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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.

  • Pamela McRae-Dux

    I listened to Brother David’s reflection video this weekend. He brings home the message of counting our blessings. At this moment I feel connected to others who are walking with gratitude and sharing their stories.

  • Diane
    Hello my lovely friends: So grateful to be here with you after our adventures! Despite some challenges along the way, there is much to be grateful for. I will admit to the exhaustion and stress of driving 2,000 miles towing a UHaul though. It didn't help that the first day out the UHaul got a flat and we had to wait 3 hours for roadside assistance. But there was evidence of the angels I called on for this trip....one was in the form of a truck driver who alerted us to the flat. And we ...

    Hello my lovely friends:

    So grateful to be here with you after our adventures! Despite some challenges along the way, there is much to be grateful for.

    I will admit to the exhaustion and stress of driving 2,000 miles towing a UHaul though. It didn’t help that the first day out the UHaul got a flat and we had to wait 3 hours for roadside assistance. But there was evidence of the angels I called on for this trip….one was in the form of a truck driver who alerted us to the flat. And we were able to limp along to a lovely park-like rest stop off the highway to await help. And we made it to our first stop for the night…albeit later than we expected! The rest of the 4 day trip went smoothly, despite having to be super careful because of the coronavirus. We were grateful that all of the hotels were taking all of the necessary precautions…I did call ahead to inquire and they delivered as promised!

    We got our younger daughter and her boyfriend all moved into their apartment and were so happy to see them settled and eager for this next chapter in their lives. We stayed with our older daughter and her husband and were so grateful to have that time to rest and relax and be together. It was a tearful goodbye for me….but I am so very grateful that my daughters are now living just 20 minutes from each other!
    Our trip back (with no UHaul this time) went much smoother. We even got in some sightseeing along the way. But when we arrived home to the east coast we were greeted by a hurricane! Loss of power for several days and trees down all around us. Yet still cause to be grateful….no damage to our home and we have a generator that kept our refrigerator and well pump going…..freezing cold showers which were very welcomed in the summer heat!

    All is back to “normal” now (whatever that means these days!) and I am missing my daughters but so grateful to be home in our little farmhouse. Here is a picture of the sunflowers that my husband planted for me as a surprise……despite all the downed majestic trees all around us, they miraculously survived the hurricane! Surely a gift from God and His angels 🙏😇

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    • grateful sea

      Dear Diane, so glad to see you back, I have been thinking of you. Thank you for the happy sunflowers. May you rest, friend.

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Diane, it is good to hear from you, my friend. I have been thinking of you in your cross-country journey. So brave and loving, to make this trek, in these times, and to encounter the good angels along the path. And it is always a gift to have the whole family together even for a few days. I hope that good rest finds its way to you in the days ahead as you settle back into your home, your home services restored, and the land a welcome balm for your heart. Deep blessings.

    • Cathy

      I am so happy to see your post, Diane! I’ve thought of you many times during your absence, knowing how bittersweet the trip would be for you. Your sunflowers are beautiful and your husband is a gem! Rest now, post-journey requires that from you. 🌻

  • reality
    Thanx for this word of the day: "It’s in that convergence of spiritual people becoming active and active people becoming spiritual that the hope of humanity now rests. VAN JONES" Makes me truly wonder why I'm not requested to add words of the days? The asters to the masters, the spiritual, massage, body-work, healers for the global oligarchy, that make it possible for the rich to live in their bodies and their bodies to be worth living in, regardless of the extreme kharmic debts they've a...

    Thanx for this word of the day: “It’s in that convergence of spiritual people becoming active and active people becoming spiritual that the hope of humanity now rests. VAN JONES” Makes me truly wonder why I’m not requested to add words of the days? The asters to the masters, the spiritual, massage, body-work, healers for the global oligarchy, that make it possible for the rich to live in their bodies and their bodies to be worth living in, regardless of the extreme kharmic debts they’ve accrued, have always been all about the benjamins first and foremost; not a problem, everybody’s got to eat, etc.. So, they’ve steered clear of even somewhat struggling against the class war against the lower-middle-class to poor by the rich and their service communities. So, they start knowing that their grandkids aren’t going to live past 20 because of the climate crisis and their ‘spiritual’ back gets up finally; good for them and all. Yet, they are not the hope of anything or one; their activism is in it’s infancy, the hope for humanity is the evolution and the real left. The supposed left, who are half and half, the ruling bi-polar axi of global power, totalitarian and republican conspiracies (both are totalitarian and notsee, materialists); dinos to anarchists aren’t the hope of d either; for they’re all about the benjamins as well. For e.g., 13 % of Bernie or bust ‘bots voted for the Rump of Utin to be illegally installed into the Black House; and the supposed left got astronomically more of everything for the first 3 years of his presidency. We must stop the supposed left from doing it again, and aery faery pie in the sky somewhat truisms aren’t going to help. Thanx for all you do; have a blessed day 🙂 reality

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  • Ash

    It’s lovely to have people who actually listen. I’m grateful to my family members, even to my sister who never failed to annoy me. I’m grateful to the person reading this for sparing their precious time. Thank you!

    • grateful sea

      Hello Ash, welcome to the Gratitude Lounge. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the gift of being listened to. It has caused me to reflect on this gift in my own life. Thank you. Sending wishes for a good day.

  • Zenith

    I just watched Brother David’s A Grateful Day. The struggle to rid myself of negative thought patterns is ongoing. I do have so much to be grateful for. I am grateful too for this new grateful journey and the retraining of my mind and heart. Thank you all for being here. I am closer to all of you than to anyone where I live. That is strange. Bless you all.

    • grateful sea

      Dear Zenith, I think I must have watched A Good Day (the older version of the video) every morning for several months when I first found it. What a gift… Brother David’s words, the images, the music… such a life-affirming meditation. Blessings to you.

      • Mica

        Yes, grateful sea and Zenith – Brother David is such a treasure. We are lucky to have him! ( ͡• ͜ʖ ͡• )

  • Serafina

    Hello friends of gratefulness! We thought you might like to know about an upcoming opportunity to connect via Zoom with folks from around the world interested in connection through grateful “mindful dialogue.” 
    The next event will be next Wednesday, August 12 and details can be found on our Events page at: https://gratefulness.org/connect/events/ 
    Please feel free to share this information with others. Thanks!  

    • Diane

      Thank you Serafina! For this…and all that you do for our lovely sacred community!
      ~Blessings ♥

    • grateful sea

      Thank you, Serafina, for highlighting this special opportunity. I would have missed it.

    • Mica

      Thank you Serafina! And for the beautiful picture (ಥ _ ಥ)

  • Drew Blanton

    I was playing music earlier today.

    • Diane

      Good morning Drew…..what a joy to be making music! I’m so happy for you to be a part of that gift!
      ~Blessings

    • grateful sea

      This looks like a lot of fun, Drew. And I love to see the little dog being part of it, maybe dancing a bit? Thanks for the smiles.

    • Cathy

      Your photo brought a smile to my face, Drew. What a fun time!

    • Anna

      Such a kind and lovely family feast! Thank you Drew, for sharing with us this inspiring moment of joy an peace.

  • Rose Ose

    Grateful for all you lovely people here. Such a gift. May you all have a peaceful sleep and be restored in body, mind and spirit so that with the rising of the sun, all nightly shades may be gone and your soul´s ache may be healed. For this I pray 🙏

  • Cathy

    August Full Sturgeon Moon

    • Annie

      Awesome !!!! So beautiful…And August 5th was Blessed Mother’s Birthday!
      Thank you so much for sharing this photo Cathy!!!!

    • Mica

      Sturgeon? Thanks, Cathy. I only know ‘Harvest’

      • Cathy

        August’s full moon was traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeon (fish) of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer.

        I love the Farmers Almanac for information like this. Here is a link that talks about the Sturgeon Moon. https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-august

        Much happiness, my friend.

        • Mica

          Thank you, Cathy – fun! And how could I have forgotten the Blue Moon; like the Harvest moon, not associated with a specific month. I like the alternate names, too, and the connection to Native Americans

  • Rose Ose

    One of Nature´s precious gifts was visiting our garden yesterday. So grateful when it arrived, fluttering here, then there, and back again, resting for a short moment, allowing to perceive its beauty – and off it was again.

  • Rose Ose

    Dear Serafina, just to mention t0 y0u that since short, the beautiful Welcome-photo-line at the top of this Lounge-site has been gone again. Would it be possible to check? It was such a beautiful introduction to the visitors, old and new ones, missing its inviting message somehow. Or has it been taken off on purpose may be?

    • Mica

      Thank you, Rose! I always miss it when it’s gone, so I thank you [and Serafina] for getting it back now.

    • Serafina

      Dear Rose, oh thank you so much for letting us know. I will let our tech person know it has disappeared again. It should be addressed tomorrow when we are back at our desks.

  • Sunflower

    Hi, I am new here, although following the site and the posts of you dear people since long. Just never dared to participate. So today I jumped over my shadow, so to say … grateful for having found this sanctuary and so grateful for the light shining through your posts; your friendship and love, leading me to show up and be present, daring to come to life. Thank you dearly for your kindness and inspiration.

    • Diane
      Dear Sunflower.....Welcome to this sacred community. You will find this a safe place to express your gratefulness and share your life journey. We just had the tropical storm sweep through our area and all around us there are trees uprooted and blown away. We lost power for several days and the clean up continues. Amidst all of the chaos and devastation however, the sunflowers that my husband planted for me survived! I was tickled to return here and see a "newbie" named Sunflower! ~Bles...

      Dear Sunflower…..Welcome to this sacred community. You will find this a safe place to express your gratefulness and share your life journey.
      We just had the tropical storm sweep through our area and all around us there are trees uprooted and blown away. We lost power for several days and the clean up continues. Amidst all of the chaos and devastation however, the sunflowers that my husband planted for me survived! I was tickled to return here and see a “newbie” named Sunflower!

      ~Blessings ♥

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    • Mica

      Welcome, Sunflower. I love your ‘face’ – the little image we post of ourselves. Thank you for joining us!

    • Anna

      Welcome Sunflower,
      Ciao,
      May you feel peace here!

    • grateful sea

      Welcome, Sunflower.

    • Cathy

      Hi, Sunflower!

    • reality

      Like your avatar too, sunshine’s the best anti-septic, transparency; reality is evident and truth outs. Thanx, ciao, for now 🙂 reality

    • Pilgrim

      Welcome, Sunflower! Happy to get to know you!

  • Rose Ose

    …pure life

    • Serafina

      more pure life….joy of a new kitten!

      • Rose Ose

        SOOOO cute! How very beautiful and so relaxed! Thanks a lot for sharing! Blessings to you and to your gorgeous new kitten!

    • grateful sea

      How very beautiful, dear Rose — the warm sun on the rocks, the shadow of the bright flower, and the way of Plantago which I have always admired — thank you.

    • Sunflower

      Dear Rose, if I may say so, this photo of yours is just beautiful. I cannot but love it! Thank you so much for sharing.

  • Rose Ose

    Some beauties in our garden… have fun, be inspired, grateful for the flowers

  • Anthony J Esposito

    Did I accidentally unsubscribe my self from this site?

  • Zenith

    I strongly disagree with the assertion that there is no beyond, if they mean there is nothing beyond this life when we pass. There IS a beyond this life. The key is to make our time here count for something and be ready to go when the time comes. I wanted to share that my Wim Hof breathing went really well this morning which I am really grateful for. I have been practicing the Wim Hof method for 6 months now and I have to say it gets better with time. Thank you all for being here.

    • reality

      I know, if you’re not experiencing this life as beyond life you’re doing it wrong; all kidding aside, life is miraculous and beyond life and it’s ability to comprehend it. Thanx for the great in and outsights; and all you do. Have a blessed afternoon 🙂 reality

  • reality
    I'm grateful for today's word of the day: "There is no beyond, there is only here, the infinitely small, infinitely great and utterly demanding present. IRIS MURDOCH". Agreed upon by almost all students of any repute, "the more you know, the more you know there is even more to know". You call the present "infinitely great", yet, you assert "there is no beyond"; simply a contradiction. The first lesson is to know there is more to know, every infant get's it right, what's your excuse for mist...

    I’m grateful for today’s word of the day: “There is no beyond, there is only here, the infinitely small, infinitely great and utterly demanding present. IRIS MURDOCH”. Agreed upon by almost all students of any repute, “the more you know, the more you know there is even more to know”. You call the present “infinitely great”, yet, you assert “there is no beyond”; simply a contradiction. The first lesson is to know there is more to know, every infant get’s it right, what’s your excuse for mistake? Simply, before birth you agreed to be life, why not try it? Thanx for all you do and don’t; have a blessed day 🙂 reality

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    • Sunflower

      If I may say so, feeling reminded in the Musical “Hair” – let the sun shine, let the sunshine – the sun shine in! Have a good day, you all out there.

      • reality

        If I may say so, you may say so, no need to ask. Great advice, thanx for sharing; have a blessed day 🙂 reality

    • Cathy

      So glad to read you today, reality. As always, you’ve given me much to think about. Thank you.

      • reality

        Gracious of you to say, thanx for all you do too; have an excellent eve’ 🙂 reality

  • Cathy
    Access to our local beach was barricaded yesterday, for safety’s sake in preparation for Hurricane Isaias. I was able to get a couple of quick photos of that mighty Atlantic Ocean from a more private location though! So grateful that he is no longer being known as a hurricane in my area, but a much less powerful tropical storm at this point. Kind of makes me think of our lives- the storms come as they always will, and we are affected. Sometimes to the point of working ourselves into a frenzy. ...

    Access to our local beach was barricaded yesterday, for safety’s sake in preparation for Hurricane Isaias. I was able to get a couple of quick photos of that mighty Atlantic Ocean from a more private location though! So grateful that he is no longer being known as a hurricane in my area, but a much less powerful tropical storm at this point. Kind of makes me think of our lives- the storms come as they always will, and we are affected. Sometimes to the point of working ourselves into a frenzy. And then, suddenly, the news is not as bad as it first seemed. And there are even some brief spells of light shining through those heavy, dark clouds that tried to keep us down. Do you see it?

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  • amacord
    Yesterday was hard for me....I was caught in a spiral of fearful thinking, worry and feeling scared. I fought these feelings for most of the day while I worked through my daily routine. I felt like I wanted to cry or scream but I could not. I coped and distracted myself and reminded myself that this too would pass. And that although I felt very alone, that I am not really alone. I slept and here I am today, ready to go on with whatever comes. Grateful for the restorative gift of rest. Be ...

    Yesterday was hard for me….I was caught in a spiral of fearful thinking, worry and feeling scared. I fought these feelings for most of the day while I worked through my daily routine. I felt like I wanted to cry or scream but I could not. I coped and distracted myself and reminded myself that this too would pass. And that although I felt very alone, that I am not really alone. I slept and here I am today, ready to go on with whatever comes. Grateful for the restorative gift of rest. Be well my friends..

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    • Rose Ose

      Dear amacord, hope that you enjoy all the good which is around you any time! So good you could work through it by just letting it pass! Greetings to you. May you be happy, dear friend.

    • Mica

      Yes, dear amacord, negative thoughts and feelings seem to arrive sometimes, even after long practice of gratefulness and other such things. My mind has been returning to a negative thought, seemingly endlessly, over the last few days. Like you, I feel better this morning after sleeping. Warm wishes to you (❤ ω ❤)

      • amacord

        Thank you Mica. Best to you.

      • Anna

        Dear Mica and Amarcord, I am happy that you are feeling some relief today.
        Best wishes to you!
        May you have a good Sunday, hopefully not too hot, like here, where I live.

        • amacord

          Thanks for your supportive message Anna. All Shall Be Well!

          Amacord

        • Mica

          Thank you, dear Anna – I hope it’s not too hot where you live, either, but I’m not sure from your reply. It’s lovely here where I live. (❤´艸｀❤)

          • Anna

            You’re right, I wrote an ambivalent answer dear Mica ☺️😊☺️😊
            It’s so hot here, but maybe tomorrow there will be thunderstorms … !!!

  • Cathy

    Walking has become an integral part of my days. This little sign hangs in my kitchen, right before I walk out the door. It means so much more to me than just the physical walking, do you see? As we prepare for Isaias today, whether he be a Hurricane or Tropical Storm on the southeast coast of Florida tomorrow, I’m reminded to slow down. Make time for what feels important. Be well and be safe, my friends!

    • Mica

      Thank you, dear Cathy, for the little chuckle your sign gave me! And may you all weather Isaias well. (ಥ _ ಥ)

    • Anna

      Dear Cathy, take care and be safe. I hope that “Isaias” will not hurt anyone.

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