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. Honor our Community Terms & Conditions Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Irish_Coffee133 weeks agoIrish_Coffee13I just started on this website today but lit a candle for myself and my Battle Buddy / fiancée . We are two military veterans struggling with ptsd and addiction. This a new start for us. New meds, new therapy and groups to join in on, new found dedication to ourselves, our families, and each other. 7 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryWelcome! Wishing the best for both of you. It sounds like you are off to wonderful new start! ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸ 1 Reply Butterfly3 weeks agoButterflyWelcome to Gratefulness, Irish Coffee. I hope you find it helpful and a place of solace â¤ï¸ 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioWelcome! Many of my buddies when I returned to college were vets with ptsd, too. I was in an agricultural program, and they were drawn to the program. Something about working with growing things, healthy food, fresh air, and nature is very healing. What are some things you find healing? 1 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioI don't know if you can see this, but it is looking like my strawberry experiment is working! (The experiment where I planted sliced strawberries from the grocery store). There are two tiny little plants here, and there is a third in the box. I will know for certain when they develop their true leaves, but I planted them in soil mix and coir, so I don't think there were stray seeds here. You can also see where the strawberries created mold when i did this, so next time I will remove the see...I don’t know if you can see this, but it is looking like my strawberry experiment is working! (The experiment where I planted sliced strawberries from the grocery store). There are two tiny little plants here, and there is a third in the box. I will know for certain when they develop their true leaves, but I planted them in soil mix and coir, so I don’t think there were stray seeds here. You can also see where the strawberries created mold when i did this, so next time I will remove the seeds first. But this is great — it means anyone with a sunny balcony or space, and a strawberry can make some of their own strawberry plants! Normally a plant is about $4 each, but strawberries in season are fairly cheap and can give lots of plants. 😄 Read More 3 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaWhat fun! Go, Holly! 1 Reply Butterfly3 weeks agoButterflyThat’s amazing, Holly! I have to admit I didn’t think your experiment would work! Glad to be proved wrong! I wonder how long it will take for them to grow into fruit-bearing plants. Let the experiment continue….. 😠2 Reply Holly in Ohio3 weeks agoHolly in OhioHahaha… yes, it may take a while before I taste any fruit! The plants are so wee! This is an exercise in patience, that is for certain! 🌱🌱🌱 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 weeks agoHolly in OhioThinking of our many friends on their caregiver journey… 3 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaFun – thanks, Holly! And there are at least 50 more tips.. 2 Reply Anna4 weeks agoAnnaThank you dear Holly, I feel engaged in caregiving, so your thought is right a balm. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio4 weeks agoHolly in OhioThis morning I am grateful for cleaning out and helping others. This last year I have struggled a bit to "keep moving." My mind, my nature, is frenetically energetic. Often the energy is fueled by past traumas, the energy of which I learned to channel into better directions like creativity and learning. Labor and creativity suits me better. Too much stillness and I turn inward, not in a good way but to mean self-talk and anxieties. But the last few days I have been moving more, and I'm grateful ...This morning I am grateful for cleaning out and helping others. This last year I have struggled a bit to “keep moving.” My mind, my nature, is frenetically energetic. Often the energy is fueled by past traumas, the energy of which I learned to channel into better directions like creativity and learning. Labor and creativity suits me better. Too much stillness and I turn inward, not in a good way but to mean self-talk and anxieties. But the last few days I have been moving more, and I’m grateful for that change. It was spring grass that created this change in me, as I watched it growing in the yard next door. There is an empty house next to mine. The owner became a distant landlord a decade ago, and the house was terribly neglected, sat empty some years, and other years had tenants who had issues. such as addiction. For the last two days I have picked up things in that yard – broken glass, rusty metal, broken plastic things, there is a wet mattress in the back yard. There were several large playhouses and a large dog carrier that I moved to the tree lawn, and my husband and I enjoyed them being taken away by families who wanted them. There was so much in the yard, it could not be mowed, and spring is sending up tufts of grass through things and it would soon be out of hand. There is a mowing company that will mow, but they won’t move a single thing. Five trash bags, four large play things to the curb, plastic bottles to recycling, hazardous stuff for the collection center, a large tote of metal stuff for the scrap yard, and there is still stuff there in the yard that will require a dumpster. But I’m glad now that it is much better, and now I am turning to my own house which seems a delight compared to the nightmare next door, and I no longer feel so overwhelmed, nor want things I don’t need. I found a home this morning for my extra canning jars – a college student who actually cans and is trying to go zero-waste! 😃 She asked me a canning question last year, and I thought she might want them. I know when I was younger, free canning jars would have been like getting treasure! It makes me happy to give them away. And I’m polishing up some old pots and pans for my kids who are getting their first apartments. That is also a joy! Have a great day, filled with love. Read More 3 Reply Anna4 weeks agoAnnaDear Holly, I love what you did, and the way you tell us your experience is very nice. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio4 weeks agoHolly in OhioThank you, Anna 🙂 1 Reply Mary4 weeks agoMaryHow nice Holly to get that yard cleared out. The view from your house must be much improved. I can see how dealing with so much stuff would help you appreciate the lightness of living more simply. I especially love how you were able to put the playhouses out and how they were picked up by others who can now enjoy them. Great use of your energy!😀💕 Mary 3 Reply Holly in Ohio4 weeks agoHolly in OhioIt was lovely to see the playhouses go! One lady stopped with a van, but was having trouble getting the largest play house into the van, so my husband went over and helped her take it apart so she could take it, and we had a lovely short chat. She was so excited! And we watched another man come on foot with a kid’s wagon and a shipping strap, and though it looked impossible, he strapped the much larger playhouse onto it on to the wagon, and rolled the house down the street! 😂 1 Reply Mary3 weeks agoMaryThat’s so great to hear!😊 1 Reply Mica4 weeks agoMica‘Nother good one today! May such calm of soul be mine, so as to meet the force of circumstances. AESCHYLUS 2 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaI thank all my dear friends in this Lounge who thought of me. I feel grateful, each of you gave me hope. Feel warmly embraced, you all. ⤠6 Reply Mary4 weeks agoMaryAgain, so much heartfelt love to you dear Anna. Just as you have given so much of your own love here, in the Gratitude Lounge, You are loved in return. I do so hope it helps you as you move through each day to know that your friends here are with you. We hold you in our hearts. And I pray that God will give you extra grace each day. Sending my love to you, dear Anna. â™¥ï¸ Mary 4 Reply Diane4 weeks agoDianeCara Anna....I am so glad to have dropped in for a visit on this Saturday. I want you to know that I always hold you close in my heart mio amica. I scrolled down and read about the challenge you are facing with your mother.. You have my love and admiration for the way you are taking care of your mama and especially through all the emotions that can be so painful from our childhood. I understand thris all too well...in this, and in so many other ways we are spirit sisters. Although I am no...Cara Anna….I am so glad to have dropped in for a visit on this Saturday. I want you to know that I always hold you close in my heart mio amica. I scrolled down and read about the challenge you are facing with your mother.. You have my love and admiration for the way you are taking care of your mama and especially through all the emotions that can be so painful from our childhood. I understand thris all too well…in this, and in so many other ways we are spirit sisters. Although I am not posting these days, I keep this community in my prayers and am grateful for all the love and support I have received here over the many years. I am sending you un grande abbracio across the ocean with my grateful love dear friend. ♥ Read More7 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioWe love you, Anna! ⤠4 Reply Nicki1 month agoNickiI created a simple earth altar yesterday with finds from my yard and garden. It's a "Celebration of Spring" with remnants of the past winter. The plants are both wild and cultivated. Mint leaves, pansies, and phlox from my garden and wild dandelions and purple dead nettle as well as the bare heads of dandelions that have already shed their seeds. The cypress sprigs are from a row of trees on the edge of the yard that took a pretty hard beating during a January wind/snow storm. They created a b...I created a simple earth altar yesterday with finds from my yard and garden. It’s a “Celebration of Spring” with remnants of the past winter. The plants are both wild and cultivated. Mint leaves, pansies, and phlox from my garden and wild dandelions and purple dead nettle as well as the bare heads of dandelions that have already shed their seeds. The cypress sprigs are from a row of trees on the edge of the yard that took a pretty hard beating during a January wind/snow storm. They created a brown/green blanket over the hard packed snow and my garden is still littered with them. Read More 4 Reply Mica4 weeks agoMicaSo beautiful, Nicki – it warms my heart. And moss! – always a favorite of mine. Many thanks 🙂 2 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaBeautiful Nicky! 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryLovely!🌸🌻🌸 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioBeautiful, Nicki! Thank you so much for sharing this! It makes me smile. 😄 1 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimBeautiful! Thank you, Nicki! 2 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaI like Elizabeth Lesser’s quote today, “When you feel yourself breaking down, may you break open instead….” 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI liked it, too! It is quite a beautiful paradigm shift! 😄 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryYes, this requires nothing less than a complete paradigm shift This is what I am looking to do now. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioThis morning I am grateful for bees of all kinds, not just honeybees but also bumbles and other wild bees that do so much work for us and bring us so much joy in the form of flowers and food. They truly are amazing creatures! We received the call to pick up our bees two days ago, but as some of you also experienced, we had two days of snow, and it was too cold to install them. We left them at the beekeeper's shop where they could be warm and waited for yesterday when the sun was out to go pick ...This morning I am grateful for bees of all kinds, not just honeybees but also bumbles and other wild bees that do so much work for us and bring us so much joy in the form of flowers and food. They truly are amazing creatures! We received the call to pick up our bees two days ago, but as some of you also experienced, we had two days of snow, and it was too cold to install them. We left them at the beekeeper’s shop where they could be warm and waited for yesterday when the sun was out to go pick them up. When we install, my husband Cameron has to suit up completely, because he is severely allergic to bees and has to be run to emergency if he is stung. Even still, he absolutely loves beekeeping! I do not have to suit up or even wear gloves. I used to, but now I know I only need something to cover my hair, like a bandana, so that if bees land on my head they won’t get tangled. Something that made this experience a delight this year, was I told my neighbors about it. Our neighbors around the corner have two boys, and they have been homeschooling them since Covid. I thought they might enjoy coming to watch us install. So they came over, and Takeshi, who is 11, was particularly fascinated, and brave enough he could come very close to observe. He even had read up about honey bees before coming, so we had some lovely conversation! One thing I brought up was how busy a queen must be laying eggs. A hive has between 40,000 and 80,000 bees in it, and most of them (the workers) only live for about six weeks. They need to be constantly replaced, and there is only one queen. So how many eggs must a queen lay in a day? How many seconds between laying two eggs? It isn’t really a math question to solve, but you could hear the boy trying to work out the problem, and it does inspire awe of fascinating bees! So yesterday we replaced the plugs in the queen boxes with fondant, so they can slowly eat their way through in the next few days and free themselves. Too early, and the workers will think this queen is an invader, and will kill her, so instead we time release so they can get used to each other. We tacked the queen box to a frame and placed her inside the hive, then opened up the container holding the bees and gently shook some of them out, and then placed their box still of worker bees inside the hives. Then we placed feeders into the front of the hives to get them started, until they know their new home and food sources. Today it is cold again and rainy, but I can see a few workers go in and out, exploring and getting a chance to use the toilet (they never go inside the hive unless they have dysentery). But tomorrow we will go back in the hives and take out the transport boxes and replace the space with frames so they can begin building “comb.” In a couple more days, we will go back in and make sure that the queens are free and doing well, and a few days after that we want to be able to see the queens working and laying eggs and the workers building new comb. Love to everyone! I hope you have a great day. Read More 2 Reply Butterfly1 month agoButterflySo interesting to hear about your bees, Holly. I have bee logs set up in my garden for solitary bees. I love to see them coming and going with bits of leaves that they put between each of the eggs that they lay in the tubes. 🥰 1 Reply Holly in Ohio4 weeks agoHolly in OhioHow lovely! Did you ever see that video by PBS about bees? It is one of my favorite documentaries, and I think you, in particular would like it. I’ve posted it before, but I’ll tag it here again: https://www.pbs.org/video/my-garden-of-a-thousand-bees-trjhzt/ 0 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaWow – thanks! Interesting about the queen being seen as an invader. How about carpenter bees, named for their habit of excavating holes in wood, in order to rear their young.? 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioWhen you get a "package" of bees, the queen and the workers are not known to each other yet. It is like an arranged marriage, LOL. One of the jobs of workers is to make certain there is only one queen in their colony at a time. So the workers we are getting think they still belong to a different queen. Their previous colony was "split" so that a brand new queen could have attendants. Carpenter bees, on the other hand, are "solitary bees." They do not form colonies, per se, though you may see ...When you get a “package” of bees, the queen and the workers are not known to each other yet. It is like an arranged marriage, LOL. One of the jobs of workers is to make certain there is only one queen in their colony at a time. So the workers we are getting think they still belong to a different queen. Their previous colony was “split” so that a brand new queen could have attendants. Carpenter bees, on the other hand, are “solitary bees.” They do not form colonies, per se, though you may see them grouped together where conditions are good for their living. They bore into wood, but for every hole you see, it branches out inside like fingers, so it can wreak havoc on a building, without your knowing it is quite so bad. Carpenter bees are also pollinators, so discouraging them from making holes in a building is preferable to destroying them, but sometimes there is not much choice… it may be them or the building! Fortunately, they don’t like paint, varnish, or putty! That is the easiest way to discourage them from homing in your building. They had riddled the ceiling beams in a barn at the farm, so I learned about them two years ago, to find out what could be done about them. Bees or wasps might be either colonizing or solitary, depending on their type. Bumble bees have colonies of about 50. Mason bees make colonies, paper wasps are another that make colonies, yellow jackets, too. But there are many, many, types of solitary bees and wasps, and most of them make holes in dry, loose, soil in a sunny location, and are quite gentle. More of our world is pollinated by wild bees and wasps than by honey bees, and we need them. I want to make a bee hotel for these types. Something like this: Read More 3 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaFun, Holly - such a lot of interesting new info. We made bug houses once in the art from scrap zoom class - mine is certainly not swarming with bugs, but I haven't taken it apart to investigate - it's down on the floor of the balcony between 2 big pots, so I don't have good access to it. Yes - we had a bare wood roof-type structure over our patio in Isla Vista, and carpenter bees liked it. I think we took it down - the aerial view of the house on Google Maps makes me wonder what all has been do...Fun, Holly – such a lot of interesting new info. We made bug houses once in the art from scrap zoom class – mine is certainly not swarming with bugs, but I haven’t taken it apart to investigate – it’s down on the floor of the balcony between 2 big pots, so I don’t have good access to it. Yes – we had a bare wood roof-type structure over our patio in Isla Vista, and carpenter bees liked it. I think we took it down – the aerial view of the house on Google Maps makes me wonder what all has been done – did they pave the back yard?? Enjoy your bees! It’s great that you and Cameron both are so interested in them. Read More1 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SAnd I have resumed my early morning practice of gratefulness, saying everything that comes to mind that I am grateful for. And it is wonderful. Before I even get out of bed I am seeding my mind with just the energy of gratefulness. What a perfect way to start the day 4 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioLovely! 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryI am sending my love to all my lovely friends in the gratefulness lounge and on our beloved gratefulness site. I have been especially happy to find grateful sea with us. You have been missed, grateful sea, and having you here with us again brings so much joy!!â™¥ï¸ I would also like to send out extra love to Anna. Dearest Anna, you have had your share of difficulties, yet you say little about them. And this of course is your choice to make. Please know how much I care about you Dear One, and k...I am sending my love to all my lovely friends in the gratefulness lounge and on our beloved gratefulness site. I have been especially happy to find grateful sea with us. You have been missed, grateful sea, and having you here with us again brings so much joy!!â™¥ï¸ I would also like to send out extra love to Anna. Dearest Anna, you have had your share of difficulties, yet you say little about them. And this of course is your choice to make. Please know how much I care about you Dear One, and know how dearly you are loved.â™¥ï¸ I am feeling especially grateful for all of you, my friends. Thank you for your unfailing support and kindness to me. I always know where to come when I want to share my feelings and be met with deep goodness and love. My heart is full.♥ï¸â™¥ï¸â™¥ï¸ Blessings, peace, and great comfort to all. Mary Read More6 Reply grateful sea4 weeks agograteful sea💚 1 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmâ¤ï¸ 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryâ™¥ï¸ 3 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaDearest Mary, your words move me ... as I am waiting for my technical visit to the hospital for the calibration of my cochlear device. I am a little impatient but the doctor always tells me that I have to trust her, calmly and with a positive attitude. You've really made my day, because sometimes I feel so down, but not to my ears, that's a small part. What is hard now is the way I take care of my mother and the amount of burdens of my childhood and youth that arise when I am with her. I join...Dearest Mary, your words move me … as I am waiting for my technical visit to the hospital for the calibration of my cochlear device. I am a little impatient but the doctor always tells me that I have to trust her, calmly and with a positive attitude. You’ve really made my day, because sometimes I feel so down, but not to my ears, that’s a small part. What is hard now is the way I take care of my mother and the amount of burdens of my childhood and youth that arise when I am with her. I join you in your joy for Grateful Sea, I am happy as well. Dear Maria🌸🌸 Read More5 Reply grateful sea4 weeks agograteful seaI join Mary and all of our friends here in sending out extra love to you, dear Anna 💚 2 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmDear Anna, I send you good energies for patience during this time, that you can wait gracefully for the response from the health system and especially strength as a caregiver to your mother. I understand you, I have been having small doses of the same test and reliving childhood burdens. May we stay conscious through all of this. Sending a hug â¤ï¸ 4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaOh, dear, Dear Anna – the mother-daughter relationship can be so difficult, can’t it? Warm wishes to you! 3 Reply Ose1 month agoOseA big hug to you also from me from sister to sister, my dear friend Anna 💕 5 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimDear Anna, I join with others here in holding you in light, love and prayer as you navigate each day. I have walked the path of the “designated person” quite some time ago when Mom suffered Alzheimer’s disease. Deep blessings, my friend. 7 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryI truly know what you mean about the stress and exhaustion involved in caring for a parent. I also know that with dementia people can say especially hurtful things without giving it a thought. I don’t know how you deal with something like this, dear Anna. I am so sorry that you, one of the kindest people I know, have this pain to deal with. Please know that my heart is with yours dear Anna, and thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. So much love to you! ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸...I truly know what you mean about the stress and exhaustion involved in caring for a parent. I also know that with dementia people can say especially hurtful things without giving it a thought. I don’t know how you deal with something like this, dear Anna. I am so sorry that you, one of the kindest people I know, have this pain to deal with. Please know that my heart is with yours dear Anna, and thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. So much love to you! ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸â™¥ï¸ Mary Read More5 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioWhat a lovely post, Mary. How wonderful to have yourself, Grateful Sea and Anna in our community! Dear Anna, you may be in a difficult part of your life, but you will get through this. Any of us here would be glad to be supportive whenever you wish to talk about it. Sometimes the hardest part is feeling like we carry our burdens alone, and though we all are here to connect with gratitude, that sometimes isn't easy if we stuff our stresses and feelings inside. That even difficult times can off...What a lovely post, Mary. How wonderful to have yourself, Grateful Sea and Anna in our community! Dear Anna, you may be in a difficult part of your life, but you will get through this. Any of us here would be glad to be supportive whenever you wish to talk about it. Sometimes the hardest part is feeling like we carry our burdens alone, and though we all are here to connect with gratitude, that sometimes isn’t easy if we stuff our stresses and feelings inside. That even difficult times can offer special blessings, is something that YOU taught me, Anna. ☺ Love to you ⤠Thank you for being here. 🌞 Read More3 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryDear Holly, I believe that on our Gratefulness site, The Question of the day, once asked members to share some of their favorite sayings. I was surprised to read how many said that theirs was- This too shall pass. As I think of this now, I am reminded that everyone has their own personal struggles, and that at various times in life these struggles can be profoundly difficult. At these times, This too shall pass, can be reassuring. Your kind words to Anna were helpful to me. Love to you Holly....Dear Holly, I believe that on our Gratefulness site, The Question of the day, once asked members to share some of their favorite sayings. I was surprised to read how many said that theirs was- This too shall pass. As I think of this now, I am reminded that everyone has their own personal struggles, and that at various times in life these struggles can be profoundly difficult. At these times, This too shall pass, can be reassuring. Your kind words to Anna were helpful to me. Love to you Holly. â™¥ï¸ Mary Read More4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaGood plan, Mary: “This too shall pass” – thanks 4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaEudora! What fun to get a quote from Eudora – our old long-time email software, named because of her short story about the post office.’…not to point the finger in judgment but to part a curtain, …’ Thank you, gratefulness staff – 1 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SA poem from unknown I smile and Chant om From the baseline of my voice and send ripples coursing through my body Like the spiral galaxies in the universe Don’t ever think You are anything less Send everything. Close your eyes Observe the inbreath and the outbreath. Do this 10 times. Turn the observer you told your mind and watch thoughts go by like clouds. Don’t get caught in the clouds, but allow yourself to rest back gently into the pure awareness, the essentia...A poem from unknown I smile and Chant om From the baseline of my voice and send ripples coursing through my body Like the spiral galaxies in the universe Don’t ever think You are anything less Send everything. Close your eyes Observe the inbreath and the outbreath. Do this 10 times. Turn the observer you told your mind and watch thoughts go by like clouds. Don’t get caught in the clouds, but allow yourself to rest back gently into the pure awareness, the essential clarity and acidity that you are. We are peace, we are infinite, we are boundless space. And the pure, lucid consciousness we are has been since the beginning of the universe and all universes. Read More3 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryThis is beautiful, Mike! It reminds me o the peace of meditating and also reminds me how helpful this practice could be for me. I need to begin. (again) Thank you Mike. â™¥ï¸ Mary 2 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SYes meditation is a wonderful pursuit. Some people misunderstand meditation is a big deal and hard to do and so they either don’t give it a try or they try a little bit and feel like they have failed. Start out by just saying I’m going to be quiet now. You can sit or lay down or even walk, whatever position suits you or all of them. And then start by observing your breath in breath, cool air passing over the back of the throat and then the exhale warm air coming out. Follow the breath 5 to 1...Yes meditation is a wonderful pursuit. Some people misunderstand meditation is a big deal and hard to do and so they either don’t give it a try or they try a little bit and feel like they have failed. Start out by just saying I’m going to be quiet now. You can sit or lay down or even walk, whatever position suits you or all of them. And then start by observing your breath in breath, cool air passing over the back of the throat and then the exhale warm air coming out. Follow the breath 5 to 10 times and your mind will already start to quiet down a little bit. Then turn the observer you toward your mind. You may notice repetitive thoughts, thoughts about the past or the future or some negative main stream going on. You can resist getting caught up in the thoughts simply coming back to the breath each time. You may get caught up many such times that’s fine and normal, just continue coming back to the broth. After a while you’ll notice that the pole of your thoughts is less strong until at some point you simply watch them going by like clouds. When you get to this point you are now able to rest more in your true nature which is pure consciousness itself . Consciousness is lucid. You can’t really see it because it’s just like space vast and limitless and eternal. This is the God or Christ within, and when you get space from your thoughts you’re able to rest in your inner sanctuary of peace Read More4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThank you, Mike! Om Om! I didn’t want to Count 10 breaths, so I just moved along my fingers. Once when I was feeling meditative, leaning on the bridge over the lagoon, watching ducklings, I wanted to know how many there were, but my meditative mind didn’t want to count, What my meditative mind would do was say ‘3 ducklings here. 4 ducklings there. That’s 7 ducklings.’ A strange and memorable experience. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioUnknown sure is a good poet! 😄 This is one I will come back to, and come back to. Thank you! 1 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SHi folks, long time since I have posted. Life is good down here in Beaufort South Carolina. The weather is warming up quickly. I just spent some time this morning playing with our kitty with one of his toys. Simple pleasures give so much joy. Blessings to you all. 4 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaAlways welcome dear Mike, I hope all is well with you! 3 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SThanks much 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioHappy to see your post this morning, Mike. I've been thinking of you and praying for your health. I hope things look better now. I've also come across a poet recently that I think you would like, and may already know. When I read this one, I thought of all of us, really... You are not your age, Nor the size of clothes you wear, You are not a weight, Or the colour of your hair, You are not your name, Or the dimples in your cheeks, You are all the books you read, And all the words y...Happy to see your post this morning, Mike. I’ve been thinking of you and praying for your health. I hope things look better now. I’ve also come across a poet recently that I think you would like, and may already know. When I read this one, I thought of all of us, really… You are not your age, Nor the size of clothes you wear, You are not a weight, Or the colour of your hair, You are not your name, Or the dimples in your cheeks, You are all the books you read, And all the words you speak, You are your croaky morning voice, And the smiles you try to hide, You’re the sweetness in your laughter, And all the tears you’ve cried, You’re the songs you sing so loudly, When you know you’re all alone, You’re the places that you’ve been to, And the one that you call home, You’re the things that you believe in, And the people that you love, You’re the photos in your bedroom, And the future you dream of, You’re made of so much beauty, But it seems that you forgot, When you decided that you were defined, By all the things you’re not. e.h. (erin hanson) Read More2 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SPolly, thanks so much for your kind thoughts and sharing of that wonderful poem. There’s another poet I haven’t delved into much but what I’ve read of her is amazing. Her name is Naomi Shihab. Nye/. Search her out on YouTube and you’ll hear some wonderful readings. Yes I am doing better in terms my attitude about my health, and of course the state of our mind is really the ultimate source of health. Peace and blessings. 3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioFor those of you celebrating Easter today, Happy Easter! And for those of you not, Happy Spring! Daffodils are at last blooming in my yard this week. In the background here is an empty beehive waiting for our new bees. Looking, exploring, taking the trouble to make things, often brings me back to daily gratitude. 5 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimOur daffodils are blooming, too, and the tulips are getting ready. Although at the moment it is snowing (again!!). 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryI love daffodils!! I don’t think they grow well in Florida. I did grow some beautiful tulips one year, many years ago. I especially love day lilies! 0 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioLol. We are expecting snow today, too, though I don’t expect it to last long. Tulips? I bet the deer are looking forward to that, too! Sadly, the deer have cleaned nearly every tulip out of our neighborhood. It seems to be their favorite treat! 🦌 I will enjoy the thought your tulips being undisturbed by deer ⤠0 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaHappy Easter to you dear Holly, and to all friends here! 4 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioHappy Easter, Anna! 🌺 2 Reply grateful sea1 month agograteful seaHappy day to you, Holly. My heart is grateful to see the dance around an old bee tree near my house. 6 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioLovely! I love bee trees! There is one at a house on the next corner. You’ve inspired me to take a walk, today! 2 Reply Ose1 month agoOseWhat a surprise, dear grateful sea, welcome back! So good to see you joining in again! Happy Easter to you and to all in the Lounge! 🎨🎶 4 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioHappy Easter, Ose! 🌷 1 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaHappy Easter to you, dear Ose! 1 Reply grateful sea1 month agograteful seaMy dear Ose, thank you for welcoming me back. I am sending love to you with all my heart. As always, I feel few words, but I feel quiet joy to be here with you. And with all. One Love 🎵 💚 5 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioMy husband is terribly allergic to eggs and can get anaphylaxis, so we don't often have them in our house. Yesterday, with my husband home, I had to boil eggs on a camp stove outdoors so he wouldn't smell them... but I wanted some eggs for my son who is living with us. My husband leaves for work at 3:30 a.m. on Sundays, so then I could dye them indoors. I found some old paste food coloring in the cupboard (dried up but I made it work), hot water and vinegar, and got up early today to make these...My husband is terribly allergic to eggs and can get anaphylaxis, so we don’t often have them in our house. Yesterday, with my husband home, I had to boil eggs on a camp stove outdoors so he wouldn’t smell them… but I wanted some eggs for my son who is living with us. My husband leaves for work at 3:30 a.m. on Sundays, so then I could dye them indoors. I found some old paste food coloring in the cupboard (dried up but I made it work), hot water and vinegar, and got up early today to make these. I wish I could give an egg to everyone here… Read More 4 Reply THenry1 month agoTHenryBirdsong We sing this song Tell this tale For the ones Who will follow That they may know Why we were here In the midst of chaos A sweet melody To comfort To bring a smile A brief moment of peace In a world Longing to be saved No time for war Let the healing begin It begins with the soft Sweet chorus of Thrush Nightingale Robin Mockingbird Make it so Creatures, gentle one, all Who share their love Of a life so brief That we may be free Of our burdens...Birdsong We sing this song Tell this tale For the ones Who will follow That they may know Why we were here In the midst of chaos A sweet melody To comfort To bring a smile A brief moment of peace In a world Longing to be saved No time for war Let the healing begin It begins with the soft Sweet chorus of Thrush Nightingale Robin Mockingbird Make it so Creatures, gentle one, all Who share their love Of a life so brief That we may be free Of our burdens To fly as high As our spirit allows THenry July 4, 2018 Read More8 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryThank you THenry! So good to hear from you! This poem is so timely and beautiful. Sending love to you. â™¥ï¸ Mary 2 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaThank you THenry, for being here with us in this special day , with your touching song. 1 Reply grateful sea1 month agograteful seaThank you for singing your song, THenry. 3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioSo lovely! And so relevant! Thank you, THenry, 🙂 2 Reply Jeseph1 month agoJesephHi folks, This is a long-overdue introduction on my part... I am the Director of Digital Engagement here at A Network for Grateful Living. I am often working on things in the background and keeping the wheels turning - so to speak. That being said I want all of you to know that your presence here in the Gratitude Lounge is in-large-part what makes this online space that many of us frequent feel like a true community. With that said, our team is hard at work on the next version of gratefuln...Hi folks, This is a long-overdue introduction on my part… I am the Director of Digital Engagement here at A Network for Grateful Living. I am often working on things in the background and keeping the wheels turning – so to speak. That being said I want all of you to know that your presence here in the Gratitude Lounge is in-large-part what makes this online space that many of us frequent feel like a true community. With that said, our team is hard at work on the next version of gratefulness.org – this presents many opportunities for us to improve on things while being sure to keep hold of features and functions that we have all come to love and expect. One area that I am excited to improve upon is the opportunity to connect, reflect, and share together. The Gratitude Lounge has become a meeting space for so many and that has proven to manifest in many forms. Forms that we want to celebrate in a way that fosters community with a core focus of inclusivity as Grateful Living is a practice for all. I will follow up with more on this soon but in the meantime, I would like to open up an inbox for feedback as to how I can best serve the Gratitude Lounge as it continues to grow and involve. Please email me at any time via [email protected] – I will be sure to read and respond to all feedback. Thank you all again for your presence and participation in this wonderful space. -Jeseph Read More5 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioThank you very much, Joseph. Your effort is very appreciated! 2 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaThank you Jeseph, it seems interesting and exciting! 2 Reply Ose1 month agoOseThank you, Jeseph! 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryThank you Jeseph! This all sounds wonderful and so exciting! Mary 2 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimGood to meet you, Jeseph! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI thought you might enjoy this photo. I took it last week when my husband and I drove to our beekeeping supplier. The shop and farm cooperate with the local Amish community, and there is a menagerie of lovely animals there. There are many unusual birds but they are in shaded cages and difficult to get a good photo of them, but there are also many other kinds of animals and birds, so I took a few shots on the farm. I got this goat… 3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioBut when i tried to get this one, he kept following me around and getting too close to the camera (which maybe he wanted to taste), so I have about ten shots, all more or less like this: 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI especially thought you might enjoy the flock of white doves, that are all over, but like roosting in this barn: 1 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryHolly I don’t think there are any completely white doves in nature. There are Albino doves and pigeons that are mostly white. I think to get completely white doves they would have to be bred for whiteness. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioThank you! I didn't know that. I wasn't noticing their eyes. Usually you have to get very close to be sure if eyes are pink. My husband and I are waiting to get the phone call from the shop that our new bees are in. If he gets the call at work he might leave from there to the bee place, but there is also a chance I will be back there in a week or so, and I can ask in the shop the story behind the doves. There are also alpaca, miniature horses, several different kinds of peacocks, many bi...Thank you! I didn’t know that. I wasn’t noticing their eyes. Usually you have to get very close to be sure if eyes are pink. My husband and I are waiting to get the phone call from the shop that our new bees are in. If he gets the call at work he might leave from there to the bee place, but there is also a chance I will be back there in a week or so, and I can ask in the shop the story behind the doves. There are also alpaca, miniature horses, several different kinds of peacocks, many birds I’ve never seen before, some cattle, turkeys, and I don’t think I’ve seen them all. Here is one small part of their bee yard: Read More 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioOne more for now. This is the only place I remember seeing white doves. I wonder why they never leave? 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioGood morning, community. This morning I was grateful that a young apple tree has survived the winter. It is still in a pot and I have yet to plant it. Last year I planted a small peach tree which surprised me with peaches the first year, much to the delight of the deer, which ate every one! Lol. That tree now has beautiful pink blossoms on it, and later, maybe in June, I will put netting over it. Spring gives us so many reasons to be grateful, even if we are not gardening. Rain here again, to...Good morning, community. This morning I was grateful that a young apple tree has survived the winter. It is still in a pot and I have yet to plant it. Last year I planted a small peach tree which surprised me with peaches the first year, much to the delight of the deer, which ate every one! Lol. That tree now has beautiful pink blossoms on it, and later, maybe in June, I will put netting over it. Spring gives us so many reasons to be grateful, even if we are not gardening. Rain here again, today, soon I will have daffodils blooming, which come late to my garden, but I have been enjoying seeing them in neighbor’s yards. I’m grateful for all of the community here, but at present, I am especially grateful for Mica, who’s kind words made a hard day this week so much easier for me. ⤠Bless you all. Read More3 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryI am also grateful for you Holly. You have so much energy and have always answered kindly to those who write in with worries or sadness. I have seen and felt your kindness many times. â™¥ï¸ Mary 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioThank you, Mary, and I have been touched by your kindnesses many times, too! 1 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryâ™¥ï¸ 1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaOh thank you dear Holly 🙂 – I’m grateful for this community and especially for you 🙂
