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. Annie3 days agoAnnieGood morning my friends ! It is a sunny Friday morning and I am energized thinking of Spring around the corner. I have a nice packet of wildflower seeds I can’t wait to sow in my balcony garden . Well here in RI it is still semi cold…today’s high 40ish. Last week I met my new grandbaby …River , she is so sweet! When I held her she looked at me with wonder…gave a little smile …and kept reaching her tiny delicate hands to my face. What a thrill1!!! I will leave you now to move on with ...Good morning my friends ! It is a sunny Friday morning and I am energized thinking of Spring around the corner. I have a nice packet of wildflower seeds I can’t wait to sow in my balcony garden . Well here in RI it is still semi cold…today’s high 40ish. Last week I met my new grandbaby …River , she is so sweet! When I held her she looked at me with wonder…gave a little smile …and kept reaching her tiny delicate hands to my face. What a thrill1!!! I will leave you now to move on with my day. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with many blessings . Read More6 Reply Mike S3 days agoMike SAt last the cold is giving way to sunny days reaching into the 60’s and 70’s here in Beaufort, which is in what is known as the Low Country, coastal area between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. It’s truly beautiful, which is why my wife convinced me, at first reluctantly, to move here. That was eight years ago, and the stately live oaks laden with Spanish moss, tidal marshes and water all around slowly made me feel at home after leaving my love affair with the Pacific NW...At last the cold is giving way to sunny days reaching into the 60’s and 70’s here in Beaufort, which is in what is known as the Low Country, coastal area between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. It’s truly beautiful, which is why my wife convinced me, at first reluctantly, to move here. That was eight years ago, and the stately live oaks laden with Spanish moss, tidal marshes and water all around slowly made me feel at home after leaving my love affair with the Pacific NW with the Douglas fur and cedar trees I love so much. A youth spent in the woods of southern New Hampshire made a nature boy out if me, so wherever I’ve lived the natural surroundings are soul-speak for me. I imagine that my be true for many of you Read More 5 Reply Diane6 days agoDianeGood morning lovely friends: The bright Colorado sun is shining through our bedroom window as I visit with you reclining in bed....my body is speaking to me (more like yelling at me!) and I am listening. I believe this is a delayed reaction to our labor-intensive move, the death of my sister, and all the emotions that go along with these life events. The altitude here also requires some adjustment....I've noticed this on my daily walks and both my daughters confirm that it takes awhile to ...Good morning lovely friends: The bright Colorado sun is shining through our bedroom window as I visit with you reclining in bed….my body is speaking to me (more like yelling at me!) and I am listening. I believe this is a delayed reaction to our labor-intensive move, the death of my sister, and all the emotions that go along with these life events. The altitude here also requires some adjustment….I’ve noticed this on my daily walks and both my daughters confirm that it takes awhile to get used to. But…oh those daily walks! Although they are shorter for now, the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains as I walk around our new neighborhood just fills me with awe and brings me to tears. What a blessing that I get to live here for the last chapter in my journey! Being born and raised and living 65+ years on the East Coast of the U.S. I am so enamored with the West and all the wonders to behold here! Not long ago there was an article on this site about Earth Altars. My intention is to create an earth altar in memory of my sister, using the gifts that are so unique to this part of the country. We brought a large piece of the trunk of my beloved sugar maple, Minshi, with us to Colorado and I will build my altar there this spring. I do miss our quirky little farmhouse and the cows and horses and farmland but mostly I am grateful for the years we had there and that we were so clearly guided to leave when we did. I’ve not even the slightest doubt that we are here for such a time as this. I’m grateful for my Great Shepherd’s “rod and staff”…they are a comfort to me. ~Wishing you all a day filled with wonder and awe at our Mother Earth’s amazing gifts. Om Shanti friends ♥ Read More3 Reply Anna4 days agoAnnaDear Diane I am so.glad you are enjoying your new country and at the same time, I m grateful that you are always here with us, in this sacred space, sharing your experiences.and feelings. I am.with Annie, you have the gift of writing! 1 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeCara Anna….I am likewise always grateful to be here with all of you. ~Have a beautiful day my beautiful friend ♥ 2 Reply Annie4 days agoAnnieWow Diane ! I didn’t know you moved already!! God bless you. I so much love reading your post. You have a great gift of writing so beautifully. I look forward to reading more about your journey in life in your new surroundings. Change is good 🙂 1 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeGood morning Annie….thank you for your blessing…and for your kind words. Writing is a form of therapy for me and I am always grateful for opportunities to humbly share. And I agree….change is good. I do miss our lovely farmland but am grateful for the new adventures that await us in our new surroundings. I found a quote from C.S. Lewis: “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” ~With grateful love♥ 2 Reply Pilgrim5 days agoPilgrimDear Diane, I have been thinking of you in your new home state. Will write more when my hands are able, but holding you in my heart. 2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeDear Pilgrim….I feel your closeness in my heart dear friend. Take good care of you. We will visit again when the stars align and we are able. ~Sending you healing love ♥ 1 Reply Mike S5 days agoMike SChange can be so hard…especially moving. Be well and keep breathing,. Peace be with you Diane. 2 Reply Diane3 days agoDianeThank you Mike….the process to bring us to this change was hard in every way. But it is behind us now and I am breathing with less anxiety these days. ~Om Shanti friend ♥ 1 Reply Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew Blanton 3 Reply Ose5 days agoOseHello Drew, blessings to you! Thank you for being with us, dear friend. 1 Reply Mike S6 days agoMike SHi Drew. Good to hear from you. May blessings come your way. 2 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning Drew…so lovely to visit with you! Have a beautiful day my friend! 2 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SI’m glad to be back here again. It’s so great reading all your posts. Right now I am doing some deep belly breathing and wishing you all love and peace🙏🏼💕❤️ 5 Reply Ose1 week agoOseHappy to see you, dear Mike! Blessings to you. 1 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike STanks. Ose. 1 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaPeace and love to you Mike! 1 Reply Mike S1 week agoMike SThanks Anna. 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaI love this vest for my sore back: TechKewl 6626-KH-L/XL Phase Change Cooling Vest It has pouches in the back for icy packs – and in the front, but I don’t use the front ones. My back feels better after I wear it a while. The icy packs are still solid in the fridge, so now I store the whole vest in a crisper drawer. Happy weekend to all -🎒💕 1 Reply Michael Hartland1 week agoMichael HartlandThank you for your warm welcome, everyone. I wrote this in response to one of the 30 gratitude practices:.. ~ Breathe deep And feel ~ Gratefulness Start to creep ~ Inside Your heart ~ It will keep Your heart wide ~ Where God May abide ~ And make your spirit Come alive! ~ The gratitude practice referred to is this: 1. Close your eyes. Take a few, very deep breaths – all the way out and all the way in. Notice how your breathing so often takes care of itself…just breath moving itself through yo...Thank you for your warm welcome, everyone. I wrote this in response to one of the 30 gratitude practices:.. ~ Breathe deep And feel ~ Gratefulness Start to creep ~ Inside Your heart ~ It will keep Your heart wide ~ Where God May abide ~ And make your spirit Come alive! ~ The gratitude practice referred to is this: 1. Close your eyes. Take a few, very deep breaths – all the way out and all the way in. Notice how your breathing so often takes care of itself…just breath moving itself through you – keeping you alive – just keeping you alive. Commit to NOT taking this miracle for granted Read More 3 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaThanks for your post, Michael. I gratefully engage in gratefulness practice through Kristi’s new book and the spiritual practice these days, “tending the rituals of our lives.” 2 Reply Tamra1 week agoTamraJust discovered this hidden gem site! grateful to be here laughter, love and light to all! Breathe in the daily moments and enjoy all the blessings which surround you!☮️🌅😊 5 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaWelcome Tamra!🌸 2 Reply Tamra1 week agoTamraThanks so much!😊 2 Reply Ose1 week agoOseWelcome, dear Tamra! 1 Reply Tamra1 week agoTamraThanks so much!😊 1 Reply Tamra1 week agoTamraThank you so much!😊 2 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeWelcome Tamra…….a hidden gem indeed is this sacred community. So glad you have joined us! ~Blessings 1 Reply Tamra1 week agoTamraThanks so much!😊 1 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning my lovely friends I missed being here with you last Tuesday as we made our way across the country. We were somewhere in the mid-west on that day and we arrived, after a harrowing 2,000 mile journey, safe and sound to our new home in Colorado. The U.S. decided to have the most frigid, icy, snow-filled week just as we were traveling...but the angels surrounded us on our way and I was mindful of the God-hugs. Thank you for your prayers my friends. It's been a roller coaster ...Good morning my lovely friends I missed being here with you last Tuesday as we made our way across the country. We were somewhere in the mid-west on that day and we arrived, after a harrowing 2,000 mile journey, safe and sound to our new home in Colorado. The U.S. decided to have the most frigid, icy, snow-filled week just as we were traveling…but the angels surrounded us on our way and I was mindful of the God-hugs. Thank you for your prayers my friends. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. So grateful but, fear and anxiety were there, as well as a deep well of grief as my sister died after a long illness days before we left. My husband and I packed and loaded the trailer ourselves, and Mother Nature decided to dump a load of snow on us in the middle of this process. So, since we had already sold our tractor and snow plow, we had to shovel the old fashioned way…..several times! It was a lot of physical labor for our 65+ year old bodies! But I chose to be grateful for the distraction as it provided an outlet for my grief. So, my friends, so much joy that we are living here in this beautiful landscape….mountains have replaced our beloved farmland. But most of all that we are together as a family once again. Our younger daughter is living with us in our full furnished rental for now, and our older daughter and her husband are just 10 minutes away. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. And so grateful to be here once again with all of you on this Tuesday. As always, my thoughts turn to our dear Ursula who I believe was one of the angels guiding and protecting us on our journey. 😇 ~Om Shanti friends ♥ Read More3 Reply Pilgrim1 week agoPilgrimDear Diane, my friend and adventurer, woman of wisdom, I am very sorry to know of your sister's death. May her memory be a blessing. always. I am grateful to know that you have arrived in your new home and with your beloved daughters. Such a difference this will make in your daily lives to have them nearby. And when you are rested and recovered, you have the gift of discovery of this new place, starting "close in" (David Whyte), and having this new adventure at your feet. No need to rush, but r...Dear Diane, my friend and adventurer, woman of wisdom, I am very sorry to know of your sister’s death. May her memory be a blessing. always. I am grateful to know that you have arrived in your new home and with your beloved daughters. Such a difference this will make in your daily lives to have them nearby. And when you are rested and recovered, you have the gift of discovery of this new place, starting “close in” (David Whyte), and having this new adventure at your feet. No need to rush, but rather to dwell first in the closeness of family, and to give yourself time to heal and settle and move outward in the days and years ahead. It is a gift to me/us that already you are staying in touch. I look forward to hearing and learning more in the days and weeks ahead. In the meantime, Blessings upon Blessings, my friend. Read More2 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeThank you my dear friend. Your words and your presence in my life are a gift to me. Today is my older daughter’s birthday and I am beyond grateful that this year we will celebrate it together. I am looking forward to whatever adventures God and the Universe has in store for us! And I am sending blessings right back to you with my grateful love ♥ 3 Reply Ose1 week agoOseDear Diane, I am so sorry about the passing of your beloved sister. May she be safely guided by His light in the other realm wherever she might be now. Thank you for letting us know, and also that you let us take part in your moving and take the extra effort to share here despite all the work such a change asks of you and your loved ones. Wishing you that your grief may slowly subside and in the mean time, while paradoxes and antagonisms may be present in the same time, a peaceful and happy star...Dear Diane, I am so sorry about the passing of your beloved sister. May she be safely guided by His light in the other realm wherever she might be now. Thank you for letting us know, and also that you let us take part in your moving and take the extra effort to share here despite all the work such a change asks of you and your loved ones. Wishing you that your grief may slowly subside and in the mean time, while paradoxes and antagonisms may be present in the same time, a peaceful and happy start in your new home. Warmly, Ose Read More3 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeDear Ose…thank you for your kind words. They are a blessing to me and a reminder that my sister is safe now and free from pain. ~With grateful love my friend ♥ 3 Reply k'Care-Reena1 week agok'Care-ReenaYour message is extremely empowering. The positivity you are giving off is a breath of fresh air and its contagious. I am sorry for your lost and send comprehensive grief energy your way so assist with you through this message. I am glad to see you are surrounded by loved ones and some of your support system. There is nothing like knowing your loved ones have your back. Keep going and keep growing Diane. 2 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeThank you for your kind words kCare-Reena. I am indeed very grateful that our little family is together again. Wishing you a peace-filled day…come visit us again! 2 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaDear Diane, I am so sorry for the death of your beloved sister. May she put a hand on your shoulder and protect you in your new life in Colorado. A new angel for you. It is so strange, dear Diane, that in the midst of sad news we enjoy other beautiful experiences. When my father was in pain last fall, I knew this paradoxical state of life: worry, anxiety, sadness, fear and at the same time I enjoyed the colors of autumn, my cozy home after a stressful day ..., love some friends of mine ... I ...Dear Diane, I am so sorry for the death of your beloved sister. May she put a hand on your shoulder and protect you in your new life in Colorado. A new angel for you. It is so strange, dear Diane, that in the midst of sad news we enjoy other beautiful experiences. When my father was in pain last fall, I knew this paradoxical state of life: worry, anxiety, sadness, fear and at the same time I enjoyed the colors of autumn, my cozy home after a stressful day …, love some friends of mine … I wish you wonderful days in Colorado, I imagine a landscape that fills the soul with awe. I also imagine you and your husband with your daughters …! What a joy! If I don’t make a mistake, Manda, one of the old friends of this sacred community, is from Colorado! Read More1 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeCara Anna....thank you for your kind words and for sharing your own journey on the loss of your papa with me. You have beautifully described the paradox that I was experiencing...we are spirit-sisters in this my friend. Manda is actually from Flagstaff in Northern Arizona, which is very similar in landscape to Colorado! It's about 10 hours south of where we are in Colorado. I wonder how our sweet Manda is doing....I miss her! I am so happy and grateful that you are still here mio amic...Cara Anna….thank you for your kind words and for sharing your own journey on the loss of your papa with me. You have beautifully described the paradox that I was experiencing…we are spirit-sisters in this my friend. Manda is actually from Flagstaff in Northern Arizona, which is very similar in landscape to Colorado! It’s about 10 hours south of where we are in Colorado. I wonder how our sweet Manda is doing….I miss her! I am so happy and grateful that you are still here mio amica! Sending you my love and blessings ♥♥♥♥ Read More1 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaA geographic mistake 😊😊!! Blessings to you dear Diane! Many blessings! 1 Reply Drew Blanton2 weeks agoDrew BlantonI get my second COVID-19 dose today, and tomorrow I turn 49. 3 Reply Ose1 week agoOseHappy birthday, dear Drew! ️🎂 May you have a lovely day with sunshine in your heart. ☀️ 1 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning Drew and happiest of birthdays to you! So glad to hear that you are all vaccinated! That’s a wonderful birthday present! 🙂 2 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaHappy birthday Drew! Today I subscribed the first dose for my mother, and I hope that I can quickly subscribe mine, and those for my husband and sons as well. 2 Reply Pilgrim2 weeks agoPilgrimThat’s great that you got your second dose, Drew. And Happy Birthday tomorrow!! 2 Reply Michael Hartland2 weeks agoMichael HartlandI only discovered this site yesterday, and I am very excited by this movement, having listened to some of Brother David’s talks on video. I write poetry and realised that the five guiding principles could be expressed as a simple poem like this: ~ Life Is a gift ~ Everything is A surprise ~ The ordinary Is extraordinary ~ Appreciation Is generative ~ Love Is transformative ~ 7 Reply k'Care-Reena1 week agok'Care-ReenaThis is great stuff. I feel like it can be a mantra !!! awesome stuff Michael 1 Reply Ose1 week agoOseWelcome, Michael, and thank you for your beautiful post! 1 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeGood morning Michael….welcome to this sacred community. You will find much wisdom, support and compassion here with these lovely people. I love your poem and hope you will continue to share your gift with us here! ~Om Shanti friend ♥ 1 Reply Annie1 week agoAnnieWelcome Michael !!! Beautiful post ! Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing more of you. God bless 1 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaWelcome Michael! 1 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SWelcome Michael to this site. There’s lots going on, all aiming to help us cultivate and share gratefulness in our lives. I’ve gotten a lot out of the practice. 2 Reply Nancy1 week agoNancyWelcome Michael Beautiful! 1 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaI found this on my old tablet today 3 Reply k'Care-Reena1 week agok'Care-ReenaThere is nothing like reflecting. I love when I find things from my past. It is a form of time travel as I am able to take myself back in time and harness the emotions and feelings I was feeling. However sketches have the abilities to harness the emotions you are also able to identify the growth you have made with the sketching tools you have used. I am recently painting something cool for a client of mine because I am unable to physically be near them. It has taken me a few months to create the...There is nothing like reflecting. I love when I find things from my past. It is a form of time travel as I am able to take myself back in time and harness the emotions and feelings I was feeling. However sketches have the abilities to harness the emotions you are also able to identify the growth you have made with the sketching tools you have used. I am recently painting something cool for a client of mine because I am unable to physically be near them. It has taken me a few months to create the painting and usually finish after a transformation has been made. And because I take so long I am also able to the see the progression. Tell me what you all think, the order of the sequence is from left to right (first on top left 2nd top right 3rd bottom left 4th bottom right) Read More 1 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaThank you for sharing this, k’Care-Reena! I love how the big hand turned into a nourishing green! And I love the bare trees in #4 – they are a compelling image for me [whatever I mean by that..]. The rocks and more life-like background in #2 – ‘life-like’ being how complex our lives are – and with rocks in them! Is that Tarzan in the bottom corner of #3? Who/what is that man reaching out to? Thank you so much! 1 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmLovely, Mica, thank you. I’m curious to know more about the drawing thou… 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaThanks, Palm, for your interest – it was in the AutoDesk SketchBook app on my 8-yr-old Samsung tablet, and I opened the app last night for the first time in years. This picture in the gallery entertained me the most. If you can zoom in enough, you’ll see how the flower is drooping in the flowerpot by the door. But the person in the window seems quite happy. It’s unique among my drawings – most of them have similarities to some of the other drawings. It’s a gray Valentine’s Day here t...Thanks, Palm, for your interest – it was in the AutoDesk SketchBook app on my 8-yr-old Samsung tablet, and I opened the app last night for the first time in years. This picture in the gallery entertained me the most. If you can zoom in enough, you’ll see how the flower is drooping in the flowerpot by the door. But the person in the window seems quite happy. It’s unique among my drawings – most of them have similarities to some of the other drawings. It’s a gray Valentine’s Day here today. Read More2 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmThanks, Mica, for telling me more… I see the flower drooping and the happy face 🙂 also, it seems to be cloudy like you Valentine day ❣️ 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaYes, it looks like there’s an element of air pollution even. Thanks again, Palm, for you interest 2 Reply Drew Blanton2 weeks agoDrew BlantonMy latest photopainting’s finally ready, and it features manatees. 5 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaWow, Drew! 2 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaDear Palm, I found your reply to one of my posts, and I want to thank you and to give you a virtual hug! I hope you and your family are well, especially your daughter. And I add, for you all here: lately I am not writing a lot. I am always here, I meditate, I am reading Kristie’s new book… After my father’s death, and my mother-in-law’s death for Covid, I feel in a new season of my life. I am busy, I do not find words, sometimes. But I feel my love for you all here. Warmly Anna 5 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmDear Anna, thank you! I understand, there are times for introspection, and we need to honour our soul’s needs. Your heart has been through a lot. A virtual hug to you! 6 Reply Sara2 weeks agoSaraHi, I'm new here. So I guess I will introduce myself. My name is Sara. I am a Mom, wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend and soul. I have one daughter who is a senior in high school. I have 4 cats, 1 dog and two fish tanks. My 93 year old Nana lives with my family. I also love yoga and have a daily practice. I like to cook and bake, my husband thinks he lives in a bakery sometimes. I am working on myself by going to therapy for past traumas. I am looking forward to sharing my everyday moments bi...Hi, I’m new here. So I guess I will introduce myself. My name is Sara. I am a Mom, wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend and soul. I have one daughter who is a senior in high school. I have 4 cats, 1 dog and two fish tanks. My 93 year old Nana lives with my family. I also love yoga and have a daily practice. I like to cook and bake, my husband thinks he lives in a bakery sometimes. I am working on myself by going to therapy for past traumas. I am looking forward to sharing my everyday moments big or small with a like minded community. 🙂 Read More5 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeI’m a bit late Sara but hope that you do feel welcomed here in this sacred community. My own Nana lived with us as I was growing up…..she helped to raise us and provided the closest to unconditional love I will ever experience in this life. She was a gift and a light for my young self growing up in an extremely dysfunctional household. I believe she is still watching over me. 🙏 ~Blessings ♥ 1 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SWelcome to this community. We all have had our share of suffering, which is part of life’s journey. I have found much openness and compassion from members in this space. I trust you will as well. Be well. 1 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmHello Sara, thank you for sharing. I love your icon, welcome. 2 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaI love your introduction Sara! Welcome here! 1 Reply miguelie2 weeks agomiguelieWelcome to this space for practice and inspiration, Sara. I have been utilizing this space to cultivate gratefulness for a few years now and have found it to be refreshing and helpful. I have never visited the lounge before now, and I saw that you recently posted and was moved to offer a friendly hello. How fortunate you are to have you Nana with you and that you are on a path to understand and heal your trauma. Your path is full of courage and heart. When you heal yourself, you heal the world...Welcome to this space for practice and inspiration, Sara. I have been utilizing this space to cultivate gratefulness for a few years now and have found it to be refreshing and helpful. I have never visited the lounge before now, and I saw that you recently posted and was moved to offer a friendly hello. How fortunate you are to have you Nana with you and that you are on a path to understand and heal your trauma. Your path is full of courage and heart. When you heal yourself, you heal the world. Read More2 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeWelcome Miguelie….thank you for visiting the lounge. I agree with your wisdom that when we heal ourselves, we are shining a light for the world. ~Blessings ♥ 1 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmWarm hello, miguelie 3 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaWelcome to you as well, Miguelie! 2 Reply Pilgrim2 weeks agoPilgrimWelcome, Sara! We are so happy that you have joined us here! 2 Reply Mike S3 weeks agoMike SHave any of you heard about the work of Thomas Hubl who writes and does workshops on healing systemic trauma? His book titled Healing Collective Trauma is really powerful and I recommend fir any who are doing inner healing work. There is a community of practioners who meet and discuss on a website called The Mystic Cafe. 6 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryHello to everyone! Once again it has been awhile. I want to catch up with everyone, but I will share first and then go back and try to catch up on your posts. Happy 2021!! Looking for positive changes! I just read a Practice Invitation on this Gratefulness website for integrating Rituals into our lives. That sounds wonderful to me so I signed up for it. I would like to bring spiritual rituals into my life. I am hanging in there with the ongoing Covid pandemic. I hope all of you are mak...Hello to everyone! Once again it has been awhile. I want to catch up with everyone, but I will share first and then go back and try to catch up on your posts. Happy 2021!! Looking for positive changes! I just read a Practice Invitation on this Gratefulness website for integrating Rituals into our lives. That sounds wonderful to me so I signed up for it. I would like to bring spiritual rituals into my life. I am hanging in there with the ongoing Covid pandemic. I hope all of you are making it through and doing well. That may be getting to be difficult for those of you living in a cold climate. I have it pretty easy in the winter since Florida, even North Florida has pretty mild winters. As far as getting out goes, my husband and I go a fitness center that we trust about four times a week. We grocery shop and I visit my Mom. Other than that we isolate. I have started an online art class which is very interesting. My confidence as an artist is not great but I am trying to be about the process and trying to stay out of my (self critical) head. So gratefulness. Gratefulness. That is the thing to be thinking about, the thing to be living. I am looking forward to the 7 day Ritual Practice as a way to center myself spiritually. I would like to live my life in an intentional way and create more order. I can be a bit of a couch potato when given the option, but that is not what I want for myself. I have been considering beginning a meditation practice. I may be starting that soon. One thing I have really been enjoying is photography. I take pictures all the time. I like to photograph trees and the sky, clouds, and flowers. It is bedtime. I am thinking of all of you in this community and wishing you warmth, comfort, and contentment. Sending my love to you, 💕💕💕 Mary Read More4 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaSee you soon at the 7 day Ritual practice, Mary!! 1 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMaryYes Anna! ❤️❤️❤️ 3 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaIndeed, Mary – it’s wonderful to live in a warm climate now, even tho the windows in my condo all face southwest and bring in too much heat when it’s hot. And grocery shopping has become almost a treat, for me. Photography – yes! Enjoy! And your online art class! I enjoy weekly Art from Scrap classes for kids at Explore Ecology – here’s their calendar https://exploreecology.org/calendar/list/ The classes cost very little. We’re making valentines on Feb 10 🙂 Love and hugs to you – 1 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMaryHi Mica! Yes, art is good. I have been enjoying photography for quite a while. I started using my photos today to make a collage. I think this will be an interesting direction. I will see where this goes. 🤓 Love and peace. 💕 Mary 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaYes, Mary – a photo collage sounds great! Photography and photos are fun. 1 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMary😊❤️ 1 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaWhere’s the banner picture for the lounge? It is important! 1 Reply Drew Blanton3 weeks agoDrew BlantonThis is a picture I just took of my recliner featuring my M&Ms blanket and my curtains. 4 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryHi Drew, I see you have changed your picture. The new one looks very nice! How was your move? I remember you said you were moving around the winter solstice. So that was quite a while ago. How are things going for you now? Mary 2 Reply Drew Blanton3 weeks agoDrew BlantonThey’re fine, but I heard on the news that COVID-19 will be with us forever, Now I’m hoping and praying that Jesus returns sooner than we think! I’m probably not the only one who feels like I’m breathing on myself with the face masks. 2 Reply Mary2 weeks agoMaryHi Drew. Yes, I don’t love face masks, but they are part of the routine now. Are you doing Art these days? Sending love to you Drew. ❤️ Mary Mary 2 Reply Drew Blanton2 weeks agoDrew BlantonI’m taking Art classes on Zoom. That may change when I can start going to the place in Greenville called Thrive Upstate. 1 Reply sm3 weeks agosmHi friends. Currently I am enjoying a glass of wine while resting on my couch. Had a rough day at work, but I am choosing to let that go and remain positive for the days to come that will be better. I am trying to incorporate more mindfulness in my daily life in hopes of being more aware and present. Too often I look back and feel like I have missed so much, that I was never actually mindfully present in many situations that have taken place in my life. 2021, for me, is all about being present. ...Hi friends. Currently I am enjoying a glass of wine while resting on my couch. Had a rough day at work, but I am choosing to let that go and remain positive for the days to come that will be better. I am trying to incorporate more mindfulness in my daily life in hopes of being more aware and present. Too often I look back and feel like I have missed so much, that I was never actually mindfully present in many situations that have taken place in my life. 2021, for me, is all about being present. Presence also brings peace as I can become more aware of the words and actions that I choose, because too often I become unaware and sometimes say/do things that I wish I hadn’t. Wishing you all a happy & healthy February! Read More7 Reply Annie2 weeks agoAnnieHello sm, Could you please pass along a glass of wine for me ???? Especially now cause I am making a big pot of my homemade sauce…I also try to be present…when enjoying a meal notice the texture, smell etc…I’m getting better at this ! Thanks ! 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMarysm, Yes presence. Absolutely. In 12 step groups the 3 A’s are used when making changes in oneself. 1 Awareness 2 Acceptance 3 Adjustment In that order. I find however that becoming aware and accepting myself are my real challenges. Thanks so much for sharing. ❤️ Mary 2 Reply Mike S3 weeks agoMike SSeems like you are on the right track. All the best. 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryGreetings Mike! Mary 1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear sm, thank you for the reminder about thinking positively and being mindful of the moment. Blessings to you 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryHi Palm. Blessings! I hope you are well. How is your little artist doing? 💕 Mary 2 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmMary… it’s good to hear from you! she’s doing well. Mostly happy, still drawing and doing imaginary lego plays with her dad, which helps me a lot… I agree with you about coming back to gratefulness. And about the first two A’s, thanks for sharing this! 💕 Palm
