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Gratitude Lounge

Welcome! We are glad you are here. This is an open space where everyone belongs, and everyone is welcome. Please introduce yourself as you feel comfortable and join in sharing your experience of grateful living. To get started you might reflect upon questions such as these: What am I grateful for? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? What are some blessings in my life (including ones in disguise)? How am I being supported right now? What connects me to wonder, awe, or a sense of the sacred? You are welcome to include images and links for videos to illustrate your reflections.

  • Mike S
    On Earth Day as I had promised myself when I went for my walk I started to bless everything natural that I could see. The Live Oak streaming with Spanish moss, the tall magnolia trees with her glossy leaves, miles of open the fairway on the golf course that’s not being used which really is open space Park for us. My attention wavered several times and returned making me aware of how much I take for granted. But I did feel the earth under my feet I was glad it was something that has always ever...

    On Earth Day as I had promised myself when I went for my walk I started to bless everything natural that I could see. The Live Oak streaming with Spanish moss, the tall magnolia trees with her glossy leaves, miles of open the fairway on the golf course that’s not being used which really is open space Park for us. My attention wavered several times and returned making me aware of how much I take for granted. But I did feel the earth under my feet I was glad it was something that has always ever held me.

    Read More
  • Rose
    I'm so incredibly grateful that my kids and I were able to celebrate Earth Day with a walk in our neighborhood, It's so easy to forget how truly marvelous the world is when we are adults. We forget that there are miracles, fun, and awe-inspiring sights around every corner. Seeing the birds, bunnies, dandelions, and rocks in our neighborhood from their perspective reminded me how truly beautiful it all is. We played with piles of rocks for about a half an hour and it made me happier than I've bee...

    I’m so incredibly grateful that my kids and I were able to celebrate Earth Day with a walk in our neighborhood, It’s so easy to forget how truly marvelous the world is when we are adults. We forget that there are miracles, fun, and awe-inspiring sights around every corner. Seeing the birds, bunnies, dandelions, and rocks in our neighborhood from their perspective reminded me how truly beautiful it all is. We played with piles of rocks for about a half an hour and it made me happier than I’ve been all week. My hope for you all is that you can experience one thing this week with child-like wonder. Wishing the best for you all.

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  • Drew Blanton

    I have another MRI on May 7.

    • Diane

      Good morning Drew….I am saying a prayer for your MRI. 🙏 Please let us know how it goes.
      ~Blessings ♥

  • Mike S

    Today being Earth Day, When I go outside for my daily walk I will remember to bless everything natural insight and in so doing remind myself how grateful I am for this planet we live on.

    • Rori

      Thank you for reminding us Mike. I saw an Osprey bringing food to her nest a day ago and it made me feel incredibly lucky to have been caught by the calls that made me look up. Bless our planet.

      • Anna

        I am with you Rori and Mike, blessings to our planet.

  • Rori
    Hello world - I have to say how grateful for having spent a week to see my father who is in Hospice at this time. I tried to let go of the animosity coming from my stepmother, even though I know she is coming from a fear-based place. It hurt so much to leave him, not knowing when I would see him again and he knew it too. I pray that he is free from suffering and feeling like he has to stay to accomodate his wife and caregivers. I am grateful that I was able to be there with him and that coun...

    Hello world – I have to say how grateful for having spent a week to see my father who is in Hospice at this time. I tried to let go of the animosity coming from my stepmother, even though I know she is coming from a fear-based place. It hurt so much to leave him, not knowing when I would see him again and he knew it too. I pray that he is free from suffering and feeling like he has to stay to accomodate his wife and caregivers. I am grateful that I was able to be there with him and that counts for so much.

    Read More
    • Diane

      Dear Rori…..both my mother and my sister were in hospice. I know the gratitude you feel that you were able to be with your father. It does count for so much. I am saying a prayer for him, and for you in solidarity. Sending you love, light and comfort. ♥

    • Mica

      Warm wishes for you with the letting-go process, Rori, and with leaving your father –

      • Rori

        Thank you for your support Mica, Means a lot. Even though we know we are all only passing through on this planet, it sure is hard to say goodbye to each other.
        many blessings to you

  • Pilgrim
    Yesterday I went to the website of Susan Branch (a writer, susanbranch.com) to see if she had posted. She had not for several months, after always being so faithful. I was grateful to have checked. She was back and wrote about her feelings and experiences over the last difficult months. I found that she had felt what I had been feeling. There was something about reading from her so much of what I had felt for so many months and really not talked about. Another pilgrim/ friend on the journey, I g...

    Yesterday I went to the website of Susan Branch (a writer, susanbranch.com) to see if she had posted. She had not for several months, after always being so faithful. I was grateful to have checked. She was back and wrote about her feelings and experiences over the last difficult months. I found that she had felt what I had been feeling. There was something about reading from her so much of what I had felt for so many months and really not talked about. Another pilgrim/ friend on the journey, I guess. I am thinking that there may be a lot of people who have just not talked about this. Anyway, just wanted to share.

    Read More
    • Diane

      Dear Pilgrim: Thank you for sharing. I believe you had an angel whispering in your ear and prompting you to visit her website. This happens to me often…this prompting that leads to an unknown blessing. I’m grateful for this gift to you at such a time as this. It always brings comfort and a quiet joy to be reminded that we are not alone on our pilgrimage. I am with you too my friend. ♥

    • Anna

      Thank you Pilgrim,
      I had a look at Susan Branch website, she is so nice and sweet, and I agree with her, about these times, it is so true. Thank for sharing Pilgrim.

    • Mica

      Thanks for sharing, Pilgrim –

  • Diane
    Good morning lovely friends My heart is filled with gratitude for your prayers and kind words of encouragement. It was a long surgery (or so it seemed to me!) but all went well and my daughter is home and beginning her recovery. Only her husband was allowed at the hospital so I spent the day at their house with their lovable and loved dog, which was a blessing because my daughter was worried about leaving him all day...they just adopted him from a rescue shelter and he needs lots of love!...

    Good morning lovely friends

    My heart is filled with gratitude for your prayers and kind words of encouragement. It was a long surgery (or so it seemed to me!) but all went well and my daughter is home and beginning her recovery.

    Only her husband was allowed at the hospital so I spent the day at their house with their lovable and loved dog, which was a blessing because my daughter was worried about leaving him all day…they just adopted him from a rescue shelter and he needs lots of love!
    I also spent the day cleaning their house from top to bottom! I worked off a lot of my anxiety and I was so happy to be doing that for them. At one point, I discovered there was flooding in their lower level…my husband came right over and discovered the problem and was able to stop it. We spent hours cleaning up the aftermath!

    All of this to say that my heart is filled with gratitude that we are living here instead of 2,000 miles away! Nobody knew when we pushed up our timeline for moving that she would need surgery. But God did. Once again, we were being guided and led with Grace as has been my life’s story.

    I often pray the 23rd Psalm during my walks. One verse in particular has been my mantra and praise of gratitude.
    “Your rod and Your staff are a comfort to me” Like a shepherd with his sheep God has gently used his “rod and staff” to graciously lead and guide and protect me and my little family. My cup is overflowing.
    Thank you again my friends for being with me and for all your love and prayers.
    ~With grateful love ♥

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    • Anna

      I am so happy for you and your daughter, and for all your family!
      Thank you for reminding the prayer of such a famous psalm on trust.
      And for your wonderful description of your
      daily life, your love, sweetness, care.
      Blessings, Diane

      • Diane

        Thank you my dear friend for sharing in my joy and gratitude.
        ~Blessings ♥

    • Annie
      So happy for you and your family Diane! I almost was going to write in my last post to you that my good news was a sign that all would go well for your daughter. Goory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ! God is indeed so good to us...I praise Him now and for ever! He knew it was time for me to move back to RI when I did ...At the time when I left AZ I was battling Major depression/anxiety. Thanks be to God for my amazing family! Big houses and lovely gardens are nice ...but not even half a...

      So happy for you and your family Diane! I almost was going to write in my last post to you that my good news was a sign that all would go well for your daughter. Goory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ! God is indeed so good to us…I praise Him now and for ever! He knew it was time for me to move back to RI when I did …At the time when I left AZ I was battling Major depression/anxiety. Thanks be to God for my amazing family! Big houses and lovely gardens are nice …but not even half as good as being near my daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter Lexi Rose age 13. And my son, daughter-in-law granddaughters Samantha 10,Katy 8 and River almost 4 months….Oh and my daughter’s Chinese Crested dog Hendrix…And my son’s dog Tippy a mixed ??? What a blessing ! I am so overflowing with joy , peace and love in this season of my life.
      God bless !

      Read More
      • Diane

        Annie….I can feel your joy for me and I share in yours.
        ~Grateful love ♥

  • Serafina

    Join Us for Wake Up Grateful: Open Your Heart to Life — A Six-Week Journey Beginning May 4th!

    We’re thrilled to welcome Alexandra Elle, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Lynne Twist, and Nipun Mehta as our honored guests in the live sessions of our upcoming course, along with the special gift of a newly-recorded conversation between Brother David Steindl-Rast and Kristi Nelson!

    Learn more and join us https://gratefulness.org/blog/wake-up-grateful-course/

  • Annie

    Good morning dear friends, I want to share a photo my son took . He started his own photography business last year after his other job folded due to Covid. You can see more of his work on Facebook. His page is called David Andrew photography & films. ]
    Have a blessed day !

    • Diane

      Thank you for sharing your son’s gift with us….beautiful photo Annie. And your pride in him touches my mom-heart ♥.

    • Rose

      Your son is so talented. Thank you for sharing. The world looks really beautiful from your son’s perspective!

      • Annie

        Thank you Rose for your kind words. I pray his business will take off. I am proud of him for following his dream.
        Best to you !

    • Palm

      Annie, this is beautiful, I just came here to respond to your message below and to say that I was looking forward to seeing your son’s photos! Thank you

    • Anna

      Wonderful photo Annie!
      Congratulations to your son and many wishes for his future!

      • Annie

        Hi Anna ! Thank you so much 🙂
        Hope all is well with you. God bless!

        • Anna

          Yes, dear Annie, it’s okay, I can’t complain. Just the work, a bit overwhelming.

    • Mica

      Congratulations, Annie, to you and David Andrew – I love the photo

    • Pilgrim

      Beautiful, Annie! Thank you for sharing … makes me yearn for the beach.

      • Annie

        Thanks so much …please if you will …give his page a LIKE or follow him on Istagram !

  • Diane
    Good morning sacred community: I missed being with you last Tuesday and will likely not be able to visit tomorrow either. There is much happening as we continue to settle into our new surroundings. My older daughter will be having surgery tomorrow and I am asking for your prayers my friends. I am feeling a wide range of emotions. Worry and anxiety mingled with faith and hope (if that makes any sense) that she will come safely through her surgery. Immeasurable gratitude that this has ha...

    Good morning sacred community:

    I missed being with you last Tuesday and will likely not be able to visit tomorrow either. There is much happening as we continue to settle into our new surroundings.

    My older daughter will be having surgery tomorrow and I am asking for your prayers my friends. I am feeling a wide range of emotions.
    Worry and anxiety mingled with faith and hope (if that makes any sense) that she will come safely through her surgery. Immeasurable gratitude that this has happened at such a time as this. I am here with her instead of 2,000 miles away.

    I am grateful too that I can come to this beautiful community of souls to pour out my heart when I need to, ask for prayers, share my sorrows and joys, and soak up the compassion and wisdom that is so generously offered.
    Thank you for being a blessing in my life….and thank you for your prayers for my daughter.
    ~With grateful love ♥

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    • Annie

      Dear Diane, I hope all went well for your daughter. Please keep us posted. I am praying for you and your daughter. I know how you feel. I am so grateful to be back in RI. near my daughter and son. Today I had to have an ultra sound on my right breast because my mammogram looked different from the last one. My son drove me there and I was pleasantly surprised to see my daughter with him. Praise God !!! Test results came out fine !!!!!
      Thinking of you …God bless you and your family.

      • Diane

        Dear Annie…thank you for your prayers. And I’m so glad your test results were good ones and that your son and daughter-in-law were able to be there with you. It’s a blessing to have family around you during those times. ♥

    • Mike S

      Diane, you and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏼

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Diane, I am holding your daughter, you and your family in prayer throughout these days. It is a gift that you are there with her in person, and your family is together in a circle of hopeful prayer. Many, many blessings to all of you.

      • Diane

        My dear friend….I am so very grateful for your prayers and blessings. It means so much and gives me courage. ♥

    • Anna

      I am with you with my heart and prayer, dear Diane.
      All will be well, as Palm says.

    • Mica

      Dear Diane, I lit a candle for her and her surgery and you, and I threw in my daughter, too, tho her problems are more with mind than body. Worry and anxiety filled with faith and hope – that sounds realistic and grounded : )

      • Diane

        Dear Mica…thank you for lighting a prayer candle for my daughter. You have encouraged my heart. I will remember your daughter in my prayers tonight as I pray for my own ♥

    • Palm

      Dear Diane, I will be thinking and praying for your daughter. All will be well my friend ❤️

      • Diane

        Thank you so much Palm. I am so grateful for your prayers and for your encouragement. ♥

  • Mike S

    If you haven’t done so already I urge you to watch the video of Kristi Nelson which is on the homepage. I am reading her book and was really glad to see her person.

  • Bill Martin

    We live in a small ancient cabin on some family land in Mt. Shasta, California. Some plans to put a larger mobile home on the property have been postponed. Interestingly, rather than my usual disappointment when plans don’t flow easily, we slipped smoothly into gratitude for the cabin and into the understanding that this is, “enough.”

    I recommend a wonderful little book about the concept of “enough”. The title is “Just Enough – Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan” by Azby Brown

  • Annie

    But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    Psalm 73:28

    • Palm

      Dear Annie, this is a wonderful message and picture, did you take it?

      • Annie

        Thank you Palm, A friend of mine took this picture. She is qute good with the camera.

        • Palm

          I can see she is good, Annie, thank you!

          • Annie

            My son is a struggling photographer …he started his own business during this past year. His other job folded up due to Covid. I will post one of his photo’s soon. Have a lovely day !

  • Elizabeth

    Can anyone provide for me word of the day quotes for Monday, april12, 2021 and Friday, April 16, 2021? Sincere Thanks!!!

    • ch

      Monday April 12 was “Reflection is the lamp of the heart. If it departs, the heart will have no light” – IMAM AL-HADDAD

      • Elizabeth

        Heartfelt ‘reflection’ of thanks, Imam! Such a poignant quote!! Happy to have it, thanks to you!!

  • Elizabeth

    I missed reading this weeks’ Monday, April 12th and Friday, April 16th, ‘word for the day’. Can anyone share those 2 quotes with me?
    Thank you.

    • Palm

      Hi Elizabeth, when I go on this website’s menu, I see an option that says “Get Our Word for the Day” where you can sign up to receive it by email everyday. I thought I may let you know 🙂

    • Mica

      I think this is yesterday: Life is a gift that is given and will be taken. How we choose to spend our time here is our gift to life. It is our way of saying “thank you life” for the gift. IMUETINYAN UGIAGBE

      • Elizabeth

        Thank you, Mica… your time and effort are much appreciated!!! ☺️Elizabeth

        • Mica

          Oh, Elizabeth – appreciation for so little time and effort – a treat 🥰

  • SK
    I have been doing the book "Wake Up Grateful" and am finding more and more about my life to be grateful for. I live a fortunate and fulfilled life and want others to come into that same feeling. I am a devotee of Terry Hershey and his "Daily Sabbath Moments"(free daily messages on line) and am so inspired with the stories and experiences of others. I have developed a "presence of self" over the years that I have come to love and appreciate it. I think we can all be "thought partners" to each oth...

    I have been doing the book “Wake Up Grateful” and am finding more and more about my life to be grateful for. I live a fortunate and fulfilled life and want others to come into that same feeling. I am a devotee of Terry Hershey and his “Daily Sabbath Moments”(free daily messages on line) and am so inspired with the stories and experiences of others. I have developed a “presence of self” over the years that I have come to love and appreciate it. I think we can all be “thought partners” to each other, ready and willing to listen and be in the moment with each other. remembering always – if you didn’t bring it with you, you’re not going to find it there. So, what’s next?

    Read More
    • Mike S

      SK,

      I am also benefiting from Kristi Nelson‘s book. It’s so rich I find I can only read a few pages before I need to put the book down and just contemplate what she’s written. I resonate with your statement about being inspired by the stories of others. I find it elicits a sense of connection, and I wonder if that impart is what you mean by “presence of self.”

  • Bill Martin

    I am grateful for the opportunity to connect on a platform other than FaceBook; to perhaps communicate authentically and lessen my tendency toward curmudgeonly isolation. Very grateful. Thank you for the opportunity

    • Palm

      Welcome and thank you, for sharing, dear Bill.

    • Mica

      Oh my yes! This is wonderfully other than Facebook. Welcome, Bill Martin –

  • Drew Blanton

    I was hoping Capital Health Services had more guided classes, but it doesn’t. If it doesn’t start working out for me, I’m sure everything’ll still be fine. We’ll just see if my family can pay privately for me to go to Thrive Upstate.

    • Mike S

      Drew, I hope and trust all this will come out fir the best for you.

  • Mike S
    Yesterday for the first time I’ve gathered together with other gratefulness people in a contemplative event organized play some women from Europe. The event can be found in the same drop-down menu as this lounge I just going down a little further to the event section. We started out with a reading from brother David followed by a guided meditation on portions of that reading. And then we were in silence before they were very sharing’s from people in the group. It took about an hour altogethe...

    Yesterday for the first time I’ve gathered together with other gratefulness people in a contemplative event organized play some women from Europe. The event can be found in the same drop-down menu as this lounge I just going down a little further to the event section. We started out with a reading from brother David followed by a guided meditation on portions of that reading. And then we were in silence before they were very sharing’s from people in the group. It took about an hour altogether. There are six of these sessions a year I think, one every two months. There was several people from Germany, another from the Netherlands, someone from Italy, through from the USA and one from South America.

    Read More
    • Mica

      Thank you, Mike S! They’ve been on my calendar for a while, but I’ve never chosen to attend one. Now I will. But I did enjoy my weekly Art from Scrap class yesterday afternoon – and then a great talk by Ibram Kendi.
      I have a gratefulness gathering on my calendar for May 12. And every month at least thru July.

      • Mike S

        Is your May 12 gathering open? There was a local group gathering in my state that fell apart, I heard, before I could join.

        • Mica
          I just pasted this in my calendar and haven't followed up on it. I see it looks like the wrong time for my time zone: Wednesday, April 14⋅1:15 – 2:30pm Monthly on the second Wednesday Description:Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/733068113?pwd=STJFcHNEcGZhUWJNbGhPeFl4L3BSZz09 Meeting ID: 733 068 113 Password: grateful Grateful, Mindful Dialogue (in English) When: Second Wednesdays of each month (August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, and December 9) at 1:30 – 2:...

          I just pasted this in my calendar and haven’t followed up on it. I see it looks like the wrong time for my time zone:
          Wednesday, April 14⋅1:15 – 2:30pm
          Monthly on the second Wednesday
          Description:Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/733068113?pwd=STJFcHNEcGZhUWJNbGhPeFl4L3BSZz09
          Meeting ID: 733 068 113
          Password: grateful
          Grateful, Mindful Dialogue (in English)
          When: Second Wednesdays of each month

          (August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, and December 9) at 1:30 – 2:30 pm (EDT) (please plan to arrive BEFORE 1:30 pm). Important: The virtual room will be open to arrive and connect with each other at 1:15 pm. In order to provide the container for a supportive and safe environment, the room will be locked at 1:30 pm.

          Read More
          • Mike S

            Ok. I know about these meetings and have them on my calendar. Next one in June.. See you there, Mics, if you attend.

  • Mike S
    I love Mary Oliver’s poetry, especially this one…wild Geese. Wild Geese “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the r...

    I love Mary Oliver’s poetry, especially this one…wild Geese.

    Wild Geese

    “You do not have to be good.
    You do not have to walk on your knees
    For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body
    love what it loves.
    Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on.
    Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes,
    over the prairies and the deep trees,
    the mountains and the rivers.
    Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.
    Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
    the world offers itself to your imagination,
    calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting — over and over announcing your place
    in the family of things.”

    Mary Oliver

    Read More
    • Diane

      Mary Oliver’s poetry, like the writings of Henri Nouwen, is so real and vulnerable and makes me feel less alone in my brokenness. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful poem Mike!
      “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in”.
      Leonard Cohen

    • Pilgrim

      Thank you, Mike, for reminding me of these words of Mary Oliver. She is a favorite of mine, yet I have been forgetting lately to bring forward my books of poetry by those who have brought light to me along the path.

    • Mica

      Thank you, Mike S
      “You do not have to be good.
      Isn’t that wonderful!?

      • Mike S

        Yes, isn’t it. From the time I was little, I was molded into being a nice boy so people would like me.

        • Mica

          Me too! Actually, I think ‘good’ was the word for me. Dreadfully obedient, to the point of not even having thoughts of my own about many things. My mother reminded me about being raised to be good during a family conflict with her when I had kids of my own.

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