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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.

  • Maryke

    Today, a year ago, I lost my husband to throat cancer. I am still taking it step by step.
    But instead of giving in to emotions, I decided to keep myself busy with a photo shoot of myself as Frida Kahlo.
    I hope you enjoy the pics.

    • Pilgrim

      I’m sorry for your loss, Maryke. And I celebrate and honor your unique creativity that you are able to explore and let blossom, and share here with us! Frida Kahlo was quite an artist, and you celebrate her well! Thank you for sharing.

    • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

      You are “ tending your garden”. I’ll be thinking of you and holding you in heart through this anniversary of your loss.

    • Debra

      How extraordinarily creative of you to work through grief of the loss of your husband consciously and artfully. I am certain at times it was/is beyond difficult despite being busy. I am sure it was cathartic. May you be well and shine in all you artistic endeavors honoring you and honoring your late husband.

    • Mica

      Wonderful, Maryke! Hopefully this will be the worst anniversary of losing your husband, and congratulations on making such a creative occasion of it. Ralph Waldo Emerson said something about time healing all wounds, and he lost a young son. hugs –

  • Patjos
    A friend shared these quotes with me today, so I thought that I'd pass them on. :) We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ..............Marianne Williamson and I salute the light within your eyes ...

    A friend shared these quotes with me today, so I thought that I’d pass them on. 🙂

    We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
    …………..Marianne Williamson

    and

    I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells. For when you are at that center within you and I am at that place within me, we shall be one.
    …………………….Crazy Horse

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  • reality

    Mitakuye Oyasin, O’siyo. On The Beauty Way I wish to talk about the ‘quote of the day’, “…Plug ugly…”, isn’t. From the Madonna School of Knowledge: “Beauty is where you find it”, not just “in the eye of the beholder”. Woodstock for example, beauteous mud. Thanx for all you All do. Have a great eve’. Social distance, wear mask. Oyate 🙂 reality

  • Anna
    Hi dear friends, after reading all your new posts, since my last one, after contemplating the gorgeous photos by Kevin and Maryke, I am here, and i feel a sense of calmness.Just one month ago I started the lockdown, while my sons were already at home for half a month…So we have already spent a long time in this strange daily life. we are fine, my family, my parents… maybe my brother in law had this coronavirus desease but he is fine now, he stayed at home, not in the hospital, because he had...

    Hi dear friends,
    after reading all your new posts, since my last one, after contemplating the gorgeous photos by Kevin and Maryke, I am here, and i feel a sense of calmness.Just one month ago I started the lockdown, while my sons were already at home for half a month…So we have already spent a long time in this strange daily life.
    we are fine, my family, my parents…
    maybe my brother in law had this coronavirus desease but he is fine now, he stayed at home, not in the hospital, because he had not issues with his breathe.
    My sister is fine, she used another part of the home!!!
    Fortunately, my parents and my family had no contacts with them since one month and a half.
    My husband is keeping on working, but he works in Switzerland and he is there, now. he is not allowed to come back.
    this makes me sad, now that Easter is coming…Do not give up, dear friends, stay at home and try to enjoy the little things.
    Debra, do not feel alone, I am sure you have good friends to call up, or to meet in a virtual place.blessings to everyone here! A warm hug, here I can!

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    • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

      Anna, you and everyone here are kept in my prayers. Thank you for telling us how you are.

    • Patjos
      How lovely to hear from you and coming though this so strongly. It is hopeful for us who are just starting on this journey. Yes and there are so many little things for us to enjoy and appreciate. Today I will take time to enjoy my breath for a little while, take time to look at the lines on my palms, look in the mirror at the lines forming there by age. I woke this morning giving thanks to my own beating heart, it was nice to have this closeness with my own self. Thank you Anna, stay strong...

      How lovely to hear from you and coming though this so strongly. It is hopeful for us who are just starting on this journey. Yes and there are so many little things for us to enjoy and appreciate.
      Today I will take time to enjoy my breath for a little while, take time to look at the lines on my palms, look in the mirror at the lines forming there by age. I woke this morning giving thanks to my own beating heart, it was nice to have this closeness with my own self. Thank you Anna, stay strong and IN love. Patrick

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    • Maryke

      What a wonderful post with hope and love intertwined.

    • Palm

      Dear Anna, I am grateful to read your news this evening and, as you say, all the beautiful posts below. Your calm comforts me.
      My family is also well.
      A warm hug to you 🤗

  • Maryke

    Today I felt all boxed in and when I went out to buy groceries, I took my camera along, to capture what is left of summer here in our country. Soon it will be winter.
    Our country is still in lock down and it was nice to see the police around, making sure everyone adheres to the rules and regulations.
    I’m grateful for them. They put their lives on the line for ours.

    • Patjos

      Once again, such beauty in your pictures, thank you for sharing them here.

    • reality

      Greatly enlivening photos, thanx for that and all you do. Have a good day 🙂 reality

    • Palm

      Beautiful Marike 🌸
      It’s good to know the police is around, thank you. I haven’t seen them but I haven’t been out much..

    • Debra

      Gorgeous. Thank you, Marykle..

  • Drew Blanton

    I’m extremely grateful for the words of the day.

  • Kevin

    This image, taken at sunrise and from within a whaleboat, is of Butler Flats Light just outside New Bedford Harbor, (MA, USA)

    • Carla

      Kevin, I really appreciate your photography & the lens you’ve been given to see the world in ways many of us haven’t had glimpses of. Thanks!

      • Kevin

        Thank you, Carla. What’s interesting about photography is that you can take 10 photographers and instruct them all to photograph the same subject and when you view the images made you’ll have ten different images even though the subject was the same.

  • Kevin

    Sometimes the best sunrise/sunset images are not with the sun actually present, but just before or after the sun does its thing.

    This image of Palmer Light, located in New Bedford Harbor, MA (USA), I took while steering a whaleboat while out rowing with my teammates just before dawn.

    • Anna

      Beautiful Kevin, such a relaxing sight!

      • Kevin

        Thank you, Anna. Hope you are staying safe and remaining healthy as well.

    • Maryke

      So beautiful. I’d love to sit there and meditate.

      • Kevin

        Hello Maryke, thank you for your generous words. Funny you should mention meditate because I have used this image as my virtual background when participating in a online worship among fellow Quakers. Hope you are doing OK, staying well, and keeping the bad-boy virus at bay!

    • Pilgrim

      Thank you for these photos, Kevin. They are really beautiful.

  • Drew Blanton

    This morning I downloaded a picture of Selena Quintanilla Perez from Facebook. I really admire her. “Dreaming of You” is my favorite song from her; The picture might be a little unconventional, but then again I think I am.

    • reality

      Heah, good taste in music, me too; she’s great. The 25 th anniversary of her death was 3-31-20, she tragically lost her life in 1995. The movie about her life by Jennifer Lopez, ‘Selena’, is great too. Thanx for sharing, have a good day 🙂 reality

  • Debra

    Today I am struggling with a loss of someone whose been gone for a while in my life. I have been in denial. He didn’t die, he just didn’t want me. I am not exactly certain why I am feeling sad about it now; perhaps there is some meaning in it being April. Don’t know?

    • reality

      Your post’s blues and it being April reminded me of the best movie on the genocide of the Tutsi and moderate Huti in 1994, the epic ‘Sometimes in April’, starring Idris Elba; the second best movie I’ve seen on it is the epic ‘Hotel Rwanda’, starring Don Cheadle. Point, it’s also good to remember, it reminds us we’re human. Glad to read it. Thanx; have a great eve’ 🙂 reality

    • Anna

      Everything is worse these days, dear Debra.
      For me, dealing with a lot of “work at home”, stress, fatigue and anger, yes sometimes even anger ….
      this lockdown amplifies these feelings. It is not easy, Debra, it is not easy to welcome them and keep calm, but you are not alone. Blessings, friend.

      • Debra

        Anna,

        Thank you and blessings to you during these ‘trying’ times. Peace be with you and yes, we are not alone.

        Debra

    • Maryke

      I have the exact same struggle. My heart is still broken. They say it takes around 4 months, but I am not feeling better about it yet.

      • Carla

        Maryke, my experience in matters of the hurt with grief & loss is that I’ve had to walk through the season of a calendar year, especially if some months, seasons or holidays had memories intertwined with another. Time is the healer of the heart. May you be gentle with your heart; & kind to yourself. Namaste

    • Pilgrim
      Dear Debra, I was given the insight many years ago by a wise spiritual mentor that every loss may bring back other losses we have experienced in our lives. I have found that so true. I think we have lost much in these days, our expectations and ways of living daily life, feelings of safety and good health, of being around others. To have lost the hope of someone being in your life may be brought to the fore in these strange days. I hold you in light and prayer, my friend. "We are all walking ea...

      Dear Debra, I was given the insight many years ago by a wise spiritual mentor that every loss may bring back other losses we have experienced in our lives. I have found that so true. I think we have lost much in these days, our expectations and ways of living daily life, feelings of safety and good health, of being around others. To have lost the hope of someone being in your life may be brought to the fore in these strange days. I hold you in light and prayer, my friend. “We are all walking each other home.” (Ram Dass)

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      • Debra

        Pilgrim. Blessings to you, my friend.

        • Mica

          That’s a good point, Pilgrim – my physical pains seem to be more obvious in these strange days. Warm wishes to you Debra as you struggle with a previous loss during these strange days. hugs-

  • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

    I lost a day due to distraction and planning. I’m sorry I did not show up for Ursula’s Prayer Tuesday. I am in prayer daily and include all here and all throughout the world.
    I look to the future while being pragmatic now.
    I love you all.
    Thank you for your courage, every one of you.
    Thank you , Kristi, for your post.

  • Maryke

    Last year and the beginning of this year when I had 3 nervous breakdowns and landed in the loony bin, my brother told me, “Plant your own garden and the butterflies will come.”
    With meditation, joga and breathing, and lots of shadow work, I’m planting my garden to vibrate love and acceptance to the world.

    • Debra

      Maryke: Amazing photographs. I loved your photo from yesterday too. It’s quite a gift to capture nature and do ‘art’ photography as well.

    • Anna

      Spectacular photos and flowers, Maryke, your brother has been wise, he is like a teacher who finds good seeds in his students, cultivates the soil and then lets them grow.
      Because the seeds were already good and ready to grow from the beginning.

      • Pilgrim

        Anna, How are you and your family, dear friend?

        • Anna

          Dear Pilgrim !!! right now I have published a new reflection, where I tell you some news. I’m fine and I want to thank you for your concern for me and my family.🌸

    • Patjos

      I do so Love your pictures. This is such a talent 🙂

    • Mica

      Thanks, Maryke – do you know the name of the flower on top? It was in our yard near the ocean near Santa Barbara CA – and growing on lava in Hawaii – <3

    • Pilgrim

      Beautiful, Maryke! And you have a very wise brother!

  • Maryke

    We live in a strange-strange world, Master Jack.
    Yesterday, a friend and I, decided to give soup to the poor community. It was so sad to see the hunger and the gratefulness.
    I am in the clouds that we could make a difference.
    I’m burning essence for all around the world, specially those that are hit harder than others.

    • Patjos
      There is much that we can do with our Loving Hearts, if our Hearts desire is for Love, then we will be given the opportunity to Love and to be compassionate souls in practice, for who are we but Love itself. Love living through us, being the hands, the mouths, the very hearts of Love. There is so much that we can do with our hearts desire, it is in DEED our prayer. Let's consciously offer our hearts desire to the ocean of Love which surrounds us, which permeates us, in which we live and move ...

      There is much that we can do with our Loving Hearts, if our Hearts desire is for Love, then we will be given the opportunity to Love and to be compassionate souls in practice, for who are we but Love itself. Love living through us, being the hands, the mouths, the very hearts of Love. There is so much that we can do with our hearts desire, it is in DEED our prayer. Let’s consciously offer our hearts desire to the ocean of Love which surrounds us, which permeates us, in which we live and move and HAVE OUR BEING.
      I say all of this because I cannot send money, I cannot lift a finger to ease the suffering in another country which I heard about today, an entirely different matter, but we can pray, we can ask our Angels to administer and to sing songs of rejoicing over those we Love and those we think about. And we can remind one another that we are not, not ever alone in this, that there is One who cares and He in our very hearts. Our being rooted and grounded in Love is our part in all of this.
      Love and Light to you all.

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    • cp

      Dear Maryke, I had just posted some more Easter deco pics, but when I saw your post, I found them inappropriate and deleted them. I am deeply moved by your initiative. The world would look a lot different with more people like you, who are „getting their butt in gear“ 👍

    • Ose
      Dear Maryke, to see the poor people starving must be terrible. That you take the initiative to cook a soup is just great. When I see the desperate situation on TV what happens in your country, that people have not even something to eat from now on as they do not earn something, it is heartbreaking. From here, sitting comfortably in my chair, I can only support you by expressing my deep gratitude for doing what you do and my compassion and prayers for all those so deeply and existentially affecte...

      Dear Maryke, to see the poor people starving must be terrible. That you take the initiative to cook a soup is just great. When I see the desperate situation on TV what happens in your country, that people have not even something to eat from now on as they do not earn something, it is heartbreaking. From here, sitting comfortably in my chair, I can only support you by expressing my deep gratitude for doing what you do and my compassion and prayers for all those so deeply and existentially affected, and I can send some money to an account to support what you do, or to others of whom you might know, so that I could contribute at least in some way to help over there. I would only need an account No. where to send to. Please stay strong. My prayers are with you, dear dear friend.

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      • Kristi
        Hello Dear Ose and Friends – We are so moved by how deeply you are all connecting with one another in these challenging times where we are indeed aware of being more closely knitted together as a global family. Bless each of you. Bless all of us. There is so much need for support, compassion, and generosity right now and you are all overflowing with it. You honor this space with your love….I am writing here this morning to acknowledge how amazing it is that you are serving the world in the ...

        Hello Dear Ose and Friends – We are so moved by how deeply you are all connecting with one another in these challenging times where we are indeed aware of being more closely knitted together as a global family. Bless each of you. Bless all of us. There is so much need for support, compassion, and generosity right now and you are all overflowing with it. You honor this space with your love….I am writing here this morning to acknowledge how amazing it is that you are serving the world in the ways that you are and that you want to be generous towards one another. I also want to ask that we keep this space sacred and free from anything that would feel transactional around money. There are so many big hearts here, so many worthy efforts, so many needs, so much care – this is a truly sacred space. We need to be sure to offer protection for everyone’s individual information, needs, and resources as best we can. This is not a secure place to leave personal information. If you are deeply moved to exchange private information, please consider making use of Serafina and our team at [email protected] We will do our best to help facilitate connections of this nature where they are appropriate, and to keep this space as sacred, safe, and secure as you each and all deserve. With a grateful, tender heart – Kristi and the Gratefulness Team

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  • Mary

    Blessings to all on our common prayer Tuesday. I know we are dealing with COVID19 and the impact it is having on our lives. And then there are many qstruggles that predate this virus.
    The best advice I have heard is to be very very gentle and nurturing with yourself during this time. Give yourselves rest and comfort and turn that inner critic off. I am sending my love to all of you as well to all in our world and beyond. Blessings my dear friends.
    Mary

    • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

      Thank you, Mary. 🕊🦋

    • Patjos

      Thank you Mary, wise words indeed. As always let us BE in Love and letLove bring us home over and over and over again.

    • Pilgrim

      Blessings and love to you, dear Mary. The advice you share is helpful in these strange and struggling days. May you be well, my friend.

      • Mary

        I’m holding you and your daughter in my heart.
        Be blessed dear friend.

    • Mary

      PS I’m not caught up on reading your sharings. So I have not responded to many. But I still hold each of you in my heart and am wishing the best for each of you

  • Mary

    Dear Cathy, I have just responded to you on page 2, a good ways down. I am posting up here so you won’t miss my post.
    Sending you love and peace,
    Mary

    • Cathy
      Thank you, dear Mary. I received notice of your post via email this morning. I feel so honored and humbled that you wrote to me! I am not very good at “opening up,” especially in front of a group, yet I will try that as I truly am an old dog learning new tricks! You are so right about people needing an intercessor at times. Things happen in life to each of us and we do need someone to stand in the gap. I am fortunate that my husband does that for me. Being a terribly independent person, it ...

      Thank you, dear Mary. I received notice of your post via email this morning. I feel so honored and humbled that you wrote to me! I am not very good at “opening up,” especially in front of a group, yet I will try that as I truly am an old dog learning new tricks!

      You are so right about people needing an intercessor at times. Things happen in life to each of us and we do need someone to stand in the gap. I am fortunate that my husband does that for me. Being a terribly independent person, it takes a lot to beat me down to the place where I just can’t do things for myself. That is where I was when I wrote that post. So my husband, over the past couple of weeks, has taken over the communications with the surgeon’s office and these surgical centers. Because of the virus, everything is shutting down, of course. The hospitals cannot do any surgery that is not what they consider essential, so it is left to the outpatient surgical centers and they are having staffing issues and difficulty staying open.

      I appreciate your concern, Mary. I find encouragement in your kind boldness.

      I do apologize for my post as I read it now and cringe at my self-centeredness. In about an hour I am expecting a call from a third surgical center to confirm the procedure that is scheduled for tomorrow.

      Be well, everyone. And Mary- thank you.

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      • Palm

        Dear Cathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am grateful hearing that you have your husband’s support. My wish is that all goes well. Sending love and strength from Palm.

      • Anna

        Blessings Cathy, and as Mary says, your post is not self centered at all.

      • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

        I am sending prayer to you, Cathy. I hope all goes well for you and your family. Wishing you relief.

      • Mary

        Your post did not seem self centered to me at all. Pain is pain. Please be gentle with yourself Cathy.

  • cp

    Hi to all the „old“, „new“ and „passing-by“ visitors at this site, may you all be safe and in good health – especially on this „common prayer Tuesday“ of the lounge. I assume there won‘t be a resurrection from this corona nightmare at Easter … Nevertheless we are preparing for the feast and will make the best of it. Missing family and friends due to the quarantine ☹️☹️ but grateful they are all fine so far 😷💪 stay safe, stay home.

    • Mica

      An egg tree! Thank you, cp – we grew up with a children’s book of that name, by Katherine Milhous. I’ll bring it to my granddaughters on Sunday.

    • Maryke

      So beautiful. I love it.

    • Ose

      So lovely, thank you, cp!

    • Anna

      Cp, these decorations are amazing, fantastic! They greet Spring and Easter!
      Who did them? You and your daughters?

  • Diane
    Good morning friends. Such a joy and a balm for my soul to visit with you this day....our common prayer Tuesday. 🙏 I have so much on my heart but the words to express are not there...yet. Perhaps I will journal later. But in the meantime...these words from Mother Teresa came to me this morning. I share them with you with my grateful love ♥ ~Be well dear friends and stay safe during these extra-ordinary times. ” “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things w...

    Good morning friends. Such a joy and a balm for my soul to visit with you this day….our common prayer Tuesday. 🙏

    I have so much on my heart but the words to express are not there…yet. Perhaps I will journal later. But in the meantime…these words from Mother Teresa came to me this morning. I share them with you with my grateful love ♥
    ~Be well dear friends and stay safe during these extra-ordinary times.

    ” “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

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  • Palm

    ❤️

  • Drew Blanton

    I was going to join you on Zoom for the Gratefulness Gathering, but my Internet wouldn’t work. Will there be more?

    • Serafina

      Hi Drew, Good question. The team will be discussing this over the next days and weeks. If we do decide to do this again, we will be sure to make an announcement of when. You can watch the Gratefulness Gathering recording here https://gratefulness.org/blog/gathering-gratefully-in-the-time-of-the-coronavirus/ Also note that if you are unable to join by Zoom next time, you can also call in on your phone. Wishing you a lovely evening Drew.

  • Maryke

    I entered a 52 week photography challenge, and the first week’s theme is (#Iam) and I chose IAmWords. This is the end result.

    • Anna

      Maryke, it’s definitely an artistic piece! I always wonder what an artist feels when he or she draws, paints, takes photos, makes a sculpture, writes or plays music …, writes a poem.
      I love to see, listen, read and also love to understand what brought an artist to his or her masterpiece.

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