Close
Menu Gratefulness Donate

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 videos to illustrate your reflections.

  • Diane
    Good morning lovely friends: On this our common prayer day....so happy to see Alicia has checked in after her surgery. My prayers for your continued healing dear Alicia. And so wonderful to hear of your healing Palm...and may you continue to sing and dance! :) I am grateful for the strong appearance of Brother Sun these last couple of days. The weather was so delightful yesterday and I am grateful for my walk, albeit brief, down the road to visit with the horses. And so very grateful f...

    Good morning lovely friends:

    On this our common prayer day….so happy to see Alicia has checked in after her surgery. My prayers for your continued healing dear Alicia. And so wonderful to hear of your healing Palm…and may you continue to sing and dance! 🙂

    I am grateful for the strong appearance of Brother Sun these last couple of days. The weather was so delightful yesterday and I am grateful for my walk, albeit brief, down the road to visit with the horses. And so very grateful for the visits I had with 2 of my elderly widowed neighbors. These ladies don’t realize the depth of my gratitude for their presence in my life….but I do try to convey to them the blessings they are to me.

    This morning when I awoke and wandered into my little kitchen for a cup of coffee, there was a fire going in our wood burning stove…what a lovely surprise! I am grateful for my husband making me this fire before he left for work. I am sitting at my kitchen table next to the roaring fire as I type this. I always wanted a wood burning stove in my home and finally got one when we moved here 4 years ago. It makes the (seemingly) long winters here much easier….grateful for this hygge practice!

    I pray never to take simple pleasures for granted…the smell of coffee when I arise, the wood-burning stove that we enjoy so much, Brother Sun lighting and warming up our sun room on this cold morning, the soothing music that is a balm for my tinnitus and lifts my spirits. Music is magical!

    I don’t know yet what I am going to do with this day that has been given to me. But I do pray to be a blessing to someone today…and to be fully present and aware of the presence of Divine love. And I pause to remember our dear Ursula and offer up a prayer for her family…that they will know a measure of peace amidst their sorrow.

    ~Be well this day my dear friends. Sending you all my grateful love♥

    Read More
    • Anna

      Dear Diane, as always, I feel good reading your stories.
      I thank you for the reminding of hygge practice: I am on my sofa, with my blanket, writing and trying to visualize each one of you, in her/his daily journey. I had a little anxiety today, and I didn’t know where it came from, anyway, my blood pressure is ok, so maybe my body is telling me to slow down, to stop. So here I am.
      Blessings dear Diane.

      • Diane
        Cara Anna....I'm picturing you relaxing underneath your cozy blanket! You are an ocean away from me my friend yet maybe we can imagine being on the sofa together practicing hygge.😊 I'm glad to hear that your blood pressure is ok...and so happy that you are listening to the ways in which your body is speaking to you. As you know, anxiety is a frequent visitor of mine...sometimes appearing for no apparent reason. I think being extra kind to ourselves on those days is important...and you ar...

        Cara Anna….I’m picturing you relaxing underneath your cozy blanket! You are an ocean away from me my friend yet maybe we can imagine being on the sofa together practicing hygge.😊

        I’m glad to hear that your blood pressure is ok…and so happy that you are listening to the ways in which your body is speaking to you. As you know, anxiety is a frequent visitor of mine…sometimes appearing for no apparent reason. I think being extra kind to ourselves on those days is important…and you are doing just that! Brava mi amica 👏

        ~Sending you love and a un grande abbraccio ♥

        Read More
    • Pilgrim

      Thank you for your lovely and peace-filled post, dear Diane. I am always grateful for your reminder of hygge practices – something that helps slow down my chattering brain in the midst of a day. Have a lovely Thanksgiving on Thursday, my friend.

      • Diane

        Dear Pilgrim…..I am all too familiar with that chattering brain! We can help each other with this ♥
        Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving day as well dear friend 🙏🦃

  • Drew Blanton

    I tried to post my art again, but the screen just turned white. Why?

    • Mica

      Drew & Palm – did you put some text in the box when you tried to post your art? Was the art a jpg or tif file? Those are 2 suggestions. I’d love to see your art! I hope you’ll succeed in posting your art

      • Anna

        Drew and Palm, I had the same problem a few years ago, and the right solution was actually the one Mica is talking about.

    • Palm

      Hi Drew, same with me, I tried to post a picture of the campfire, and the screen went white. I wanted to try reduce the size of the picture but that may not be it, thank you.

  • Palm
    I am also thinking of you, dear Alicia, praying for healing and continuous support after the surgery. I am grateful for modern medicine, antibiotics are helping to heal a recent bout of skin infection. I am grateful that I hadn’t had this for a year, as it was recurring more often in the past. I have been using essential oils, and coloidal silver soap, but I think a recent period of stress took its toll. A reminder of being mindful with stress and anxiety. I am grateful to have all these tool...

    I am also thinking of you, dear Alicia, praying for healing and continuous support after the surgery.
    I am grateful for modern medicine, antibiotics are helping to heal a recent bout of skin infection. I am grateful that I hadn’t had this for a year, as it was recurring more often in the past. I have been using essential oils, and coloidal silver soap, but I think a recent period of stress took its toll. A reminder of being mindful with stress and anxiety. I am grateful to have all these tools available. And this community to share joys and pains 😊 On Friday night we were singing and dancing around a campfire with the scouts, and on Saturday morning we did a hike in a local park, with views to the city. I am grateful for this group.
    Wishing you all a restful Sunday ❤️

    Read More
    • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

      I’m grateful for thoughts and prayers.

      • Carla

        Continuing to keeping you (& others) in my thoughts & prayers during this healing time.

      • Palm

        Alicia! Dear friend, thank you for checking in, continuous prayers…

    • Mica

      Hooray, Dear Palm! I’m glad you used modern medicine – and it was useful! Hugs to you and all

      • Palm

        😁 thank you, dear Mica, hopefully the infection will clear by the time I finish the course, hugs to you!

    • Anna

      Palm! Good Sunday, dear friend, I feel relief knowing that you are healing and that you sang and danced yesterday! So great! Singing and dancing make our souls free of burdens, right?

      • Palm

        Thank you, dear Anna 😊 Yes, I am re-discovering exactly what you say… how good singing and dancing are for the soul…

    • Pilgrim

      Blessings to you, dear Palm, as you heal. I smile at the thought of your singing and dancing around the campfire, followed the next morning by a hike. How fun is that?!!

      • Palm

        Thank you, dear Pilgrim, your words mean a lot to me, I am glad I could bring a smile 🙂

  • Ose

    Joining you, dear Pilgrim and Anna, in holding Alicia in my heart, praying for full recovery of her hand. So happy to be with all of you here, dear friends. Blessings and well being to all who share and visit here, and all beyond.

  • Anna

    Yes Alicia we are holding you in our hearts.

  • Pilgrim

    Dear Alicia, In case you visit here (I know you cannot write), I wanted to let you know I/we are thinking of you post-surgery, holding you in light and prayer throughout these days. Blessings, my friend.

  • Ose
    Once, Colette wanted to write a book on the transformational use of money, not only in relation to donations, which are so essential for the various projects to unfold the shared intentions, but meaning the spiritual aspects and its use to transform. I wonder if you, Colette, are still visiting here and if you managed to write your book. It seemed ever so interesting and I hope you could realize it. Your ideas seemed to be amazing and I would have liked to read it. I so hope you did. My thoughts...

    Once, Colette wanted to write a book on the transformational use of money, not only in relation to donations, which are so essential for the various projects to unfold the shared intentions, but meaning the spiritual aspects and its use to transform. I wonder if you, Colette, are still visiting here and if you managed to write your book. It seemed ever so interesting and I hope you could realize it. Your ideas seemed to be amazing and I would have liked to read it. I so hope you did. My thoughts are with you. May you be well.

    Read More
  • Jazzmina
    Good morning Gratitude community. I read a book recently called The Soul of Money which aimed to help one change their thinking about money from a scarcity mindset to one of sufficiency and using money as a currency of love rather than to use it to accumulate more things. I have been thinking deeply about altering the way I think and deal with money so it reflects some of the wonderful ideas I read about in the soul of money and shows my gratitude for the abundance in my own life. The book encou...

    Good morning Gratitude community. I read a book recently called The Soul of Money which aimed to help one change their thinking about money from a scarcity mindset to one of sufficiency and using money as a currency of love rather than to use it to accumulate more things. I have been thinking deeply about altering the way I think and deal with money so it reflects some of the wonderful ideas I read about in the soul of money and shows my gratitude for the abundance in my own life. The book encouraged philanthropy and embraced that idea that no gift is too small. I have been thinking a lot about how I want to give back and trying to think from a mind of sufficiency. I want to be really thoughtful about my giving and let it be a reflection of my gratitude for life.

    What are ways or organizations that you give money or time to in order to express your gratitude for all that you have?

    Read More
    • Malag

      A good question strikes at the right time. I too have been wondering this. Thanks Jazzmina for this and to all those who replied.

    • Mica
      Thank you, Jazzmina - I tend to donate to people-centered organizations, especially when I have some sort of close contact with the organization. Childhaven International in India has orphanages and other programs - a woman in my church wanted any gifts for her going-away party to go to them. There's a fund honoring a woman physicist, Millie Dresselhaus, who is a hero of mine. I've donated to Direct Relief for a long time - they're in my former home town of Santa Barbara. But I give to other or...

      Thank you, Jazzmina – I tend to donate to people-centered organizations, especially when I have some sort of close contact with the organization. Childhaven International in India has orphanages and other programs – a woman in my church wanted any gifts for her going-away party to go to them. There’s a fund honoring a woman physicist, Millie Dresselhaus, who is a hero of mine. I’ve donated to Direct Relief for a long time – they’re in my former home town of Santa Barbara. But I give to other organizations, too.

      Read More
    • Ann
      Dear Jazzmina: Throughout my life, I enjoyed volunteering. For example, during all my school years, even in college, I helped other students with our studies; and as a teen, I volunteered at a nearby hospital. More recently, I've volunteered at an animal shelter, and for 15 years now I work as a volunteer braille transcriber, putting print textbooks into braille for blind students in our public school system. As for money, even when I was counting my pennies, I gave away significant amounts of c...

      Dear Jazzmina: Throughout my life, I enjoyed volunteering. For example, during all my school years, even in college, I helped other students with our studies; and as a teen, I volunteered at a nearby hospital. More recently, I’ve volunteered at an animal shelter, and for 15 years now I work as a volunteer braille transcriber, putting print textbooks into braille for blind students in our public school system. As for money, even when I was counting my pennies, I gave away significant amounts of cash to those more needy than myself, and it came back to me tenfold, just like the teachings about “seed money” I’d heard about. Nowadays, I contribute to numerous charities as well as individuals in need. The opportunities to give are truly boundless.

      Read More
      • Alicia Mary Ann Parr
        My last post ended in the wrong place. Ann, re translating books into Braille: I did that for a summer when I was 10. Reading what you do, I believe , is an answer I have been looking for. Once my hand is healed, I will call our local IRIS NETWORK, and volunteer to help with translations and record news from local newspaper . Thank you for talking about what you have done and given of yourself. Money is badly needed for helping agencies , but so is the actual time of an individual. Wakin...

        My last post ended in the wrong place.
        Ann, re translating books into Braille:
        I did that for a summer when I was 10.
        Reading what you do, I believe , is an answer I have been looking for.
        Once my hand is healed, I will call our local IRIS NETWORK, and volunteer to help with translations and record news from local newspaper . Thank you for talking about what you have done and given of yourself. Money is badly needed for helping agencies , but so is the actual time of an individual. Waking up here.

        Read More
      • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

        12/9/19
        Looking for gratefulsea, Drew, thinking of you all. I know there are many who do not post. That’s ok. It’s enough you read here.
        Grateful for friends here.
        Pain is impacting my psyche.
        I know better than to let it beat me down. One way is to prevent the discouragement is to come here.

      • Jazzmina

        Wow, thank you for that insight. Not being an incredibly wealthy person I’ve been living under the misconception that giving money would be too hard for me financially. I am opening up to the idea that even giving small amounts is better than not giving at all. I have been looking into opportunities to make a difference monetarily. I also volunteer with my time and have throughout my life. Less these days since I work but I manage to do a little to make a difference in the lives of others.

        • Ann

          Several people I know have a container, like a piggy bank, or just a glass jar, that they put some change into at least once a week. It adds up and before you know it, you’ve got something you may feel really good about donating. My eldest brother did errands and helpful tasks for neighbors for years besides volunteering for the auto shows he loved to attend. Just like a 1000-mile journey is made up of each individual step, the same is true for time and/or money. Opportunities abound!

        • Anna

          Dear Jazzmina, I believe that everyone gives what he can, and only love is the right measure, not the human concept of quantity.

    • Serafina

      Hello Jazzmina,  I am pleased to tell you that we have an abundance of Lynn Twist’s teachings on this website. You can find it here https://gratefulness.org/?searchterm=lynn%20twist 

      I also highly recommend our own Kristi Nelson’s Blog called ‘Gratefulness and the Power of Radical Sufficiency.’  you can find it here
      https://gratefulness.org/resource/gratefulness-radical-sufficiency/  

      • Jazzmina

        Wonderful! Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction. I will check these sites out.

  • Jazzmina

    Thank you for such a warm welcome. I appreciated each of your messages welcoming me to this community space. I hope you all have a beautiful day!

  • Jazzmina
    Aloha Gratefulness community, I am new here and I have to say I love the concept of this community. It's a wonderful organization and I love what it offers. I am grateful that communities like this exist and I am excited to be a part of this thoughtful gratitude oriented group. I aspire to express gratitude daily in my life. Having a grateful heart is very important to me. I like to reflect on what I am grateful for and keep daily gratitude lists. I am so grateful for all the abundance in my ...

    Aloha Gratefulness community,

    I am new here and I have to say I love the concept of this community. It’s a wonderful organization and I love what it offers. I am grateful that communities like this exist and I am excited to be a part of this thoughtful gratitude oriented group. I aspire to express gratitude daily in my life. Having a grateful heart is very important to me. I like to reflect on what I am grateful for and keep daily gratitude lists. I am so grateful for all the abundance in my life from a wonderful job to loving friends and family. I try to be grateful even for the simple things like clean running water and shelter as not everyone has those things. Having healthy food to eat, a car to drive and access to whatever I need are other things I am deeply grateful for.

    Read More
    • Debra

      Jazzmina: Welcome. You have a beautiful name and a beautiful spirit.

    • Ann

      Welcome, Jazzmina! I am relatively new to this site, here with the intention to cultivate and nurture gratefulness as a way of being. Thank you for sharing

    • Serafina

      Thank you for sharing your ‘grateful heart’ with us. Welcome to our Grateful Living community Jazzmina!

    • Anna

      Good morning, Jazzmina, I have right woken up, I welcome you here!

    • Diane

      Welcome Jazzmina! Thank you for sharing your gratitude with us here in this sacred community.. You will find kindness, encouragement and great wisdom here. I hope you will continue to visit and share. ♥
      ~Blessings

    • Pilgrim

      Aloha, Jazzmina! We are glad that you have found this online gratefulness space.

  • Ann

    Grateful prayers to all today, especially to those who need healthful, healing blessings.

    • Anna

      Thank you dear Ann, for your gentle heart.

      • Ann

        Thank YOU, Anna, for your note of appreciation. Living from a grateful heart is a blessing itself.

  • Diane
    Good morning lovely friends on this our common prayer day. 🙏 It is also my brother's birthday today and so my thoughts turn with gratitude for the gift that he is to me. And to so many others whose lives he has touched. I am so proud of him for all that he has overcome with humility and grace. He has a kind, gentle and generous spirit and I am so blessed and grateful that he is my "little" brother. Sitting in our sun-room early this morning, there was a ghostly fog settled over the ...

    Good morning lovely friends on this our common prayer day. 🙏

    It is also my brother’s birthday today and so my thoughts turn with gratitude for the gift that he is to me. And to so many others whose lives he has touched. I am so proud of him for all that he has overcome with humility and grace. He has a kind, gentle and generous spirit and I am so blessed and grateful that he is my “little” brother.

    Sitting in our sun-room early this morning, there was a ghostly fog settled over the farmland…..combined with the brightly shining sun, it was quite eerie….but in a good way! I woke up with an unnamed generalized anxiety but sitting there for a time, absorbing this early morning gift before it faded, helped bring calm. Grateful once again for my little sun-room where I sit each morning for meditations, my buddha fountain bubbling happily and a birds-eye view of the birds at our feeders! 😊🐦

    With grateful love for the blessing this sacred community is in my life ♥ Om Shanti dear friends

    Read More
  • Sylvie
    Dear Ose, thanks for your reply to me further down and asking about Gabi. I'll respond here, so that our new members also get to know what we are talking about. Gabi is my sister, she has a handicap and lives in a home. One year back she got suddenly very ill, overnight, couldn'speak anymore, didnt see, couldn' walk...in hospital they found legionellas ( I hope this is the right word) and in the course of ecamination they also found 2 brain tumors. So she is fighting her way back into life, s...

    Dear Ose, thanks for your reply to me further down and asking about Gabi.
    I’ll respond here, so that our new members also get to know what we are talking about. Gabi is my sister, she has a handicap and lives in a home. One year back she got suddenly very ill, overnight, couldn’speak anymore, didnt see, couldn’ walk…in hospital they found legionellas ( I hope this is the right word) and in the course of ecamination they also found 2 brain tumors. So she is fighting her way back into life, step by step. Learns to walk, to see, to write . She is so courageous and Im very grateful we’ve come so far.
    The 2 tumors are still there but at the moment not growing. Prayers for her are very welcome.
    Last summer Awinchen also developed 2 tumors on her belly. They also dont grow at the moment and its a time to learn trusting, take day by day and do good things for our souls.
    Here a picture to show, that we mostly have a good time.Awinchen and her friend on the red carpet Love from Sylvie and Awinchen

    Read More
    • Ose

      God morning, Sylvie, thanks for this lovely picture and for letting us know about your sister and Awinchen. I am happy that both seem to be on a healing path, God willing. My prayers are with you and your beloved.

    • Anna

      Sylvie, thanks for the way you talk about your dear Gabi and Awichen. There is so much sweetness in your words, in the pictures you post … this is your heart,
      Many blessings, and thank you for being here.

    • Diane

      Dear Sylvie…what a delightful picture. Thank you for sharing it…it made me smile this morning. A good way to start my day!
      Much love to you my friend…and continued healing prayers for Gabi and Awinchen. And yes, trusting one day at a time and doing good things for our souls….beautiful intentions to live by. 🙏💙

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Sylvie, Thank you for letting us know about Gabi, and the ways she is fighting her way back into life. Thank you for these pictures of dear Awinchen in meditation and walking the red carpet. You have made me smile! Many prayers for you, dear friend. You are holding much in your heart. We are with you on your journey.

  • Sylvie

    Dear friends, early morning in Europe, on our common prayer day, I would like to share this foto of sunrise with you ( a bliss every morning ). Dear Ursula is close when I look up at the sky. ❤
    May we all have a peaceful day.
    Love from Sylvie and Awinchen
    ( the new picture of Awinchen, is her in morning meditation and bathing in light )

    • Anna

      Oh dear Sylivie, so magnificent,
      But i notice also the houses, so nice, so nice, so well placed in the natural landscape…

  • Alicia Mary Ann Parr
    I’m an hour away from Ursula’s Prayer Tuesday. I think of her Saint Marta and all she contributed to us . I think of you all who lift each other up. You won’t hear from me for awhile unless I can get someone to type for me. It will be several weeks. Surgery to repair dominant hand is Thursday. I’m grateful for the surgeon and staff . I’m grateful to my two adult daughters who offered to help post surgery. So very grateful. My husband is supportive, also. Grateful. I love you all. ...

    I’m an hour away from Ursula’s Prayer Tuesday. I think of her Saint Marta and all she contributed to us . I think of you all who lift each other up.
    You won’t hear from me for awhile unless I can get someone to type for me. It will be several weeks. Surgery to repair dominant hand is Thursday.
    I’m grateful for the surgeon and staff . I’m grateful to my two adult daughters who offered to help post surgery. So very grateful.
    My husband is supportive, also. Grateful.
    I love you all. I’ll keep you in heart.
    I know as I “ go under “ I’ll be prayed for. It will be after 12 PM this coming Thursday, 11/21.
    Drew, please keep us up to date how you are.
    Gratefulsea, Ose, Sylvia, Anna, Pilgrim, Palm, Mary, Ann, Micah , and all good friends I haven’t named : I will do my best to get to this site.
    I am very grateful for this community.

    Read More
    • Anna

      Many blessings dear Alicia. I will pray and think of you, I will also wait for your precious presence here, but please do not feel pressure. Only you can know when the time is right. It’s nice to know that you have the support around you and I’m also confident in professional care, do not be afraid, dear friend.
      Feel warmly embraced and when you are in the hospital, imagine that I will come to you with a small gift,💐

    • Serafina

      sending you an abundance of prayers and blessings Alicia. You will be in our hearts.

    • Diane

      Dear Alicia….we will be keeping you close in our hearts and in our prayers. May all of those who care for you be given an extra measure of wisdom and compassion and may your spirit know peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
      ~Blessings ♥

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Alicia, Blessings on this day of prayer, and in the days ahead as you undergo this surgery. Maybe it is the same as mine earlier this year. I will keep you in my heart and my prayer throughout the procedure and in the healing days ahead. I will pray for your surgeon and medical staff, and those who will care for you afterward. Be gentle with yourself in the days ahead, dear friend. We walk with you.

    • Carla

      Alicia, you will be held in prayer as you prepare for surgery, during it & as you recover & rehab. May you know the Divine Physician will guide your medical providers; May radiant white healing light continue to surround you, dissipating any fears & protect you. Blessings on you & your family!

    • Ose

      Dear Alicia, of course, you will be in my prayers also, especially the coming Thursday but also afterwards. May all work out well, may the surgeons have hands and mind led by His grace and love, and may you be well and healed soon. We all are with you, dear friend. Greetings from my heart, Ose

    • Sylvie

      Dear Alicia, be assured you are in my prayers.
      Could you please tell me what time zone you are in, so that I can find out when 12 pm is here on the European continent. All the best for you, for your operation and the reconvalicence afterwards. Love from Sylvie and Awinchen

    • Palm

      Oh, dear Alicia, yes, you will be prayed for, friend. You just reminded me today is Common Prayer Day, thank you. I too am grateful for this community. I too hope to hear from Drew. Sending love and light to you, your family and the medical team. Grateful to hear you have support.

  • Michit

    I am grateful for my home, the shelter that I have over my head. I am absolutely grateful for my health and the love that I receive from others. I am grateful that the sun rises and sets every single day for a reset, and to live another day. I am inspired to clear my home of this stagnant energy, and I am deserving of a new positive space that feels like home. <3

    • Diane

      Dear Michit…welcome and thank you for sharing from your heart all that you are grateful for. I am sending my wishes for you to realize your intention of a living space that brings light and peace.
      ~Blessings ♥

    • Palm

      Thank you Michit, for sharing your gratefulness. Greetings 👋🏻 from Palm

  • Ann
    Today, at a biannual professional meeting, as each attendee was to introduce him/herself and were encouraged to share something about ourselves aside from our work, I said that I am cultivating gratefulness. There was a very minor amount of a question within me whether or not to share that, but I did. And, to my surprise and delight, another attendee promptly read the list of 5 things he's grateful for that he'd just written this morning, noting that he and his wife do that every morning. After ...

    Today, at a biannual professional meeting, as each attendee was to introduce him/herself and were encouraged to share something about ourselves aside from our work, I said that I am cultivating gratefulness. There was a very minor amount of a question within me whether or not to share that, but I did. And, to my surprise and delight, another attendee promptly read the list of 5 things he’s grateful for that he’d just written this morning, noting that he and his wife do that every morning. After the meeting he and I spoke about gratitude and gratefulness as a practice and part of our lives. This was SO cool! I am SO grateful for all of us deliberately and actively building this more peace-centered way of being in our world. Whoo Hoo!

    Read More
    • Diane

      Wow Ann…this was definitely so cool 😊 I love this story…thank you for sharing!

    • Palm

      Dear Ann, wow, that was brave, you inspire me, thank you, blessings to you!

    • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

      Thanks for having courage during the meeting to speak of gratitude. You gave a gift and left with gifts.

      • Ann

        Thank you, Alicia. Yes, it’s true, I took a chance and received so much in return! Blessings to all!

    • Anna

      I feel your joy, dear Ann, and I am happy with you. I too am grateful for all of us, I join you in what you enthusiastically say.

      • Ann

        Thank you, Anna, for your reply. Much appreciated.

  • Mary
    Dear grateful sea. Thank you for writing to me. I’m having some trouble with sadness these days. Part of this I think is dealing with the depression that my husband has had this year. It seems to be intensifying as he is dealing with trauma from his childhood. He and I live in a lot of silence. Also foran accumulation of issues from my work over the years seems to be catching up with me. I have had the very good fortune of being able to work part time. I really don’t th...

    Dear grateful sea. Thank you for writing to me.
    I’m having some trouble with sadness these days.
    Part of this I think is dealing with the depression
    that my husband has had this year. It seems to
    be intensifying as he is dealing with trauma from his
    childhood. He and I live in a lot of silence.
    Also foran accumulation of issues from my work over
    the years seems to be catching up with me.
    I have had the very good fortune of being
    able to work part time. I really don’t think I
    could have worked full time this year.
    I don’t think I had it in me. But part time is going
    so much better for me. I will soon be filling
    my time with some enjoyable activities
    and that should help my mood quite a bit.
    To all my friends here I send my love.
    I was especially glad to see Sylvie had written in
    and am delighted to see new people coming into
    this community. Wonderful to hear from you Sylvie
    and a big welcome to our new members.
    Thanks again dear grateful sea for reaching out to me.
    Many blessings to all.
    Mary

    Read More
    • grateful sea

      Dear Mary, I hope you can see this image and feel it as a warm embrace. In the light, I hold you and all here in the gratefulness community and beyond.

    • Pilgrim
      Dear Mary, I am grateful to find you here, my friend. I honor the sadness you are feeling with your relationship with your husband, including the silence. I have lived with such a silence before divorce, though my own was a silence of judgment. Your opportunity for working part time may open time to notice more fully what is going on in your home and your heart. Be utterly kind to yourself in these days of adjustment to openings in your time. We need not change everything at once. It can be a gi...

      Dear Mary, I am grateful to find you here, my friend. I honor the sadness you are feeling with your relationship with your husband, including the silence. I have lived with such a silence before divorce, though my own was a silence of judgment. Your opportunity for working part time may open time to notice more fully what is going on in your home and your heart. Be utterly kind to yourself in these days of adjustment to openings in your time. We need not change everything at once. It can be a gift to oneself to follow one thread at a time of what will gratify us or interest us. Do listen to your beautiful heart on this new pathway, dear friend. Many blessings to you.

      Read More
    • Diane
      Dear Mary....thank you for sharing with us, as always so genuinely. I am always so happy to see you and know how you are doing. Although I am now retired, our teacher experiences and sensibilities are common and I am so grateful for your presence here. It is challenging to live with someone struggling with depression and I admire you so much for your courage and faithfulness through any challenges you face. I'm glad that your situation at school has improved.....surely working part time is...

      Dear Mary….thank you for sharing with us, as always so genuinely. I am always so happy to see you and know how you are doing. Although I am now retired, our teacher experiences and sensibilities are common and I am so grateful for your presence here.

      It is challenging to live with someone struggling with depression and I admire you so much for your courage and faithfulness through any challenges you face. I’m glad that your situation at school has improved…..surely working part time is a true gift.

      I had a difficult, dysfunctional relationship with my mother but one thing that she used to say has stuck with me as a truth over the years: “This too shall pass”. I pray that the sadness will pass and you will feel the love and light of the Divine surrounding you my friend. 🙏

      ~Blessings ♥

      Read More
    • Ose

      Wishing all the best for you and your husband, dear Mary, with blessings.

    • Palm

      Yes Mary, as Ann, I thank you for sharing. I feel less alone. I have similar challenges with my husband, and have had some stress at work too lately. I hope you find enjoyment.
      I am reminded of a talk I listened to recently, about the steps to get to happy, 1 Acceptance “I feel sad and that is ok” which brings to 2 Peace, and then 3 Gratefulness.
      I will be thinking of you together with our friends. Sending love from Palm

    • Anna

      Mary, I will think of you and your husband.
      Be well, my friend. Sending you love and light.

    • Ann

      Dear Mary: Thank you for sharing. I’m sending you hugs. Ann

  • Lisa
    I am grateful because of knowing the alternative.What it feels like to be in pain, hardship and fear.It takes going through the hurt to know that when you are not hurting and in fear, to truly appreciate that these pure moments are worth everything–including letting go of old bad habits, poisonus people and energy, fear of the uncertainties and trusting myself that I am worth enough, strong enough and smart enough to just be me even if no one understands or accepts it. I am grateful that exper...

    I am grateful because of knowing the alternative.What it feels like to be in pain, hardship and fear.It takes going through the hurt to know that when you are not hurting and in fear, to truly appreciate that these pure moments are worth everything–including letting go of old bad habits, poisonus people and energy, fear of the uncertainties and trusting myself that I am worth enough, strong enough and smart enough to just be me even if no one understands or accepts it. I am grateful that experiences– good and hard– are both of value and both necessary.To expect a “perfect” world is an illusion. It is only in retrospect that we can see more, so while in the moment, I accept. While I anticipate, I remain open. When I reflect, I remain grateful. Like shampoo, apply, rinse, repeat. That’s life. It’s a cycle..

    Read More
    • Pilgrim

      Thank you for your wise and heartfelt words, dear Lisa. And for the beautiful picture! Your words invite a balanced approach to noticing and appreciating what is going on in our lives. Blessings!

    • Anna

      dear Lisa, I love what you are saying, and even more …. I love your picture that reminds me of something familiar, Tuscan landscapes …welcome Lisa!

      • Lisa

        Thank you, Anna! It was my first time in Italy. So lovely, healing and adventurous!

        • Anna

          Oh dear friend, now I understand why it seems familiar to me! I come from Italy! I hope you enjoyed your trip!

    • Diane

      Dear Lisa….what a lovely picture! Thank you for sharing your heart….comparing life to a cycle really resonates with me!
      I hope you will visit us again…have a peace-filled day Lisa ♥

    • grateful sea

      Hello Lisa, welcome to the Gratitude Lounge. Thank you for sharing your wide open heart and what you have learned with us. I hope you will visit again soon.

  • reality
    If this life were mine I would be eternally grateful for it; as is, as one Cosmos my every cell says it without words every moment of everyday. Excellent worx, thanx; also: Without unions we'd still be paid like our great grandparents, stale loaf of bread and a can of beans a day. No nukes is good nukes. Without freedom of the press there would be no other rights being defended successfully. All life are needed threads in the fabric of life, "...we(e),..." cannot allow to be torn asunder. A...

    If this life were mine I would be eternally grateful for it; as is, as one Cosmos my every cell says it without words every moment of everyday. Excellent worx, thanx; also: Without unions we’d still be paid like our great grandparents, stale loaf of bread and a can of beans a day. No nukes is good nukes. Without freedom of the press there would be no other rights being defended successfully. All life are needed threads in the fabric of life, “…we(e),…” cannot allow to be torn asunder. All that’s needed to spark an evolutionary leap in humanity’s growth is the fact that there’s no profit, pleasure, nor power in manipulation, destruction, murder, genocide, extinction, etc., experiential knowledge which one can grow in the evolution until they experience it for themselves, etc.. If you’re not taking bullets you’re making them. Walking in nature’s balance, giving back to it’s abundance, illimitable potential, indivisible as life, you, can reach one, teach one, to self-actuate, evolve, turn 360 degrees around, back to the evolution and the future humanity will only have if we each do 🙂 reality Copy, share as you will.

    “My video with ARANJUEZ:

    Enjoy … Zuzanna”

    Read More
    • Anna

      Welcome reality, and thank you for your post, and your video! I agree with you!

      • reality

        Very kind of you. Thanx for all you do. It’s not my video, it’s Zuzanna’s, yet, she’s okayed me sharing it. Have a blessed day 🙂 reality

    • Diane

      Welcome reality and thank you for sharing your heart-thoughts with us. It was unclear to me whether you shared the video as well? Both the music and the art was soulfully beautiful. Peace to you this day ♥

      • reality

        Gracious of you. Thanx for all you do. It’s not my video, it’s Zuzanna’s, yet, she’s okayed me sharing it. Have a peaceful day too 🙂 reality

    • grateful sea

      Hello reality. Welcome to the Gratitude Lounge and thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes, “all threads are needed in the fabric of life.” Yes, yes.

      • reality

        Very kind of you to say. Thanx for all you do. Indeed. Have a blessed day 🙂 reality

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://i1.wp.com/gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png?fit=1600%2C1172&ssl=1

© 2000 - 2019, A Network for Grateful Living

Website by Briteweb

0

Your Cart