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. Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Drew Blanton1 day agoDrew BlantonToday was a good first day at my new dayhab. I got to exercise, read, and get online. 4 Reply Mica8 hours agoMicaGo, Drew! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙃 0 Reply Patjos1 day agoPatjosWould anyone like to join this year’s Global Love Day 21-day challenge, starts tomorrow. Each day setting an intention for Love and covering the whole Earth by 1st may 2021. Sign up https://www.kindspring.org/challenge/join/2032/ 3 Reply Mica8 hours agoMicaWhat do we promise to do, Patjos, if we sign up? 0 Reply Patjos8 hours agoPatjosIt’s very easy, we focus on Love, Loveing and being Loved for 21 days! 🙂 Here is an exceprt from today’s challenge: While listening to this short meditation https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0nwd8iq3p-uTWdEM2NhNkVfeXc please open your heart to all adults and all children. and then we listened to this song: http://www.movedbylove.org/projects/tunes/42 and afterward shared on a private feed :))) 0 Reply Mike S1 day agoMike SAs you read the following words of wisdom from the elders of the Hopi Nation, be mindful which images and phrases are most resonant for you at this time in your life and in our world. "You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered: Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden....As you read the following words of wisdom from the elders of the Hopi Nation, be mindful which images and phrases are most resonant for you at this time in your life and in our world. “You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered: Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader. This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation Read More2 Reply Nancy14 hours agoNancyLove it. Thank you! 1 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaThe magic of gratitude letters! Have been planning to share this with you for days and days.. 3 Reply Patjos1 day agoPatjosThis new Pen pal exchange has taken off like a rocket this past year https://www.elfster.com/gift-exchanges/de5bbe31-5d99-4411-9c80-a29c4b33abd1/ 2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeI love this Mica! I am a believer in the magic of “old-fashioned” letter writing. You have inspired me to write one today…I am so grateful for so many people in my life. Thank you for sharing my friend ♥ 2 Reply Mica3 days agoMicaYou are so welcome, Diane 💕 1 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SFrom my daily reading of the ancient Chinese wisdom sayings of Lau Tsu…the Tao Te Ching. “Do you think you can take over the Tao and improve it? I do not believe it can be done. The Tao is sacred. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to hold it, you will lose it. So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind; sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily; sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness; sometimes one is up a...From my daily reading of the ancient Chinese wisdom sayings of Lau Tsu…the Tao Te Ching. “Do you think you can take over the Tao and improve it? I do not believe it can be done. The Tao is sacred. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to hold it, you will lose it. So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind; sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily; sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness; sometimes one is up and sometimes down. Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency.” Read More2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeWow! As someone who readily admits to extremes in my emotions…this is a challenge. But there is much wisdom here. Reminds me of a word I learned but haven’t quite mastered….”equanimity”. Thank you for sharing Mike ♥ 2 Reply Mike S3 days agoMike SLau Tsu I think was more or less contemporary with the Buddha who talks about the middle path away fro. Extremes and the attachment and suffering that ensued. 2 Reply Serafina6 days agoSerafinaInvitation: Our friends at Dankbar Leben will be continuing their ‘Grateful, Mindful Dialogues’ series. The first 2021 meeting will be on April 14th. For more details, including the Zoom link information, please visit our Events page https://gratefulness.org/connect/events/ 3 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SThanks. First I knew about these events 2 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning lovely people As our dear friend Palm has said may this prayer Tuesday be a blessing to us all. Thinking of our sweet Ursula and her family. I appreciate so much what Mike has shared. He reminded me that we always have the ability to choose gratefulness no matter our disappointments in life. As often happens on this site when we generously share, we have the privilege of being wounded healers, as my guru Henri Nouwen describes. I am reminded of a proverb: " Heaviness i...Good morning lovely people As our dear friend Palm has said may this prayer Tuesday be a blessing to us all. Thinking of our sweet Ursula and her family. I appreciate so much what Mike has shared. He reminded me that we always have the ability to choose gratefulness no matter our disappointments in life. As often happens on this site when we generously share, we have the privilege of being wounded healers, as my guru Henri Nouwen describes. I am reminded of a proverb: ” Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25 This weekend I was visited by a disappointment that made my heart heavy. Easter Sunday with my family all together definitely helped….so much to be grateful for. And although the heaviness of an unfulfilled dream may still be hanging out, my heart was made glad by the “good words” that I find here….bringing me to grateful tears. Thank you so much for that gift. ~Blessings on your day my dear friends ♥ Read More4 Reply Anna6 days agoAnnaMany blessings dear Diane! 🙏🌸🌸 1 Reply Diane6 days agoDianeAnd to you as well mio amica. ♥ 2 Reply Pilgrim6 days agoPilgrimHolding you in light and love, dear Friend. Being together with family is a balm to the soul. Blessings to all of you. 1 Reply Diane6 days agoDianeThank you Pilgrim….a balm indeed. Blessings friend ♥ 1 Reply Palm6 days agoPalmDear Diane, thank you and Mike for sharing your gratefulness and heart, I send my wishes for comfort and lightening of burdens. How blessed you are to have gathered with family for Easter ❣️ 1 Reply Diane6 days agoDianeYes dear Palm….I did feel so blessed. Soaked it all in. 🥰 2 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SMy wife and I live in beautiful Beaufort, SC located on the intercostal waterwsy between Charleston an Savannah. One of the things we .I’ve to do three days a week is get up early (7am) and join others in the Beaufort Rowing Club (https://www.beaufortrowingclub.org/about-our-club). Check out the video on the home page, and you’ll see why this experience is so enchanting. Anyway, we rowed today with beautiful weather, and calm water, but somewhat heavy hearts. The owners of where we dock our ...My wife and I live in beautiful Beaufort, SC located on the intercostal waterwsy between Charleston an Savannah. One of the things we .I’ve to do three days a week is get up early (7am) and join others in the Beaufort Rowing Club (https://www.beaufortrowingclub.org/about-our-club). Check out the video on the home page, and you’ll see why this experience is so enchanting. Anyway, we rowed today with beautiful weather, and calm water, but somewhat heavy hearts. The owners of where we dock our boats are doing a big renovation and we’ve been asked to leave. I could grieve and be ticked off, or I can be grateful for all the great timess we’ve had. I choose gratefulness and the joy that comes wit it.😊🙏🏼💕 Read More6 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaDear Mike, your choice is inspiring to me, thank you for sharing. 2 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeDear Mike….your sharing was a blessing to me. ♥ 2 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmPrayer Tuesday blessings 🙏💕 3 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeAnd to you as well my friend ♥ 3 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonIt’s been confirmed that I’ll start going to Capital Health Services next Monday. My new dayhab’s going to be great! 5 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeDear Drew…how exciting! Your gratefulness is shining….thank you for sharing and may your new dayhab be a blessing! 2 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmGreat news, Drew! Thank you 2 Reply Annie1 week agoAnniePeace be with you dear friends...Happy Easter !!! What a blessing ! My son hosted Easter brunch at his home today. The weather was fantastic. Two tables were set up on his large deck...set so pretty ....table clothes and gorgeous flowers on the table. He loves to cook. We had eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast potato's pastry and my egg biscuits (I make almost every Easter ). Samantha age 10, and Katy age 7, loved the Easter egg hunt Auntie Nicole provided. Alexa age 13 looking cool to her y...Peace be with you dear friends…Happy Easter !!! What a blessing ! My son hosted Easter brunch at his home today. The weather was fantastic. Two tables were set up on his large deck…set so pretty ….table clothes and gorgeous flowers on the table. He loves to cook. We had eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast potato’s pastry and my egg biscuits (I make almost every Easter ). Samantha age 10, and Katy age 7, loved the Easter egg hunt Auntie Nicole provided. Alexa age 13 looking cool to her younger cousins…:) Why didn’t I have a figure like Alexa when I was 13? ?? OMG she is slim, but curvy…I was thin minus the curves. LOL And last my youngest little River is 3 months now. She was dressed in a sweet pink floral dress with a cardigan sweater. Tippy their dog after making the rounds to greet everyone, took a nice nap in the sun. I spoke with my sister in Arizona and she said, “you are going to have an addition to your Easter celebration next year.” Her grandson Oscar chose Rhode Island School of Design ! Awesome ! I haven’t seen him since he was about 6 or 7 maybe. Wow !!! My nephew Brad (Oscar’s dad) is a writer for television in California. This is so wonderful …I will surly get to see Brad and his family . And with the help of Gods grace my sister, brother-in-law , niece who lives in Wisconsin and her family. Okay I will end this long post by saying Happy Easter and peace be with you ! Read More4 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaAren’t we lucky, Annie, to have sons who love to cook?! 1 Reply Annie6 days agoAnnieWe certainly are! And he usually makes Thanksgiving dinner too! 2 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaMine, too : ) 1 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmWhat a joyful day, Annie! I love to be treated by somebody who loves cooking, you are lucky. 4 Reply Annie6 days agoAnnieI thank God for my family. So happy I moved back to RI. They are a blessing to me. 1 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaI am happy for your good news and your Easter sounds wonderful, with your family gathered around a joyful table. Me too Annie, I celebrated a family Easter and especially my mother had her first dose of vaccine !! I hope this vaccination campaign goes faster than now … It will be like a resurrection … 4 Reply Annie6 days agoAnnieThat’s wonderful Anna! All the adults of my family have had two vaccines except my son’s wife who is breast feeding. I pray we can soon be able to walk freely without wearing a mask. And that everyone has learned from this experience. I know it has taught me to be more grateful than I already was. And it enriched my relationship with God. 1 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmDear Anna, it’s a blessing to gather with family. These are good news, I like your analogy with resurrection. I think they are doing well in Italy re vaccination. My dad has got his two doses, my mom will have her second one in three days. I am grateful! 2 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaGood news dear Palm!! I have just registered for my first dose! 3 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmWonderful, dear Anna! 2 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SSounds lovely. Thanks for sharing. 1 Reply Kevin1 week agoKevinFor those who observe Easter, Happy Easter to all! For those who do not observe Easter, the day is still, holy! 6 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmHappy Easter, dear friends 🌿🐣💞 love and blessings to all. Dear Anna, following the messages we exchanged on the question of the day, I came across this quote and thought of you 😊 “Life is too short to be in a hurry” Tal Ben Shahar 3 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaIt is so true Palm, yet I am often in a hurry… It is always time to learn. Thank you so much dear friend. And happy Easter to you and your family! A special hug to your daughter! 2 Reply Palm1 week agoPalm🌸💞 2 Reply Palm1 week agoPalm(To give some context, I had answered that the best advice for me had been “one day at a time”) 3 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaDelightful quote today: There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. ROSALYNN CARTER I’m wondering what today – Saturday – is. It must have some name, coming between Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. 1 Reply Pilgrim1 week agoPilgrimHoly Saturday. A day of quiet with no daytime liturgy, until the Easter feast begins tonight with the Easter Vigil. The day celebrates the vigil that Christ’s followers held for him outside of his tomb, waiting for his resurrection. Fasting is not required, and the only mass held is the Easter Vigil beginning at sundown on Saturday. (There is lots online about this, if interested.) 5 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaThank you, Pilgrim – that would have been my guess – Holy Saturday. Yes, I remember Easter Vigils in my past. The priest was worrying beforehand about whether there would be enough wine in the glass, and I suggested that we could backwash 😜😁 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaMay we all receive what we need today on this Good Friday 4 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SI’ve been expecting warmer weather as we move towards April, but today even in South Carolina it’s barely 43° at 9 AM. 2 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonYesterday I was exploring adult day care centers. One called Capital Health Services has devotionals. I plan to start going there soon. 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaDevotionals sound good, Drew – warm wishes to you 1 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning lovely friends: Another prayer Tuesday has come and gone and I missed being here with you yesterday. I just now wrote a long post and somehow accidentally deleted it. But the writing was therapeutic anyway and suffice to say that despite my roller-coaster emotions of this past week and a fitful fear-filled sleep last night, I have awakened with an awareness of the absolute miracle of another day of life....here in this place that God has brought us. I have much on my heart s...Good morning lovely friends: Another prayer Tuesday has come and gone and I missed being here with you yesterday. I just now wrote a long post and somehow accidentally deleted it. But the writing was therapeutic anyway and suffice to say that despite my roller-coaster emotions of this past week and a fitful fear-filled sleep last night, I have awakened with an awareness of the absolute miracle of another day of life….here in this place that God has brought us. I have much on my heart still but will simply at this time ask for your prayers. My older daughter is to undergo surgery due to infertility issues. And it occurs to me how blessed I am, despite my worries for her, that we are living here now and not 2,000 miles away as she goes through this. I am so very grateful for that gift. Have a blessed day dear friends…I leave you with this prayer that I say each morning. I began saying it in both English and Spanish the year that our younger daughter was living in Spain as a way to feel connected to her. ~with grateful love ♥ “Thank you Abba Father for this miracle of another day of life” “Gracias Papito Dios por el milagro de un otra dia de la vida.” Read More3 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SDiane, my prayers are with you for peace and a restful sleep. I have had insomnia for many years and I know deep down there is a disturbance in May but hasn’t completely serviced. But without our challenges how would we ever have been sent over to see God? 2 Reply Nan Jan1 week agoNan Janmy attention is drawn to the garbage and recycling trucks going back and forth in the street outside my window. My first inclination: they are loud and disruptive. In the spirit of gratitude though, I'm reminded of how young children love to watch the mechanics of these trucks--awed by their ability to lift the huge bins and dump the contents without human intervention, and then-more or less gently-set the bins back down in place. Every moment can contain such awe; try and remember to see as a...my attention is drawn to the garbage and recycling trucks going back and forth in the street outside my window. My first inclination: they are loud and disruptive. In the spirit of gratitude though, I’m reminded of how young children love to watch the mechanics of these trucks–awed by their ability to lift the huge bins and dump the contents without human intervention, and then-more or less gently-set the bins back down in place. Every moment can contain such awe; try and remember to see as a child, I remind myself. Read More3 Reply Linda Roof1 week agoLinda RoofA great example of rethinking. Made me chuckle because I bought an expensive garbage truck & Tee shirt(my favorite day is garbage day) for 2 year old grandson. The men on the truck gave my grandson a small trash can on his BDay. The trash men smile, the children are delighted. Thus a positive spin on trash. 1 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SJam, Great work. But change your perspective is right out of a book that Kristi wrote about gratefulness. 1 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaNan Jan, seeing the world through children’s eyes … You’re right, this change of perspective is the solution to negativity. 1 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning Nan Jan….thank you for sharing your gratitude with us. ♥ Grateful living can simply be changing our perspective…thank you for the reminder. 3 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SThis is holy week for Christians the world over. I have not been attending church lately but I will go to a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. 4 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning Mike....I agree with our friend Pilgrim. Returning to my Catholic roots, however sporadic, has been a comfort to me throughout various times in my life. My spiritual journey has involved many twists and turns, and when it comes to organized religion, has brought much pain. But, through it all, rituals in many forms continue to be a vital part of my spiritual life. I too will be celebrating Holy Week in my new surroundings here in Denver. I searched online and found a church tha...Good morning Mike….I agree with our friend Pilgrim. Returning to my Catholic roots, however sporadic, has been a comfort to me throughout various times in my life. My spiritual journey has involved many twists and turns, and when it comes to organized religion, has brought much pain. But, through it all, rituals in many forms continue to be a vital part of my spiritual life. I too will be celebrating Holy Week in my new surroundings here in Denver. I searched online and found a church that is offering virtual Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services and it is my intention to join in. This intention is bringing peace and comfort to my fearful self these days. Read More3 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SDiane, yes for me the services elicit nostalgia and, as you say, there is some deep roots in ritual. That said, an every Sunday diet of the Eoiscopal service, like Catholic, leaves me cool and not connected. The way God in Christ are portrayed in the Christian narrative seems simply too narrow to me compared to my understanding and experience of what we call God. As a result I have to do a lot of translation when I go to church, and I do some balancing act because I’ve spent a lot of time in ...Diane, yes for me the services elicit nostalgia and, as you say, there is some deep roots in ritual. That said, an every Sunday diet of the Eoiscopal service, like Catholic, leaves me cool and not connected. The way God in Christ are portrayed in the Christian narrative seems simply too narrow to me compared to my understanding and experience of what we call God. As a result I have to do a lot of translation when I go to church, and I do some balancing act because I’ve spent a lot of time in Buddhist meditation and other forms of spiritual. exploration. The religion versus spirituality conundrum is a balancing beam I have walked for many years now, and quite often not very well. Read More1 Reply Kevin1 week agoKevinI hear you loud and clear here, Mike. Be well my friend. 1 Reply Pilgrim1 week agoPilgrimMike, it can be helpful or simply give us peace to return to familiar liturgies/celebrations in times such as these. I used to find that especially the Maundy Thursday rituals and words stirred me deeply. My mother breathed her last the day before Holy Thursday several years ago, so the meanings and the feelings come back to me in a different way now. May these ritual days bring you peace and hope, my friend. 2 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SHow true. Thanks for your words Pilgrim. 1 Reply 1 2 3 4 Next » New to Practice? Visit the Practice Space for more opportunities and insights. Practice Space Recent Active Members Hot Sauce active 35 mins Read More Trish active 1 hour Read More Mica active 2 hours Read More Carol active 3 hours Read More Dusty Su active 6 hours Read More Global Community This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. 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