I Am Overwhelmed.

I have to begin this blog today by repeating the header I have given it, “I am Overwhelmed,” that so many have been in touch asking me where I am and how I am. I can only give my heartfelt thanks to you all for your kind words.
Life here has been difficult; we have had a tremendous amount of snow. This has meant that a great deal of time is spent trying to keep access to our street open. I live at the top of a very steep hill with a very narrow road leading up. This means that we get no help with snow movers or gritting machines. So much of my time has been taken up helping neighbours move snow, making sure everybody is well and have all that they need.

I have been managing to run, much to the amazement of many. I had thought that the blogging was one of the things that I could lay aside. I was so sure that it had run its course, but it seems that maybe I was wrong on this. I will therefore start thinking again about putting up a few new entries.

I have not had much time for painting, so again I felt a bit of a fraud contributing to blogs on the topic of art. Today I have been working on a small abstract, if I feel it is worthy I will get back to sharing some of these with you.

This week I will hit the ripe old age of 67, rather frightening, I do not feel a day over 25. I have set myself a challenge for this year, to run up and down Scotland’s highest mountain in under three hours. It normally takes people five hours to reach the summit.

I have added a small pastel at the top of today’s blog, it has an interesting little story behind it which I will share on my other blog.

The artwork on this blog is discussed at my other blog. The Squirrel

Where is my Chocolate Cake?

Somebody said to me the yesterday,”Ralph there is no need to say thank you.” Of course there is a need to say thank you. I can tell you now I appreciate when somebody makes a nice comment or shows they appreciate something I have done. Knowing how I feel I want to make sure others know how much I appreciate them. What does it cost to say thank you, and even more important what does it cost to accept thanks?

There is a true story of the old lady who lived alone. Her next door neighbour baked regularly for her fellowship coffee mornings. One day she decided to make a chocolate cake extra for her neighbour. When the neighbour opened her door, she was surprised to see her holding the chocolate cake. She said, "For me? Oh, thank you so much! You just don't know how much I appreciate it! You are so thoughtful for doing this! Thank you!"

Because the old lady had liked the cake so much, she decided the next week to bake her another one. When she took it over, the old lady opened the door and said, "Thank you so much. You are so kind!"



She took another cake over the following week. The old lady responded simply with, "Thanks."



The next week she took another cake over, and the old lady said, "You are a day late with that cake."



The following week, she baked her another cake. This time her neighbour said, "Try using a little more sugar and don't bake it quite as long. The top has been a little bit hard lately.”



The next week she was so busy, she was unable to cook for her neighbour. When she passed by her house on the way to the store, the old lady looked through the window and noticed she wasn't carrying a cake. She then stuck her head out the window and yelled, "Where's my cake?!"



It's so easy to get used to our blessings. After enjoying them for a while, we begin to think we deserve them. Then instead of being thankful, we complain. It's a process that occurs so slowly, we don't even realize it's happening.

I could sit here all morning relating similar true stories.

The real sadness is that it is a very short stop from taking things for granted to complaining about what we have or receive.

I remember one day out running with a friend. As we ran along the canal bank he stopped, bent down and picked something up. I watched as he unfolded it. It was a five pound note. I commented, “Your lucky day.” he looked at me and said, “If it had been you it would have been a ten pound note.”

Complainers so easily look at the negative side of all things. They do not give thanks, and they complain about what they have because it is never enough.

My goodness I am on my hobby horse these last two days. Forgive me and thanks again to all of you who day in and day out read this blog and take time to comment or get in touch.

I leave you with a little thought, and a question. The question first! Are you a you a thanker or a complainer?

And the little thought!

Complaining is like bad breath, you notice it when it comes out of somebody else’s mouth but not your own.

Have a thankful day. This is the way of the Tao.

I can hear you asking what is it with the picture today well follow the link and I will explain.


This blog is linked to my other. Trainers