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. Diane15 hours agoDianeGood 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 ♥ Read More3 Reply Pilgrim9 hours agoPilgrimDear 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. 0 Reply Diane4 hours agoDianeMy dear friend….I am so very grateful for your prayers and blessings. It means so much and gives me courage. ♥ 0 Reply Anna10 hours agoAnnaI am with you with my heart and prayer, dear Diane. All will be well, as Palm says. 1 Reply Diane4 hours agoDianeGrazie cara Anna….I am grateful you are with me. ♥ 1 Reply Mica14 hours agoMicaDear 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 : ) 1 Reply Diane4 hours agoDianeDear 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 ♥ 0 Reply Palm14 hours agoPalmDear Diane, I will be thinking and praying for your daughter. All will be well my friend ❤️ 1 Reply Diane4 hours agoDianeThank you so much Palm. I am so grateful for your prayers and for your encouragement. ♥ 1 Reply Mike S18 hours agoMike SIf 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. 3 Reply Mica14 hours agoMicaYes! I did. Thanks, Mike 1 Reply Bill Martin2 days agoBill MartinWe 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 5 Reply Mike S1 day agoMike SThanks for sharing Bill. I would prefer to live more simply. 2 Reply Annie2 days agoAnnieBut as for me, it is good to be near God. Psalm 73:28 4 Reply Palm42 mins agoPalmDear Annie, this is a wonderful message and picture, did you take it? 0 Reply Elizabeth2 days agoElizabethCan anyone provide for me word of the day quotes for Monday, april12, 2021 and Friday, April 16, 2021? Sincere Thanks!!! 2 Reply ch1 day agochMonday April 12 was “Reflection is the lamp of the heart. If it departs, the heart will have no light” – IMAM AL-HADDAD 2 Reply Elizabeth17 hours agoElizabethHeartfelt ‘reflection’ of thanks, Imam! Such a poignant quote!! Happy to have it, thanks to you!! 1 Reply Elizabeth2 days agoElizabethI 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. 2 Reply Palm2 days agoPalmHi 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 🙂 2 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaI 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 1 Reply Elizabeth2 days agoElizabethThank you, Mica… your time and effort are much appreciated!!! ☺️Elizabeth 2 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaOh, Elizabeth – appreciation for so little time and effort – a treat 🥰 1 Reply SK2 days agoSKI 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 More3 Reply Mike S2 days agoMike SSK, 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.” 2 Reply Bill Martin3 days agoBill MartinI 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 5 Reply Palm2 days agoPalmWelcome and thank you, for sharing, dear Bill. 1 Reply Mica2 days agoMicaOh my yes! This is wonderfully other than Facebook. Welcome, Bill Martin – 1 Reply Drew Blanton4 days agoDrew BlantonI 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. 3 Reply Mike S3 days agoMike SDrew, I hope and trust all this will come out fir the best for you. 2 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SYesterday 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 More2 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaThank 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. 1 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SIs your May 12 gathering open? There was a local group gathering in my state that fell apart, I heard, before I could join. 1 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaI 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 More1 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SOk. I know about these meetings and have them on my calendar. Next one in June.. See you there, Mics, if you attend. 1 Reply Mike S5 days agoMike SI 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 More3 Reply Diane4 days agoDianeMary 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 2 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SThanks fir the Cohen quote Diane. 1 Reply Pilgrim4 days agoPilgrimThank 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. 2 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SYou’re welcome Pilgrim. 1 Reply Mica5 days agoMicaThank you, Mike S “You do not have to be good. Isn’t that wonderful!? 1 Reply Mike S4 days agoMike SYes, isn’t it. From the time I was little, I was molded into being a nice boy so people would like me. 2 Reply Mica4 days agoMicaMe 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. 1 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonToday was a good first day at my new dayhab. I got to exercise, read, and get online. 5 Reply Diane4 days agoDianeHurray! So happy to hear this Drew! Thank you for sharing your joy with us. 1 Reply Mica6 days agoMicaGo, Drew! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙃 1 Reply Patjos1 week 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 Mica6 days agoMicaWhat do we promise to do, Patjos, if we sign up? 1 Reply Patjos6 days 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 :))) 1 Reply Diane4 days agoDianePatjos….just listened to the meditation. I’ve actually heard this one before on my App Insight Timer. I recognized it right away from the Irish Brogue of the facilitator. 🙂 Love it! My intention is to BE love today with whomever crosses my path. Thank you for sharing friend! ♥ 2 Reply Mike S1 week 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 Nancy6 days agoNancyLove it. Thank you! 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaThe magic of gratitude letters! Have been planning to share this with you for days and days.. 3 Reply Patjos1 week 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 Diane1 week 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 Mica1 week agoMicaYou are so welcome, Diane 💕 1 Reply Mike S1 week 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 Diane1 week 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 S1 week 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 Serafina1 week 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 S1 week 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 Anna1 week agoAnnaMany blessings dear Diane! 🙏🌸🌸 1 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeAnd to you as well mio amica. ♥ 2 Reply Pilgrim1 week 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 Diane1 week agoDianeThank you Pilgrim….a balm indeed. Blessings friend ♥ 1 Reply Palm1 week 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 Diane1 week 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 1 2 3 4 Next » New to Practice? Visit the Practice Space for more opportunities and insights. Practice Space Recent Active Members Palm active 42 mins Read More expati active 3 hours Read More Diane active 4 hours Read More Dusty Su active 6 hours Read More Sandy Meyer active 7 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. DONATE https://gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png Community Engagement Guidelines Privacy Policy [email protected] Connect with us on Social Media: © 2000 - 2021, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb