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. Drew Blanton1 week agoDrew BlantonIt’s been confirmed that I’ll start going to Capital Health Services next Monday. My new dayhab’s going to be great! 5 Reply Diane1 week agoDianeDear Drew…how exciting! Your gratefulness is shining….thank you for sharing and may your new dayhab be a blessing! 2 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmGreat news, Drew! Thank you 2 Reply Annie2 weeks agoAnniePeace be with you dear friends...Happy Easter !!! What a blessing ! My son hosted Easter brunch at his home today. The weather was fantastic. Two tables were set up on his large deck...set so pretty ....table clothes and gorgeous flowers on the table. He loves to cook. We had eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast potato's pastry and my egg biscuits (I make almost every Easter ). Samantha age 10, and Katy age 7, loved the Easter egg hunt Auntie Nicole provided. Alexa age 13 looking cool to her y...Peace be with you dear friends…Happy Easter !!! What a blessing ! My son hosted Easter brunch at his home today. The weather was fantastic. Two tables were set up on his large deck…set so pretty ….table clothes and gorgeous flowers on the table. He loves to cook. We had eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast potato’s pastry and my egg biscuits (I make almost every Easter ). Samantha age 10, and Katy age 7, loved the Easter egg hunt Auntie Nicole provided. Alexa age 13 looking cool to her younger cousins…:) Why didn’t I have a figure like Alexa when I was 13? ?? OMG she is slim, but curvy…I was thin minus the curves. LOL And last my youngest little River is 3 months now. She was dressed in a sweet pink floral dress with a cardigan sweater. Tippy their dog after making the rounds to greet everyone, took a nice nap in the sun. I spoke with my sister in Arizona and she said, “you are going to have an addition to your Easter celebration next year.” Her grandson Oscar chose Rhode Island School of Design ! Awesome ! I haven’t seen him since he was about 6 or 7 maybe. Wow !!! My nephew Brad (Oscar’s dad) is a writer for television in California. This is so wonderful …I will surly get to see Brad and his family . And with the help of Gods grace my sister, brother-in-law , niece who lives in Wisconsin and her family. Okay I will end this long post by saying Happy Easter and peace be with you ! Read More4 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaAren’t we lucky, Annie, to have sons who love to cook?! 1 Reply Annie1 week agoAnnieWe certainly are! And he usually makes Thanksgiving dinner too! 2 Reply Mica1 week agoMicaMine, too : ) 1 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmWhat a joyful day, Annie! I love to be treated by somebody who loves cooking, you are lucky. 4 Reply Annie1 week agoAnnieI thank God for my family. So happy I moved back to RI. They are a blessing to me. 1 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaI am happy for your good news and your Easter sounds wonderful, with your family gathered around a joyful table. Me too Annie, I celebrated a family Easter and especially my mother had her first dose of vaccine !! I hope this vaccination campaign goes faster than now … It will be like a resurrection … 4 Reply Annie1 week agoAnnieThat’s wonderful Anna! All the adults of my family have had two vaccines except my son’s wife who is breast feeding. I pray we can soon be able to walk freely without wearing a mask. And that everyone has learned from this experience. I know it has taught me to be more grateful than I already was. And it enriched my relationship with God. 1 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmDear Anna, it’s a blessing to gather with family. These are good news, I like your analogy with resurrection. I think they are doing well in Italy re vaccination. My dad has got his two doses, my mom will have her second one in three days. I am grateful! 2 Reply Anna1 week agoAnnaGood news dear Palm!! I have just registered for my first dose! 3 Reply Palm1 week agoPalmWonderful, dear Anna! 2 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SSounds lovely. Thanks for sharing. 1 Reply Kevin2 weeks agoKevinFor those who observe Easter, Happy Easter to all! For those who do not observe Easter, the day is still, holy! 6 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmHappy Easter, dear friends 🌿🐣💞 love and blessings to all. Dear Anna, following the messages we exchanged on the question of the day, I came across this quote and thought of you 😊 “Life is too short to be in a hurry” Tal Ben Shahar 3 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaIt is so true Palm, yet I am often in a hurry… It is always time to learn. Thank you so much dear friend. And happy Easter to you and your family! A special hug to your daughter! 2 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalm🌸💞 2 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalm(To give some context, I had answered that the best advice for me had been “one day at a time”) 3 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaDelightful quote today: There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. ROSALYNN CARTER I’m wondering what today – Saturday – is. It must have some name, coming between Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. 1 Reply Pilgrim2 weeks agoPilgrimHoly Saturday. A day of quiet with no daytime liturgy, until the Easter feast begins tonight with the Easter Vigil. The day celebrates the vigil that Christ’s followers held for him outside of his tomb, waiting for his resurrection. Fasting is not required, and the only mass held is the Easter Vigil beginning at sundown on Saturday. (There is lots online about this, if interested.) 5 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaThank you, Pilgrim – that would have been my guess – Holy Saturday. Yes, I remember Easter Vigils in my past. The priest was worrying beforehand about whether there would be enough wine in the glass, and I suggested that we could backwash 😜😁 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaMay we all receive what we need today on this Good Friday 4 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SI’ve been expecting warmer weather as we move towards April, but today even in South Carolina it’s barely 43° at 9 AM. 2 Reply Drew Blanton2 weeks agoDrew BlantonYesterday I was exploring adult day care centers. One called Capital Health Services has devotionals. I plan to start going there soon. 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaDevotionals sound good, Drew – warm wishes to you 1 Reply Diane2 weeks agoDianeGood morning lovely friends: Another prayer Tuesday has come and gone and I missed being here with you yesterday. I just now wrote a long post and somehow accidentally deleted it. But the writing was therapeutic anyway and suffice to say that despite my roller-coaster emotions of this past week and a fitful fear-filled sleep last night, I have awakened with an awareness of the absolute miracle of another day of life....here in this place that God has brought us. I have much on my heart s...Good morning lovely friends: Another prayer Tuesday has come and gone and I missed being here with you yesterday. I just now wrote a long post and somehow accidentally deleted it. But the writing was therapeutic anyway and suffice to say that despite my roller-coaster emotions of this past week and a fitful fear-filled sleep last night, I have awakened with an awareness of the absolute miracle of another day of life….here in this place that God has brought us. I have much on my heart still but will simply at this time ask for your prayers. My older daughter is to undergo surgery due to infertility issues. And it occurs to me how blessed I am, despite my worries for her, that we are living here now and not 2,000 miles away as she goes through this. I am so very grateful for that gift. Have a blessed day dear friends…I leave you with this prayer that I say each morning. I began saying it in both English and Spanish the year that our younger daughter was living in Spain as a way to feel connected to her. ~with grateful love ♥ “Thank you Abba Father for this miracle of another day of life” “Gracias Papito Dios por el milagro de un otra dia de la vida.” Read More3 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SDiane, my prayers are with you for peace and a restful sleep. I have had insomnia for many years and I know deep down there is a disturbance in May but hasn’t completely serviced. But without our challenges how would we ever have been sent over to see God? 2 Reply Nan Jan2 weeks agoNan Janmy attention is drawn to the garbage and recycling trucks going back and forth in the street outside my window. My first inclination: they are loud and disruptive. In the spirit of gratitude though, I'm reminded of how young children love to watch the mechanics of these trucks--awed by their ability to lift the huge bins and dump the contents without human intervention, and then-more or less gently-set the bins back down in place. Every moment can contain such awe; try and remember to see as a...my attention is drawn to the garbage and recycling trucks going back and forth in the street outside my window. My first inclination: they are loud and disruptive. In the spirit of gratitude though, I’m reminded of how young children love to watch the mechanics of these trucks–awed by their ability to lift the huge bins and dump the contents without human intervention, and then-more or less gently-set the bins back down in place. Every moment can contain such awe; try and remember to see as a child, I remind myself. Read More3 Reply Linda Roof2 weeks agoLinda RoofA great example of rethinking. Made me chuckle because I bought an expensive garbage truck & Tee shirt(my favorite day is garbage day) for 2 year old grandson. The men on the truck gave my grandson a small trash can on his BDay. The trash men smile, the children are delighted. Thus a positive spin on trash. 1 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SJam, Great work. But change your perspective is right out of a book that Kristi wrote about gratefulness. 1 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaNan Jan, seeing the world through children’s eyes … You’re right, this change of perspective is the solution to negativity. 1 Reply Diane2 weeks agoDianeGood morning Nan Jan….thank you for sharing your gratitude with us. ♥ Grateful living can simply be changing our perspective…thank you for the reminder. 3 Reply Mike S3 weeks agoMike SThis is holy week for Christians the world over. I have not been attending church lately but I will go to a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. 4 Reply Diane2 weeks agoDianeGood morning Mike....I agree with our friend Pilgrim. Returning to my Catholic roots, however sporadic, has been a comfort to me throughout various times in my life. My spiritual journey has involved many twists and turns, and when it comes to organized religion, has brought much pain. But, through it all, rituals in many forms continue to be a vital part of my spiritual life. I too will be celebrating Holy Week in my new surroundings here in Denver. I searched online and found a church tha...Good morning Mike….I agree with our friend Pilgrim. Returning to my Catholic roots, however sporadic, has been a comfort to me throughout various times in my life. My spiritual journey has involved many twists and turns, and when it comes to organized religion, has brought much pain. But, through it all, rituals in many forms continue to be a vital part of my spiritual life. I too will be celebrating Holy Week in my new surroundings here in Denver. I searched online and found a church that is offering virtual Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services and it is my intention to join in. This intention is bringing peace and comfort to my fearful self these days. Read More3 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SDiane, yes for me the services elicit nostalgia and, as you say, there is some deep roots in ritual. That said, an every Sunday diet of the Eoiscopal service, like Catholic, leaves me cool and not connected. The way God in Christ are portrayed in the Christian narrative seems simply too narrow to me compared to my understanding and experience of what we call God. As a result I have to do a lot of translation when I go to church, and I do some balancing act because I’ve spent a lot of time in ...Diane, yes for me the services elicit nostalgia and, as you say, there is some deep roots in ritual. That said, an every Sunday diet of the Eoiscopal service, like Catholic, leaves me cool and not connected. The way God in Christ are portrayed in the Christian narrative seems simply too narrow to me compared to my understanding and experience of what we call God. As a result I have to do a lot of translation when I go to church, and I do some balancing act because I’ve spent a lot of time in Buddhist meditation and other forms of spiritual. exploration. The religion versus spirituality conundrum is a balancing beam I have walked for many years now, and quite often not very well. Read More1 Reply Kevin2 weeks agoKevinI hear you loud and clear here, Mike. Be well my friend. 1 Reply Pilgrim2 weeks agoPilgrimMike, it can be helpful or simply give us peace to return to familiar liturgies/celebrations in times such as these. I used to find that especially the Maundy Thursday rituals and words stirred me deeply. My mother breathed her last the day before Holy Thursday several years ago, so the meanings and the feelings come back to me in a different way now. May these ritual days bring you peace and hope, my friend. 2 Reply Mike S2 weeks agoMike SHow true. Thanks for your words Pilgrim. 1 Reply Sush3 weeks agoSushHey! I’m Sush and I’m super new to this page and community. I’ve just started the private gratitude journal today and I can’t wait for more days to come. I’ve tried to keep a consistent journal in the past, and nothing has ever worked out, but this website is super great, it’s perfect for me to keep going and writing down things I’m grateful for and sharing them with this warm community. Can’t wait to hear your voices <3 3 Reply Diane2 weeks agoDianeHello Sush…welcome to this sacred community. We look forward to your gratitude sharings ♥ 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaWelcome Sush! Happy to meet you! 2 Reply Mike S3 weeks agoMike SWelcome to this space Sush. There’s lots of kindness, connection and gratitude here. 2 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimWelcome, Sush! Happy to “meet” you in this space! 2 Reply Drew Blanton3 weeks agoDrew BlantonI don’t know how true this is, but a Church Militant video says a movie blaspheming the Virgin Mary’s coming out on Good Friday. I won’t watch a movie if I know ahead of time that it’s anti-Catholic. 0 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaWarm wishes to all on Palm Sunday, regardless of your Faith, your faith, or your ‘lack’ thereof! 💗💓💞 5 Reply Annie3 weeks agoAnnieGood evening lovely friends ! Today Our Lady of Medjugorje gave Her monthly message. The March 25, 2021 message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace to Marija: Our Lady came dressed in gold. Without the angels. “Dear children! Also today I am with you to tell you: Little children, who prays does not fear the future and does not lose hope. You are chosen to carry joy and peace, because you are mine. I have come here with the name "Queen of Peace", because the devil wants peacelessness and w...Good evening lovely friends ! Today Our Lady of Medjugorje gave Her monthly message. The March 25, 2021 message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace to Marija: Our Lady came dressed in gold. Without the angels. “Dear children! Also today I am with you to tell you: Little children, who prays does not fear the future and does not lose hope. You are chosen to carry joy and peace, because you are mine. I have come here with the name “Queen of Peace”, because the devil wants peacelessness and war, he wants to fill your heart with fear of the future–but the future is God’s. That is why, be humble and pray, and surrender everything into the hands of the Most High Who created you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Read More4 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaWow, Annie – that’s a voice from the past! Thank you for sharing. 1 Reply Annie3 weeks agoAnnieAnd She is with us now !!!! 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaThank you friends, Diane, Pilgrim, Mike, for your beautiful words. 3 Reply Mike S3 weeks agoMike SI was standing knee-deep In an ocean of timelessness When all at once A great fish leaped up before me And asked “who are you?” I couldn’t speak I was so dumbfounded. The fish then said “You are death come, destroyer of worlds.” So grieved was I to hear this prophecy I began to cry copiously. When I recovered from my crying The fish said “Stop not your grief, For when you have shed tears enough to cover the world, You will have washed away the sins of man.” I share this poem I ...I was standing knee-deep In an ocean of timelessness When all at once A great fish leaped up before me And asked “who are you?” I couldn’t speak I was so dumbfounded. The fish then said “You are death come, destroyer of worlds.” So grieved was I to hear this prophecy I began to cry copiously. When I recovered from my crying The fish said “Stop not your grief, For when you have shed tears enough to cover the world, You will have washed away the sins of man.” I share this poem I wrote years ago in memorial for the senseless loss of life we continue to see in this country and the spiritual malaise underlying so much of the world’s disconnection Read More5 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeGood morning lovely friends...both "old" and new: Colorado is such a spectacularly beautiful place. We are so grateful that God has brought us here for such a time as this in our journey. But, this morning my heart is heavy with the latest gun tragedy in our country.....this time just 30 minutes away in Boulder...a city at the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains. A place of such natural beauty that it fills you with awe at the work of the Creator. How can this be? How to hold on ...Good morning lovely friends…both “old” and new: Colorado is such a spectacularly beautiful place. We are so grateful that God has brought us here for such a time as this in our journey. But, this morning my heart is heavy with the latest gun tragedy in our country…..this time just 30 minutes away in Boulder…a city at the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains. A place of such natural beauty that it fills you with awe at the work of the Creator. How can this be? How to hold on to hope during times like these? I return to gratefulness even in my fear and sorrow. Grateful that my family was spared this tragedy while grieving for the loved ones of the victims. Just this morning I was reminded of a scripture from Lamentations. I share it with you as I ask for your prayers for Boulder. A city so full of the creativity of the Divine that it takes your breath away. I pray that this morning, amidst the shock, sorrow and grief…somehow Boulder is experiencing a measure of love and compassion. We can only hope. ~Om Shanti friends ♥ “”Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” Read More8 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimDear Diane, Your questions ... "how can this be?" ... "how to hold on to hope ...?" These are questions filling my heart and scouring my mind in these days of struggle and shock at what some people have wrought upon so many other, good people. I have not turned on the news again, cannot. Such blatant disregard for human life ... all over the planet, I realize ... but there are moments when I can hardly function or move forward. And yet I must. Like you, I must see the wondrous beauty in the ...Dear Diane, Your questions … “how can this be?” … “how to hold on to hope …?” These are questions filling my heart and scouring my mind in these days of struggle and shock at what some people have wrought upon so many other, good people. I have not turned on the news again, cannot. Such blatant disregard for human life … all over the planet, I realize … but there are moments when I can hardly function or move forward. And yet I must. Like you, I must see the wondrous beauty in the land and other people. I must make my day the best it can be, love well and fully my family and friends, and find something to offer to those in need. I think I read once that we are always beginners on the path … beginning again, being grateful for THIS day, THIS moment. I am grateful that you and your family are safe, and together. The greatest of gifts. Stay well, dear friend. I know you shine your light of hope in your new home state, and that is much needed. Read More3 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeDear Pilgrim, I checked our profiles....we joined this community the same year, 2016. Truly, this miracle, magical, virtual friendship of ours these past 5 years has enriched my life immeasurably. As Ram Dass has so beautifully described life's journey, we are all just walking each other home. As fellow empaths and spirit-sisters, I am so grateful to be walking this journey with you. Thank you for your wise words, for reminding me that this world is still filled with beauty, love and lig...Dear Pilgrim, I checked our profiles….we joined this community the same year, 2016. Truly, this miracle, magical, virtual friendship of ours these past 5 years has enriched my life immeasurably. As Ram Dass has so beautifully described life’s journey, we are all just walking each other home. As fellow empaths and spirit-sisters, I am so grateful to be walking this journey with you. Thank you for your wise words, for reminding me that this world is still filled with beauty, love and light. Hope is a powerful word and a special one to me…you may remember it is the middle name of my younger daughter. And you are so right, it is much needed. And we must keep it alive. I just now remembered a Native American poem that I so love. As women who are so deeply connected to the Earth and all of it’s gifts, I feel blessed to share it with you my dear friend and traveling companion. ~With grateful love ♥ In beauty may I walk; All day long may I walk; Through the returning seasons may I walk. Beautifully will I possess again Beautifully birds Beautifully butterflies… On the trail marked with pollen may I walk; With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk; With dew around my feet may I walk. With beauty before me may I walk With beauty behind me may I walk With beauty above me may I walk With beauty all around me, may I walk. In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, lively; In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, living again… It is finished in beauty. It is finished in beauty. Navajo Prayer Read More3 Reply Pilgrim2 weeks agoPilgrimDear Diane, thank you for your beautiful words, and for the wisdom of the Navajos. Five years! I had been wondering how long I have been on this page, and thought maybe longer. But that may be when the Lounge began here. I am grateful for knowing you here for these years, for the familiarity and even simply a place to show up, as one who lives alone, and in pandemic times, has spent much time by myself. I will copy down these Navajo words of wisdom. Thank you! So wise! A reminder that what w...Dear Diane, thank you for your beautiful words, and for the wisdom of the Navajos. Five years! I had been wondering how long I have been on this page, and thought maybe longer. But that may be when the Lounge began here. I am grateful for knowing you here for these years, for the familiarity and even simply a place to show up, as one who lives alone, and in pandemic times, has spent much time by myself. I will copy down these Navajo words of wisdom. Thank you! So wise! A reminder that what we seek, what we need, is here for us, should we be attentive. May you and your family be well, my friend. Many blessings to you and your family as we move into the feast of Easter and the blossoming of Spring. Namaste. Read More1 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaTuesday again already so soon. Prayer day! [Thank you, Lady2020, for your lovely emojis😷💕]🐞🐘🏳️🌈🦮🎒🕸🪲🦄 1 Reply Drew Blanton3 weeks agoDrew BlantonI can see at least a little bit of spirituality in everything I do. I give thanks to God for that gift. 6 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeThat is indeed a gift Drew….thank you for sharing your gratefulness with us ♥ 1 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaThank you, Drew – that’s wonderful! 1 Reply « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next » New to Practice? Visit the Practice Space for more opportunities and insights. Practice Space Recent Active Members Rob Kinslow active 19 mins Read More Linda active 1 hour Read More Holly in Ohio active 1 hour Read More Mica active 1 hour Read More expati active 2 hours Read More Global Community This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. DONATE https://gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png Community Engagement Guidelines Privacy Policy [email protected] Connect with us on Social Media: © 2000 - 2021, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb
