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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.

  • Drew Blanton

    One of the things I’m most grateful for is stories. They don’t need to be true or even written down. I see stories everywhere I go. Most people might think of stories as things that would take a while to write, but I like to think of everything I write or talk about as a story. You don’t need to be a writer to have stories.

    • Anna

      I am with you, Drew, it might be strange that an adult like me loves stories, but that’s what happens also to me.

    • Mike S

      I agree Drew. Stories are fascinating. I used to be a family counselor and felt there was something special, sacred even, in people’s stories.

    • Palm

      Thank you for your lovely reflection, Drew, it made me feel lighter and freer about stories. My daughter likes coming up with short stories and I always feel we need to write them down. Now I feel it’s ok to just tell them. Blessings, friend

  • Diane
    Good morning lovely friends: This is my 3rd Tuesday in our new surroundings. As always, I hold Ursula and her family close, Thinking of her and so many of our sacred community who we haven’t heard from in awhile. I hope you are all well “old” friends…you are missed. The Colorado sun is strong once again today. I am learning that this is characteristic of this area…it is rare that the sun does not make an appearance at some point in the day. What a gift for me as I am a lifelong sun-...

    Good morning lovely friends: This is my 3rd Tuesday in our new surroundings. As always, I hold Ursula and her family close, Thinking of her and so many of our sacred community who we haven’t heard from in awhile. I hope you are all well “old” friends…you are missed.

    The Colorado sun is strong once again today. I am learning that this is characteristic of this area…it is rare that the sun does not make an appearance at some point in the day. What a gift for me as I am a lifelong sun-worshiper! It is a dry heat, without the humidity of the east coast. This warmth is a balm for my fibromyalgia pain. I’m so grateful for the relief it provides and the window of joy that Brother Sun cracks open.

    Joy has been elusive these days. I have been aware of this in my daily meditations and am longing for the peace that pure joy brings. It is curious to me that joy is not overflowing…while gratefulness is abounding. How can this be?

    I’ve been hard on myself about this. But this morning I had a bit of a breakthrough. I’ve decided to welcome this shadow in my spirit. The aftermath of the stress in selling our beloved farmhouse. Our exhausting 2,000 mile journey,. The death of my sister just days before we left. I reminded myself of Rumi’s wisdom exhorting and inspiring me to embrace that I am human. And to welcome whatever comes to visit me in my Guest House. To be grateful because whatever comes was sent from above to be my guide.

    And so, I will allow myself to sit in this joy-less gratitude as one who is being guided and unconditionally loved through it.

    ~With my grateful love…here is the poem that I once again share with all of you in this sacred space. I am grateful for my 13th century mystic-poet-guru! And for all of you ♥

    The Guest House
    This being human is a guest house.
    Every morning a new arrival.

    A joy, a depression, a meanness,
    some momentary awareness comes
    As an unexpected visitor.

    Welcome and entertain them all!
    Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
    who violently sweep your house
    empty of its furniture,
    still treat each guest honorably.
    He may be clearing you out
    for some new delight.

    The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
    meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
    Be grateful for whoever comes,
    because each has been sent
    as a guide from beyond.
    -Jalaluddin Rumi

    Read More
    • Palm

      Dear Diane, I hadn’t written but have been sending comforting thoughts to you for the loss of your dear sister. I guess that the moving from the farmhouse can feel like another loss. You have made this change so gracefully but change is not easy, we are also animals and it takes us time to adjust. Blessings, dear friend

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Diane, just a little thought this morning as I read your heart in your words. When I think about it, I think joy is a kind of recognition – of or with another person. of a place, a song, a heartfelt reminder maybe, that can be mixed in with something new. Perhaps in a new place it will come with familiarity of place, and over time beginning to feel “home”. My heart is with you, my friend. And thank you for Rumi’s words, a welcome reminder of our humanity.

    • Mike S
      Diane,I appreciate your openness and willingness to share your journey with us. I have been touched by what you say especially speaking about a feeling of lack of joy. I wondered about that myself. My family of origin was emotionally reserved and I have felt those same restraints myself. I have come to appreciate however what I call a quiet joy and sense of contentment and steadiness in life. Recently I have been reading the Tao Te Ching by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. As in Buddhist...

      Diane,I appreciate your openness and willingness to share your journey with us. I have been touched by what you say especially speaking about a feeling of lack of joy. I wondered about that myself. My family of origin was emotionally reserved and I have felt those same restraints myself. I have come to appreciate however what I call a quiet joy and sense of contentment and steadiness in life. Recently I have been reading the Tao Te Ching by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. As in Buddhist teaching he encourages the middle path where extremes of emotion or discouraged. Intensities of feeling can beget attachment and therefore the basis of suffering. There is great with some here. May you find your way to peace.🙏🏼💕

      Read More
  • Annie
    Good morning my friends ! It is a sunny Friday morning and I am energized thinking of Spring around the corner. I have a nice packet of wildflower seeds I can’t wait to sow in my balcony garden . Well here in RI it is still semi cold…today’s high 40ish. Last week I met my new grandbaby …River , she is so sweet! When I held her she looked at me with wonder…gave a little smile …and kept reaching her tiny delicate hands to my face. What a thrill1!!! I will leave you now to move on with ...

    Good morning my friends ! It is a sunny Friday morning and I am energized thinking of Spring around the corner. I have a nice packet of wildflower seeds I can’t wait to sow in my balcony garden . Well here in RI it is still semi cold…today’s high 40ish. Last week I met my new grandbaby …River , she is so sweet! When I held her she looked at me with wonder…gave a little smile …and kept reaching her tiny delicate hands to my face. What a thrill1!!! I will leave you now to move on with my day. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with many blessings .

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    • Palm

      What a sweet moment, meeting your grandbaby, thanks Annie. Blessings

      • Annie

        Hi Palm !
        Thanks…yes it was and she smiled at me. My daughter said babies that young can’t smile …it probably was gas…Well I believe it was a real true smile ! And I ‘ll always remember her sweet little face with such expression and wonder.
        Blessings to you my friend.

        • Palm

          Hi Annie! You’ve now put a smile on my face too 😊❤️

    • Diane

      Dear Annie…congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter River. What a delightful name! Rivers are so special…they have an almost mystical quality about them and they radiate peace to me.

      Enjoy this new miracle in your life.
      ~Blessings ♥

  • Mike S
    At last the cold is giving way to sunny days reaching into the 60’s and 70’s here in Beaufort, which is in what is known as the Low Country, coastal area between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. It’s truly beautiful, which is why my wife convinced me, at first reluctantly, to move here. That was eight years ago, and the stately live oaks laden with Spanish moss, tidal marshes and water all around slowly made me feel at home after leaving my love affair with the Pacific NW...

    At last the cold is giving way to sunny days reaching into the 60’s and 70’s here in Beaufort, which is in what is known as the Low Country, coastal area between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. It’s truly beautiful, which is why my wife convinced me, at first reluctantly, to move here. That was eight years ago, and the stately live oaks laden with Spanish moss, tidal marshes and water all around slowly made me feel at home after leaving my love affair with the Pacific NW with the Douglas fur and cedar trees I love so much. A youth spent in the woods of southern New Hampshire made a nature boy out if me, so wherever I’ve lived the natural surroundings are soul-speak for me. I imagine that my be true for many of you

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    • Diane

      Mike…thank you for this lovely picture. I’ve never been to the low country but have read novels that are set there and it seems a very special place.
      What a blessing to have experienced so many different landscapes in your life! And even more of a blessing that you connect so deeply in your soul to all of the natural surroundings you have experienced. That is truly a gift. ♥

  • Diane
    Good morning lovely friends: The bright Colorado sun is shining through our bedroom window as I visit with you reclining in bed....my body is speaking to me (more like yelling at me!) and I am listening. I believe this is a delayed reaction to our labor-intensive move, the death of my sister, and all the emotions that go along with these life events. The altitude here also requires some adjustment....I've noticed this on my daily walks and both my daughters confirm that it takes awhile to ...

    Good morning lovely friends:

    The bright Colorado sun is shining through our bedroom window as I visit with you reclining in bed….my body is speaking to me (more like yelling at me!) and I am listening. I believe this is a delayed reaction to our labor-intensive move, the death of my sister, and all the emotions that go along with these life events. The altitude here also requires some adjustment….I’ve noticed this on my daily walks and both my daughters confirm that it takes awhile to get used to.

    But…oh those daily walks! Although they are shorter for now, the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains as I walk around our new neighborhood just fills me with awe and brings me to tears. What a blessing that I get to live here for the last chapter in my journey! Being born and raised and living 65+ years on the East Coast of the U.S. I am so enamored with the West and all the wonders to behold here!
    Not long ago there was an article on this site about Earth Altars. My intention is to create an earth altar in memory of my sister, using the gifts that are so unique to this part of the country. We brought a large piece of the trunk of my beloved sugar maple, Minshi, with us to Colorado and I will build my altar there this spring.

    I do miss our quirky little farmhouse and the cows and horses and farmland but mostly I am grateful for the years we had there and that we were so clearly guided to leave when we did. I’ve not even the slightest doubt that we are here for such a time as this. I’m grateful for my Great Shepherd’s “rod and staff”…they are a comfort to me.

    ~Wishing you all a day filled with wonder and awe at our Mother Earth’s amazing gifts. Om Shanti friends ♥

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    • Anna

      Dear Diane I am so.glad you are enjoying your new country and at the same time, I m grateful that you are always here with us, in this sacred space, sharing your experiences.and feelings.
      I am.with Annie, you have the gift of writing!

      • Diane

        Cara Anna….I am likewise always grateful to be here with all of you.
        ~Have a beautiful day my beautiful friend ♥

    • Annie

      Wow Diane ! I didn’t know you moved already!! God bless you. I so much love reading your post. You have a great gift of writing so beautifully. I look forward to reading more about your journey in life in your new surroundings.
      Change is good 🙂

      • Diane

        Good morning Annie….thank you for your blessing…and for your kind words. Writing is a form of therapy for me and I am always grateful for opportunities to humbly share. And I agree….change is good. I do miss our lovely farmland but am grateful for the new adventures that await us in our new surroundings.

        I found a quote from C.S. Lewis: “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

        ~With grateful love♥

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Diane, I have been thinking of you in your new home state. Will write more when my hands are able, but holding you in my heart.

      • Diane

        Dear Pilgrim….I feel your closeness in my heart dear friend. Take good care of you. We will visit again when the stars align and we are able.
        ~Sending you healing love ♥

    • Mike S

      Change can be so hard…especially moving. Be well and keep breathing,.
      Peace be with you Diane.

      • Diane

        Thank you Mike….the process to bring us to this change was hard in every way. But it is behind us now and I am breathing with less anxiety these days.
        ~Om Shanti friend ♥

  • Drew Blanton

    • Ose

      Hello Drew, blessings to you! Thank you for being with us, dear friend.

    • Mike S

      Hi Drew. Good to hear from you. May blessings come your way.

    • Diane

      Good morning Drew…so lovely to visit with you! Have a beautiful day my friend!

  • Mike S

    I’m glad to be back here again. It’s so great reading all your posts. Right now I am doing some deep belly breathing and wishing you all love and peace🙏🏼💕❤️

  • Mica

    I love this vest for my sore back:
    TechKewl 6626-KH-L/XL Phase Change Cooling Vest
    It has pouches in the back for icy packs – and in the front, but I don’t use the front ones. My back feels better after I wear it a while.
    The icy packs are still solid in the fridge, so now I store the whole vest in a crisper drawer.
    Happy weekend to all -🎒💕

  • Michael Hartland
    Thank you for your warm welcome, everyone. I wrote this in response to one of the 30 gratitude practices:.. ~ Breathe deep And feel ~ Gratefulness Start to creep ~ Inside Your heart ~ It will keep Your heart wide ~ Where God May abide ~ And make your spirit Come alive! ~ The gratitude practice referred to is this: 1. Close your eyes. Take a few, very deep breaths – all the way out and all the way in. Notice how your breathing so often takes care of itself…just breath moving itself through yo...

    Thank you for your warm welcome, everyone. I wrote this in response to one of the 30 gratitude practices:..
    ~
    Breathe deep
    And feel
    ~
    Gratefulness
    Start to creep
    ~
    Inside
    Your heart
    ~
    It will keep
    Your heart wide
    ~
    Where God
    May abide
    ~
    And make your spirit
    Come alive!
    ~
    The gratitude practice referred to is this:
    1. Close your eyes. Take a few, very deep breaths – all the way out and all the way in. Notice how your breathing so often takes care of itself…just breath moving itself through you – keeping you alive – just keeping you alive. Commit to NOT taking this miracle for granted

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    • Anna

      Thanks for your post, Michael.
      I gratefully engage in gratefulness practice through Kristi’s new book and the spiritual practice these days, “tending the rituals of our lives.”

  • Tamra

    Just discovered this hidden gem site!
    grateful to be here
    laughter, love and light to all!
    Breathe in the daily moments and enjoy all the blessings which surround you!☮️🌅😊

  • Diane
    Good morning my lovely friends I missed being here with you last Tuesday as we made our way across the country. We were somewhere in the mid-west on that day and we arrived, after a harrowing 2,000 mile journey, safe and sound to our new home in Colorado. The U.S. decided to have the most frigid, icy, snow-filled week just as we were traveling...but the angels surrounded us on our way and I was mindful of the God-hugs. Thank you for your prayers my friends. It's been a roller coaster ...

    Good morning my lovely friends

    I missed being here with you last Tuesday as we made our way across the country. We were somewhere in the mid-west on that day and we arrived, after a harrowing 2,000 mile journey, safe and sound to our new home in Colorado. The U.S. decided to have the most frigid, icy, snow-filled week just as we were traveling…but the angels surrounded us on our way and I was mindful of the God-hugs. Thank you for your prayers my friends.

    It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. So grateful but, fear and anxiety were there, as well as a deep well of grief as my sister died after a long illness days before we left. My husband and I packed and loaded the trailer ourselves, and Mother Nature decided to dump a load of snow on us in the middle of this process. So, since we had already sold our tractor and snow plow, we had to shovel the old fashioned way…..several times! It was a lot of physical labor for our 65+ year old bodies! But I chose to be grateful for the distraction as it provided an outlet for my grief.

    So, my friends, so much joy that we are living here in this beautiful landscape….mountains have replaced our beloved farmland. But most of all that we are together as a family once again. Our younger daughter is living with us in our full furnished rental for now, and our older daughter and her husband are just 10 minutes away. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

    And so grateful to be here once again with all of you on this Tuesday. As always, my thoughts turn to our dear Ursula who I believe was one of the angels guiding and protecting us on our journey. 😇

    ~Om Shanti friends ♥

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    • Pilgrim
      Dear Diane, my friend and adventurer, woman of wisdom, I am very sorry to know of your sister's death. May her memory be a blessing. always. I am grateful to know that you have arrived in your new home and with your beloved daughters. Such a difference this will make in your daily lives to have them nearby. And when you are rested and recovered, you have the gift of discovery of this new place, starting "close in" (David Whyte), and having this new adventure at your feet. No need to rush, but r...

      Dear Diane, my friend and adventurer, woman of wisdom, I am very sorry to know of your sister’s death. May her memory be a blessing. always.
      I am grateful to know that you have arrived in your new home and with your beloved daughters. Such a difference this will make in your daily lives to have them nearby. And when you are rested and recovered, you have the gift of discovery of this new place, starting “close in” (David Whyte), and having this new adventure at your feet. No need to rush, but rather to dwell first in the closeness of family, and to give yourself time to heal and settle and move outward in the days and years ahead. It is a gift to me/us that already you are staying in touch. I look forward to hearing and learning more in the days and weeks ahead.
      In the meantime, Blessings upon Blessings, my friend.

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      • Diane

        Thank you my dear friend. Your words and your presence in my life are a gift to me.
        Today is my older daughter’s birthday and I am beyond grateful that this year we will celebrate it together.

        I am looking forward to whatever adventures God and the Universe has in store for us! And I am sending blessings right back to you with my grateful love ♥

    • Ose
      Dear Diane, I am so sorry about the passing of your beloved sister. May she be safely guided by His light in the other realm wherever she might be now. Thank you for letting us know, and also that you let us take part in your moving and take the extra effort to share here despite all the work such a change asks of you and your loved ones. Wishing you that your grief may slowly subside and in the mean time, while paradoxes and antagonisms may be present in the same time, a peaceful and happy star...

      Dear Diane, I am so sorry about the passing of your beloved sister. May she be safely guided by His light in the other realm wherever she might be now. Thank you for letting us know, and also that you let us take part in your moving and take the extra effort to share here despite all the work such a change asks of you and your loved ones. Wishing you that your grief may slowly subside and in the mean time, while paradoxes and antagonisms may be present in the same time, a peaceful and happy start in your new home. Warmly, Ose

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      • Diane

        Dear Ose…thank you for your kind words. They are a blessing to me and a reminder that my sister is safe now and free from pain.
        ~With grateful love my friend ♥

    • k'Care-Reena

      Your message is extremely empowering. The positivity you are giving off is a breath of fresh air and its contagious. I am sorry for your lost and send comprehensive grief energy your way so assist with you through this message. I am glad to see you are surrounded by loved ones and some of your support system. There is nothing like knowing your loved ones have your back. Keep going and keep growing Diane.

      • Diane

        Thank you for your kind words kCare-Reena. I am indeed very grateful that our little family is together again.

        Wishing you a peace-filled day…come visit us again!

    • Anna
      Dear Diane, I am so sorry for the death of your beloved sister. May she put a hand on your shoulder and protect you in your new life in Colorado. A new angel for you. It is so strange, dear Diane, that in the midst of sad news we enjoy other beautiful experiences. When my father was in pain last fall, I knew this paradoxical state of life: worry, anxiety, sadness, fear and at the same time I enjoyed the colors of autumn, my cozy home after a stressful day ..., love some friends of mine ... I ...

      Dear Diane, I am so sorry for the death of your beloved sister. May she put a hand on your shoulder and protect you in your new life in Colorado. A new angel for you.
      It is so strange, dear Diane, that in the midst of sad news we enjoy other beautiful experiences.
      When my father was in pain last fall, I knew this paradoxical state of life: worry, anxiety, sadness, fear and at the same time I enjoyed the colors of autumn, my cozy home after a stressful day …, love some friends of mine …
      I wish you wonderful days in Colorado, I imagine a landscape that fills the soul with awe. I also imagine you and your husband with your daughters …! What a joy!
      If I don’t make a mistake, Manda, one of the old friends of this sacred community, is from Colorado!

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      • Diane
        Cara Anna....thank you for your kind words and for sharing your own journey on the loss of your papa with me. You have beautifully described the paradox that I was experiencing...we are spirit-sisters in this my friend. Manda is actually from Flagstaff in Northern Arizona, which is very similar in landscape to Colorado! It's about 10 hours south of where we are in Colorado. I wonder how our sweet Manda is doing....I miss her! I am so happy and grateful that you are still here mio amic...

        Cara Anna….thank you for your kind words and for sharing your own journey on the loss of your papa with me. You have beautifully described the paradox that I was experiencing…we are spirit-sisters in this my friend.

        Manda is actually from Flagstaff in Northern Arizona, which is very similar in landscape to Colorado! It’s about 10 hours south of where we are in Colorado. I wonder how our sweet Manda is doing….I miss her!

        I am so happy and grateful that you are still here mio amica! Sending you my love and blessings ♥♥♥♥

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        • Anna

          A geographic mistake 😊😊!!
          Blessings to you dear Diane! Many blessings!

  • Drew Blanton

    I get my second COVID-19 dose today, and tomorrow I turn 49.

    • Ose

      Happy birthday, dear Drew! ️🎂 May you have a lovely day with sunshine in your heart. ☀️

    • Diane

      Good morning Drew and happiest of birthdays to you! So glad to hear that you are all vaccinated! That’s a wonderful birthday present! 🙂

    • Anna

      Happy birthday Drew!
      Today I subscribed the first dose for my mother, and I hope that I can quickly subscribe mine, and those for my husband and sons as well.

    • Pilgrim

      That’s great that you got your second dose, Drew. And Happy Birthday tomorrow!!

  • Michael Hartland

    I only discovered this site yesterday, and I am very excited by this movement, having listened to some of Brother David’s talks on video.

    I write poetry and realised that the five guiding principles could be expressed as a simple poem like this:

    ~

    Life

    Is a gift

    ~

    Everything is

    A surprise

    ~

    The ordinary

    Is extraordinary

    ~

    Appreciation

    Is generative

    ~

    Love

    Is transformative

    ~

    • k'Care-Reena

      This is great stuff. I feel like it can be a mantra !!! awesome stuff Michael

    • Ose

      Welcome, Michael, and thank you for your beautiful post!

    • Diane

      Good morning Michael….welcome to this sacred community. You will find much wisdom, support and compassion here with these lovely people. I love your poem and hope you will continue to share your gift with us here!
      ~Om Shanti friend ♥

    • Annie

      Welcome Michael !!! Beautiful post ! Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing more of you.
      God bless

    • Anna

      Welcome Michael!

    • Mike S

      Welcome Michael to this site. There’s lots going on, all aiming to help us cultivate and share gratefulness in our lives. I’ve gotten a lot out of the practice.

  • Mica

    I found this on my old tablet today

    • k'Care-Reena
      There is nothing like reflecting. I love when I find things from my past. It is a form of time travel as I am able to take myself back in time and harness the emotions and feelings I was feeling. However sketches have the abilities to harness the emotions you are also able to identify the growth you have made with the sketching tools you have used. I am recently painting something cool for a client of mine because I am unable to physically be near them. It has taken me a few months to create the...

      There is nothing like reflecting. I love when I find things from my past. It is a form of time travel as I am able to take myself back in time and harness the emotions and feelings I was feeling. However sketches have the abilities to harness the emotions you are also able to identify the growth you have made with the sketching tools you have used. I am recently painting something cool for a client of mine because I am unable to physically be near them. It has taken me a few months to create the painting and usually finish after a transformation has been made. And because I take so long I am also able to the see the progression. Tell me what you all think, the order of the sequence is from left to right (first on top left 2nd top right 3rd bottom left 4th bottom right)

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      • Mica

        Thank you for sharing this, k’Care-Reena! I love how the big hand turned into a nourishing green! And I love the bare trees in #4 – they are a compelling image for me [whatever I mean by that..]. The rocks and more life-like background in #2 – ‘life-like’ being how complex our lives are – and with rocks in them! Is that Tarzan in the bottom corner of #3? Who/what is that man reaching out to? Thank you so much!

    • Palm

      Lovely, Mica, thank you. I’m curious to know more about the drawing thou…

      • Mica
        Thanks, Palm, for your interest – it was in the AutoDesk SketchBook app on my 8-yr-old Samsung tablet, and I opened the app last night for the first time in years. This picture in the gallery entertained me the most. If you can zoom in enough, you’ll see how the flower is drooping in the flowerpot by the door. But the person in the window seems quite happy. It’s unique among my drawings – most of them have similarities to some of the other drawings. It’s a gray Valentine’s Day here t...

        Thanks, Palm, for your interest – it was in the AutoDesk SketchBook app on my 8-yr-old Samsung tablet, and I opened the app last night for the first time in years. This picture in the gallery entertained me the most. If you can zoom in enough, you’ll see how the flower is drooping in the flowerpot by the door. But the person in the window seems quite happy. It’s unique among my drawings – most of them have similarities to some of the other drawings. It’s a gray Valentine’s Day here today.

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        • Palm

          Thanks, Mica, for telling me more… I see the flower drooping and the happy face 🙂 also, it seems to be cloudy like you Valentine day ❣️

          • Mica

            Yes, it looks like there’s an element of air pollution even. Thanks again, Palm, for you interest

  • Drew Blanton

    My latest photopainting’s finally ready, and it features manatees.

  • Anna

    Dear Palm, I found your reply to one of my posts, and I want to thank you and to give you a virtual hug!
    I hope you and your family are well, especially your daughter.
    And I add, for you all here:
    lately I am not writing a lot. I am always here, I meditate, I am reading Kristie’s new book…
    After my father’s death, and my mother-in-law’s death for Covid, I feel in a new season of my life.
    I am busy, I do not find words, sometimes. But I feel my love for you all here.

    Warmly
    Anna

    • Palm

      Dear Anna, thank you! I understand, there are times for introspection, and we need to honour our soul’s needs. Your heart has been through a lot. A virtual hug to you!

  • Sara
    Hi, I'm new here. So I guess I will introduce myself. My name is Sara. I am a Mom, wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend and soul. I have one daughter who is a senior in high school. I have 4 cats, 1 dog and two fish tanks. My 93 year old Nana lives with my family. I also love yoga and have a daily practice. I like to cook and bake, my husband thinks he lives in a bakery sometimes. I am working on myself by going to therapy for past traumas. I am looking forward to sharing my everyday moments bi...

    Hi, I’m new here. So I guess I will introduce myself. My name is Sara. I am a Mom, wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend and soul. I have one daughter who is a senior in high school. I have 4 cats, 1 dog and two fish tanks. My 93 year old Nana lives with my family. I also love yoga and have a daily practice. I like to cook and bake, my husband thinks he lives in a bakery sometimes. I am working on myself by going to therapy for past traumas. I am looking forward to sharing my everyday moments big or small with a like minded community. 🙂

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    • Diane

      I’m a bit late Sara but hope that you do feel welcomed here in this sacred community.
      My own Nana lived with us as I was growing up…..she helped to raise us and provided the closest to unconditional love I will ever experience in this life. She was a gift and a light for my young self growing up in an extremely dysfunctional household. I believe she is still watching over me. 🙏
      ~Blessings ♥

    • Mike S

      Welcome to this community. We all have had our share of suffering, which is part of life’s journey. I have found much openness and compassion from members in this space. I trust you will as well. Be well.

    • Palm

      Hello Sara, thank you for sharing. I love your icon, welcome.

    • Anna

      I love your introduction Sara!
      Welcome here!

    • miguelie
      Welcome to this space for practice and inspiration, Sara. I have been utilizing this space to cultivate gratefulness for a few years now and have found it to be refreshing and helpful. I have never visited the lounge before now, and I saw that you recently posted and was moved to offer a friendly hello. How fortunate you are to have you Nana with you and that you are on a path to understand and heal your trauma. Your path is full of courage and heart. When you heal yourself, you heal the world...

      Welcome to this space for practice and inspiration, Sara. I have been utilizing this space to cultivate gratefulness for a few years now and have found it to be refreshing and helpful. I have never visited the lounge before now, and I saw that you recently posted and was moved to offer a friendly hello. How fortunate you are to have you Nana with you and that you are on a path to understand and heal your trauma. Your path is full of courage and heart. When you heal yourself, you heal the world.

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      • Diane

        Welcome Miguelie….thank you for visiting the lounge. I agree with your wisdom that when we heal ourselves, we are shining a light for the world.
        ~Blessings ♥

      • Palm

        Warm hello, miguelie

      • Anna

        Welcome to you as well, Miguelie!

    • Pilgrim

      Welcome, Sara! We are so happy that you have joined us here!

  • Mike S

    Have any of you heard about the work of Thomas Hubl who writes and does workshops on healing systemic trauma? His book titled Healing Collective Trauma is really powerful and I recommend fir any who are doing inner healing work. There is a community of practioners who meet and discuss on a website called The Mystic Cafe.

  • Mary
    Hello to everyone! Once again it has been awhile. I want to catch up with everyone, but I will share first and then go back and try to catch up on your posts. Happy 2021!! Looking for positive changes! I just read a Practice Invitation on this Gratefulness website for integrating Rituals into our lives. That sounds wonderful to me so I signed up for it. I would like to bring spiritual rituals into my life. I am hanging in there with the ongoing Covid pandemic. I hope all of you are mak...

    Hello to everyone!
    Once again it has been awhile. I want to catch up with everyone, but I will share first and then go back and try to catch up on your posts.
    Happy 2021!! Looking for positive changes!
    I just read a Practice Invitation on this Gratefulness website for integrating Rituals into our lives. That sounds wonderful to me so I signed up for it.
    I would like to bring spiritual rituals into my life.
    I am hanging in there with the ongoing Covid pandemic. I hope all of you are making it through and doing well. That may be getting to be difficult for those of you living in a cold climate. I have it pretty easy in the winter since Florida, even North Florida has pretty mild winters.
    As far as getting out goes, my husband and I go a fitness center that we trust about four times a week. We grocery shop and I visit my Mom. Other than that we isolate.
    I have started an online art class which is very interesting. My confidence as an artist is not great but I am trying to be about the process and trying to stay out of my (self critical) head.
    So gratefulness. Gratefulness. That is the thing to be thinking about, the thing to be living. I am looking forward to the 7 day Ritual Practice as a way to center myself spiritually. I would like to live my life in an intentional way and create more order. I can be a bit of a couch potato when given the option, but that is not what I want for myself.
    I have been considering beginning a meditation practice. I may be starting that soon.
    One thing I have really been enjoying is photography. I take pictures all the time. I like to photograph trees and the sky, clouds, and flowers.
    It is bedtime. I am thinking of all of you in this community and wishing you warmth, comfort, and contentment.
    Sending my love to you, 💕💕💕
    Mary

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    • Anna

      See you soon at the 7 day Ritual practice, Mary!!

    • Mica

      Indeed, Mary – it’s wonderful to live in a warm climate now, even tho the windows in my condo all face southwest and bring in too much heat when it’s hot. And grocery shopping has become almost a treat, for me. Photography – yes! Enjoy! And your online art class!
      I enjoy weekly Art from Scrap classes for kids at Explore Ecology – here’s their calendar https://exploreecology.org/calendar/list/
      The classes cost very little.
      We’re making valentines on Feb 10 🙂
      Love and hugs to you –

      • Mary

        Hi Mica! Yes, art is good.
        I have been enjoying photography for quite a while.
        I started using my photos today to make a collage.
        I think this will be an interesting direction.
        I will see where this goes. 🤓
        Love and peace. 💕
        Mary

  • Mica

    Where’s the banner picture for the lounge? It is important!

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