Gratitude Lounge Welcome to our community space to support and celebrate Grateful Living. Please consider reflecting on questions such as these: What am I grateful for? How does gratefulness enrich my life, my community, the world? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? You are welcome to include images and videos to illustrate your reflections… Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Diane3 weeks agoDianeGood morning lovely people What a joy for me to be here with you this day…. I have nothing that I have to do and no where I have to be. I am so grateful for that. Last night, while drifting off to sleep I held all of you up in prayer. The frigid temperatures have exacerbated my fibromyalgia but I give thanks for the electric blanket that was a Christmas present from my daughters. It is so delightful to lie beneath it and feel its warmth. Today I shall spend time...Good morning lovely people What a joy for me to be here with you this day…. I have nothing that I have to do and no where I have to be. I am so grateful for that. Last night, while drifting off to sleep I held all of you up in prayer. The frigid temperatures have exacerbated my fibromyalgia but I give thanks for the electric blanket that was a Christmas present from my daughters. It is so delightful to lie beneath it and feel its warmth. Today I shall spend time doing just that! To help get me through the winter, my younger daughter who is currently living with us and sees how I struggle with the cold, put together a thoughtful gift for me…..2 small cactus plants that sit next to me now (I have named them “Standing Bear” and “Henry”), a string of l.e.d. lights that are shaped like cactii, and a scented “Cactus Blossom” candle. All of these are to remind me of the Arizona sunshine and desert landscape that I so love. 🌵 She also got me a delightful book entitled “The Little Book of Hygge” 🙂 Here is an excerpt that I share with grateful love. ♥ ~Wishing you all a cozy day “Hygge Emergency Kit” Some suggestions of items to have on hand when you are low on energy, have no plans, don’t feel like going out, and are in the mood for some quality time alone” When you need Hygge! 1. Candles 2. Some good-quality chocolate 3. Your favorite tea 4. Your favorite book/film/TV series 5. A good pair of cozy woolen socks 6. A nice blanket 7. Music Read More4 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Diane! Your Hygge Emergency Kit is a good suggestion! I often relax on my sofa, with a nice blanket and reading this site! Sometimes with a cup of tea…or watching TV series…I do hygge without knowing it☺️. 0 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeCara Anna….I am smiling with the thought that we are hygge buddies! 🙂 Much love to you dear friend ♥ 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimI am happy to read from you today, Diane. My fibro has been pretty “present” the last few days with the ever-changing weather. Such beautiful gifts you receive from your daughters. They know you very well! Blessings, my friend. 2 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeGood morning dear Pilgrim So….our old friend “fibro” has decided to visit us both it seems. While we can appreciate the winter for its own unique gifts, let us look ahead to warmer days ahead! I have a bookmark with a prayer blessing by Sister Joyce Rupp. It’s called “A Winter Blessing”. I hope that it encourages your spirit, as it did mine when I read it this morning. ~With love dear friend ♥ A WINTER BLESSING “Blesse...Good morning dear Pilgrim So….our old friend “fibro” has decided to visit us both it seems. While we can appreciate the winter for its own unique gifts, let us look ahead to warmer days ahead! I have a bookmark with a prayer blessing by Sister Joyce Rupp. It’s called “A Winter Blessing”. I hope that it encourages your spirit, as it did mine when I read it this morning. ~With love dear friend ♥ A WINTER BLESSING “Blessed are you, winter, dark season of waiting. You affirm the dark seasons of our lives, forecasting the weather of waiting in hope. Blessed are you, winter, frozen and cold on the outside, within your silent, nurturing womb you warmly welcome all that longs for renewal. Blessed are you, winter. Your bleak, barren trees preach wordless sermons about emptiness and solitude. Blessed are you, winter. You teach us valuable lessons about waiting in darkness with hope and trust. Blessed are you, winter. Your inconsistent moods often challenge spring’s arrival. Yet how gracefully you step aside when her time has come. Read More1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaBeautiful poem! 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimDear Diane, thank you for these words from Joyce Rupp – a wise woman! I have appreciated her work along my pathway, and this poem is perfect to read over and over again. I join you, also, in looking forward to warmer days. I also appreciate your words above. Thank you sharing your inspiration to break into dance! What a blessing to be in the circle of family in these days. Take good care of you! 1 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Diane, it is a joy to see you here and in fact it warms my heart in a perfectly “hygge” way. What thoughtful gifts from your daughter, she knows you so well. Cacti and succulents are my favorite kind of houseplants but I don’t have a sunny window for them now. I too have a hard time with winter and very much miss the dazzling winter sun of the Rocky Mountain West, where I used to live. But there is beauty in this Appalachian winter, too. You shared a prayer I remem...Dear Diane, it is a joy to see you here and in fact it warms my heart in a perfectly “hygge” way. What thoughtful gifts from your daughter, she knows you so well. Cacti and succulents are my favorite kind of houseplants but I don’t have a sunny window for them now. I too have a hard time with winter and very much miss the dazzling winter sun of the Rocky Mountain West, where I used to live. But there is beauty in this Appalachian winter, too. You shared a prayer I remember, “teach me to see the glory in the gray.” And I thought of you when I welcomed back a few weeks ago the yellow-bellied sapsucker who always spends the winter here. It reminded me of the beautiful Native American story you pointed me toward… how woodpecker showed humankind the gift of sugar maple, sweet sap. Thank you for this and all that you share. Be cozy and well, friend. Read More1 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeDear grateful sea….thank you for sharing about the little ways that I may have encouraged your heart and spirit. It is a gift for me to know that. I am so enamored with the desert landscape…it stirs my soul in ways that are difficult to articulate. Native American spirituality and traditions as well. My older daughter lived in Arizona for 11 years before moving to Denver 4 years ago. I always felt my best physically when I visited her there. But even more than that, I ...Dear grateful sea….thank you for sharing about the little ways that I may have encouraged your heart and spirit. It is a gift for me to know that. I am so enamored with the desert landscape…it stirs my soul in ways that are difficult to articulate. Native American spirituality and traditions as well. My older daughter lived in Arizona for 11 years before moving to Denver 4 years ago. I always felt my best physically when I visited her there. But even more than that, I felt a deep visceral and spiritual connection….I called it my magical fairy tale land 🙂 There is indeed, glory in the grey, and beauty in every part of creation. I am in love with the farmlands where I currently live and am grateful to be able to enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the Rockies when I visit her and her new husband in Denver. We are kindred spirits in this my friend. ~Have a blessed day .♥ Read More1 Reply Madhurima3 weeks agoMadhurimaI am grateful that me and Leonard are together today with each other enjoying our day our Anniversary. I felt so much peace, calmness and love all day. We made a great breakfast and lunch dinner. All day we watched so good Horror web series i am just impressed. It felt nice to just dedicate our day to ourselves. I love him so much. Am thankful to get him. 4 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaMany blessings to you and your Leonard, Madhurima. 0 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaHappy Anniversary to you and Leonard. May you be abundantly blessed. 1 Reply Ursula3 weeks agoUrsulaAll my dear friends writing here and suffering from various Problems: I am thinking of each of you and appreciate your sharings! I am very tired at present and want to take care of myself, so I write less here and go to bed earlier. The self love online course means some effort for me because I want to take notes … and have to be careful not to miss the Mirror work in itself! I know it Pays off to do it, and to let self love flow through my whole being. when I am able to do it, I fe...All my dear friends writing here and suffering from various Problems: I am thinking of each of you and appreciate your sharings! I am very tired at present and want to take care of myself, so I write less here and go to bed earlier. The self love online course means some effort for me because I want to take notes … and have to be careful not to miss the Mirror work in itself! I know it Pays off to do it, and to let self love flow through my whole being. when I am able to do it, I feel the effects instantly! It is so beautiful to permeate oneself with the colours and warmth of (self) love! So I wish you to be able to do this, too! Make an effort and smile at yourself in the mirror – the reflection of your Image in the Mirror will smile back to you! Even if you don’t feel like it – try! And if tears flow, let them flow … you will feel lighter afterwards! Much love and blessings to all of you! Ursula Read More4 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaThank you, Ursula, I will try this. On Sunday, I fainted and fell on my face so I am all scraped and bruised up. The perfect time to start mirror work, right? How beautiful the way you describe the colors and warmth of self-love. I wish this for you, for me, for all. Please do not feel pressure to reply, I just wanted you to know how I appreciate your sharing. Sent with love from grateful sea. 1 Reply Ursula3 weeks agoUrsulaDear grateful sea, your post came in on the right time, as I have just started my Computer … So sorry for your accident!! How are you right now? I hope you are feeling better, and the scrapes and bruises will go away! I hope this is all which remains from the malaise! If you were in my country, I would have a homeopathic Suggestion so the bruises go away more quickly … but you could also try hematite stone if you have one. Actually, when you stroke or caress (this is a good s...Dear grateful sea, your post came in on the right time, as I have just started my Computer … So sorry for your accident!! How are you right now? I hope you are feeling better, and the scrapes and bruises will go away! I hope this is all which remains from the malaise! If you were in my country, I would have a homeopathic Suggestion so the bruises go away more quickly … but you could also try hematite stone if you have one. Actually, when you stroke or caress (this is a good self love exercise btw) the bruises with the hematite, not forgetting to clean it with small clear quartz crystals from time to time, they will heal more quickly … Plus, one of the self love exercises proposed just this: Do the exercise when you don’t feel or look your best (this might be for advanced self lovers, and I suppose you are one, dear friend!!) and say to yourself: ” I love you, I really, really love you, …. (say your name!)” And if you have difficulty, do it anyway, saying: “This shall pass, and I love you, and I always will love you”!! You know what? Today and in general these days, it is all a Little difficult for me … the cold, the lack of Sleep (I often get up in the morning and get my son to School by car without having had breakfast before), and today I felt weak. But I smiled at myself in the mirror, and I sent my own love to myself when I was in the car, telling me that I was so excited about my beautiful self … and it really felt likewonderful self love! And I tell myself that I deserve all good! That’s wonderful if I consider that not long ago, I felt guilty for acting like my parents when I was young … and I condemned them then and myself now. Now I say to myself that I am deserving softness, gentleness, well-being, joy! If I want to have these, then I must let go of harshness etc, with others and myself. And I saw some positive changes in difficult situations with my son(s) and husband … I wish this for you, grateful sea! You deserve it so much!!!!!! Get well, be well and be self loving! You are worth it!(I already sound like Louise Hay & friends, I notice ;-)) WIth much love! Ursula Read More2 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimDear Ursula, I just want to pop in here to say thank you – I am writing down “I am deserving softness, gentleness, well-being, joy!” I really need this mantra right now. Be well, my friend. And I love your new, happy flower icon! It is like Spring come to visit. 1 Reply Ursula3 weeks agoUrsula😊 1 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaThank you so much, dear Ursula. I am fine, just a bit sore from the neck up and looking rough 🙂 I am very much not an “advanced self-lover” but will start the mirror work from where I am. And I am encouraged to read about the inner transformation you are experiencing despite your challenges. Yes, I agree you are sounding like Louise Hay and friends 🙂 “And so it is.” 1 Reply Ursula3 weeks agoUrsula😊 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaThank you Ursula, it is a wonderful way to begin the day! 1 Reply Sylvie3 weeks agoSylvieI’d like to join our string of lights around the world. May the longtime sun shine upon us all…with love from Sylvie and Awinchen 6 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenHI like the unusual light picture 1 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaYes, I agree, it is stunning. Maybe a hammered copper plate? It appears so elemental, like our magnificent flaring sun. 1 Reply Sylvie3 weeks agoSylvieDear grateful sea, you are absolutly right. It’s a hammered copper bowl, that I lit on our Common prayer day. I was surprised how reduced to the basic and elementary it showed on the picture. Love from Sylvie and Awinchen 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaThank you Sylvie, may this string of light bring us strength, peace, courage. Your picture are always so meaningful! A big hug also to Gabi. 1 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenHCould Awinchen be the one pictured with you name under him/her? 1 Reply Sylvie3 weeks agoSylvieDear HelenH, yes, thats Awinchen ! My little Chihuahua, now 13 years old. She is my best friend and co-therapist at work. She does lots of good there with the children .And nowadays she is even showing the end of the meeting, after 50 minutes she gets up and stands in the middle of the room. Saying, time is over. Marvellous little creature ! Greetings from Sylvie and Awinchen 1 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenHThank you! 1 Reply Ursula3 weeks agoUrsulaYes, indeed! 😉 1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmSo beautiful, thank you dear Sylvie, I am happy to join, I like it as a string of light because it’s open for more and more of us. With love from Palm 2 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaThank you Sylvie, Ursula, Pilgrim, and All. I join my light with yours, my heart’s song with yours. With love from grateful sea. 4 Reply Ursula3 weeks agoUrsulaThank you, dear friend! And upon you as well! With love! Ursula 4 Reply Sylvie3 weeks agoSylvieThank you dear friend ! I was just doing my morning meditation and singing one my favourite Taize songs : I am sure I shall see the goodness of the lord In the land of the living Yes I shall see the goodness of our God Hold firm trust in the Lord. 3 Reply Michele2 weeks agoMicheleBeautiful Sylvie. The Lord is indeed my Shepard. I was raised Catholic but believe in the creator bring the spirit that guides your heart. I love the teachings of the Buddha and very much try to follow the teachings of all the great masters which is love one another as you would love yourself. I 0 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaYes, I am with you Sylvie. 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimDear Sylvie, Thank you. There is a line I go back to in my thoughts very often, that first started running through my head about 35 years ago after being in a serious car crash: “How shall I sing of the goodness of God in the land of the living?” – probably my church’s wording for the same song. These words show up for me whenever I am disheartened or scared, or bogged down in some pity party or whatever, and are the quick route to gratitude. I am more than grateful fo...Dear Sylvie, Thank you. There is a line I go back to in my thoughts very often, that first started running through my head about 35 years ago after being in a serious car crash: “How shall I sing of the goodness of God in the land of the living?” – probably my church’s wording for the same song. These words show up for me whenever I am disheartened or scared, or bogged down in some pity party or whatever, and are the quick route to gratitude. I am more than grateful for this reminder from you, my friend. Love to you, Gabi and Awinchen on this communal day of prayer. Read More5 Reply Michele3 weeks agoMicheleDearest Pilgrim, Mary, Anna, grateful sea, Sylvie, THenry, Ursula, Ose, Palm and all my dear friends. I regret if I did not mention your name but my mind of full of anxiety these days. Times have not been good at present and I am withdrawn and trying to regain courage and strength, these things have been drained the past months and I prayed so to start a new year of peace. That was not to be, so I need to gather myself in this frigid, isolating weather and ask all of my guardian angels ...Dearest Pilgrim, Mary, Anna, grateful sea, Sylvie, THenry, Ursula, Ose, Palm and all my dear friends. I regret if I did not mention your name but my mind of full of anxiety these days. Times have not been good at present and I am withdrawn and trying to regain courage and strength, these things have been drained the past months and I prayed so to start a new year of peace. That was not to be, so I need to gather myself in this frigid, isolating weather and ask all of my guardian angels on earth and those gone to to come to my aid with strength and feelings of well being. Because I have not written does not indicate my lack of thinking and praying for you all often. That is all I can say for now but I am sending my most grateful love. Read More3 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmMichele, take care dear friend, I understand, winter is not easy for me either, I also share exactly what grateful sea said below, sending warmth and love from Palm 2 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaGood morning, dear Michele. We are here for you, with all of our love. And we do not doubt your love, even when you are quiet. Sending so much love from grateful sea. 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Michele, of course we hold you in our hearts, admiring your courage and your honest sharing. Winter is a long season my dear Michele, and just when the light seems to be longer, cold weather becomes worst. So our pains seem to go deeper and deeper. Be strong, take care dear friend, and when you want to speak, we are here with you. 3 Reply Ose3 weeks agoOseIn my heart, you always have been present, dear friend, and my prayers are with you in these difficult times. May you feel sheltered, and may you be blessed with strength and all guardian angels to be completely well again, dear Michele. If I may, please feel warmly embraced. 4 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimI will be holding you in prayer, Dear Michele, in these difficult days. May your courage and strength resurface, knowing that all of us here think of you as you walk through these days. Holding the light of hope for you, my friend. 4 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenHHoping to cheer you – I never saw Benji holding a stuffy like this. Hugs to you – and give yourself hugs too! 4 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmSuch a heart warmer! 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Sylvie, dear Grateful Sea, thank you for your thoughts! My father seems calm, I think he is comforted because we are all facing well, not worried in an exasperated way, not becoming sad, but keeping our life as usual, behaving normally every day. My sons are always a good reference point for laughter, and the same goes for my dear John, the disabled son of my cousin, who is so fond of my father and husband, and is so kind and makes us laugh so much. Also, the oncologist does ...Dear Sylvie, dear Grateful Sea, thank you for your thoughts! My father seems calm, I think he is comforted because we are all facing well, not worried in an exasperated way, not becoming sad, but keeping our life as usual, behaving normally every day. My sons are always a good reference point for laughter, and the same goes for my dear John, the disabled son of my cousin, who is so fond of my father and husband, and is so kind and makes us laugh so much. Also, the oncologist does not imagine a dramatic situation, he said that the medical team is thinking about chemotherapy, since my father has good health, apart from mesothelioma. It’s just a little hypertensive. now a TAC is planned to know the extent of cancer and we hope well, because my father has already been under medical supervision for his lungs last spring. I also hope that his interests in environmental, political and religious matters will help him to divert his mind from excessive concerns. We often talk and discuss these things together. I am confident but I also hope not to be contradicted. But, to be honest, when he had to go to the oncologist, I had to take him with me, and I did not, because I had a big headache, perhaps caused by both my hormone imbalance and the concern to talk about cancer. My sister went and the oncologist was so kind. a big hug, my dear friends, forgive the lenght of my post. With love, Anna. Read More3 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Anna, thank you for your update. I am grateful for the length of your post, because with all the detail, it really helps me feel a part of your life and that is a gift you give. It is so good to know about your family, that they are all there to support your father and each other with love and often laughter. Sending a big hug to you with love from grateful sea. 0 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmA big hug to you, dear Anna, I am grateful for your update, your family is wise and brave, this is a blessing. With love to you dear friend, from Palm 0 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaThank you my friend! 1 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenH“laughter, the best medicine” – still true! in addition to many other good and needed medicines. I liked that bit about your sons in your post. 2 Reply Michele3 weeks agoMicheleDearest Anna I have been away from my friends here for a while due to medical issues but I want you to know I hold your father and your family in the light of my heart. My prayers are with you all. 3 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaMichele! So happy to see you, we are here at the same time! Be well my friend! Thank you!❤️ 3 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryDear Kevin, Your photo of the horse at the ocean that you took at Vieques is amazing. The horse, all power and energy, and the water all around, a force of quiet beauty. I didn’t know anything about Vieques so I looked it up, found out it is in Puerto Rico, and was fascinated as I read about it! What a wonderful place! Have you been there before? 2 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeSomewhere over the rainbow…… This picture was taken from our backyard this summer and represents the deepest desires of my heart…for myself and for all of you my dear friends. ~Sending you all my love and blessings. 🌈 9 Reply Michele3 weeks agoMicheleI love rainbows as you know! Thank you so much for lightening my spirit! 1 Reply Ursula3 weeks agoUrsulaDiane!! So happy to see you here! Thank you for your Beautiful post! I had often thought of you and just today or last evening I asked myself when Diane would post here again! So now you did! That’s an answered prayer I am sure! Along with you I thought of Aine as well, who is missing here; somehow she is connected with you in my mind … I wondered which challenges you might have. For now I am happy to see you, and if you want to share more, this will be welcome, o...Diane!! So happy to see you here! Thank you for your Beautiful post! I had often thought of you and just today or last evening I asked myself when Diane would post here again! So now you did! That’s an answered prayer I am sure! Along with you I thought of Aine as well, who is missing here; somehow she is connected with you in my mind … I wondered which challenges you might have. For now I am happy to see you, and if you want to share more, this will be welcome, our dear friend! For all others who are sharing here – I have discovered many new Posts here but am unable to answer to each at the moment … quite busy and having had some hard times recently (family issues having aroused old childhood trauma and guilty feelings). Also, my mobile phone doesn’t allow any activity on gratefulness, I have no idea why … so each time I want to share or read an entire post, I have to open my computer …. Does the gratefulness team have any solutions for this problem?? Best to everyone! I will think of you again tomorrow on Tuesday as I make my Community Prayer! Read More1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMarySo good to hear from you, Diane! Thank you for the beautiful double rainbow. May your love and blessings come back to you one thousand times over. Love, peace and prayers, Mary 3 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeGood morning my dear gratefulness friends Please forgive me for being away from you for so long. It warmed my heart to see that I have been thought of and missed. This morning I finally have some quiet “me” time and it is a joy for me to be here with you all in this sacred space. Please know that I have been thinking of you during this dry spell. The other day I heard on NPR while driving in my car, that Mary Oliver had died and my very first thought was of you...Good morning my dear gratefulness friends Please forgive me for being away from you for so long. It warmed my heart to see that I have been thought of and missed. This morning I finally have some quiet “me” time and it is a joy for me to be here with you all in this sacred space. Please know that I have been thinking of you during this dry spell. The other day I heard on NPR while driving in my car, that Mary Oliver had died and my very first thought was of you dear Pilgrim…knowing your love of her poetry. It made me smile when I signed on this morning and saw the beautiful poetry and sentiments that were shared. To my dear Anna…I am so sorry that I caused you any sadness. Your words were like a arrow in my heart….I realize how thoughtless it was of me to not check in sooner. It is a healing balm to know that I am missed. I don’t have words right now….I am OK but going through some challenges and changes, physically, spiritually and emotionally. For now I hope you will all know that I hold you close in my heart and that I am so grateful for all of you here. Have a blessed day dear friends and fellow travelers. ~With grateful love ♥ Read More6 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaOr my dear Diane, I never wanted to cause you any pain, the fact is that I feel a great affection for everyone here, so I miss you when I can not see you! In any case, I’m so grateful to see your icon and know you’re okay. Thank you for the rainbows above!💕 2 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimI am so glad to read from you this morning, dear Diane! Of course we all understand when one of our friends is not here in print, for any number of reasons. Thank you for thinking of me when you heard the news of Mary Oliver. She contributed much to my spirituality and love of poetry in her celebration of nature and the wisdom that comes from paying attention in the world. Please take care of yourself in these winter days and during your challenges and changes. I hold you in friendshi...I am so glad to read from you this morning, dear Diane! Of course we all understand when one of our friends is not here in print, for any number of reasons. Thank you for thinking of me when you heard the news of Mary Oliver. She contributed much to my spirituality and love of poetry in her celebration of nature and the wisdom that comes from paying attention in the world. Please take care of yourself in these winter days and during your challenges and changes. I hold you in friendship, light and grace, my friend. Read More4 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Diane, I am so happy to see you here this morning and to know you are okay. I am wishing you abundant blessings as you work through challenges. Sent with love from grateful sea. 4 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenHMary Oliver t-shirt at cafepress! Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life Mary Oliver 4 Reply Michele3 weeks agoMicheleI love this. I will look to order it. Thank you. 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimThinking about you Michele, Diane, Aine, Alicia … 5 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryI join Pilgrimin sending my love to Michele, Diane, Aine, and Alicia. It would be so nice to hear from THenry as well. Sending love to all of you, Mary 3 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryI don’t know if we hear from Debbie again, But I will always have a special place in my heart for Debbie. You an artist, a poet, a wounded hero, and someone I will always admire.sending love to you, Debbie Mary 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaI join you Pilgrim, it is always so sad when we can not see our dear friends here, and we can not know how they are, especially after sharing so many thoughts, so many feelings, joys and sorrows, faith and doubts. .. 3 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Anna, I also feel sad for this but then I can feel a kind of connection when I include them always in the circle of light on our common prayer day. As Sylvie has said below, I’ve been thinking of you, your father (and family) in these weeks after his diagnosis. Sending love and light to you from grateful sea. 1 Reply Sylvie3 weeks agoSylvieDear Anna, I’m thinking a lot of you and your dad and praying for you. How is the treatment going, how are you coping ? Sending a warm hug to Italy from an ice.-cold Black Forrest, Sylvie and Awinchen 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryHappy Sunday to all. I am feeling calm and peaceful right now and am surprised that I am feeling pretty good. I was getting kind of panicky and sick to my stomach, feeling overwhelmed about my husband who is in rehab in another state. He wants to tallk on the telephone daily, and several times a day over the weekend, while the interventionist who is tough as nails, got angry with me for being codependent and having no boundaries. She had told me not to talk to him on the phone. She said ...Happy Sunday to all. I am feeling calm and peaceful right now and am surprised that I am feeling pretty good. I was getting kind of panicky and sick to my stomach, feeling overwhelmed about my husband who is in rehab in another state. He wants to tallk on the telephone daily, and several times a day over the weekend, while the interventionist who is tough as nails, got angry with me for being codependent and having no boundaries. She had told me not to talk to him on the phone. She said he had to do his emotional work with the people at the rehab center. I really, really hate it when someone gets mad at me. I really hate it, part of being a people pleaser, I guess. I have yet to learn how to let it roll off my back and not be bothered so much by it. So my husband left a message on my phone last night, very unhappy that I had missed several of his calls. And then she becomes angry with me for taking his calls. And I just couldn’t think of anyone to talk to about this. I am not looking for advice on this, I guess I just would like a little reassurance. So my head was hurting and I was quite nauseous, and feeling like I don’t think I can function like this. Then I start telling myself that I am okay and will be okay, and I will be seeing my husband next Sunday when I travel to Arizona for family week at rehab. And lo and behold I was able to calm myself down. I did it myself. Wow. So I have been reading some Mary Oliver poems and relaxing with a cup of coffee. It is 12:45 PM. Marvin, my cat, is on the sofa next to me. It’s raining and windy and quite chilly out, 49 degrees and I think the temperature is supposed to drop throughout the day. That is pretty cold for Florida. I have new art supplies for the children at school which are sitting in a box by the front door. They were delivered on Friday. And there are some watercolors in there for me. Yay! I am still head achy and a bit shaky but I am going to be okay. I am going to get through this. I will get through this. Thanks for listening. Please say a prayer for me. Mary Read More4 Reply Michele3 weeks agoMicheleMary you are so much stronger and wiser than you know. What others say can only hurt you if you let them. Most times it is their issues and not yours. Bravo Mary! I just read you must think of yourself first, not in a selfish way, but in a way you can then be good for others! It made sense to me but hard for me to do. See how we struggle all together at times. Read your poems, cuddle with Marvin, and do what you feel is right. No one can ask more. I am so happy you overcame your sick feeling...Mary you are so much stronger and wiser than you know. What others say can only hurt you if you let them. Most times it is their issues and not yours. Bravo Mary! I just read you must think of yourself first, not in a selfish way, but in a way you can then be good for others! It made sense to me but hard for me to do. See how we struggle all together at times. Read your poems, cuddle with Marvin, and do what you feel is right. No one can ask more. I am so happy you overcame your sick feeling and found that it’s possibke to find peace in a tornado. Much love Mary as I pray my mother Mary spreads her loving protective mantle upon you. Read More0 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Mary, I just want to say I’ve been thinking of you and your husband, hoping, praying for the very best outcome. This is a pivotal time and it sounds very challenging. I’m glad Marvin is there with you. Cats can be so incredibly calming. Sending love from grateful sea. 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryThank you Grateful Sea for your thoughts, your love, and your care. It means so much to me. I am feeling much better today. This will all work out. I think this will be good for Mark, and I am glad to join him next week Although I will only see him for a few times. I think this is going to be good for me too. I need to have a stronger voice in our relationship. I believe this will help us, it’s just a little tricky getting there. Much l...Thank you Grateful Sea for your thoughts, your love, and your care. It means so much to me. I am feeling much better today. This will all work out. I think this will be good for Mark, and I am glad to join him next week Although I will only see him for a few times. I think this is going to be good for me too. I need to have a stronger voice in our relationship. I believe this will help us, it’s just a little tricky getting there. Much love to you Grateful Sea! Mary Read More4 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaSteady as she goes… so glad you are feeling much better today, dear friend. 1 Reply Sylvie3 weeks agoSylvieDear Mary, you and your husband were often on my mind and I.m glad you gave us this update. Things develop and that you could calm yourself is brilliant !!! Of course I will say a prayer for you, as I always do. Love to you dear Mary from Sylvie and Awinchen 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryThank you so much Sylvie for thinking of me. I believe things will work out and I am kind of excited about going to Arizona. I have never been out West. The traveling part makes me nervous as I have never travelled alone, but I know I will be fine. I need to decide what to say to husband about talking on the phone. I will consider the interventionist’s advice and look within myself to find my answer. Thank you, Sylvie, for being so kind and caring. Mary PS How is Gabb...Thank you so much Sylvie for thinking of me. I believe things will work out and I am kind of excited about going to Arizona. I have never been out West. The traveling part makes me nervous as I have never travelled alone, but I know I will be fine. I need to decide what to say to husband about talking on the phone. I will consider the interventionist’s advice and look within myself to find my answer. Thank you, Sylvie, for being so kind and caring. Mary PS How is Gabbi? Read More0 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Mary, your journey seems to go uphill. I hold you in my heart. Try to enjoy your little things, your cat, your work, your children, your art, a sip of coffee … Your patience will turn into love for you. 3 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryThank you dear Anna. My husband called last night with lots of complaints. He doesn’t like the weekends there and he is unhappy about many other things. He will be okay and hopefully grow from his experiences. I am enjoying a cup of coffee again as I write and my good kitty Marvin is lying down next to me. He is a little joy. I am feeling more patient and more relaxed today. You are such a loving person, Anna. I appreciate you so ...Thank you dear Anna. My husband called last night with lots of complaints. He doesn’t like the weekends there and he is unhappy about many other things. He will be okay and hopefully grow from his experiences. I am enjoying a cup of coffee again as I write and my good kitty Marvin is lying down next to me. He is a little joy. I am feeling more patient and more relaxed today. You are such a loving person, Anna. I appreciate you so much! How is your Dad Anna, and how are you? Much love to you! Mary Read More1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryOhhh. It looks like I already responded to your post, so now I have responded twice! 😁🙃😊 0 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaI love you twice, dear Mary😂💕 0 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenHThanks, Anna – as my line dance teacher said, uphill is easier hiking for her [and me] – not so hard on the knees. I just thought of that when you mentioned ‘uphill.’ Take care- 0 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnna☺️ dear Helen, maybe I made a mistake…😊 I always check my posts with google translate and the thesaurus freely available by oxford dictionary….but I know that sometimes I am a bit on the border ….I risk…I know that you are always kind souls, patient friends… oh but, don’t worry, when I will come to US I will be the best!!🤗😂❤️💚take care, a big hug from Italy!!!!!🇮🇹 0 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenHNo, Anna – you made no mistake!! ‘Uphill’ is a perfectly correct idiom. I’ve decided a ‘rocky road’ is the idiom I’ll use in the future, knowing how bad ‘downhill’ feels on my knees. May you and all of us have mostly smooth roads, not roads too rocky for us to handle! 0 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryThank you Anna. You are always so kind and caring and I love this about you. I can’t be sure, but I think this experience will be a good thing for my husband and me in the end. We were in a very bad spot, and all of this is certainly shaking things up. I think it will help us both. Love to you dear Anna. Mary 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimI am praying for you, dear Mary. You are getting yourself through this – I honor your hard work in that. And from my own perspective, getting mad at you sounds harsh and counter-productive from someone who is meant to be responsible in facilitating such a process. Firmness is one thing and kindness/compassion can be combined with that. Anger is totally other. You are getting yourself through this, Mary. Your cat is with you and art supplies await you. Keep breathing, my friend. 3 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryYes, this interventionist is a very odd duck. It seems to me she has an overly aggressive personality and control issues. I don’t think she is very professional, but by following her advice ( not word for word but by following the essence of her advice the seemingly impossible has happened. My husband is in a 30 day inpatient program for alcohol abuse and depression. I never thought he would ever agree to something like that. I will speak to the interventionist about the tone she takes...Yes, this interventionist is a very odd duck. It seems to me she has an overly aggressive personality and control issues. I don’t think she is very professional, but by following her advice ( not word for word but by following the essence of her advice the seemingly impossible has happened. My husband is in a 30 day inpatient program for alcohol abuse and depression. I never thought he would ever agree to something like that. I will speak to the interventionist about the tone she takes with me, but I will choose when to do so. I feel like I have to be the adult in this. My husband alternates between being cooperative and working the program and then hating it there and feeling alone and resentful. The interventionist has given me good info even if in an unpleasant way. My husband and I are very codependent and my boundaries are very weak and sometimes nonexistent. I paid her a lot of money and as they say in ALANON I will take what is helpful from her and leave the rest. I need to pull myself together because I am going to have to be the grown up in this. Years ago a friend told me something I try to remember. As opposed to my perfectionist hopes and desires, she said to me,”Life is messy Mary, it just is. Thank s so much for responding and caring Pilgrim. And good point keep breathing! Love to you Pilgrim! Mary Read More2 Reply HelenH3 weeks agoHelenH“Life is messy” – I like that. Therapists tend to become therapists because they have issues. This one sounds as if she may be effective, in spite of being difficult. Give yourself hugs! 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryThank you, Helen. At your suggestion I just did. Hugs do feel good! 3 Reply Pilgrim4 weeks agoPilgrimSo grateful for the life and work of Mary Oliver. She has been an inspiration. Thanks to mindfulbalance. org: When death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades, I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness? And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as anothe...So grateful for the life and work of Mary Oliver. She has been an inspiration. Thanks to mindfulbalance. org: When death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades, I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness? And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as another possibility, and I think of each life as a flower, as common as a field daisy, and as singular, and each name a comfortable music in the mouth, tending, as all music does, toward silence, and each body a lion of courage, and something precious to the earth. When it’s over, I want to say all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real. I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument. I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world. Mary Oliver, When Death Comes Read More7 Reply Pilgrim4 weeks agoPilgrimP.S. Mary died a couple of days ago. 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnathank you Pilgrim. I have known this poet thank to this site, and she has fascinated me. I will pray for her gentle soul, this night. Every poet is a gift of beauty and hope for human beings.. 1 Reply grateful sea4 weeks agograteful seaDear Pilgrim, thank you for this tribute. To me, Mary Oliver has been the most important of poets. I found her only a few years ago, after listening to Krista Tippett’s On Being interview with her and I remember thinking at the time, how did I not know about Mary Oliver all my life? And then I checked out every single one of her books in the county library system — it was a glorious few weeks of summer reading. Yesterday I spent listening again to the interview and re-reading ...Dear Pilgrim, thank you for this tribute. To me, Mary Oliver has been the most important of poets. I found her only a few years ago, after listening to Krista Tippett’s On Being interview with her and I remember thinking at the time, how did I not know about Mary Oliver all my life? And then I checked out every single one of her books in the county library system — it was a glorious few weeks of summer reading. Yesterday I spent listening again to the interview and re-reading Blue Horses, the one book of her poetry that I keep with me always. As tears are flowing again, I guess I am more affected by her passing than I realized. She has written, “I would like people to remember of me, how inexhaustible was her mindfulness.” And I do. There will be no new poems but she is still with us. I’m not the river that powerful presence. And I’m not the black oak tree which is patience personified. And I’m not redbird who is a brief life heartily enjoyed. Nor am I mud nor rock nor sand which is holding everything together. No, I am none of these meaningful things, not yet. (Mary Oliver, I’m Not The River) Read More3 Reply Pilgrim4 weeks agoPilgrimDear grateful sea, I will search On Being for the interview with Mary. Thank you. I could not be more grateful for her life and work, which gave us an invitation to really see the natural world, especially, with wonder and a full heart. I don’t own Blue Horses, so put it into my library queue. Be well, my friend. 2 Reply Ose4 weeks agoOseSuch a tender sharing, dear friend. Thank you. I am looking at the lit candle in font of me, as it is sending its warm light out of the window into the cosmos. Thank you, Mary Olivier. 4 Reply Ose4 weeks agoOseThank you, dear Pilgrim, for letting us know and for your sensitive post, gifting us with her moving words. I don´t know of her work apart from what has been shared here on and off, but I felt her poems always to be deeply touching, deeply moving me and all who share here. I so wish for her that she could pass the veil peacefully. Her being here was a gift for so many through the way she was sharing her way of being, with a heart full of love for life and people; that she was not just a visi...Thank you, dear Pilgrim, for letting us know and for your sensitive post, gifting us with her moving words. I don´t know of her work apart from what has been shared here on and off, but I felt her poems always to be deeply touching, deeply moving me and all who share here. I so wish for her that she could pass the veil peacefully. Her being here was a gift for so many through the way she was sharing her way of being, with a heart full of love for life and people; that she was not just a visitor, instead endowing the world with her beautiful poetry and passion. May she rest in peace. I will lit a candle for her tonight. Read More2 Reply grateful sea4 weeks agograteful seaHello dear Ose, I am just appreciating your gentle heart and wishing you a peaceful night, sent with love from grateful sea. 2 Reply Palm4 weeks agoPalmDear Pilgrim, thank you for this post, it prompt me to read about Mary Oliver, in Maria Shriver’s interview with her, I loved when she defines her work as “praise poetry” meaning, she said, “that I acknowledge my feeling and gratitude for life by praising the world and whoever made all these things” 1 Reply
