Living a Grateful Life, Michelle East, Memphis Artist

Living a Grateful Life at Christmas and Always

What are you grateful for?  We are so blessed in this life. Just being alive is a monumental gift each day. My hope is that during this time of Christmas, Hanukkah, & New Years, that you take time to reflect on what you have to be grateful for, rather than what you do not have materially compared to other people.

Ever realize how we always look to the ones that have more than us and compare our situation to theirs? Does that make you feel discontent? It does in my heart. What would it be like if we compared our selves to those who live in the homeless shelters, who don't have a coat, hat or gloves, who take the bus, who live in poverty?
Now who is fortunate?  Me, You.  Our kids. Our friends. Our family.

Try making a list like this.....

I am grateful for the following:

~Thank you to God for challenging me, loving me, guiding me, never forsaking me and giving me the gift of life!

~Thank you to my three beautiful children who have brought endless joy and happiness into my life.

~Thank you to my parents who have never wavered in their unconditional love for me. 

~Thank you to my friends for your support and love.

~Thank you to my fellow artists & photographers for surrounding my life with inspiration and camaraderie.

~Thank you to my business colleagues who believe in and support my artistic endeavors.

~Thank you to my new shorkie puppy and beautiful persian cat who never allow me to be lonely.

~Thank you to all of you who enjoy this blog, my art and musings.

~ Thank you that I went through a biopsy in November and the results were no cancer!

The experience was one that I am grateful for because it opened my eyes to what so many women in the world go through when battling cancer.

Some Quotes on Gratitude~

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”
~William A. Ward

Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.
~G.B. Stern

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.
~John E. Southard

Gratitude is the best attitude.
~Author Unknown

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
~Cynthia Ozick

When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?
~George Canning

Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.
~Alfred Painter:

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.
~Chinese Proverb

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
~William Arthur Ward

When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears.
~Tony Robbins

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
~Albert Schweitzer:

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. ~Cicero

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.
~H.U. Westermayer

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John F Kennedy

Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.
~LeRoy Paige

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.
~Meister Eckhart

There is as much greatness of mind in acknowledging a good turn, as in doing it.
~Seneca

Till next time,

Memphis has Beautiful Kids!, Michelle East Photography

Wrapping up the last of the 2011 portrait year with this beautiful baby girl. She is only 4 weeks old and rocked the photo session!  I don't think she cried once.  She was alert and attentive to what we were doing and gave me fantastic eye contact.  Wonderful note to end the year on!

Thank you to all of my past and present clients. I dearly appreciate each of you for sharing your family with me. I am thankful to have been able to use my gifts to capture these once in a lifetime moments with your little ones.

Merry Christmas!

Michelle East, Memphis Artist & Portrait Photographer, Memphis, TN

 ADORABLE!

This is a beautiful time of year! I love photographing all of the sweet children that grow up way too much since I last saw them.  It is one of my most favorite things about my job, documenting these little lives.

Hope you all are enjoying your holiday season! Don't forget to hug your little ones and take lots of pictures!!!

Sweet!

FUN!

Till next time,