Combo Post - Celebrate the Small Things & Thursday's Children

I am doing a combo post because so often I come across something that inspires me so much, that I also find myself feeling grateful.

First the technical stuff. This is a blog hop. A duel one today. Thursday's Children is hosted by Rhiann Wynn-Nolet and Kristina Perez, and Celebrate the Small Things is hosted by Vik Lit. I keep coming back to these blog hops because they offer something I believe is valuable and things we need to be reminded of. There *is* inspiration out there. There *are* things to be grateful for, even when things are not looking so hot. And now onto what inspires me and why I am grateful. It started with this:

I saw this and I knew I needed to do a combination post. In fact just yesterday someone lit the flame within me by giving me a blog award. We need to remember to be grateful for everything, even the darkness. It's only through the darkness that we can recognize the light, right? And when we are grateful for our blessings, we will be naturally inspired.

Our creativity comes from recognition of everything...not just beauty, but even the things that are unpleasant. I still shy away from the unpleasant, everyone does, but the fact is, our characters experience everything we do, whether we want them to or not, and usually in more extreme situations. I have to remind myself that my sensitivity is a blessing. Still there are some things I just can't tolerate because I am *really* sensitive.

I *do* have cause for deep gratitude for those who have lighted a flame within us, within me. I could name them, but the list is long and I hope it keeps growing. I hope that I am a spark to someone, because that is the best way to show my gratitude.

Please visit other Thursday's Children and Celebrate the Small Things!