Bay Shore NY
9-24-2024 7:26pm

Be Grateful, Not Hateful

KYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - BE GRATEFUL, NOT HATEFUL

We are living in a time where it seems everyone hates each other. With a tumultuous political climate, we are just over a month away from Election Day. I think it's going to be a horse race. Il'ippica!

Lately, I think I've been complaining too much. No one is saying that I am, but I feel like I am. I have days that are great, and I have days that are not so great. It's on the not-so-great days that I complain. Can you relate?
 
I still work, so the roads are stressful. I don't drive on main highways to get to work, but Main Street feels like a highway. Congestion is the norm. Where you used to be able to drive freely through local towns, now it's bumper to bumper. It moves, but it's slow. People are making daring moves like the one I saw today. I'm on New Highway, which is a two-lane road around Republic Airport in Farmingdale on Long Island when a car comes roaring to my left into on-coming traffic just to get a few cars ahead of me. The light turned red, and he stopped. He not only put himself at risk, but he put anyone who might be coming head on at risk. Thank God no one was coming head on.

I'm sure my story is not unique. I see moves like this every day as I'm sure you do if you're driving during rush hour. It wasn't always this way, but it is now.

What can we do about it? We can become grateful. Grateful that we made it to work, heck, grateful that we woke up. I started writing a list of what I'm grateful for. The first thing on my list is thanking God that he made me a really good person. I could have been an idiot, but I'm not. I think of others. I always think of others. I try to think about what my words and actions mean to someone else. I bear that responsibility. I thank God for being in touch with my emotions and being able to identify how I'm feeling and the ability to change them. I'm grateful to be able to live a free life in a great nation.

I am lucky enough to come from a very close family. I have four sisters and one brother. They are everything to me, and we are a team. We are grateful to have each other's back throughout the good and the bad times. We were raised to watch over each other, to help each other, and to be grateful for each other. Oh, we bicker. Boy, do we bicker. But we never stay mad, and we never stop talking to each other. I am grateful that we have learned how to forgive. I am most grateful that we have learned how to love. 

We are living in a time of bitterness, high energy, and divisiveness. But it doesn't have to be this way. If we start to take stock of our lives and turn hatefulness into gratefulness, our lives will change. What we focus on expands. Ancient gurus taught us that, and modern philosophy has expounded on that concept. Our thoughts create our reality. We must be mindful of our thoughts. They shape the way we see the world. Our emotions play a key role in our perspective. Be aware of yourself, know yourself. It's a work in progress. I know that. But I also know that getting grateful lifts you up. It takes you out of your negative view of things. Watch that perception. It can be confusing.

Spending time in nature is such a natural mood booster. Now that sunset is earlier in the eastern time zone, day light hours are precious. Take some time to step outside every day, even if it's just for fifteen minutes. I hope you can do longer than that. September has been a beautiful month. We've had sublime weather. The leaves are beginning to change ever so slightly. My hydrangea bush is drying up, and the pedals are turning into the colors of Autumn. The sunsets are different, and the nights are clear and cooler. It's time to break out the candles, but not the pumpkin spice just yet. It's not October. Soon.

I wish you gratitude that can calm you, shift your perspective, and alter your perception. Let's be grateful, not hateful. You'll feel so much better.

I wish you much gratitude. Vi auguro tanta gratitudine!

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, gratitude is key to our happiness.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - THE BELLPORT RESTAURANT AND THE GATEWAY

The Bellport Restaurant is a quaint restaurant nestled in the incorporated village of Bellport in Suffolk County on the South Shore of Long Island. Their menu is unique, and the atmosphere is enchanting. Located just steps away from the professional Gateway Playhouse where you can see amazing theatre, The Bellport Restaurant is a hidden gem that has been serving the community with culinary delights for almost three decades. Known for its ever-changing seafood specials, house made pasta offerings, buttermilk fried chicken, classic pecan pie and Sunday brunch, there is something for everyone on the menu at the Bellport Restaurant. The town of Bellport is named after the Bell family who were early settlers of the area. South Country Road, (Main St.) in the village features small family-run businesses that include antique shops, art galleries, small inns, and restaurants. Come out to see a play and have dinner at The Bellport Restaurant. 

For more information, visit www.thebellportrestaurant.com and www.thegateway.org

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK - THE 79th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly marks a crucial milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The highly anticipated Summit of the Future, held during UNGA, underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while also tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises. The UN Department of Global Communications will hold its flagship SDG Media Zone during the high-level week 23-27 September, with impactful in-depth interviews and dialogues on global issues that matter to people everywhere.

For more information, visit www.un.org

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK 

Dear God,

May all the nations of the world come together this week in love, peace, and gratitude. Amen.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are you grateful for? 

Please put your answer in the Reply bubble below next to the Heart. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - THANK YOU by LED ZEPPELIN

<!-- EMBEDDED YOUTUBE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12KbOAc8vmk -->

LYRICS

If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you
When mountains crumble to the sea
There will still be you and me
Kind a woman, I give you my all
Kind a woman, nothing more
Little drops of rain, whisper of the pain
Tears of love's lost in the days gone by
My love is strong, with you there is no wrong
Together we shall go until we die, my, my, my
Inspiration's what you are to me
Inspiration, look 'n' see
And so, today my world it smiles
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles
Thanks to you, it will be done
For you to me are the only one
Alright, yeah
Happiness, no more be sad
Happiness, I'm glad
If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you
Mountains crumble to the sea
There will still be you and me

ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE

My Brand - Skylark Live was born out of my turning 60 and noticing a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness. I’m in the process of formulating in-person presentations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be conducted in someone’s home, local library, or senior center.

My Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, 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. I throw in Italian words, too, 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 this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

My Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, is a recap of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. 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 YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

WHERE TO SUPPORT AND FOLLOW ME

Support me on Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for just $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newsletters, create my vlogs and to expand my brand. Just click the link below: www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive

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

Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!

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