Gratitude Lounge Welcome to our community space to support and celebrate Grateful Living. Please consider reflecting on questions such as these: What am I grateful for? How does gratefulness enrich my life, my community, the world? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? You are welcome to include images and videos to illustrate your reflections… Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Dawn Elaine3 mins agoDawn ElaineFor Sabbath and the path that has led me to come apart and rest awhile, to practice its true meaning. 0 Reply Diane19 hours agoDianeDear friends: First....dear Michelle. I add my voice to all who have expressed their love and concern for you. You are a cherished member of this miraculous community and we are with you friend. Always remember that you are surrounded by light and enfolded with love. ♥ Last night as I was getting ready for bed I had a moment of awareness and gratitude for my freshly laundered sleepwear. It made me pause and realize that there are still so many seemingly "little" things in my life tha...Dear friends: First….dear Michelle. I add my voice to all who have expressed their love and concern for you. You are a cherished member of this miraculous community and we are with you friend. Always remember that you are surrounded by light and enfolded with love. ♥ Last night as I was getting ready for bed I had a moment of awareness and gratitude for my freshly laundered sleepwear. It made me pause and realize that there are still so many seemingly “little” things in my life that I take for granted. I thought about these things as I was drifting off to sleep…and again this morning during my meditations. I am grateful for this awareness and wanted to share some of my gratitude ponderings. With my love and blessings ♥ ~I am grateful that each morning when I come downstairs a freshly brewed pot of coffee is waiting for me. I love the smell of coffee and there is nothing like that first cup in the morning. Today’s Word for The Day made me smile when I read it….a “thumbs-up” affirmation of my appreciation! 🙂 “Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the earth revolves.” THICH NHAT HANH ~I am grateful for the hot shower I had this morning and the citrus smell of the body wash I recently purchased that was so refreshing. ~I am grateful for the gift of music which is like medicine to me. ~I am grateful for the slow swaying movements I was able to do this morning in our sun room….looking out over the farmland and tilting my face up to the sun as it came out from behind a cloud. ~I am grateful for the delicious fruit smoothie my daughter just made me. It was delicious…and I felt healthier just by drinking it! Om Shanti dear friends. 🌞💜🙏🎶☕🍊 Read More3 Reply Pilgrim1 hour agoPilgrimDear Diane, thank you for these reminders to notice, enjoy, dwell within, the small moments/invitations in our days. Om Shanti, my friend. 0 Reply Palm17 hours agoPalmDear Diane, a true balm to read your gratefulness .. thank you. I also appreciated the word of today, as my tea ritual/ break helped me so much this winter.. Love and blessings 0 Reply Diane13 hours agoDiane💖☮ 1 Reply grateful sea2 days agograteful seaDear Michele, we are missing you. Just wanting this to be at the top of the page for a little while — not so that you feel any pressure to reply — but so that we can shower you with love. Just wanting you to know that you are cherished for exactly who you are, our beautiful friend. 2 Reply Mary12 hours agoMary💕Dear Michele,💕 I am thinking of you too. I can only imagine how hard losing Ursula has been for you. I am also wondering how hard keeping up with your puppy Finnegan over this hot summer has been for you. If I could do something to help you I would do it in a minute. I just want you to know how much I care about you. I hope you are getting any help you need and are taking care of your 💕lovely lovely self.💕 We love you Michele. I love you. I am missing you I ...💕Dear Michele,💕 I am thinking of you too. I can only imagine how hard losing Ursula has been for you. I am also wondering how hard keeping up with your puppy Finnegan over this hot summer has been for you. If I could do something to help you I would do it in a minute. I just want you to know how much I care about you. I hope you are getting any help you need and are taking care of your 💕lovely lovely self.💕 We love you Michele. I love you. I am missing you I am sending you my love. I will light a virtual candle for you on this site. I send you all my love and I will pray for you each day. Mary💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 will keep it Read More1 Reply Mary12 hours agoMaryMichele, The virtual candle is under Michele’s prayer/Mary. You can find it by just searching under Michele. 💕 0 Reply Ose15 hours agoOseDear Michele, if possible, please let us know how you are. Like all others have expressed already, you are in my heart also. We all are missing you. dear friend. Please stay in contact. A warm embrace, if I may. 0 Reply Pilgrim2 days agoPilgrimYes, dear Michele. You are in my heart and prayers every day. 2 Reply Palm2 days agoPalmGrateful sea, I think we are here at the same time, I’d had the same thought about having a message for Michele at the top. so I join you dear friend. Thinking of you Michele, I hope you can see the loving messages and wishes below. Love and blessings friend 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryI remember when Ursula first suggested that we have a common prayer day. At first it was discussed that we pray at the same time of day once a week. But with the time difference it was decided that one full day a week would work better because of the time differences. It seems to me that right around that time we also talked about Martha and Mary. I’m really not sure how long ago that was. I am having a lot of sadness when I think about Ursula’s passing. My God Mother is named Ursula....I remember when Ursula first suggested that we have a common prayer day. At first it was discussed that we pray at the same time of day once a week. But with the time difference it was decided that one full day a week would work better because of the time differences. It seems to me that right around that time we also talked about Martha and Mary. I’m really not sure how long ago that was. I am having a lot of sadness when I think about Ursula’s passing. My God Mother is named Ursula. I felt very close to Ursula, and have been quite concerned about her for quite a while. Knowing that we won’t be seeing her icon anymore and that we no longer will hear news from her feels so sad to me. I notice that I am resisting grieving and that I don’t want to feel the sadness. Death is always so strange for me. In a way it doesn’t feel real to me. I remember when my Dad died that it took about 5 years to truly comprehend that he had died. I think I need to just let myself be sad. But I just don’t really want to believe that Ursula has passed. She felt like a sister to me. I always wanted to help her and I wanted to protect her too. I think I helped her sometimes, but of course I couldn’t protect her. Death is just so strange to me. I don’t like the mystery. So what I have been doing is allowing myself to be sad for a little while and sometimes to cry, but then I’ll watch a tv show or work on lesson planning or read the paper, or catch up on Instagram. We will weather this storm together. I suggested to Werner, Ursula’s husband, that he and his sons get any help they need and to draw close to each other for that is what Ursula would want. This is also an opportunity for this gratitude community to draw close. To confide in each other as well as to encourage one another. To open up to each other. Losing Ursula is making me appreciate my family, friends, family and students in my life all the more. Life goes by fast and I want to be more grateful and I want to spend more time with my loved ones. And I want to more fully appreciate all the important people as well as activities in my life. Thank you to all of my sisters and brothers on this gratefulness web site. Thank you for being who you are and for being so good to me. I love you all. Peace and love, Mary Read More6 Reply Pilgrim3 days agoPilgrimDear Mary, Thank you for sharing your deepest heart with us. Death is surely incomprehensible and often so sudden that we can't be ready for it. My spiritual director some years ago told me that the death of someone we know/care about recalls into our hearts and spirits all other deaths that have been meaningful to us. As you say, I believe this also brings into our hearts the living with whom we want to cherish relationships more fully. This we can do. And it is a way to honor Ursula's memory w...Dear Mary, Thank you for sharing your deepest heart with us. Death is surely incomprehensible and often so sudden that we can’t be ready for it. My spiritual director some years ago told me that the death of someone we know/care about recalls into our hearts and spirits all other deaths that have been meaningful to us. As you say, I believe this also brings into our hearts the living with whom we want to cherish relationships more fully. This we can do. And it is a way to honor Ursula’s memory while enhancing our own lives. We have been a circle of belonging and friendship for Ursula, I believe. And I believe she would wish for us to continue our caring and supporting each other here and those who are a part of our daily lives. And to take good care of ourselves. Our friend has given us a legacy of community that we perhaps would never have come to. I have been thinking a lot about her friendship with St. Francis, and I think I will follow this and see where it leads me. Blessings, my friend. Take care of your gentle heart, Read More4 Reply Mary2 days agoMaryThank you dear Pilgrim for this sharing. I agree with you that Ursula brought us more fully into our circle of sharing. Ursula surely helped to bring us together. I feel like I belong here so much more since we started our common prayer day. I am so grateful for everyone here. And I am so grateful to you dear Pilgrim. You have such helpful insights. I can see why you were in ministry and I can only imagine how many people you have helped. I always feel so warmly received by you and am alwa...Thank you dear Pilgrim for this sharing. I agree with you that Ursula brought us more fully into our circle of sharing. Ursula surely helped to bring us together. I feel like I belong here so much more since we started our common prayer day. I am so grateful for everyone here. And I am so grateful to you dear Pilgrim. You have such helpful insights. I can see why you were in ministry and I can only imagine how many people you have helped. I always feel so warmly received by you and am always interested to hear your thoughts on various ideas. I am also always interested in hearing how you are doing. I know that the aftermath of your surgery has been so challenging. I think I take my hands for granted. I am reminded to be grateful for my hands, my arms, my legs, my feet and for my whole body. I like your idea of looking into St. Francis. I will do the same. I love that he was such a lover of animals. I also love the way that Ursula loved Sunny. I remember she was at first concerned that although her boys wanted a dog, she would be the one taking care of him. And then she ended up enjoying him so much. Blessings to you dear Pilgrim. You add so much to the gratitude lounge with your wisdom and your great kindness. I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I am sending you my love. Mary Read More3 Reply Pilgrim1 day agoPilgrimDear Mary, I cannot thank you enough for these kind words. I had never thought of myself as one day being in ministry, but life has a way of opening various paths for us. This was the greatest of gifts, being privileged to walk with people on their journeys. Though we all do that in various ways, I believe in looking back. We do that here! My hand/wrist is very slow to heal. I end up spending too much time indoors, as it takes so much effort to get out and about. Driving is a challenge, but I ...Dear Mary, I cannot thank you enough for these kind words. I had never thought of myself as one day being in ministry, but life has a way of opening various paths for us. This was the greatest of gifts, being privileged to walk with people on their journeys. Though we all do that in various ways, I believe in looking back. We do that here! My hand/wrist is very slow to heal. I end up spending too much time indoors, as it takes so much effort to get out and about. Driving is a challenge, but I am doing a little bit. I am hoping for healing by Fall, enough to get out more. It is my very favorite season here in the Midwest. I have found some lovely statues of St. Francis online, and will choose one in memory of Ursula. One with animals! And I will revisit my books. Be well, my friend. I send my love to you. Read More2 Reply Anna3 days agoAnnaMy dear MaryMary, me too. It seems impossible and difficult to accept. We will never see Ursula icon again. Thinking that my heart is heavy. Mary, we can continue to walk together, sharing our love and light, sadness and pain. Ursula will be with us, in another way, but as I say it, I feel tears in my eyes and some doubts. Will there be another place where we can share our lives? Mary, Mary, let’s keep in touch. With love 2 Reply Mary2 days agoMaryAnd I send so much love to you Anna. Yes, we will continue to stay in touch dear Anna and we will continue to be a part of this circle of love. I see all of us continuing to share about our lives and the things that are important to us. I have come to care so very much about all in our community. I love you Anna, and I love all in our gratefulness community. Mary 3 Reply Palm3 days agoPalmDear Mary, thank you for these warm and heartfelt words, I feel so related to all you say, and it helps so much... I feel comforted and not alone with all these confusing feelings, more able to hold in my heart both joy and sorrow, as Diane said. I too find myself cherishing my family even more, after Ursula's passing, I want to be careful to only speak and act with love, as death could take us any time.... Yes, Mary, death is so strange... even when we have been warned, it feels unreal.... to m...Dear Mary, thank you for these warm and heartfelt words, I feel so related to all you say, and it helps so much… I feel comforted and not alone with all these confusing feelings, more able to hold in my heart both joy and sorrow, as Diane said. I too find myself cherishing my family even more, after Ursula’s passing, I want to be careful to only speak and act with love, as death could take us any time…. Yes, Mary, death is so strange… even when we have been warned, it feels unreal…. to me it used to feel as if Ursula would never really leave us, and find myself now wishing I would have said more to her…. I cherish this community too, even more now, how we have connected to each other over time, and how strong this bond is… strange also, since we haven’t met in person…. but these are my thoughts at the moment… Thank you for opening up, Mary, and helping us to do the same. I continue thinking of you and praying for your work hours to be reduced, I smiled when I read: “I think I may just get myself a life after all”, that’s what I said when I started working part-time 🙂 Sending my love! Palm Read More3 Reply Mary2 days agoMaryDear Palm, I am glad to hear you related to much of what I wrote. When I wrote, it just felt natural and I wrote as thoughts came to me. As I often do, I wondered later if I should have toned it down. I am glad to hear you related to much of what I said. I also knew Ursula was quite sick, but she wrote in regularly so I just thought she would continue to do so. I knew she was sick, yet I was so shocked when her husband wrote in to say she had passed. I too, Palm am feeling more and more c...Dear Palm, I am glad to hear you related to much of what I wrote. When I wrote, it just felt natural and I wrote as thoughts came to me. As I often do, I wondered later if I should have toned it down. I am glad to hear you related to much of what I said. I also knew Ursula was quite sick, but she wrote in regularly so I just thought she would continue to do so. I knew she was sick, yet I was so shocked when her husband wrote in to say she had passed. I too, Palm am feeling more and more close to the members of our gratefulness community. I used to feel like maybe I don’t really belong but I don’t feel that way anymore. It is so interesting how I have come to care so much for the wonderful people in our community, even though none of us have met in person. Thank you Palm for being open with your feelings. and for always caring for and encouraging others in this community. It is so good to know you and to read your thoughts. I appreciate you very much. Sending my love. Mary Read More3 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeDear Mary....thank you for your beautiful thoughts. Ursula felt like a sister to me as well. And I believe that she felt that way about all of us. Like a spirit-sister. You did help her Mary.....just as you have helped me and others on this site with your heartfelt love, gentleness and compassion. I appreciate what you shared....we all grieve in our own way and in our own time. And we will weather this storm together as you said.....for that I join you in profound gratitude. ~Bl...Dear Mary….thank you for your beautiful thoughts. Ursula felt like a sister to me as well. And I believe that she felt that way about all of us. Like a spirit-sister. You did help her Mary…..just as you have helped me and others on this site with your heartfelt love, gentleness and compassion. I appreciate what you shared….we all grieve in our own way and in our own time. And we will weather this storm together as you said…..for that I join you in profound gratitude. ~Blessings friend ♥ Read More3 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful seaPeace and love to you, dear Mary. I am in tears by the openness of your heart. I have such a hard time at all times putting words to what I think and feel. I can learn from you. I want to learn. Just to say, simply, "I am having a lot of sadness about Ursula's passing." Yes, me too. I have also been remembering when Ursula first suggested a common prayer day. I remember there was a suggestion to start with Saint Martha's prayer which was unknown to me. But I copied out the text, and that...Peace and love to you, dear Mary. I am in tears by the openness of your heart. I have such a hard time at all times putting words to what I think and feel. I can learn from you. I want to learn. Just to say, simply, “I am having a lot of sadness about Ursula’s passing.” Yes, me too. I have also been remembering when Ursula first suggested a common prayer day. I remember there was a suggestion to start with Saint Martha’s prayer which was unknown to me. But I copied out the text, and that first Tuesday morning, I lit a candle and thought — um, I really don’t know how to do this, but because Ursula asked, I will try…. And it became for me such an important part of each week. Something I could do. Read More2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryDear grateful sea, You always write straight from your heart and I always feel your love, your your goodness and your kindness in everything you write. And thank you for your kind words💕 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryAnd thanks for the reminder of the connection of Martha and Mary to common prayer day. 1 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful seaThank you for your encouragement, Mary. There is more I want to say in response but it takes me such a long time and is exhausting so I need to rest and will try again later. As you say, I hope we will draw together in our sorrow. I am concerned about Michele and I hope she is reading and feels a part of this, feels our love. 2 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaYes! I miss Michele and hope things are working out with her new dog, one way or another. ‘Another’ being that the new dog might not have been a good fit. Hugs to Michele! 2 Reply Pilgrim3 days agoPilgrimDear grateful sea, I join you in being concerned about Michele. She has written little, especially since she adopted Finnegan. She felt very close to Ursula. Like you, I want her to know we are here, with her in heart and spirit. And if she needs to find a new home for Finnegan, we are here, circling her in friendship i whatever she may decide. I do not know the Martha prayer, but will look for it. I do know how much it has meant to me, these Tuesday common prayer days, and knowing we all sh...Dear grateful sea, I join you in being concerned about Michele. She has written little, especially since she adopted Finnegan. She felt very close to Ursula. Like you, I want her to know we are here, with her in heart and spirit. And if she needs to find a new home for Finnegan, we are here, circling her in friendship i whatever she may decide. I do not know the Martha prayer, but will look for it. I do know how much it has meant to me, these Tuesday common prayer days, and knowing we all share this bond/practice whether we write or not. What a gift Ursula has given us in this! Read More4 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryPlease be gentle with yourself grateful sea. I think you feel things very, very deeply, and probably intuit quite a bit as well. This world can be quite overwhelming for those of us who are gentle and tender hearted. You put so much love, warmth, and care into one or two sentences. It’s okay to be exactly the way you are. Please be easy on yourself and kind to yourself. Revel a bit in your own beauty. I think you are amazing! 3 Reply Ose3 days agoOseBlessings to all on our common prayer day, including Ursula and her family and Sunny of course, and the ones who are unseen here but still sharing internally. You are in my heart and prayers. Peaceful dreams to you, dear friends. 3 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeDear Ose…..as always your blessings are a balm. Peaceful dreams….such a lovely wish for us all. Thank you friend. ~With grateful love ♥ 3 Reply Ose3 days agoOseThank you, dear Diane. Blessings to you. 1 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryThank you dear Ose. I love the thought of having peaceful dreams. What a beautiful way to sleep. Peaceful dreams to you as well Ose. And thank you for all the beautiful prayers and blessings you have written on our common prayer day. I am sending you my love. Mary 2 Reply Ose3 days agoOseGrateful for your kind wishes, dear Mary! 1 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful seaThank you, dear Ose, you are in my heart and prayers. Peaceful dreams to you. 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryThank you dear grateful sea for being the gentle, thoughtful and kind person that you are. You are so loved. Sending you my love, Mary 2 Reply Ose3 days agoOseThanks, dear grateful sea. Peace to you.🙏🏻 2 Reply Carla3 days agoCarlaGreetings to all—I too have thought about Ursula & hold her immediate family & extended kin in prayer with their loss & grief & this extended circle of shared kinship who feel the loss of her. I’m grateful for this cyber spiritual community; the hundreds who Light candles & say prayers, poets & photographers sharing sacred art, etc. Eid Mubarak to my Muslim Sisters & brothers too. It is a good day. Blessed Be. 3 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeThank you Carla for your thoughts and prayers and your lovely expression of gratitude for the blessing this sacred community is to us all. ~Blessed Be ♥ 1 Reply Carla2 days agoCarlaDiane I’m sending caring thoughts 💟🌻 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryThank you for your words of encouragement, Carla, and your reminder of all that we have on this site, Sending you my love, Mary 1 Reply Carla2 days agoCarlaLove received & abundantly it ripples to others too! 🌹 2 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful seaGreetings, Carla. As I read your reflection, I have the sense of wide open arms for our whole human family. Thank you. 1 Reply Carla2 days agoCarlaMy dear grateful sea, we are all held within this huge family of humans, plants & animals. Blessings to you this day. 🐥🦋☘️💟 2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeGood morning lovely friends This is our first common prayer day since we learned that our dear sweet Ursula has left us. The tears came fast and furious this morning during my devotions.....I am still feeling her loss deeply as I'm sure all of us are. I take comfort in knowing that she is bathed in light, free from all pain, anxiety and sadness. And as Mary has shared, our loss is heaven's gain. I truly believe that our angel Ursula is still among us and watching over us. I contin...Good morning lovely friends This is our first common prayer day since we learned that our dear sweet Ursula has left us. The tears came fast and furious this morning during my devotions…..I am still feeling her loss deeply as I’m sure all of us are. I take comfort in knowing that she is bathed in light, free from all pain, anxiety and sadness. And as Mary has shared, our loss is heaven’s gain. I truly believe that our angel Ursula is still among us and watching over us. I continue to hold her family in prayer and am more eager than ever to express my gratitude for this sacred community. Thank you for the blessing that you have been in my life these years. We are a family that is quite miraculous having never met each other. It doesn’t matter….we are connected across the miles and oceans and traveling this journey together. I am lighting a candle with both joy and sorrow in my heart. ~With grateful love ♥ Read More3 Reply Palm2 days agoPalmDear Diane, I shed tears of gratitude reading your perfect, beautiful words, on common prayer day, when we were all finding it so difficult to write. I still remember that, not long ago, Ursula found your words and encouragement “incredible”… Thank you for the gift and blessing you have been to us these years, dear friend. Much love from Palm ❤️ 1 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryDear Diane, Thank you for your light you send even when you are sad. Thank you for the prayers beautiful prayers and inspiration you so readily share. Thank you for being so open about your difficulties and letting us know you. So many of the feelings you share I feel as well. Thank you especially Diane for your kind words to me- teacher to teacher. You have comforted me many times by sharing your own experiences and by letting me know that I am not alone in finding teaching to be so ha...Dear Diane, Thank you for your light you send even when you are sad. Thank you for the prayers beautiful prayers and inspiration you so readily share. Thank you for being so open about your difficulties and letting us know you. So many of the feelings you share I feel as well. Thank you especially Diane for your kind words to me- teacher to teacher. You have comforted me many times by sharing your own experiences and by letting me know that I am not alone in finding teaching to be so hard. Thank you, Diane, for being the beautiful person that you are. Sending you my love, Mary Read More2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeThank you Mary. Your words mean so much to me. Tears flowing, heart filled with gratitude….I send you all my love my beautiful friend. 💜 2 Reply Anna3 days agoAnnaOh, thank you Diane, for your beautiful words, I could have never expressed my sorrow and gratitude better than you. Peace, dear friend. 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryAnna, Anna, dear Anna, I want to tell you dear Anna how much I appreciate your loving spirit. I remember when I had not written in quite some time, and you expressed so much joy at seeing my icon and then reading my post. You are so genuinely kind and good dear Anna. I love you for this. Mary 3 Reply Anna3 days agoAnna❤ 2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeCara Anna…..I am so grateful for you and I know that you had a special place in Ursula’s heart. We are united in our gratitude and in our sorrow. This brings me comfort. Thank you for the gift of your friendship. ~With grateful love ♥ 2 Reply Anna3 days agoAnna❤ 2 Reply Pilgrim3 days agoPilgrimThank you for your beautiful and encouraging words, dear Diane. I wanted to write on this common prayer day, but could not find the words. Peace, my friend. 3 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeOh Pilgrim….I wrote with tears streaming down my face. I was having a hard time finding the words as well……this is a difficult time for us all. I wish you peace as well my friend. ~With grateful love ♥ 2 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful seaDear Diane, thank you, I find comfort in your words. So much of what you beautifully express from your heart here is what I have been trying to write this morning but have been unable. With grateful love for you and all who are part of this community. 3 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeDear grateful sea…..writing is how I process my grief and sorrow. We all have our own unique path through times like this. The miraculous thing is that we are here for each other and we do not travel through the darkness alone. It is a blessing beyond measure to me. ~Peace my friend ♥ 2 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful sea"The word 'heal' comes from an Old English word that means to make whole. Of course we are already whole, so healing involves becoming aware of our wholeness. Healing is more than just being cured of an illness. Even when you cannot be cured, you can experience healing. You can experience wholeness. Healing includes harmony of body, mind, and spirit and an awareness of your oneness with the whole universe." (from Healing Zen: Awakening to a Life of Wholeness and Compassion While Caring for...“The word ‘heal’ comes from an Old English word that means to make whole. Of course we are already whole, so healing involves becoming aware of our wholeness. Healing is more than just being cured of an illness. Even when you cannot be cured, you can experience healing. You can experience wholeness. Healing includes harmony of body, mind, and spirit and an awareness of your oneness with the whole universe.” (from Healing Zen: Awakening to a Life of Wholeness and Compassion While Caring for Yourself and Others by Ellen Birx) Read More4 Reply Anna3 days agoAnnaThank you, dear Grateful Sea, these words are so true. May you be blessed dear, dear Grateful Sea. 3 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful seaThank you, sweet friend. Peace to you. 1 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeDear grateful sea.....it never ceases to amaze me how, simply by sharing from our hearts, we can make a difference in someone's day with our vulnerability and generosity of spirit. Thank you for sharing this....it was exactly what I needed to remind me that, despite living with chronic illness, I am whole and healed. Serendipity....during my devotions this morning, a Psalm verse popped into my mind and I prayed it with gratitude tears....despite how I may physically feel I am "wonderfu...Dear grateful sea…..it never ceases to amaze me how, simply by sharing from our hearts, we can make a difference in someone’s day with our vulnerability and generosity of spirit. Thank you for sharing this….it was exactly what I needed to remind me that, despite living with chronic illness, I am whole and healed. Serendipity….during my devotions this morning, a Psalm verse popped into my mind and I prayed it with gratitude tears….despite how I may physically feel I am “wonderfully made”. I am getting the message! 🙂 ~With love and blessings friend ♥ “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” Psalm 139:14 Read More4 Reply grateful sea3 days agograteful seaBlessings of healing to you, dear Diane. As another who lives with chronic illness, I have taken comfort in these words lately, reading this book that was lent to me by a fellow volunteer at the community garden. The author is a local nursing professor and Zen teacher. I felt called to share the passage on this special common prayer day in honor of Ursula, with deep hope that although she could not be cured of cancer, she experienced profound healing. 2 Reply Palm2 days agoPalmDear grateful sea, seeing healing in this way is so profund… It reminded me when Ursula wrote about the limited view of doctors regarding her diagnosis, not seeing the entire kaleidoscope … You honor her so well, dear friend.. 2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianegrateful sea….it was a beautiful way to honor Ursula and I am so grateful you shared it. I have made it my intention to read this book…thank you so much friend. 2 Reply grateful sea2 days agograteful seaThank you, Diane. I am happy that the passage spoke to your heart too. The book is very good, very good (I am still reading). And easeful for someone such as me who knows very little about Zen. I am wondering if I can find the courage in the next few weeks to visit the local Zen community the author co-founded. We shall see. Blessings to you this day. 1 Reply Dawn Elaine3 days agoDawn ElaineGrateful for the challenges that have brought me to a place where I get to notice and interact with others. Grateful for the past 9 1/2 years of practice that allow me to see myself in those who annoy me most. 3 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeThank you for sharing your gratitude for the challenges in your life Dawn Elaine. It spoke to my heart. ~Blessings ♥ 2 Reply Filip4 days agoFilipToday I’m grateful for these three things in my home: my yin yoga props (I sleep like a pro) Air conditioner (obvious), dishwasher machine (saves me time to recharge) 4 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaYin Yoga – thanks! That’s new to me. 3 Reply Dawn Elaine5 days agoDawn ElaineGrateful for the chance to help kids learn! 6 Reply grateful sea5 days agograteful seaMay you be blessed in this, Dawn Elaine. 2 Reply Mary5 days agoMaryThank you for the reminder to be grateful Dawn Elaine. I am a teacher. The children start the new school year tomorrow. I have some nerves today, but I too am grateful for the opportunity to teach. I hope to do well. I want to be the best I can be. Mary 5 Reply grateful sea5 days agograteful seaI am also thinking of you this morning, Mary, as you are probably in the classroom now. Wishing you everything you need to help those young lives shine. Sending love from grateful sea. 2 Reply Mary4 days agoMary💕☀️ 2 Reply Palm5 days agoPalmThinking of you, Mary, for the starting of the new school year, and hoping you can share your job soon, and get more balance with your time. I feel I did, when I started working part-time almost three years ago. 2 Reply Mary3 days agoMaryDear Palm, Thank you for thinking of me. I’m working this week full time, but, next week part time might start. I’m feeling hopeful. I think I may just get myself a life after all! Sending you my love! Mary 2 Reply Mary4 days agoMary💕☀️ 2 Reply Pilgrim5 days agoPilgrimBlessings, Mary, as you begin the new school year! 1 Reply Mary4 days agoMary💕☀️ 1 Reply Dawn Elaine6 days agoDawn ElaineToday, I am grateful for the many “not-yet’s” and the daily practice of Presence. 6 Reply Diane5 days agoDianeWelcome to this sacred space Dawn Elaine! It is a very special community and we are glad you found us. 😊 1 Reply grateful sea5 days agograteful seaWelcome, welcome Dawn Elaine. 2 Reply Mary6 days agoMaryWelcome Dawn Elaine! I hope to hear more from you. Mary 2 Reply Filip6 days agoFilipThis is just perfect, as it is Saturday and I am going to visit my family. I’m grateful for my mum for the unconditional love, my father for having a sometimes loose way of parenting and sometimes really hard. I took my lessons from that. I am grateful for my sister as she is my companion in challenges in life as in happy times also. 6 Reply Diane5 days agoDianeDear Filip….what a loving tribute to your family. I hope that your visit was a joyful one. 🌞 1 Reply Carla6 days agoCarlaWelcome! I hope your time with family was all that you needed it to be.🌻 1 Reply Ose6 days agoOseWelcome, dear Filip. Happy to meet you here in our group of friends. 1 Reply Mary6 days agoMaryWelcome Filip. Blessings to you and your family! Mary 1 Reply grateful sea6 days agograteful seaWelcome, Filip. Thank you for sharing your gratefulness. May you enjoy your day with your family. 2 Reply Ursula1 week agoUrsulaDear all, thanks for your prayers and thoughts, thanks for you all as an inspiring source of strength. As her husband I have the sad duty of informing you that Ursula has died at home on 27th of July in the early morning. In deepest sorrow and gratitude, Werner, Elias, Emmanuel and our dog Sunshine 4 Reply Mary4 days agoMaryDear Werner, I responded to your post before but have since had time to think and have started to accept Ursula’s passing. I ache for you and your sons as well as all who knew and loved Ursula. Once again I want to thank you so much for writing in and letting us know that Ursula had passed. This was such a kindness! Not hearing anything and not knowing what had happened would have been so very hard as we all loved and cared for Ursula so very much. I pray Werner, that you and your sons ...Dear Werner, I responded to your post before but have since had time to think and have started to accept Ursula’s passing. I ache for you and your sons as well as all who knew and loved Ursula. Once again I want to thank you so much for writing in and letting us know that Ursula had passed. This was such a kindness! Not hearing anything and not knowing what had happened would have been so very hard as we all loved and cared for Ursula so very much. I pray Werner, that you and your sons will be there for each other, and that you will all get whatever help that you might need to get you through this time of grief. May God bless you Werner, Elias, and Emmanuel and sweet little Sunny. May God be with you as you grieve and help you to find joy and peace. Love and peace to you all. Mary Read More4 Reply Serafina4 days agoSerafinaDear Werner, Elias, Emmanuel, Sunshine and the Gratitude Lounge community, please accept our most heartfelt condolences for your (our) loss. This community has been so blessed by her kindness, wisdom, support and compassion. We have lit a candle in her honor and send you all our prayers. She will be dearly missed, may she rest in peace.❤ 3 Reply Pilgrim5 days agoPilgrimDear Family, I am utterly sorry for the loss of dear Ursula. She has blessed each and every one of us here in this gathering space, with her wisdom, encouragement and trust. Our friend is in the arms of the angels now, and at the same time lives on in our hearts. Please hug her faithful companion Sunny for me. I hold you all in my prayers. 6 Reply pkr5 days agopkrBeautiful Beautiful Woman, dear Ursula. ❤️ Sending her family and loved ones much love and prayers at this sad time. Blessings to All, especially to those here, who are her friends. ❤️🙏🙏🙏❤️ 4 Reply Ose6 days agoOseMy heart is with you, dear Werner, and with yours and Ursulas sons. Such sad news. May you all find some comfort in the knowing that she found rest now. She was and is so dear to us all. My prayers will still be with her, and with you all, and Sunny, who will miss her like we all do so much. She will stay in my heart as a very dear and true friend. I will lit a candle for her tonight and for you as her dear family. May peace be with you. My deepest condolences. 5 Reply Mary6 days agoMaryOverwhelming news... I thank you for your great kindness of letting us know. I wish love to you, Ursula’s husband, Ursula’s sons, sweet Sunshine and everyone else Ursula loved and to all those who loved Ursula. I pray that you her family will draw close together, as this, as well as your happiness, would be Ursula’s fondest wish. Thank you for posting this gorgeous picture of our dear Ursula. She was an inspiration to me. Our loss is heaven’s gain. May we all be changed for the be...Overwhelming news… I thank you for your great kindness of letting us know. I wish love to you, Ursula’s husband, Ursula’s sons, sweet Sunshine and everyone else Ursula loved and to all those who loved Ursula. I pray that you her family will draw close together, as this, as well as your happiness, would be Ursula’s fondest wish. Thank you for posting this gorgeous picture of our dear Ursula. She was an inspiration to me. Our loss is heaven’s gain. May we all be changed for the better for having known Ursula and may that positive change continuously ripple out to others in our world. Dearest Ursula, I feel your presence with me now. Thank you for your love, your kindness, and your light. I am kinder and stronger for having known you. In your name I will focus and renew my energy toward kindness, light, and love. And whenever I think of you, I will guide my energy toward ever increasing love. Dear God knows I will miss you… I cherish having known you and I will love you forever. May we all be better for having known you, dearest Ursula, our beautiful, beautiful friend. Mary Read More6 Reply Michele6 days agoMicheleMy deepest condolences to you all. Farewell you beautiful soul. My love goes with you as my heart is breaking. You showed me the meaning of true courage I will miss your beautiful presence here in our space. Peace. 😢 6 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaThank you, Werner – her pain is over now. Peace be with you! 5 Reply Diane6 days agoDianeDear Werner, Elias and Emmanuel......we are all with you in your sorrow and the loss of your wife and mother. Ursula was, and always will be a shining light in all our lives. How very kind of you to share her passing with us.....as well as this beautiful picture of a truly beautiful spirit. Holding you close in prayer, I light a candle in her honor and pray that you will find comfort in knowing how much she was loved here in this community. May you rest in peace sweet Ursula.....we will...Dear Werner, Elias and Emmanuel……we are all with you in your sorrow and the loss of your wife and mother. Ursula was, and always will be a shining light in all our lives. How very kind of you to share her passing with us…..as well as this beautiful picture of a truly beautiful spirit. Holding you close in prayer, I light a candle in her honor and pray that you will find comfort in knowing how much she was loved here in this community. May you rest in peace sweet Ursula…..we will miss you dear friend. 🕯 Read More7 Reply grateful sea6 days agograteful seaDear Werner, Elias and Emmanuel, I send you deepest condolences from my heart. I am in sorrow with you, as Ursula was a true friend and inspiration to me here in this space, and I will never forget her bright, generous spirit. I will keep you in my prayers.
