Day 3647: Proud

When I asked this question on Twitter last night …

… I knew that some people would respond that being proud was not a good thing, while others would happily cite family members and their own accomplishments.

The definition of “proud” reflects this dichotomy:

Last week in a therapy group, I invited people to brag about themselves and, similarly, some people easily described what they were proud of and others struggled with that.

I think that many of us have been taught that pride is a sin and I’m proud of the fact that I’ve helped people realize that it is not a sin, but rather a healthy connection with one’s own self worth.

I’m proud that I wrote the above quickly with minimal rewriting and I’m proud that I’ve gathered all these images for you today:

The Daily Bitch seems proud about her relationship with cheese.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “proud.”

What something you’re proud of?

I’m proud that I have so many wonderful people in my life, including YOU.

Day 2550: Happy Families on Christmas Eve

Tolstoy said,

All happy families resemble one another, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

 

 

Do all happy families resemble one another on Christmas Eve?  Let’s see …

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder if tiny tardigrades have families as happy as mine.

This photo …

… shows the father of Aaron, “my excellent ex” (on the left) and  my husband-to-be, Michael, both happy on Christmas Eve. That makes me very happy.

There are lots of videos on YouTube about “Happy Families on Christmas Eve.” I’m happy to share this one:

 

To all the families out there, I wish you happiness today and every day.

Finally, thank you SO MUCH for being part of my blogging family!!!!

 

 

 

Day 1821: You don’t say

As a group therapist, I notice what people say and what people don’t say.

Sometimes, people don’t say

• what’s bothering them,
• opinions that are different from others around them,
• “I can do this but I can’t do this,”
• how they truly feel,
• something they fear will hurt another person’s feelings,
• “Ouch!”
• positive things about themselves,
• what they need in the moment,
• “I love you,”
• swear words,
• buzzwords, and
• the word “merry.“

What don’t you say?

I usually don’t say, “Can I take this picture?”

 

I don’t say I’m a birdwatcher, but  I do say I love those two gifts from Michael.

I don’t say, “No videos in this blog.”

If you don’t say thanks, people might not know you appreciate them.  I do say thanks to all who helped me create today’s post and — of course! — to you, no matter what you do or don’t say.

Day 1456: Guess What’s Inside

Guess what’s inside this post!

Photos that I took yesterday, of course,  on Christmas/Chanukah  Day.

Guess what my boyfriend Michael’s wonderful relative, Sharon, said  when she gave me that very good gift.

I am giving you that tree of encouragement because of your heart operation,  all you’ve gone through this year, and because of the way people on your blog support and encourage you.

What’s inside Sharon is beautiful.

Guess what’s inside the rest of this post!

More photos.   Can you guess what’s inside each of them?

 

Guess what’s inside YouTube?  My choice for today’s music.

 

Guess what’s inside my heart, here and now.   Besides a new mechanical valve, there’s  gratitude for all who helped me create what’s inside this post and for every one of you!

Day 1455: What makes a good gift?

Recently, somebody who is a gift to me gave me the gift of this question:

What makes a good gift?

What makes a good gift, to you?

During this time of gift-giving, I think good gifts include

• thoughtfulness,
• kindness,
• attention to what people like,
• pleasant memories,
• really listening to each other,
• acceptance of differences,
• fun,
• originality, and
• I hope, my photos from yesterday.

I believe that one of my photos, above, brings the good gift of a musical suggestion for this Christmas and Chanuka Day.

Any comment from you would make a good gift, indeed.

Gratitude also makes a good gift and I have gratitude, here and now, for all who helped provide the good gifts in this post and for you — of course! — for the very  good gift of your visit.