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Gratitude Lounge

Welcome! We are glad you are here. This is an open space where everyone belongs, and everyone is welcome. Please introduce yourself as you feel comfortable and join in sharing your experience of grateful living. To get started you might reflect upon questions such as these: What am I grateful for? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? What are some blessings in my life (including ones in disguise)? How am I being supported right now? What connects me to wonder, awe, or a sense of the sacred? You are welcome to include images and links for videos to illustrate your reflections.

  • Lady2020

    😑💓🙏 🌎 🕊️🐕

  • Patrick

    The Cry of the Earth and our response . . .

  • Frank De Munter
    My father. He was an autistic man, his mother died at giving birth, and he never went to school, couldn't read nor write. Grew up as an orphan in a family who made him work on the fields from a very early age. And he's done that all his life: working on the field. I never knew him doing something else. He never gossiped, never complained, never spoke ill of people and was always willing to help others who needed it. My mother very much appreciated him for this, and often, when we sat at the tabl...

    My father. He was an autistic man, his mother died at giving birth, and he never went to school, couldn’t read nor write. Grew up as an orphan in a family who made him work on the fields from a very early age. And he’s done that all his life: working on the field. I never knew him doing something else. He never gossiped, never complained, never spoke ill of people and was always willing to help others who needed it. My mother very much appreciated him for this, and often, when we sat at the table with the family, she often told him how much she loved him, and how much she appreciated him working so hard for his family and taking care of them. And then he looked at her kindly, smiled softly and said just nothing. And then she got up, went over to his chair, embraced him, kissed him on the head and said, “I love you so much – and thank you for everything you do for us.”
    This are the most beautiful gifts I have received from Mother and Father: say “thank you”, and “I love you.”

    Read More
    • June K C

      This is such a touching story of you father. What a loving and kind man. Yes, we need to say “thank you” and “I love you” more often. The world needs these words more than ever.

    • Mike S

      Thanks for sharing this touching portrait of your family.

  • Diane
    Good morning my lovely friends It is a sunny Tuesday here in Colorado...after a whopper of a snow storm this weekend. We have only been here a month but already have a taste of the unusual weather patterns they have here in this part of the country. But, as advertised the sun really does shine here every day and the snow melts very quickly. During yesterday's walk, I had to navigate around big puddles of melted snow! I have been feeling like the prodigal daughter these days. My prayer l...

    Good morning my lovely friends

    It is a sunny Tuesday here in Colorado…after a whopper of a snow storm this weekend. We have only been here a month but already have a taste of the unusual weather patterns they have here in this part of the country. But, as advertised the sun really does shine here every day and the snow melts very quickly. During yesterday’s walk, I had to navigate around big puddles of melted snow!

    I have been feeling like the prodigal daughter these days. My prayer life mostly consists of saying “thank you, thank you, thank you. Help me, help me, help me”. A prayer I learned from one of my favorite authors and spiritual guides, Anne Lamott.

    I am comforted by the words of Meister Eckhart who said:
    “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”
    Grateful for our patient, gracious, loving Creator during these shadow times.

    I am holding our dear friend Ursula close. I wonder if she has met my sister yet? Heaven is such a mystery but we can imagine with hopeful curiosity.

    ~With grateful love ♥

    Read More
    • Mica

      Thank you, Diane, for your Anne Lamott prayer 💕😷

  • Mike S

    Am getting my first COVID vaccination today. My wife got hers last week. Many people here over 70 are already vaccinated. Good news. Hope you all are staying safe.

    • Diane

      Great news Mike! I hope you and your wife are feeling well.
      My husband and I have received both vaccinations now and were pleasantly surprised that we suffered minimal side effects! We had to drive over an hour for our vaccines, which gave us the opportunity to see more of our new surroundings. We stopped at a lovely vineyard on the way home and soaked up the Colorado sunshine while sampling their wine. Grateful for those gifts.

      ~Blessings ♥

      • Mike S

        Just got my an hour ago, Diane, no pain or side effects to far. I hear the Pfizer version is better re side effects than Moderna. Nice ritual to do some wine tasting after. I went for an iced mocha and a muffin at a local cafe.

    • Anna

      Dear Mike, I wish you the best!
      I hope to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Perhaps, here, in the region where I live, some companies will be allowed to administer the vaccine to their employees, to speed up operations. I hope my company does.

  • Pilgrim

    Dear Anna, I read today that Italy would be back on lockdown due to Covid. I am holding you, your family, your country in prayer, my friend.

    • Anna

      Dear Pilgrim, it is a joy to see you! thank you for your prayers, dear friend!
      Yes Pilgrim, from tomorrow, until Easter, there will be another lockdown.
      We need it to make vaccination operations easy and successful. We are tired, Pilgrim, I cannot tell another truth.
      The difference from the last lockdown is that work will continue, but the schools are closed and I am very sad for the young people.

      • Diane

        Cara Anna….I’m so sorry that your beloved country is experiencing this. I don’t know them personally, but I imagine that I have many relatives of my Nana that are with you….and that makes my connection with you and your country very strong. I can feel it in my bones Anna. I hope you feel my prayers and my spirit with you.
        ~Blessings dear friend ♥

        • Anna

          Yes Diane, dear friend, I feel your prayers, and I am happy with you that you and your husband have received your vaccine dose.

  • Drew Blanton

    I got an MRI recently. Everything’s fine.

    • Diane

      Hello Drew…so happy to hear this good news! As Pilgrim said, I’m sure you are very relieved.
      ~Blessings ♥

    • Pilgrim

      Hi Drew, it can be such a relief to get good test results! I’m glad to hear your news.

  • Mike S
    My morning centering time includes gratefulness, readings from Marianne Williamson plus wisdom chapters from the Chinese wisdom book the Tao Te .Ching by Lao Tsu. I really appreciate the Taoist philosophy. Here’s a segment from my reading today.. “To talk little is natural. High winds do not last all morning. Heavy rain does not last all day. Why is this? Heaven and Earth! If heaven and Earth cannot make things eternal, How is it possible for man? He who follows the Tao Is at one with the T...

    My morning centering time includes gratefulness, readings from Marianne Williamson plus wisdom chapters from the Chinese wisdom book the Tao Te .Ching by Lao Tsu. I really appreciate the Taoist philosophy. Here’s a segment from my reading today..

    “To talk little is natural. High winds do not last all morning. Heavy rain does not last all day. Why is this? Heaven and Earth! If heaven and Earth cannot make things eternal, How is it possible for man? He who follows the Tao Is at one with the Tao. He who is virtuous experiences virtue. He who loses the way is lost. When you are at one with the Tao, the Tao welcomes you. When you are at one with Virtue, the Virtue is always there. When you are at one with loss, the loss is experienced willingly. He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.”

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    • Mica

      Thank you, Mike S, for the wonderful quote from the Tao Te Ching. I think I’ll read the Tao Te Ching again. It has been [too?] long

  • Mike S

    For the last few days I’ve felt really tired and have slight discomfort at the top part of my breath. I looked up these symptoms and found pleurisy, or inflammation of the lining to the lungs. I’ve had this twice before. Has anyone else had same?

    • Mica

      Dear Mike S – I’ve started pranayama again, now that I’m old and it seems as if my nasal passages are narrower. I try to remember to do 3 rounds of rapid diaphragmatic breathing in the morning. I started after finding a page in an old notebook with the date my daughter graduated from allergy clinic – no asthma, after doing pranayama for some years. Warm wishes – 😷

      • Mike S

        Mica, Yes, diaphragmatic breathing is a great energy boost. Thankfully, mu symptoms today are gone after several days of rest and plenty of liquids.

    • Joy

      Dear Mike, I looked it up in the net and it seems that if it really would be pleurisy, it might be good to see a physician, as it seems it can be due to a variety of reasons. Breathing deeply and not flat they say is important to avoid it getting worse, but to be on the safe side, seeing a doctor to be investigated and treated well probably would be a good idea. Do you have a chance to do so?

      • Mike S

        Appreciate your concern. I gave a mild version which is getting better already with rest and lots of liquid.

        • Joy

          Good to hear and happy that it went well so soon. Thanks for letting me and us know.

    • Anna

      Dear Mike, I’m not sure I understood this correctly, but in the past I often felt discomfort in breathing even though I had nothing in my lungs. My problem is reflux due to the hiatal hernia.
      It can’t definitively heal but with good and systematic exercises for the diaphragmatic muscle now I feel much better!

  • Joy

    Hi folks, I am so grateful to have found this site and hope I may join in. It took me a little while to dare writing, but today was the day 🙂 !! Seems there are many kind and openhearted people sharing here to be together peacefully with kindness and care. So precious. Greetings to you!

    • Pilgrim

      Welcome, Joy! We are happy you are with us here!

    • Mike S

      Hello Joy and welcome. These is much love and kindness in this space which will nourish you and support your deeper sharing. 💕🙏🏼

    • Anna

      Hi Joy, welcome!
      You are right, this is a place for sharing peacefully with kindness, and surely this is a great relief.

  • Toni

    This is my little boy, Oliver. He is the love of my life!

    • Toni
      Thank you! He continues to bring joy to my life every day. He is just 6 months old and with him there is never a dull moment. After loosing my last cat after 19 1/2 years, I never thought I could go through that again. That loss was devastating for me. After 4 years of not having an animal in my home I finally got the courage to love again. He's a beauty and very much the love of my life. I have been with him everyday for 4 months and I hope we both adjust to a little separation as I begi...

      Thank you! He continues to bring joy to my life every day. He is just 6 months old and with him there is never a dull moment. After loosing my last cat after 19 1/2 years, I never thought I could go through that again. That loss was devastating for me. After 4 years of not having an animal in my home I finally got the courage to love again. He’s a beauty and very much the love of my life. I have been with him everyday for 4 months and I hope we both adjust to a little separation as I begin to leave the house again as covid restrictions subside.

      Read More
    • Anna

      Very nice, Toni!

    • Mike S

      What a look, Toni, of intelligence in those eyes.

    • Palm

      He’s lovely, Toni 💕 thank you

  • Drew Blanton

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

    • Anna

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

    • Mike S

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

    • Palm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Read More
    • Palm

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

    • Pilgrim

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

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

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

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

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

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    • Palm

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

      • Annie

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

        • Palm

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

    • Diane

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

      Enjoy this new miracle in your life.
      ~Blessings ♥

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

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

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    • Diane

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

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

    Good morning lovely friends:

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

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

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

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

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    • Anna

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

      • Diane

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

    • Annie

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

      • Diane

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

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

        ~With grateful love♥

    • Pilgrim

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

      • Diane

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

    • Mike S

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

      • Diane

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

  • Drew Blanton

    • Ose

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

    • Mike S

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

    • Diane

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

  • Mike S

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

  • Mica

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

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

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

    Read More
    • Anna

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

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