Gratitude

Posts by author Lynette M. Burrows expressing her gratitude, discussing how gratitude is good for our health, and other people’s expressions of gratitude.

I Was Alone But Not Alone

Lynette M Burrows

My book, My Soul to Keep, launched yesterday. It was a special moment. But as I reflected on the hours, days, weeks, and years I worked on this book, I realized something important. I was alone but not alone. So many things go into writing a book. All the books read, the friends roped into endless conversations, writing group members who tolerated endless rewrites, beta readers, editors, proofreaders, artists, and ARC readers each contribute to the story. I’m going to take a moment to say thank you to all who had a part in this. A Little Emotional I’m a little (okay, more than a little) overwhelmed by the friends and family who celebrate this book with me. I’m delighted that my very first review was a five-star review (it’s on Goodreads if you want a peak). Now you might rightly assume that my emotional outpouring has to do with pride. Yes, I have a healthy amount of pride in accomplishing a book. But what I am most grateful for is all the people who helped me get to this place. I could not do it alone, even though I must write alone. The support, the camaraderie, the encouragement I […]

My Dear Old Dog

Lynette M Burrows

Astro is my first Yorkshire Terrier, my first Pocket Pup. He’s my dear old dog, the oldest dog I’ve ever owned. (My cat lived to a dignified 22 years young.) Astro will turn 14 next month. Our time together is running out. I have had dogs off and on for my entire life and I’ve loved them all. But Astro stole my heart. Dogs, heck most pets, give unconditional love. This tiny Pocket Pup has more love in his tiny five-pound frame than all my dogs put together. The breeder allowed me to visit Astro when he was six weeks old. I was smitten immediately. He was a tiny bundle of joy when we brought him home. We nearly lost him to dehydration when he got sick a week after he came home. Thanks to the emergency vet, he survived.   He loved his big brothers Nemo and Cosmo. Nemo crossed the rainbow bridge first. When we brought home a rescue dog, Gizmo, Astro cuddled right up to him. Astro loves his pack. He cries when one of his four-legged ‘brothers’ leaves to go to the vet or grooming or a walk. He was despondent when his older brothers passed. […]

Twenty-One Ways to Be Kind to Yourself

Lynette M Burrows

Have you ever thought about defining what it means to be kind? When you look the word ‘kind’ up in the dictionary it says of a friendly, warm, and generous nature. Do you think of yourself as a kind person? Is that how you treat yourself? Do you know how to be kind to yourself? Practice Practice kindness to yourself every day. If you normally do one thing per day, today do two. The following day do three kind things for yourself. Keep adding one kind act per day until the habit is your natural routine. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. Shut down negative self-talk. Take good care of yourself. Get enough sleep. Eat nutritiously. Get exercise. Respect yourself—honor your opinion, trust yourself. Tell yourself that “I am enough.” Invest in yourself. Spend 15 minutes reading or listening to inspirational talks or music. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Pay yourself a compliment. Buy yourself some flowers. Take a bubble bath. Write a letter of appreciation to yourself. Give yourself 15 minutes to induldge in your favorite activity. Treat yourself to a favorite food or drink or a small gift. Find one part of your physical self and praise […]