Tag Archives: attitude

Gratitude with Attitude!

Posted on by under Group theme posts, Kathy Dunnehoff - The Do-Over, Uncategorized

By Kathy Dunnehoff

Maybe we all have a picture in our heads of the ever-grateful doormat.

You know what I’m talking about. She’s the woman who smiles and says thank you with that eternal kick me sign on her back.

Well, I don’t think that’s gratitude at all. I think that’s lowering the bar on what we’re willing to live with, and using our thank you’s so we don’t have to speak up and say what we really feel… “I don’t think so.” “No.” or “Hell no!”

I think gratitude is a place of strength. To me it’s appreciating what’s both lively and nourishing in our lives.

Something I can learn from? Lively. Something I can relax into? Nourishing.

And with those guides, I’m grateful for my teenage daughters – lively! For the tea my husband brings me in bed every morning – nourishing. My writing life – equally lively and nourishing. And the Montana Woman Writers – two parts lively & 3 parts nourishing… a perfect combination!

Happy Reading & Happy Thanks- giving!

Kathy

Spring break 2013

WOMEN WITH ATTITUDE

Posted on by under Deborah Epperson

Graditude by: Deborah Epperson

Over the past fifteen years I have had the privilege to know, socialize, and work with many women writers. I met some when I joined the Authors of the Flathead, a local group of writers from all around Northwest Montana. Others I met through critique groups, our Montana Women Writers group, and writer conferences. It is an eclectic group, writing in various genres, and coming from diverse backgrounds. Yet they all have one thing in common. They are all women with a can-do attitude.

The theme of attitude verses gratitude brings to mind a quote by the famous physician and missionary, Albert Schweitzer. He said,

“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.”

This is so true for writers. Whether it is writer’s block, a plethora of rejection letters, or just the sense of being overwhelmed that comes from trying to carve out a few minutes to write while holding down your “day job” and caring for a family, I wager there are few writers who have never thought about just giving up and getting out of the business. Sometimes, I’ve felt that I was running on fumes. At these times, one or more of these wonderful women with attitude stepped in to rekindle my fire for writing and reignite the hope that the elusive perfect prose is within reach. I am forever grateful for their supportive attitude and generosity of spirit.

Thanks for stopping by,

Deborah

by Deborah Epperson

Website: http://www.deborahepperson.com

Breaking TWIG: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-TWIG-ebook/dp/B005OUJGNS/

Happy to Be Here

Posted on by under Ann Minnett, Group theme posts

Ann headshot

By Ann Minnett

Much of my attitude about gratitude derives from the well-being of the ones I love. Yours, too, I’ll bet. I’m grateful to announce that at this precise moment, everyone in my family is healthy and as far as I know, content with their lives. Whew!

That lovely blessing allows me to examine more personal attitudes about gratitude. No one is more surprised than I that I’m most grateful about being 65. Right. I can’t believe it, either. Sixty-five sounds ancient compared to the perennial vision I carry around of 35-year-old Ann.  I forget my gray hair until a photo reminds me. When people wish me Happy Birthday, I always respond with, I’m just happy to be here.

Here’s the truth:  I’ve never been more content with my life in my life. This age allows for less self-consciousness and more time to notice the world. I’m more likely to give myself a friggin’ break and less likely to martyr through hard times. I express hidden feelings in my fiction, and my age makes me far less apt to fall apart if what I say displeases you.

Ann

Ann Minnett MWW photo