairdresser took with my hair and was also grateful for the insights she shared on how I could have less shine where I don’t want it and more shine and conditioning where it will provide lift to my straight silky hair.

When have you appreciated having any of the following—a coupon when getting your hair cut, a reminder from a family member when you had a plan to treat yourself, a short wait time, a hairdresser who spent quality time on your hair, and/or a helpful tip shared with you?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Baked Squash

A short time before my daughter’s friends were coming over to bake cookies, I had removed a baking stone from the kitchen counter and placed it in the oven only to discover that baked squash I had made for dinner a few nights ago was still there. I had completely forgotten about it. I didn’t even have an inkling or a thought at all reminding me that there was anything left behind that needed to be either eaten or refrigerated for later.

I was able to take care of it, unfortunately, dumping it in the trash. It was a bummer as I would have liked to have eaten it at another time, however, I’m grateful I found it before the girls did. Had they opened the oven to see it there first, it just may have altered their appetite. It didn’t look that bad, nonetheless, the thought of food being left behind and forgotten for days is gross.

When have you been grateful when you found something unappealing while cleaning, saw it first and took care of it before your guests arrived?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Blood Pressure

It is not a hard thing for me to become stressed and feel anxious. I strive daily to maintain a relaxed composure and utilize techniques and skills to calm my nerves when I get uptight, nervous, scared, etc.

Recently, I had an annual doctor’s visit and recalling last year‘s stressful visit, due in part to meeting a new doctor in a new practice, I did not want a repeat, most specifically,  a less than desired blood pressure reading. This time around, conditions were different and I was not experiencing the same kind of stresses, however, my recollection hiked up my anxiety.

Prior to leaving for the appointment, I did things that would help calm my nerves from breathing—deep breathes in and deep breathes out, focusing on my happy place— the celestial room inside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple, reading inspiring stories in a Latter-day Saints church magazine—the Ensign, listening to a song and a personal experience shared by an artist on “Hi Five Live -Facebook”, and I prayed for a miracle that all of the above would calm me and I would be able to stay focused on pleasant, happy things so my blood pressure would be good.

I have not had what I would consider a good blood pressure reading in I don’t know how long because I’m constantly experiencing and dealing with stress and anxiety. It was a tender mercy the calming techniques and my focus paid off and with Heavenly Father‘s help, my blood pressure was excellent!

When have you worked really hard to achieve a healthy state and you were successful?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Interior Decorating

One summer afternoon as we were preparing to have guests over, our daughter cleaned up our kitchen table and changed out the centerpiece for a simple, modern look removing and replacing the spring decor. I was delighted and thanked her for having an eye for decorating and being able to gather up items throughout the house to put together a fabulous centerpiece. I loved it! It was like staging a home and rearranging what you already have for a look that was more appealing. I was quite impressed!

Have you had a friend or family member share their interior decorating skills to beautify your home and you absolutely loved and valued and appreciated their talent?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Friendly Guidance

I received a phone call today about some changes to an assignment that I’ve had for a length of time and I was not capturing the new direction that was being shared with me. I was stuck in the mindset of what has been the process in the past and not grasping beyond what I was used to doing.

I am embarrassed to say that it took me several minutes to understand, and essentially it wasn’t until I got off the call that I realized what was being shared. I may have come off as being set in my prior ways when I truly was not comprehending.  Once it clicked for me, I reached out to them expressing my gratitude for their clarifying what I was not seemingly getting.  While I clearly was not getting it at first as they were so nicely guiding me, I am thankful they were patient and kind.

When have you experienced challenges such as the one above and were grateful for the patience and kindness shown to you?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Insurance and Rebates

Upon a couple of my children finishing an eye and contact exam, they learned that after the insurance covered a portion of their year supply of contacts, the remaining amount owed, out-of-pocket, was the same amount as a rebate offer. This was incredible news for them because they pay the difference after insurance for their year supply of contacts. Going into their annual eye appointment, they were concerned with what the amount remaining would be as they did not have the money and would need to wait to purchase the contacts until they did so.  Now they were able to afford them and get them sooner. What a blessing!

I think of those who do extreme couponing and how after purchasing food and nonfood, they spend practically zero or very minimal on their grocery bill.  I think that is so cool and amazing!

Have you experienced purchasing something and after insurance and coupons and/or rebates, you essentially spent nothing or very little? A happy day!

tendermercym♥ments~jld

A Loofah

For weeks my skin had been a disaster. It felt soft, yet there were areas of flakiness. And on my arms, I could roll and pull off the skin like dead skin after a sunburn, however, I did not have a sunburn and not being able to remove it all sufficiently was ever so frustrating. Even while showering and trying to remove the flakes, the problem remained. No matter the amount of lotion I applied, it did not smooth out or prevent the unwanted flakiness.

It had been a while since I had tried using a loofah which at the time didn’t seem to work so I resorted to using the palm of my hand to attempt to remove and rub off the flakes as I showered. I was not successful at all with that approach. It was really bothering me and one day the thought came to my mind to use a loofah. For whatever reason, this time, on this particular day, it worked. The flakes were practically gone and my skin was smooth. It felt and looked great.

I don’t know what made the difference. Was it that I did not lather the loofah with body wash or apply body wash to the skin first? This time I used only water with the loofah and then washed with body wash following. Was it seasonal? I’ve used the loofah in the winter time before when it didn’t work and now it’s summer. I don’t know if that plays into it, but all I know is I am grateful the loofah removed the unwanted skin and I was left with smooth soft skin.

When have you reached a point of frustration with your skin and a thought came to your mind to try something you had used before and when you did, it worked?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Olive Oil and Garlic Oil

One evening, while tucking one of my children in bed, they casually and gently mentioned their ear was hurting. I had not noticed their disposition and behavior during the day being different than usual and no complaints were heard. I imagine their being absorbed in various activities preoccupied their attention that they didn’t notice the discomfort until settling into bed for the night.

As I looked at the ear, I supposed that maybe they had rested their hand on it supporting their head while sitting in a chair watching television or they had laid on it to take a brief nap resulting in it feeling tender and sore.  As I shared with them this possibility, I asked them to keep me posted on how their ear was feeling in the morning.

All the while we were dialoguing and even after learning of their achy ear, I was still able to maintain speaking with them with my same sweet mom voice so as not to worry them, although inside I was concerned if something more was going on and if I should frequently check on them throughout the night.  I left the room telling myself that I should not get myself worked up and all will be fine. I was confident I would be alerted somehow if I was to be more highly concerned. The next morning no updates were shared, and frankly I forgot. I was grateful as a natural “worry wart” that during the night my mind was not consumed with worry and I was able to sleep.

While tucking them in bed the next night, once again, a casual and gentle mention of the ear hurting was spoken, to which I asked more questions and with no visible sign of a fever or any apparent physical or other concerns, I felt that what may help was an olive/garlic oil solution (better if at room temperature), 1/4 tsp each mixed together, and poured slowly into the ear canal. They agreed. The next day, I followed up and they said the pain had decreased and was minimal to that of the night before. By evening of that night all the pain was gone.

I learned about this home remedy when my older kids were young.  I am so grateful I had this knowledge from so many years ago come to mind and that I had the ingredients on hand which provided comfort and relief during a time of need that helped soothe and heal a tender, sore ear.

When have you been able to apply your education and knowledge to bless and help someone in need, particularly a health remedy, that provided soothing comfort and relief as well as healing?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

 

Saved By The Light

Early in the morning, before heading to bed just after midnight, I went to the kitchen to get a cup of water.  On the counter was the cup I had been reusing throughout the day with a paper towel over the top.  As I removed the paper towel and took the cup to the fridge to begin filling it up with water, the water light came on and I saw a spider on the rim. Immediately, I took the cup to the sink to dump out the water and rinse out the cup in hopes of also dumping out the spider. It took a few times of dumping and rinsing before the spider fell into the sink at which time I just got myself a new cup. Had there not been a light on the fridge when I got the water, I would not have seen or known that the spider was there. I am grateful for the light to have spotted the spider.

When have you been grateful that you saw something concerning to you before putting in your mouth (moldy bread, a spider…) or stepping on (a scorpion, spider, snake, fire ants, broken glass…) what was alarming and a danger to you?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

First On The Waiting List

As I was trying to find a piece of paper with a password and username for an iPad that had not been used in awhile, I came across a reminder to contact an apartment for my son, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to be placed on their waiting list so when he returned and headed back to college, an apartment would hopefully be available and he would be able to move into the place he checked out before he left.

As I called the apartment to place him on the waiting list, I learned that he was first in line. Had I not been in search for a password and username for the iPad, I would not have seen the reminder that it was the timeframe to contact the apartment.  I was very grateful that I called them when I did.

When have you been searching for one thing and at the right time you came across an important reminder and was appreciative of the blessing that came from not missing an important date or deadline?

tendermercym♥ments~jld