11-28-2023 6:46pm

Feeling Grateful at the First Glimpse of Winter

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - FEELING GRATEFUL AT THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF WINTER

Tuesday afternoon gave us a glimpse of winter. I got a text from my sister who was out for a walk that read, "It's snowing!" I stepped to my window and sure enough, it was snowing. What a nice surprise. I stepped outside to feel it on my skin. It felt so good.

The change of seasons seems to come abruptly, but Mother Nature has perfect timing. She knows exactly when to go into the next season.

I usually don't enjoy the coming of winter. I'm such a beach bum that it always seems to bum me out. But this year, I'm not focusing on what I don't like. I'm embracing whatever comes. It's a good habit that we can develop at any age, especially over 60. It's easy to give in to feeling blue about change, but if we learn to anticipate it like a child, we'll be much better off.

I watched a video recently from Dwayne Johnson aka "The Rock." He spoke about how busy we all are with lots of errands and things we've got to do. He explained that he's a grateful man and that if we turn things around to gratefulness, we can change got to get. Another words, instead of saying, "I have so many things I've got to do." We can say, "There are so many things I get to do." It shifts the paradigm. It also shifts our outlook in a positive way. Just one little word can change how we see things.

Gratitude is a positive emotion that involves being thankful and appreciative and is associated with several mental and physical health benefits. When you experience gratitude, you feel grateful for something or someone in your life and respond with feelings of kindness, warmth, and other forms of generosity. It lightens our mood, too.

The word gratitude can have a number of different meanings depending on how we use it and in what context.

In general terms, gratitude stems from the recognition that something good happened to you, accompanied by an appraisal that someone, whether another individual or a supernatural source, such as nature or a divine entity, was responsible for it.

The subject is something that has interested religious scholars and philosophers since ancient times. Research on gratitude didn't take off until the 1950s as psychologists and sociologists began to examine the impact that gratitude could have on individuals and groups. Since then, interest in the topic has grown considerably as the potential health benefits became increasingly apparent.

So, what does gratitude look like? How do you know if you are experiencing a sense of gratitude? Expressing your appreciation and thanks for what you have can happen in a number of different ways. For example, it might entail:

Spending a few moments thinking about the things in your life that you are grateful for
Stopping to observe and acknowledge the beauty of wonder of something you encounter in your daily life
Being thankful for your health
Thanking someone for the positive influence they have in your life
Doing something kind for another person to show that you are grateful
Paying attention to the small things in your life that bring you joy and peace
Meditation or prayer focused on giving thanks

Gratitude is often a spontaneous emotion that you feel in the moment. Some people are naturally prone to experiencing it more often than others, but it is also something that you can cultivate and learn to practice more often. Dwayne Johnson is doing just that, and so can you. Gratitude can make you feel solid as a rock.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, there is so much to be grateful for. How about the fact that you made it to this age. That's something to be very grateful for.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - SKATING AT THE GATEWAY WITH NANCY KERRIGAN

Come see the Holiday Spectacular on Ice Starring Nancy Kerrigan at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport. If you live on Long Island or plan to visit during the holidays, you won't want to miss this ice show that runs from December 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024. It's a great outing for the whole family and a great way to celebrate the holiday season.

The Gateway Playhouse is at:
215 South Country Rd
Bellport, 11713

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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What do you like to do in winter?

Please put your answer in the Reply section below. I'd love to hear from you.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - SOMETIMES IN WINTER by BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS

Lyrics

Sometimes in Winter
I gaze into the streets
And walk through snow and city sleet
Behind your room
Sometimes in Winter
Forgotten memories
Remember you behind the trees
With leaves that cried
By the window once I waited for you
Laughing slightly you would run
Trees alone would shield us in the meadow
Makin' love in the evening sun
Now you're gone girl
And the lamp posts call your name
I can hear, them
In the spring of frozen rain
Now you're gone girl
And the time's slowed down till dawn
It's a cold room and the walls ask
Where you've gone
Sometimes In Winter
I love you when the good times
Seem like mem'ries int he spring
That never came
Sometimes In Winter
I wish the empty streets
Would fill with laughter from the tears
That ease my pain

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, a monthly vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, and monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. They are all designed to inspire and motivate women to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

Skylark Live Town News - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. And, I throw in Italian words because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click the link to subscribe: https://skylarklive.town.news

The Skylark Sessions (a work in progress): The Skylark Sessions are in-person chats in a round-table format. There is a new topic for each session. I moderate, but this is an open conversation. I will post the date, time, topic, and location on my social media sites as well as on my Patreon account. There is a $5 cash donation per session. You can RSVP at christineskylark@aol.com.

60 and Beyond with Skylark Vlog - This is my first Monday-of-the month vlog that is inspirational and motivational and is a reflection of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the month and what we've talked about in my Skylark Sessions. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube Channel, as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my Tube Channel link to subscribe:

Support me on Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newslettters, create my vlogs, and coordinate my Skylark Sessions. Just click the link: Skylark Live | 60 and Beyond with Skylark | Patreon

Follow me on Social Media - You can find me on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.