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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 videos to illustrate your reflections.

  • Diane
    Abundant blessings my friends on this our Common Prayer Day. ♥ I have read with joy in my heart and tears in my eyes all of the remembrances of our dear Ursula. She gave us a gift with her companionship and compassion and she still is giving to us from the stars...reminding us of the miracle that this community is as we "walk each other home" Ann: Thank you for asking about this day.......opening up the love and sharing that ensued. Ursula was a kind and generous spirit and I believe t...

    Abundant blessings my friends on this our Common Prayer Day. ♥

    I have read with joy in my heart and tears in my eyes all of the remembrances of our dear Ursula. She gave us a gift with her companionship and compassion and she still is giving to us from the stars…reminding us of the miracle that this community is as we “walk each other home”

    Ann: Thank you for asking about this day…….opening up the love and sharing that ensued. Ursula was a kind and generous spirit and I believe that she is smiling and welcoming you…and everyone who visits here…with open arms. We are so happy you have become a part of our international band of souls who desire to live gratefully and who provide each other the strength, support and courage to do just that.

    I am overcome with gratitude for the gift of this sacred and miraculous community. Each one of you have been instrumental to my healing and my continued growth into becoming the woman I was created to be…that I desire to be. It is a journey, with so many peaks and valleys, detours, speed bumps, and wrong turns…but we travel together and this is a gift beyond measure to me.

    I offer this loving-kindness meditation to you all….with my gratitude and with my love ♥

    ~May you be filled with loving kindness
    ~May you be well
    ~May you be peaceful and at ease
    ~May you be happy and safe.

    Om Shanti dear friends ♥

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    • Ann

      Thank you, Diane, for your beautiful words.

  • Sylvie

    I would like to join you on our Common Prayer Day. Praying for Ursula and her family and lovely Sunny.
    And for all of us here and others not present any more.
    This morning in Meditation I heard a song by Enya, called “May It Be “
    I found these words so healing and making the heart soft, so Here I.d like share them :
    “ May It Be “
    With a love from Sylvie and Awinchen
    🙏❤🙏❤🙏

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Sylvie and Awinchen, My heart is glad to find you here! Thank you for these words from Enya, wise and surrounding the heart. May you be well, my friend.

    • Diane

      Dear Sylvie…it is always a joy and a delight to see you! Along with the picture of little Awinchen. I hope that you are both well…along with Gabi.

      I love the song you mentioned by Enya…..so beautiful, like a prayer. 🙏

      ~Blessings my friend ♥

    • Ose

      Dear Sylvie, so good to see you again here! So welcome! We were missing you and Awinchen a lot. May I ask how Gabi is doing? You all were in my prayers and I so hope she is well and happy.

    • grateful sea

      Hello dear Sylvie, I am so happy to see you and Awinchen 🙂 and here we are at the same time with Anna and Ann and Alicia, too. Blessings to all from grateful sea.

      • Pilgrim

        Wishing you blessings and peace, dear grateful sea!

      • Sylvie

        Hello dear grateful sea, I didn’ have a chance yet to answer your beautiful sharing, when I first wrote again. I was so happy to see you again, tears were running down my face.
        So have a good day, dear friend ❤

        • Palm

          Dear Sylvie, I hadn’t had the chance either, to let you know that I was so touched by your kind reply some time ago. I loved the story of how Ursula unknowingly prompted you to start sharing here at the Lounge. I am so happy to see you again more regularly, and hope you are feeling better.
          Love from Palm

        • grateful sea

          Thank you, my friend. I am just so happy to see you, so happy.

    • Anna

      A miracle, three friends together, Alicia, Sylvie and me!!!
      Many blessings for those who created and maintain this site, and for the people who give us the tools to connect.

  • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

    Ursula’s Prayer Day. I hope I can be as faithful as she was.
    Wishing all well.

  • Ann

    I wanted to thank Grateful Sea for her last reply, but there was no reply button for me to click on. So, to Grateful Sea: Thank you!

    • grateful sea

      How wonderful, Ann, I see below that you are living in Arizona, a state I long to visit for its amazing birds and other wildlife. Someday, someday… Currently, I am living in a little farmhouse in the mountains of Virginia. Just now our first winter storm of the season is blowing in, and the big spruce tree right outside my window is dancing wildly, but I am warmed by a fire in the wood stove and by connections here. Blessings to you this day.

      • Ann

        Thank you for painting such a beautiful image for me to enjoy, too.

    • Sylvie
      Hello Ann, thank you for asking the questions. Its so important, that Newcomers don.t feel left out. I would like to add a bit about Ursula. Some of us come from Overseas, like Ursula, who came from Austria, I come from Germany, Anna is our Italian lady, Switzerland ishere with ( dont know whether I'm allowed to say the name ). We are quite far apart, but in comparison to over the big pond, it feels like we are neighbours. 🙂 Where do you come from ? I wish you a beautiful day, I will go...

      Hello Ann, thank you for asking the questions.
      Its so important, that Newcomers don.t feel left out.
      I would like to add a bit about Ursula. Some of us come from Overseas, like Ursula, who came from Austria, I come from Germany, Anna is our Italian lady, Switzerland ishere with ( dont know whether I’m allowed to say the name ).
      We are quite far apart, but in comparison to over the big pond, it feels like we are neighbours. 🙂
      Where do you come from ?
      I wish you a beautiful day, I will go to bed soon. Sylvie and her little dog Awinchen

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      • Ann

        Dear Sylvie: Thank you for your welcoming reply. I live in Arizona, a state in the southwestern region of the US.

        • Diane
          Well well Ann...you are from Arizona! My favorite place in the world. I cannot explain it but I have a mysterious and mystical connection to the Arizona landscape in all it's variety. I describe it as a "magical fairy tale land". My older daughter went to college there and never came back to the east coast! She lived in Tempe for 11 years and I treasured every visit...soaking up the sunshine and the desert landscape and leaving a piece of myself behind each time. Northern Arizona too has...

          Well well Ann…you are from Arizona! My favorite place in the world.

          I cannot explain it but I have a mysterious and mystical connection to the Arizona landscape in all it’s variety. I describe it as a “magical fairy tale land”. My older daughter went to college there and never came back to the east coast! She lived in Tempe for 11 years and I treasured every visit…soaking up the sunshine and the desert landscape and leaving a piece of myself behind each time. Northern Arizona too has it’s special gifts…the ponderosa pine forests, red rocks of Sedona and of course, the Grand Canyon, which simply took my breath away. But there is something about the desert that speaks to me in a way that I simply cannot put into words.
          My daughter and her husband now live in Colorado, which obviously has a beauty all its own….but nothing and nowhere will take the place of Arizona in my heart.

          ~Blessings to you friend..thank you for sharing ♥

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          • Ann

            Thank you, Diane, for your sweet comments. I was born and raised near the NJ shore, but have lived out West more years out here now than I was there. And, every time I’d been away from Arizona for a quick trip and then returned, and I see our vast open sky, it takes my breath away, perceiving that the sky has literally opened up to me..

    • Anna

      I want to thank you, Ann, for asking the question about the meaning of Tuesday’s prayer day. You give us the opportunity to put the “Welcome” spirit of the picture above into practice and share our gratitude. I read the kind and true answers of Ose, Pilgrim and Grateful Sea.
      I could not offer you an explanation because I was working, but this place of sharing is … international and there is always a kind soul that can help.
      I too am very happy for your presence.

      • Ann

        Dear Anna: Thank you so much for your sweet reply. It is most appreciated.

        • Anna

          Oh, another miracle, Ann, you too are here at the same time, the fourth friend!!!!!

  • Pilgrim

    Many blessings this day to all who visit here and to those we are missing. Holding all of you in light, love and peace, dear Friends.

  • Ose
    Dear Ann, Ursula is a soul we all hold dear. She initiated the Tuesday common prayer day. She died in August this year after having been courageously dealing with the pain and the difficulties which appeared due to cancer. Werner, her husband, and her two sons Emanuel and Elias and her beloved dog Sunny are left behind, and we all hold her and her family dear to our hearts. She was connected with St. Martha (of which I cannot explain what that meant to her, but it was important) and she blessed ...

    Dear Ann, Ursula is a soul we all hold dear. She initiated the Tuesday common prayer day. She died in August this year after having been courageously dealing with the pain and the difficulties which appeared due to cancer. Werner, her husband, and her two sons Emanuel and Elias and her beloved dog Sunny are left behind, and we all hold her and her family dear to our hearts. She was connected with St. Martha (of which I cannot explain what that meant to her, but it was important) and she blessed us with greetings when she and Sunny visited her sacred place devoted to St. Antonius. I remember beautiful photos of this special place which she shared from her heart, where she often lit a candle for the well being of all. Thank you for allowing me to bring back to our awareness some of her beautiful being. We all are deeply grateful that she was and is with us, and she will stay in our hearts forever. May she rest in peace.

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    • Ann

      Thank you, Ose, for telling me more about Ursula. I suspect there is a deep well of all she shared here that touched everyone so deeply. Thank you. And, would you or someone flesh out for me a little more about what you call “Tuesday common prayer day”?

      • grateful sea
        Dear Ann, thank you for asking. I will try to explain. When Ursula asked us to pray for her, some of us here in the Lounge decided to try to find a time when we could be here simultaneously to do so as if sitting in a circle with her, but as we are in several different time zones, we couldn't, so we decided to set a certain day of the week and we chose Tuesday because Saint Martha was very special to Ursula and there is a tradition (which I was not familiar with) of lighting a candle on nine con...

        Dear Ann, thank you for asking. I will try to explain. When Ursula asked us to pray for her, some of us here in the Lounge decided to try to find a time when we could be here simultaneously to do so as if sitting in a circle with her, but as we are in several different time zones, we couldn’t, so we decided to set a certain day of the week and we chose Tuesday because Saint Martha was very special to Ursula and there is a tradition (which I was not familiar with) of lighting a candle on nine consecutive Tuesdays and reciting a prayer called Saint Martha’s novena. So we did. And then just kept going, each Tuesday, praying each in our own way for (and with) Ursula and for all in need of healing. Some silently, some writing here, some lighting a candle at home, others lighting a virtual candle on this site. It was Ursula who suggested we call it “Common Prayer Day,” We are all different faith traditions (or none at all, as for me) but in common is love, light and our desire to share it with each other and all who visit.

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        • Anna

          🌺🌺🌺🌺

        • Ann

          Dear Grateful Sea: Thank you SO much for sharing the story. It’s very helpful for me in attempting to connect in here. I started before the “Welcome” was added, and wanted to find a way to connect here, but not knowing or having access to the ongoing references was rather limiting. Maybe there could be a link for newcomers what you and Ose have shared. Thanks again.

          • grateful sea

            Thank you, Ann, with your questions, you have helped start a conversation here in the Lounge that is so important and I hope we will continue… along the lines of how to carry forward connections, traditions, practices (all that language has built up around) without limiting new connections. I wish I could think of more to say on this now but mentally I tire easily so I will just finish by saying I am so glad you are here with us, friend.

      • Anna

        I join Pilgrim and Ose, dear Ann, now I am pausing for a cup of tea, at work, and I am here with you all, in this special day.

      • Pilgrim

        Hi Ann, my sense is that we chose one day of the week to keep each other in prayer, whether we are able to visit the site or not. It was at Ursula’s suggestion initially. And many of us then took it on as a practice. So we might be halfway through the day, even, and think “Oh, it is Tuesday” and offer a prayer for those who visit here. I hope this helps, and others may add additional thoughts. I guess I’d call it a touchpoint of sorts. Thank you for asking!

        • grateful sea

          Dear Pilgrim, thank you. As I was trying to get my mechanistic thoughts in order and written out, you answered simply and beautifully from the heart. Thank you.

        • Ann

          Thank you, Pilgrim, for fleshing out a little more of what Tuesday prayer day is. I sense that all the previous regular contributors to this ‘lounge’ and meaningful sharings formed a special bond that is the basis of the strong sense of connection you all already have.

  • Ann

    As I am relatively new to this website, would someone please briefly share the references to Ursula and common prayer day Tuesday? Thank you.

  • Ose

    Tuesday again, our common prayer day just begins, and Ursula is held in my prayers, wishing her to be guided by His light and love. Today is not a day for many words from my side, but instead if you don´t mind, may I keep you in my prayers and I bow to you who share and visit here, humble and still, in prayer 🙏 Greetings to all of you.

    • grateful sea

      Greetings and blessings to you, dear Ose, as your day is perhaps drawing to a close, may you deeply rest. I am also of few words today, but send love from grateful sea.

      • Ose

        Dear grateful sea, thank you dearly for all your heartfelt wishes and love. Your kind heart shines through all you share. It is a gift to all of us. May you always be blessed, dear friend.

  • Diane
    Dear friends: My husband has arrived home safe from his trip to Colorado. A sad occasion but also a celebration of the extraordinary life of his Uncle Bill. And much joy in spending time with our daughters. Grateful. I am also grateful for the blessings I was given while my husband was away. I had a lovely reunion dinner with 2 of my former fellow-teachers. Both of these young women are my daughter's age (in their 30's) but yet we are good buddies and always have just the best time when ...

    Dear friends:
    My husband has arrived home safe from his trip to Colorado. A sad occasion but also a celebration of the extraordinary life of his Uncle Bill. And much joy in spending time with our daughters. Grateful.

    I am also grateful for the blessings I was given while my husband was away. I had a lovely reunion dinner with 2 of my former fellow-teachers. Both of these young women are my daughter’s age (in their 30’s) but yet we are good buddies and always have just the best time when we are together….the age difference just doesn’t matter! There is a special kind of bond and fellowship that occurs among teachers…we have been “in the trenches” together so to speak. But the bond I share with these 2 women is extra special and I am so grateful for our unique friendship.

    I also enjoyed browsing the artisan’s market at a local vineyard on Saturday and purchased some fun gifts for the approaching holidays. And the surroundings are so beautiful….vineyards have a unique energy that always speaks to me. Peaceful and serene.

    The rest of the time I breathed in the solitude while also keeping in touch with my daughters….the 3 of us are big on texting! Another thing to be grateful for despite how much I push back against most modern means of communication! It is a special kind of gift to me because talking on the phone exacerbates my tinnitus…and it’s become so fun to send voice messages and texts back and forth with them! And with lots of emojis! 😊

    I woke up this morning to a mysterious and powerful onslaught of anxiety. A few guided meditations and a walk to go visit the cows and horses down the road have helped. Along with being here with all of you.
    Thank you for listening to my musings this day. It brings me joy to know that you are here with your unconditional love, companionship and acceptance. Have a blessed day friends ♥

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    • grateful sea

      Dear Diane, your sharing always touches my heart. I am of few words lately, but want to extend my condolences to you and your husband for the loss of his Uncle Bill and send blessings to you and your family on this our common prayer day.

      • Diane

        grateful sea….thank you for your kindness and generosity of spirit. I too have days when the words just won’t come. I try to honor those times as I believe they do serve their purpose.

        I am always so happy to see you here dear friend. I am wishing you a peace-filled night in your little Virginia farmhouse in the mountains ♥

    • Anna

      I liked your beautiful and delicious post, Diane. You are fantastic when you express your gratitude for everyday family and professional life. Blessings to you and your family!

      Ah … I really envy your walking, I never needed to walk like lately, I would like to start my retirement time, but … this is just a dream, for the moment 😔☺️🤗💜

      • Diane
        Cara Anna.....so lovely to hear from you my friend. I do enjoy walking....although I wish I had the stamina and energy to go further down the road! But when I walk I try to focus on the blessings. I almost always end up talking to God and the Universe, offering up all that is on my heart. I often talk out loud...I wonder what the cows and horses are hearing?? :) Sometimes I find myself singing. Even when it is an effort and I can't go far, I am always glad that I went for a walk! ~Bless...

        Cara Anna…..so lovely to hear from you my friend.

        I do enjoy walking….although I wish I had the stamina and energy to go further down the road! But when I walk I try to focus on the blessings.
        I almost always end up talking to God and the Universe, offering up all that is on my heart. I often talk out loud…I wonder what the cows and horses are hearing?? 🙂 Sometimes I find myself singing. Even when it is an effort and I can’t go far, I am always glad that I went for a walk!

        ~Blessings and love ♥

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  • Mica

    To all of us, and especially those whose medical situations keep them from going far – a daily quote from the past:

    When you can’t go far, you go deep.
    BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST

    • grateful sea

      Thank you, Mica, for reminding me of this wisdom. When I found this quote in one of Brother David’s essays a few years ago, I took it to heart almost as a mantra. But I often forget. After illness (encephalitis) a few years ago, I drive very little and only short distances on familiar routes, so this has been an exercise in acceptance over and over again.

    • Alicia Mary Ann Parr

      Mica, you just made me “ wake up” and feel less hopeless

      • Mica

        That’s wonderful, Alicia – Brother David is such a gift to us all.

    • Anna

      This is a pearl, Mica!

  • Diane
    Good morning friends My husband is in Colorado attending his uncle's memorial service, along with several of his siblings. Of all of my husband's extended family (and there are a lot of them...Irish Catholics!) Uncle Bill was the one most dear to him. He was an extraordinary man and he lived a long (87 years) and full life of service. I am so very grateful that he was able to celebrate our older daughter's wedding last year....although his health was failing he and his wife and daughter (...

    Good morning friends

    My husband is in Colorado attending his uncle’s memorial service, along with several of his siblings. Of all of my husband’s extended family (and there are a lot of them…Irish Catholics!) Uncle Bill was the one most dear to him. He was an extraordinary man and he lived a long (87 years) and full life of service. I am so very grateful that he was able to celebrate our older daughter’s wedding last year….although his health was failing he and his wife and daughter (my husband’s cousin) were all present with us on that beautiful occasion. It turned out to be the last time we would see him.

    I am grateful that both of our daughters were able to attend the memorial service as well and grateful that my husband got to spend time with both his girls. We decided that I wouldn’t make the trip out there because of the toll it would take on my health. And it was the right decision…but still it brought me sadness that I wasn’t there with them.
    I am reminding myself that my younger daughter will be home soon for Thanksgiving and all 3 of them will be here for Christmas. Another life lesson that there is always something to be grateful for even in the midst of the sadness and loneliness I have been feeling.

    My husband returns late tonight. In the meantime I intend to visit the annual Fall Artisans Market that is happening today at a vineyard nearby. This is where each year I do most of my holiday shopping. I’m always so grateful to be able to support local artists instead of corporations and big-box stores. It’s such a delight to speak with these amazingly talented people and browse their creations. And my daughters are always enamored with the items I choose for them…along with the stories of the artists who created them.
    I’m grateful that they have adopted the same sensibilities when it comes to purchasing gifts….this is a passion that we share.

    Grateful to be able to spend time with all of you this morning and feeling blessed as always by this sacred community 😇

    ~With grateful love ♥

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    • Serafina

      Dear Diane, Thank you for this tender post. I am so sorry for the loss of your Uncle Bill. Sending you and yours our prayers and hugs.

      • Diane

        Thank you for your kind words Serafina….and for your prayers and hugs. 🙏
        ~With grateful love ♥

    • Pilgrim
      Dear Diane, I am sorry for the loss of Uncle Bill. It seems a wise choice not to make the trip, based on your health history. I have learned that it is certainly possible to remember and honor a life, even when attending services in person isn't possible. I am glad for you that you will see your daughters fairly soon! I have not seen my daughter at a distance since last Christmas. Because of her new job and long jury duty no visit has been possible. So my mother's heart is sure looking forwa...

      Dear Diane, I am sorry for the loss of Uncle Bill. It seems a wise choice not to make the trip, based on your health history. I have learned that it is certainly possible to remember and honor a life, even when attending services in person isn’t possible.

      I am glad for you that you will see your daughters fairly soon! I have not seen my daughter at a distance since last Christmas. Because of her new job and long jury duty no visit has been possible. So my mother’s heart is sure looking forward to Christmas! I hope your visit to the Artisans Market was fun and successful! Be well, my friend!

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      • Diane
        Dear Pilgrim: Thank you for your encouragement I did want to honor Uncle Bill even though I couldn't be there, so I had 5 trees planted in the Gallatin Forest in Montana in his memory. The Arbor Day Foundation emailed me a beautiful certificate which I printed out and put in a frame. My husband gave it to Uncle Bill's family with my love. I am grateful we can share in the coming Christmas joy of having our daughters with us. I am sure you are counting the days with me! ~Om Shanti an...

        Dear Pilgrim:
        Thank you for your encouragement I did want to honor Uncle Bill even though I couldn’t be there, so I had 5 trees planted in the Gallatin Forest in Montana in his memory. The Arbor Day Foundation emailed me a beautiful certificate which I printed out and put in a frame. My husband gave it to Uncle Bill’s family with my love.

        I am grateful we can share in the coming Christmas joy of having our daughters with us. I am sure you are counting the days with me!

        ~Om Shanti and much love my friend ♥

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    • Mica

      Thank you, Diane, for your post. My daughter and her husband recently tried to visit a craft fair near us, where they had once bought me a lovely gift, but it was closed on account of wind! [Such a minor comment on your warm and grateful post..]

      • Diane

        Dear Mica…..I hope that your daughter and son-in-law will get to go to another craft fair in the future. I find them so delightful!
        ~Blessings ♥

        • Mica

          Thank you, Diane – My friend invited me to the ‘harvest fair’ at the near-by convention center next Friday, and I’m excited to go. My daughter lives even closer to it than I do.

  • Ann
    In answering today's question of the day, and acknowledging how self-confidence has helped me 'make it thru the storms' of life, I was reminded of 2 things I'd done to support that self-confidence. The first was to paint several small trivets with "A+" acknowledging all the effort I put into a particularly difficult life experience. I am grateful to the friend who decided we needed to go to the creativity store to create something meaningful after those 'tough days.' The second was to post on m...

    In answering today’s question of the day, and acknowledging how self-confidence has helped me ‘make it thru the storms’ of life, I was reminded of 2 things I’d done to support that self-confidence. The first was to paint several small trivets with “A+” acknowledging all the effort I put into a particularly difficult life experience. I am grateful to the friend who decided we needed to go to the creativity store to create something meaningful after those ‘tough days.’ The second was to post on my fridge an unique greeting card that looks like a graduation certificate and says: “THE REGENTS OF THE School of Hard Knocks HEREBY CONFER UPON You HAVING DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY RESILIENCE in THE FACE OF ADVERSITY, THIS MASTER’S DEGREE IN CRAP NOBODY SHOULD EVERY HAVE to DEAL WITH. ” At the bottom is a small gold-colored seal and blank lines for “SIGNED” and “DATE”. I am grateful for whoever created that card.

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    • Mica

      Dear Ann – what good ideas! My young granddaughter got an award in school recently [a little piece of paper she brought home]. Her award, in the “Do their best” category, was for: “She asked for help!” She’s lucky to go to a school that gives such awards.

      • Ann

        Thanks, Mica, for sharing the story of your granddaughter’s award. How very special, creative and meaningful to receive an award for asking for help, something that in my past world was frowned upon (basically shamed) and being as self-reliant as possible was praised, nurtured and honored.

        • Mica

          Me too – I suffered thru college calculus without ever getting in touch with any of my classmates for help!

    • Diane

      Aahhh…..Ann! Thank you for sharing this…it made my heart smile real big 😄 I am reminded once again of the healing power of creativity. Serendipity because I have been thinking quite a bit about creativity lately and realizing that it comes in many forms.
      I say “bravo” to you for receiving with humor and grace your hard-earned master’s degree! I am inspired by how you turned adversity into positive energy and self-confidence.
      ~Om Shanti friend ♥

      • Ann

        Thank you, Diane, for acknowledging the value of a simple gesture that proved to be helpful after living with so much sadness.

  • Mica

    To Ann and all – my son recommended a wonderful[!!] workbook for letting go of anxiousness and all sorts of distress. His coach recommended it to him, and I’m delighted and amazed at how it is helping me:
    Coming to Wholeness: How to Awaken and Live with Ease (The Wholeness Work Book 1)
    Connirae Andreas

    • Ann

      Thank you, Mica. I’ll take a look at that book. I appreciate the suggestion.

  • Ann
    Today's question-of-the-day about differentiating between feeling grateful and being grateful is perfect for me right now. I recently noticed that when I am aware that I am not feeling grateful and pause to consider what feeling is present within me, I realize that I feel a form of anxiousness. And, in further contemplation, realize that I'd ascribed a greater value to the activity at hand than continuing with my main goal these days of cultivating gratefulness. I am truly grateful for this webs...

    Today’s question-of-the-day about differentiating between feeling grateful and being grateful is perfect for me right now. I recently noticed that when I am aware that I am not feeling grateful and pause to consider what feeling is present within me, I realize that I feel a form of anxiousness. And, in further contemplation, realize that I’d ascribed a greater value to the activity at hand than continuing with my main goal these days of cultivating gratefulness. I am truly grateful for this website and the opportunity it offers.

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    • grateful sea

      Dear Ann, isn’t it wonderful? ps I am still smiling when I think of the endearing story you shared (how you chose your icon 🙂 Wishing you a day of “great fullness.”

      • Ann

        Thank you, Grateful Sea, for your reply. I loved your reply to the question-of-the-day, too! It has truly been a great-filled day!

        • grateful sea

          Thank you, Ann. I do not often try to answer the question-of-the-day so I am grateful that you pointed me toward yesterday’s. I liked your musings on the universality of gratefulness. Being a lover of words, I like thinking of the symbols and sounds for “thank you” and “peace” (and other good things) in many languages.

  • Mica

    Hooray for the wonderful Welcome! banner and thanks to the lounge participants and gratefulness staff who suggested and made the banner. Hugs to all!

  • Anna
    dear Serafina and you all here in the Lounge and in the staff, I feel I have done a little thing ... seeing my name sounds strange, I feel a deep and calm joy but also a question arises spontaneously in my heart: "who am I, so that my is name is indicated here, because somehow at the root of this fantastic image "Welcome", at the door of this Lounge? " However, I offer my feelings to you, to Saoirse, to the staff and to all my friends in this community, with a deep bow for your support, love, t...

    dear Serafina and you all here in the Lounge and in the staff, I feel I have done a little thing … seeing my name sounds strange, I feel a deep and calm joy but also a question arises spontaneously in my heart: “who am I, so that my is name is indicated here, because somehow at the root of this fantastic image “Welcome”, at the door of this Lounge? ”
    However, I offer my feelings to you, to Saoirse, to the staff and to all my friends in this community, with a deep bow for your support, love, trust and work.

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  • Ose

    Yes, dear Serafina, like Anna and Diane mentioned already, your photo is such a beautiful and inspiring door to warmly welcome all visitors here. Thank you so much for your heartfelt and immediate engagement. I am touched by your discussing with the Gratefulness-team spot-on on Pilgrim´s suggestion of inserting your very beautiful photo as an entry to the lounge and creating the lovely invitation to this sanctuary we all treasure so much. A little bouquet of roses for your joy, dear friend.

    • Serafina
      What a beautiful gesture! Thank you Ose for this gorgeous bouquet, when I close my eyes and picture the image I can smell them! Truly this was a team effort! Anna planted the seed, Pilgrim's idea took root and then you all nurtured it. My colleagues greatly appreciated your thoughtful consideration of others so Saoirse went right to work on creating the 'welcome' image and posted it. You are all the Gratitude Lounge gardeners...you tend to it, and each other, with love, compassion a...

      What a beautiful gesture! Thank you Ose for this gorgeous bouquet, when I close my eyes and picture the image I can smell them!

      Truly this was a team effort! Anna planted the seed, Pilgrim’s idea took root and then you all nurtured it. My colleagues greatly appreciated your thoughtful consideration of others so Saoirse went right to work on creating the ‘welcome’ image and posted it.

      You are all the Gratitude Lounge gardeners…you tend to it, and each other, with love, compassion and friendship. Thanks to each and every one of you for your kindness! Sending, joy and blessings into your days. ❤

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      • Pilgrim

        Dear Serafina, Saoirse and the whole team, along with my friends here in the lounge, thank you for taking this idea to heart and supporting it along the way – with this beautiful artwork and words of kindness. Many blessings. We walk together, day by day!

  • Anna

    Thank you Serafina! A wonderful Welcome is the door for the Lounge!
    ❤

  • Diane

    Oh! One more thing…..I see that we have a new “Welcome” heading on our Gratitude Lounge page. 🙂 It is delightful…thank you Serafina and all for being so receptive to the ideas offered here in this beautiful community.
    ~Namaste

  • Diane
    Dear friends: It is evening here and the sun is slowly setting in the Northeast U.S. Darkness is coming earlier these days...preparing us for the winter months to come. There is a peace that settles over the farmland this time of day, at this time of year. Twilight has a mystical aura surrounding it and I am embracing it. I just stepped outside to take it all in with a deep cleansing breath and a gentle stretch. Sister moon is so bright! And the smell of a fire coming from someone's chi...

    Dear friends:

    It is evening here and the sun is slowly setting in the Northeast U.S. Darkness is coming earlier these days…preparing us for the winter months to come. There is a peace that settles over the farmland this time of day, at this time of year. Twilight has a mystical aura surrounding it and I am embracing it. I just stepped outside to take it all in with a deep cleansing breath and a gentle stretch. Sister moon is so bright! And the smell of a fire coming from someone’s chimney nearby…I love that smell!

    We have a frost warning in the forecast for tonight so I picked the last of our little ‘candyland’ tomatoes that we have been so enjoying these last few months. They are aptly named because you can just pop them in your mouth…they are indeed as sweet as candy!

    I am not feeling my best physically today but I was able to get some groceries for my lovely neighbor and visit with her for awhile…she is so dear to me. She is 80+ years old and a widow and will be moving soon to live with her daughter’s family. It is a good move for her…she is rattling around in that big house all by herself after losing her husband last year. But I will miss walking across the road to see her. Still, I am grateful that she will only be about 15-20 minutes away so we can still have our regular visits and I know she will be well taken care of.

    Lovely people…..these are among the things I am grateful for today. As I finish typing this the darkness has arrived….brother sun has gone to sleep here in Northeast U.S. In a few hours I will be asleep too…..goodnight and sweet dreams my friends ♥

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