“In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Last week I awoke with a sense of anxiety. An unsettling, restless feeling that I should be doing or had forgotten something. But what?
I learned these Christmas balls are plastic. Cool!
Even before Thanksgiving, I’d seen men with towering ladders stringing Christmas lights atop roofs. Pretty, but I’m content to admire theirs. Christmas balls appeared on trees around the neighborhood, perhaps giving me the feeling I should be decorating. But why would those lovely ornaments make me stressed?
I’ve read about stress over the years. Bottom line: It’s usually not good for our health. One study suggests that even positive events can cause stress. Yet some people seem to thrive on it. Is there no way to win? Battling traffic and watching the news are stressors for me. Both literally raise my blood pressure. But during the Holiday season, is it possible to avoid stressors and enjoy happiness? You may consider using products from D8SuperStore an effective way to overcome stress.
It wouldn’t surprise me if many people would tell you no to this question. When it comes to the holiday season, everyone strives to make sure that it is the best that they can make it, especially when it comes to the food, gifts, and family get-togethers. For some people, it simply has to be perfect. So, it’s no wonder why my friend has thought about buying CBD oil in the UK as well as looking for the best company at the same time, to help make sure that she can get through this season stress-free and happy. I’ve heard a couple of people say that they’ve taken marijuana-based products before to try and reduce stress, so maybe I should consider looking into that method. There are so many different strains of marijuana, so it’s important to do some research. My friend said that she’s been looking for some thc crystals for sale to help her manage stress. Recently, I also came across a thc drink that’s been getting great reviews for promoting calm and clarity—definitely something worth trying. Apparently, those crystals help people to feel more energetic too. That would be useful for the holidays, so it might be worth looking into those sorts of methods. I wonder how other people stay calm during the holidays. Vaping with these Terea Japan vape flavors may also help relieve your stress and calm your mind.
Old Order Amish couple heading home after church service in Lancaster County.
The Amish often come to mind. As a group they seem at peace, but in truth they carry challenges and disappointments of every sort, both emotional and financial. How do you think they cope? I heard a gentleman recently say, “The key to happiness is gratitude,” which he attributed to Hans Selye, an endocrinologist who studied in depth the bad effects of stress on the human body and mind. Especially this time of year, the world abounds with stressful situations and yet not an abundance of gratitude.
I think of the word entitlement. With the mindset that one is entitled, can gratitude be achieved? For people who feel entitled is it even possible to speak words of gratitude?
A fun display for the holidays!
This season has been called the happiest time of the year. Are you feeling grateful or does the holiday hubbub stress you out? Is gratitude a natural emotion, or must we work at it? What could make you grateful in the worst of times?
Amish-made table topper and potholder from Lancaster County. PA,
Leave a comment to enter to win this stunning Amish-made table topper and fun potholder, plus a signed copy of A Letter from Lancaster County, or one signed book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy – either CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, its sequel CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish.
Winner has 3 days to respond. USA and Canada entries only. Winner will be chosen at random and announced in one week.
Looking forward to traveling again in one of your exciting books
I would love you to come along for the ride, Janis. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Enjoyed your post Kate & the pictures.
I’m grateful for the many blessings God lovingly gives me in good times & in bad times.
Thank you for a chance to win these lovely prizes.
Blessings, Tina
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and pictures, Tina. Ever since writing the post, I’ve been contemplating the subject matter. Sometimes it is hard to understand how and why God gives us both good and bad times, lovingly. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Remaining grateful in the hard times is something I must work at daily. I remind myself that things could be worse and that God’s promises are true.
Thank you for the chance. Merry Christmas
I work on it daily myself, Lucy. But I also believe His promises are true. Jeremiah 29:11 … “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Even though there may be hard times, I am so grateful for everything I have and everyone I have in my legs. Thank you for your great post. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, Melanie. I am uplifted every time I read a comment like yours, full of gratitude. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck.
Kate
Thank you for your wonderful reminder to live gratefully, even in the midst of difficulties. We can’t always be grateful FOR the difficulty, but with God’s help we can be grateful IN. the difficulty. I always enjoy your books and would love to win one. Thanks for the lovely giveaway! Blessings on you as you continue to write. May you have a Merry Christmas.
I need to keep reminding myself too, Evangeline. It’s tough to be grateful for the hard times, but with God’s help we can be. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a needed lesson to be learned, but I grow weary of learning it. Focussing on my many blessing helps, immensely. Merry Christmas to you and good wishes in the giveaway!
Kate
I plan for the holidays year round (have a Christmas savings account) & watch for sales for gifts my 3 grandsons will like (1-2 gifts per child) I am thankful the Bible says He will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory! HE does meet all of my needs, and then some! It’s the “and then some” that amazes me, and makes my heart so grateful!
You sound ten times more organized than I am, Barb, and also grateful. Both our grandkids recently had birthdays and they have so much already. In a couple areas of my life I pray for what seems impossible, and then turn my requests over to Him. I have gained much peace knowing He’s at the helm. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I think I do have to work at gratitude or at least remembering to show it. I am very grateful for this time of year, as a Christian.
I also love that I am born on Christmas Day and my father was born on Christmas Eve!
My father told me not to expect gratitude when giving or I would become resentful and bitter, Antoinette. However showing it, was a different matter. I do forget to thank God for my bounteous gifts, such as being a woman in a country of safety, compared to much of the world. What fun that your father was born on Christmas Eve and you on Christmas! Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Thoughtful post about gratitude. Gratitude is something that should be celebrated daily–each day be express gratitude for something you are thankful for from the day before or in life.
I cannot wait till your new release, Starting from Scratch is released so I can read it.
A blessed and Merry Christmas, Kate.
Thanks so much, Marilyn! I’m excited for the release of starting from Scratch too, but I know the time will fly by, as it always does in retrospect. This past autumn seems to have evaporated. May you enjoy a blessed and Merry Christmas! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
great pics.enjoyed your post. thanks for the chance to win the nice prizes. Merry Christmas and may God bless.
Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway, Harold. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Merry Christmas and God bless you!
Kate
It’s good to stop and take time to be thankful for our blessings anytime of the year. I’m missing my mom but she lived with me the last year and passed away Thanksgiving Day with me holding her hands at my home. I’m thankful to have been able to spend that time with her.
So true, Gail. We should be grateful every day, but for many reasons this time of year I forget. I’m sorry for your loss. My mother and I were also very close. I was thankful to sit with my her when she was in a comma, at age 69, way too early to die my way of thinking. Thanks for writing and reminding me not to forget that extraordinary gift many people don’t ever have: A fantastic and loving mother. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Gratitude is not a natural feeling. One must work at it. If I’m honest w/ myself I’d have to say I tend to be a complainer. Yikes. But we have so much to be grateful for and I’m asking God to continually remind me to give Him thanks. Thank you for the blog comments and the giveaway opportunity.
Thanks for your wonderful comment, Anne. I think even people who wear a perpetual smile have some grumbling in the back of their brains. Such is mankind throughout history. Even God’s chosen people. This post has been a good lesson to me also. I hadn’t thought to ask Him to remind me and will do so. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Ms Kate!!! Thank you for all your books
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too, Carol. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Merry Christmas Kate! I love all your books,and Thank You for a chance to win this beautiful gift.
Merry Christmas to you, Linda! I appreciate your kind words. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Merry Christmas! Greatful for positive thoughts & kindnesses extended at this time of the year–faith & hope. Would truly enjoy the beautiful gifts you are giving us the opportunity for in your giveaway.
Whether Christian or not, this time of year does seem to encourage kindness, such as donating to charities, Susan. Okay, I know much has to do with tax right-offs, but I see acts of kindness. Now, if we could just rid ourselves of the negative aspects … On the news, I saw 3 men actually wresting over a TV on sale on Black Friday. Pathetic what people are capable of. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Kate Your sweet words will help me through the holidays. I have tried over the last 8 or 9 years to not stress the small stuff – if I get it done – Points for me – If I don’t OH Well it was not meant to be. So far I have managed to abide by that and I enjoy the Holidays much much more. The last couple of years my life has been bless to the rim with my new found friends at Keeping Up with the Amish on FB and the Many wonderful Authors I am blessed enough to consider them friends. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas and thank you for the opportunity to win.
Connie, you are a blessing to us through Keeping up with the Amish. How you manage it all is beyond me. Thanks for entering the giveaway, friend!
Kate
I’m so grateful for writers. I enjoyed the blog post. May you Christmas be filled with wonder and delight!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Nancy. I am wishing you a Christmas filled with wonder and delight, and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love your work. Love reading anything Amish. I really enjoy anything to with Amish…
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Sandi! Good luck!
Kate
When I am in hard times,(which here lately seems all the time),I tell myself it could be worse.In these times I think of the less fortunate.Just this week a fire in our county took the home of a family ,they loss everything they had.But they are still alive,which is what matters most.The county pulled together and met their needs.In the bad times like this you realize there is a reason to be grateful.I may get stressed out but I am still grateful because I know God is in control and he has a plan.Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts Kate.
I am often astounded when I see families after a fire or another catastrophe, and how they exhibit gratitude for their lives. It does make me feel foolish and also gives me insight into how to be grateful in bad times. He is in control and has our back. Took me many years to understand this glorious truth. Thanks for your lovely comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
This is the last Christmas I will be working as I am retiring in 2 weeks. It feels like a wonderful blessing and perhaps next year Christmas won’t be so stressful as I will have time to take care of everything. Anyway, that is the plan!
How exciting, Sonja. I wonder what you’ll do with your time, other than not being stressed. Thanks for sharing your good news and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Although the holidays are sometimes stressful, we love spending time with family and the joy of the season We would love to win these Amish gifts. Merry Christmas!
Yay, you love spending time with your family and the season, Nora. Not always the case. Thanks for writing and spreading good cheer, and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Working on gratitude! I have so much to be thankful for~
A wonderful thing to work on, Kathy, as I am too. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I wish i could translate your comment.
Kate
I know stress gets to all of us. This is a season for us to celebrate God’s greatnest gift His Son. Please enter me in your contest. Would love to have something made by the Amish. Merry Christmas to you
Thanks
I am delighted to enter you in the giveaway, Connie. Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Kate
I’m delighted you stumbled upon my blog. Thanks for visiting and entering my giveaway!
Kate
Grateful for the grace of God ……
His grace is undeserved, yet treasured, Patty. Good luck in the giveaway!
I get a little stressed when I get rushed, so I try not to get rushed. Most of the time I can handle pressure. When I do get stressed, deep breaths, prayer and taking a break usually do the trick. Relax, Kate, and breath. 🙂
I’m like you, Pat. I get stressed when rushed. I hate being late, and fortunately so does my husband. Even when I think I’m running late, I usually arrive on time. Hard to take a break when you’re stuck in city traffic going to an appointment, but music helps, especially this time of year. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Many thanks to all who entered! This Giveaway is now closed. Winner will be announced this coming Tuesday.