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      • How to Implement Gratitude into your Life During this New Year
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  • Welcome
  • Blog
    • Guest Posts
      • How to Implement Gratitude into your Life During this New Year
  • “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain”
    • Attitude of Gratitude w/ Chronic Pain
    • “Flush the Format” Live Chats on Zoom!
  • Weekly live broadcast!
  • My work
  • Contact
Gratitude Addict

Lauren Blanchard Zalewski

chronic pain/illness, gratitude

What Giving Thanks Can Do for us in 2020…(if we let it)

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gratitude

Blessings from chronic pain?

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gratitude, Joy

My Wishes for You in 2021

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  • How Journaling Helps Chronic Pain and 6 Ways to Get Started!

    January 3, 2021/

    I am a big journaling fan.  You might even call me a journal addict! As a matter of fact, as I sit here, I am surrounded by 1…2…3…..no…6 (!) journals that I use on a daily basis! They aren’t all…

    By Lauren

About Me

 WRITER & BLOGGER

Lauren Blanchard Zalewski began her passion for GRATITUDE after using alcohol as her “medication” to aid in the chronic pain she has had for 20 years.  Now 7 years sober, she is determined to show others who struggle that GRATITUDE can give you HOPE as well as a much more fulfilling life.  She has been featured in many articles and interviews.  Join her group on Facebook, “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” and watch her Thursdays at 8pm EST for her live broadcast of “Gratefully Living the Chronic Life.”

                      Get your GRATITUDE on!

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2021anxietyassumptionsattitude of gratitude with chronic painbucket listbullet journalingchronic illnesschronic painchronic pain anonymouscoincidencesdepressiondreamsfearfour agreementsgratefulgratitudegratitude addictgratitude journalhappinesshearthopeinspirationinspirational quotesintentionsinternal beautyjoykindkindnesslauren blanchard zalewskilauren zalewskilifemotivationpay it forwardpositive psychologypositive thinkingpositivitypower of intentionrandom acts of kindnessrecoveryself compassionself helpserendipitysillinessthankfulyolo

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Jan 10

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When life gets dark, we always have a mindset of #GRATITUDE to help us to find the light to navigate through it.While it can often feel impossible to be #grateful during difficult and stressful times, when you dig deep you will find that there is ALWAYS something to be GRATEFUL for.And it can help us to glow all the way through the dark.Join my Facebook group, “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” to help you find your glow! Link in bio.Happy Sunday, gang! Let’s glow!

When life gets dark, we always have a mindset of #GRATITUDE to help us to find the light to navigate through it.

While it can often feel impossible to be #grateful during difficult and stressful times, when you dig deep you will find that there is ALWAYS something to be GRATEFUL for.

And it can help us to glow all the way through the dark.

Join my Facebook group, “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” to help you find your glow! Link in bio.

Happy Sunday, gang! Let’s glow! ...

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Dec 31

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We’re counting down!!! Today is the day where most of us reflect on the past year and look ahead to the year ahead.But rather than listing your New Year’s Resolutions, take it a step further by stating your New Year’s #INTENTIONS!Check out my brand-new blog post on how INTENTIONS are a much softer, but effective way to go into the new year than the same old #resolutions we do year after year.What is the difference? Make sure you read!Link in BIO!Looking ahead to our #yearofjoy!

We’re counting down!!!
Today is the day where most of us reflect on the past year and look ahead to the year ahead.

But rather than listing your New Year’s Resolutions, take it a step further by stating your New Year’s #INTENTIONS!

Check out my brand-new blog post on how INTENTIONS are a much softer, but effective way to go into the new year than the same old #resolutions we do year after year.

What is the difference? Make sure you read!

Link in BIO!

Looking ahead to our #yearofjoy! ...

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Dec 21

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Part 4 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!Love, Lauren #yearofjoy

Part 4 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!

For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.

May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!

Love, Lauren

#yearofjoy ...

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Dec 21

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Part 3 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!Love, Lauren #yearofjoy

Part 3 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!

For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.

May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!

Love, Lauren

#yearofjoy ...

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Dec 21

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Part 2 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!Love, Lauren #yearofjoy

Part 2 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!

For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.

May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!

Love, Lauren

#yearofjoy ...

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Dec 21

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Part 1 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!Love, Lauren #yearofjoy

Part 1 of a list of wishes for you all, from me, for 2021...I hope you all enjoy them! Make sure you catch all 4 graphics!

For the list in its entirety, visit my latest piece on my website, “My Wishes for You in 2021.” Link in bio.

May your new year be filled with #JOY, #GRATITUDE, #HOPE, & #LOVE!

Love, Lauren

#yearofjoy ...

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Dec 20

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Oh, how true this is!If you haven’t read my latest blog post on #JOY, the link to it is in my bio. Are you aware of the difference between HAPPINESS & JOY? I sure wasn’t until I did my research for the post. VERY interesting and it has been giving me a completely new vision on what I am truly striving for! I thought I was striving for happiness.....but I’m really striving for a lifestyle of JOY!Check out my piece! Link is in my bio.In our group “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” we have proclaimed 2021 to be The Year of Joy! The best way to embody JOY and a joyful mindset is to embody #GRATITUDE and a #grateful mindset. Together they work hand-in-hand and can help us through our struggles.Have a great rest of your Saturday, gang! Who’s with me and on board for 2021 and the #yearofjoy?

Oh, how true this is!

If you haven’t read my latest blog post on #JOY, the link to it is in my bio. Are you aware of the difference between HAPPINESS & JOY? I sure wasn’t until I did my research for the post. VERY interesting and it has been giving me a completely new vision on what I am truly striving for!

I thought I was striving for happiness.....but I’m really striving for a lifestyle of JOY!

Check out my piece! Link is in my bio.

In our group “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” we have proclaimed 2021 to be The Year of Joy!

The best way to embody JOY and a joyful mindset is to embody #GRATITUDE and a #grateful mindset. Together they work hand-in-hand and can help us through our struggles.

Have a great rest of your Saturday, gang! Who’s with me and on board for 2021 and the #yearofjoy? ...

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Dec 17

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Hey there, gang! Happy Thursday!Check out my new blog post on my gratitudeaddict.com website about JOY!I discuss the difference between #joy and happiness, how joy & #gratitude work together to give us the lives we love, and how to find and embrace a #joyful mindset during these difficult times.Link is in my bio!Join me tonight for my weekly live broadcast, “Gratefully Living the Chronic Life!” Tonight’s topic is...you guessed it....JOY!Link to the broadcast is in the blog post. I air beginning at 8pm EST on both YouTube & FB Live. It’s a town-hall atmosphere where interaction is encouraged!Let’s be #grateful & joyful for our lives AS THEY ARE. The blessings that come our way are just gravy.Have a great day, gang!

Hey there, gang! Happy Thursday!

Check out my new blog post on my gratitudeaddict.com website about JOY!

I discuss the difference between #joy and happiness, how joy & #gratitude work together to give us the lives we love, and how to find and embrace a #joyful mindset during these difficult times.

Link is in my bio!

Join me tonight for my weekly live broadcast, “Gratefully Living the Chronic Life!” Tonight’s topic is...you guessed it....JOY!

Link to the broadcast is in the blog post. I air beginning at 8pm EST on both YouTube & FB Live. It’s a town-hall atmosphere where interaction is encouraged!

Let’s be #grateful & joyful for our lives AS THEY ARE. The blessings that come our way are just gravy.

Have a great day, gang! ...

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Dec 16

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It is so easy to get sucked into the trap of jealousy. We envy what others have and think that if only WE had that, our lives would be better.But would it? I think that our lives would be so much more satisfying if we learned to love what it is that we already possess! This is where a regular #gratitude practice comes into play.Write down 3 things that you are #grateful for that if they were taken away, you would be so sad.And voila! Instant GRATITUDE!Have a very Happy Wednesday, gang!Peace & love, Lauren

It is so easy to get sucked into the trap of jealousy. We envy what others have and think that if only WE had that, our lives would be better.

But would it? I think that our lives would be so much more satisfying if we learned to love what it is that we already possess! This is where a regular #gratitude practice comes into play.

Write down 3 things that you are #grateful for that if they were taken away, you would be so sad.

And voila! Instant GRATITUDE!

Have a very Happy Wednesday, gang!

Peace & love, Lauren ...

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Dec 15

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Happy Tuesday, gang!It’s difficult to defining #gratitude as just one thing. Being #grateful gives you so much MORE than one thing! It gives you ALL of these things wrapped up in a package and delivered to us as HOPE & HAPPINESS.But we have to remember to unwrap it regularly!Have a beautiful day and take time to look for and embrace your blessings.Peace & love, Lauren

Happy Tuesday, gang!
It’s difficult to defining #gratitude as just one thing. Being #grateful gives you so much MORE than one thing! It gives you ALL of these things wrapped up in a package and delivered to us as HOPE & HAPPINESS.

But we have to remember to unwrap it regularly!

Have a beautiful day and take time to look for and embrace your blessings.

Peace & love, Lauren ...

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Dec 14

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Nothing is as comforting for the soul than being #GRATEFUL for who you are and what you have at this very moment.You’re amazing! You work hard to live your best life and have so much to be #grateful for.Hope you all have a beautiful rest of the day with your eyes and hearts open to the blessings that come your way.Peace & love, Lauren

Nothing is as comforting for the soul than being #GRATEFUL for who you are and what you have at this very moment.

You’re amazing! You work hard to live your best life and have so much to be #grateful for.

Hope you all have a beautiful rest of the day with your eyes and hearts open to the blessings that come your way.

Peace & love, Lauren ...

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Dec 12

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Happy Saturday, GRATEFUL gang!Sometimes we feel lost, uncomfortable, bewildered, sad and hopeless. It’s easy to forget to take a step back and examine what we have in our lives right now.#GRATITUDE is always just a thought away. We just have to remember to take the time to do it!When we are happy with what we have at this very moment, the blessings that lie ahead of us become even greater!Enjoy your day, my friends. Visit my website at gratitudeaddict.com for more ideas on incorporating #gratefulness into our lives.Peace & love, Lauren

Happy Saturday, GRATEFUL gang!

Sometimes we feel lost, uncomfortable, bewildered, sad and hopeless. It’s easy to forget to take a step back and examine what we have in our lives right now.

#GRATITUDE is always just a thought away. We just have to remember to take the time to do it!

When we are happy with what we have at this very moment, the blessings that lie ahead of us become even greater!

Enjoy your day, my friends. Visit my website at gratitudeaddict.com for more ideas on incorporating #gratefulness into our lives.

Peace & love, Lauren ...

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Dec 11

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While the world may be using caution to prevent the spread of Covid, we are free to spread GRATITUDE just by embracing it ourselves! It’s CONTAGIOUS!When I meet or see someone who has a zest for life and shows their GRATEFULNESS outwardly.....I want to be around them and their positive energy. Don’t you?WE can be THAT person! Show your GRATITUDE and spread it around like wildfire so the rest of the world can do the same!Okay, gang....Happy Fri-Yay! I love you all very much. Thank you for following me and for taking the time to read and ‘like’ my posts. I hope they bring you joy as well as a different lens to look at life through.In GRATITUDE, Lauren**********************************Check out my website at gratitudeaddict.com or join my group on Facebook “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain”. Link in bio!!!!

While the world may be using caution to prevent the spread of Covid, we are free to spread GRATITUDE just by embracing it ourselves!

It’s CONTAGIOUS!

When I meet or see someone who has a zest for life and shows their GRATEFULNESS outwardly.....I want to be around them and their positive energy. Don’t you?

WE can be THAT person! Show your GRATITUDE and spread it around like wildfire so the rest of the world can do the same!

Okay, gang....Happy Fri-Yay! I love you all very much. Thank you for following me and for taking the time to read and ‘like’ my posts. I hope they bring you joy as well as a different lens to look at life through.

In GRATITUDE, Lauren
**********************************
Check out my website at gratitudeaddict.com or join my group on Facebook “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain”. Link in bio!!!! ...

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Dec 10

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@dr_robertemmons is the world’s leading expert on the subject of GRATITUDE....my fave subject!!!I came across this quote of his a few years ago and shared it immediately with my Facebook group “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain.” For me it explains MY life’s work absolutely perfectly!GRATITUDE cannot heal the physical issues that those of us with chronic pain/chronic illness deal with, but it sure can make it “an inhospitable dwelling place for pain.”Brilliant!!!By embracing the lifestyle of GRATEFULNESS, we make our pain feel unwelcome. When we choose to wallow in self-pity, pain feels right at home and is there to stay.Which one would YOU rather have?_______________________________We would love to have you as a member of our group on FB. Check out the link in my bio or go to my website at www.gratitudeaddict.com for more information. THIS is what we work on every day because we want happy and fulfilling lives despite our pain. Join us, gang!Hope you’re all having a day full of blessings & wonder. I love you all!Yours in GRATITUDE, Lauren

@dr_robertemmons is the world’s leading expert on the subject of GRATITUDE....my fave subject!!!

I came across this quote of his a few years ago and shared it immediately with my Facebook group “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain.” For me it explains MY life’s work absolutely perfectly!

GRATITUDE cannot heal the physical issues that those of us with chronic pain/chronic illness deal with, but it sure can make it “an inhospitable dwelling place for pain.”

Brilliant!!!

By embracing the lifestyle of GRATEFULNESS, we make our pain feel unwelcome. When we choose to wallow in self-pity, pain feels right at home and is there to stay.

Which one would YOU rather have?
_______________________________
We would love to have you as a member of our group on FB. Check out the link in my bio or go to my website at www.gratitudeaddict.com for more information.

THIS is what we work on every day because we want happy and fulfilling lives despite our pain. Join us, gang!

Hope you’re all having a day full of blessings & wonder. I love you all!

Yours in GRATITUDE, Lauren ...

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Dec 8

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And refills are available ANY time!!!Hope you’re all having a beautiful Tuesday. Make sure your eyes and hearts are open to GRATEFULNESS and watch the day become even MORE beautiful!In Love & Light, Lauren

And refills are available ANY time!!!

Hope you’re all having a beautiful Tuesday. Make sure your eyes and hearts are open to GRATEFULNESS and watch the day become even MORE beautiful!

In Love & Light, Lauren ...

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Dec 7

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Hey there, gang! Happy Monday!In my post yesterday, I included a famous quote that has gone around for many years.Pain x Resistance = SUFFERINGBeing that I lead a FB group with thousands of other members who live with a chronic condition of some sort, I can say that this “equation” is 1000% true. When we resist our pain, we suffer. It’s as simple as that.But I felt it needed an answer to it. I know that those of us in “Attitude of GRATITUDE with Chronic Pain” have found the answer to it. So it came to me soon after I hit ‘send’ on yesterday’s post.Pain x GRATITUDE = HOPE!!!!!By incorporating a GRATEFUL mindset into our lives, we can get out of our own suffering and start to begin to heal our emotions. We get HOPE.....and isn’t that what we ALL want?Regardless of what you struggle with, if you’re interested in joining a community of HOPE minus the negative energy, we would love to have you join us.Link to join in my bio!Have a beautiful day and don’t forget to slow down to recognize the blessings in your life.Yours in GRATITUDE, Lauren

Hey there, gang! Happy Monday!

In my post yesterday, I included a famous quote that has gone around for many years.

Pain x Resistance = SUFFERING

Being that I lead a FB group with thousands of other members who live with a chronic condition of some sort, I can say that this “equation” is 1000% true. When we resist our pain, we suffer. It’s as simple as that.

But I felt it needed an answer to it. I know that those of us in “Attitude of GRATITUDE with Chronic Pain” have found the answer to it. So it came to me soon after I hit ‘send’ on yesterday’s post.

Pain x GRATITUDE = HOPE!!!!!

By incorporating a GRATEFUL mindset into our lives, we can get out of our own suffering and start to begin to heal our emotions. We get HOPE.....and isn’t that what we ALL want?

Regardless of what you struggle with, if you’re interested in joining a community of HOPE minus the negative energy, we would love to have you join us.

Link to join in my bio!

Have a beautiful day and don’t forget to slow down to recognize the blessings in your life.

Yours in GRATITUDE, Lauren ...

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Dec 6

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Happy Sunday, gang! I’ve got a playful one for you today, but packed with a whole lotta meaning!Have you heard the quote by the Buddha, “Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional?” It’s an incredibly powerful statement that, when you think about it....is very, very true.WE are in charge of whether we suffer or not. By changing the way we look at things through the lens of GRATITUDE, we can greatly reduce our suffering.How about this one? Pain x Resistance = SUFFERINGPow! We may still be in pain with whatever it is that we have, whether it’s physical or emotional pain, but by accepting the moment as it is and to stop fighting those things we cannot control, we can turn our “suffering” into “struggling”.....it’s a start!Continuing our daily practice of GRATITUDE can help us with all of this. Simple, but not always easy.Check out my website to read some of my past blog posts on how GRATITUDE has greatly changed my life.Www.gratitudeaddict.comHave a beautiful day, my grateful gang!

Happy Sunday, gang!
I’ve got a playful one for you today, but packed with a whole lotta meaning!

Have you heard the quote by the Buddha, “Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional?” It’s an incredibly powerful statement that, when you think about it....is very, very true.

WE are in charge of whether we suffer or not. By changing the way we look at things through the lens of GRATITUDE, we can greatly reduce our suffering.

How about this one?
Pain x Resistance = SUFFERING

Pow!

We may still be in pain with whatever it is that we have, whether it’s physical or emotional pain, but by accepting the moment as it is and to stop fighting those things we cannot control, we can turn our “suffering” into “struggling”.....it’s a start!

Continuing our daily practice of GRATITUDE can help us with all of this. Simple, but not always easy.

Check out my website to read some of my past blog posts on how GRATITUDE has greatly changed my life.

Www.gratitudeaddict.com

Have a beautiful day, my grateful gang! ...

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Dec 5

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It’s TRUE!The only limits we have are found in the amount of GRATITUDE we let into our life. We can be limitless simply by appreciating and accepting the present...as it is RIGHT NOW.Happy Saturday, GRATEFUL gang!If you aren’t already a member of our Facebook group, JOIN US! Link in bio!

It’s TRUE!

The only limits we have are found in the amount of GRATITUDE we let into our life. We can be limitless simply by appreciating and accepting the present...as it is RIGHT NOW.

Happy Saturday, GRATEFUL gang!
If you aren’t already a member of our Facebook group, JOIN US!
Link in bio! ...

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Nov 30

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Show the world how beautiful GRATITUDE looks on you!You do not need to curb your enthusiasm for life or tone it down. It is what makes YOU special!Be YOU....your attitude of GRATITUDE is gorgeous & infectious!Let’s spread it...Get your GRATITUDE on!Love, Lauren

Show the world how beautiful GRATITUDE looks on you!

You do not need to curb your enthusiasm for life or tone it down. It is what makes YOU special!

Be YOU....your attitude of GRATITUDE is gorgeous & infectious!

Let’s spread it...
Get your GRATITUDE on!

Love, Lauren ...

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Nov 29

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It’s not always easy, but it IS quite simple! We cannot control the bad circumstances that come our way. For me, that is my chronic illness and the pain & symptoms that come along with it.But rather than spend my days complaining and wallowing in my pain, I can control whether I have a good day or not simply by recognizing the things in my life that I am GRATEFUL for!It often takes work, but it DOES work!Happy Sunday, gang! Get your GRATITUDE on!

It’s not always easy, but it IS quite simple!

We cannot control the bad circumstances that come our way. For me, that is my chronic illness and the pain & symptoms that come along with it.

But rather than spend my days complaining and wallowing in my pain, I can control whether I have a good day or not simply by recognizing the things in my life that I am GRATEFUL for!

It often takes work, but it DOES work!

Happy Sunday, gang! Get your GRATITUDE on! ...

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  • Blog
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