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. Christine1 month agoChristineWhen I saw this picture I immediately thought “The woman in the middle could be a member of the gratefulness family”😊 9 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryYes! 3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI was also thinking how it might be nice if nursing homes and hospitals were arranged so that patients could face each other. 🙂 3 Reply ALICIA1 month agoALICIAHaving been in the medical arena for nearly 5 decades, I’d hope no patients would have to face each other in their illness or recovery from procedures. Nursing home residents need whatever privacy they can garner. The individual in the center of the print is in the sun ;perhaps this is the artist’s message light can be found in shadow. 1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThe individual in the center, Alicia, is facing the window and has opened her curtains! 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryThat is a very good point. 3 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThank you, Dear Christine! I thought, well, the middle woman is by the window, but then I noticed – the other 2 women have windows too! And they have their backs to their windows. As well as having the curtains pulled. I just finished reading a bio of Millie Dresselhaus, who was always positive about things, or sometimes she’d say, “Well, things will change.” Warm wishes to you – 4 Reply Michele1 month agoMicheleLove that! You’re so right:) 4 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI'm grateful this morning for the smells of my husband's cooking wafting up the stair. Sometimes on the weekend he will get up early and make a "cookie breakfast," as he calls it (he's Scottish). I always thought it a shame it doesn't actually involve cookies... haha... but it will be a delicious breakfast with bacon and orange juice as a treat, toast and homemade jams and marmalade, and something called, "fried breid," which is literally fried bread, which turns out so crispy that it melts in ...I’m grateful this morning for the smells of my husband’s cooking wafting up the stair. Sometimes on the weekend he will get up early and make a “cookie breakfast,” as he calls it (he’s Scottish). I always thought it a shame it doesn’t actually involve cookies… haha… but it will be a delicious breakfast with bacon and orange juice as a treat, toast and homemade jams and marmalade, and something called, “fried breid,” which is literally fried bread, which turns out so crispy that it melts in the mouth! It is a textural experience impossible to describe, it gets so light and airy. My husband is allergic to eggs so he doesn’t make those for our table but sometimes I make pancakes or French Toast with maple syrup, or some kind of breakfast baked good, using an egg replacer if needed. But waking up slowly, knowing breakfast is cooking and the table is being set already… that’s the best! Everyone can have something special once in a while to break the sameness of the days and to have something to look forward to. I remember when Mike posted a photo of some delicious pastry when he and his wife went out to a cafe, and he said, “but we can’t do this every day,” and he is so right, because if it were every day, then it would cease to be special! I’m also grateful for warm fuzzy red socks! Read More3 Reply Ose1 month agoOseGrateful for such morning impressions a few days ago while walking along the river. The beauty of the rising sun filled the moment with silent joy. And only a few days before, another beautiful impression which I will try to add also. What a wonderful, magical world we are allowed to live in! 7 Reply ALICIA1 month agoALICIAHello, Ose, so nice to see you here. Lovely photos . Thank you. 1 Reply Ose1 month agoOseHi, dear Alicia, thank you, and welcome back! You have been missed here in the Lounge. So happy to see you again!ðŸ‘🌸 💜 0 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThank you for the beautiful photos, dear Ose – I hope you are doing well â˜ºï¸ ðŸ˜Š 😇 2 Reply Ose1 month agoOseYes I am fine, thanks for asking. Wishing you a lovely day, dear Mica 🀠2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioLovely, Ose! What a treat to wake up to these photos this morning. Thank you. ⤠1 Reply Ose1 month agoOseGood morning to you, too, dear Holly!. Happy that you are happy! 😘 1 Reply ch1 month agochThank you Ose 🧡 2 Reply Ose1 month agoOseYou are welcome, dear ch! 🌺 1 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimBeautiful, Ose! Thank you. 2 Reply Ose1 month agoOseGood morning, dear Pilgrim, and thanks to you, dear friend! 🙠2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioThere is absolutely no reason to be rushed along with the rush. Everybody should be free to go slow. -Robert Frost 4 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioGood morning! I have realized there are many facets to stress that are self-fulfilling and self-perpetuating. If I'm stressed, I tend to gravitate towards less healthy comfort foods, but if I'm not eating nutritiously, it also adds to stress. If I'm stressed, I need to "sit and relax," but too much of that and I feel more stressed and less inclined to do things. The same goes for stress affecting my sleep, for wanting/shopping/having stuff, and so on. It can sometimes be difficult to break such...Good morning! I have realized there are many facets to stress that are self-fulfilling and self-perpetuating. If I’m stressed, I tend to gravitate towards less healthy comfort foods, but if I’m not eating nutritiously, it also adds to stress. If I’m stressed, I need to “sit and relax,” but too much of that and I feel more stressed and less inclined to do things. The same goes for stress affecting my sleep, for wanting/shopping/having stuff, and so on. It can sometimes be difficult to break such a cycle, but I realize that right now, I need to be DOing more and not over-thinking! Today I am grateful for a new spring day. Usually my Thursday’s and Fridays are focused on housework, laundry, etc. Today will be warm enough that I can wash my bed quilt and put it out in the sunshine to dry. Nothing better than linens that smell of the fresh outdoors! I’m also thankful for the book I am reading. One of my neighbors, who speaks Welsh and studied literature at University, loaned me this book and told me I’d love it, and I do. It is a story of a hobgoblin, and it is named for the main character, Hobberdy Dick. This book is a delight! I think I will look up other books by this author when I finish. Today my plan is to move some of my houseplants to the porch, after giving them a good wash in the back yard! This weekend will be cool-ish, but we have a lovely warm week expected next week. Some nights will still be cold, so I will be moving them in and out for a while, but this is when the seasons change, and we with it. I hope you all have a wonderful day today, with many blessings in it! “All my hurts, my garden spade can heal.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Read More 2 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThank you, Holly, and warm wishes for dealing with your stress. I think my response to stress has gotten a lot less lately from doing yoga breathing – breath of fire or bastrika – and from playing music – mainly my Jai Ma Kirtan tape and a birthday cd from my daughter long ago with some of her favorite songs on it. There. I’ve started playing it. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI'm so glad you are getting relief with that practice. It makes sense to me. As I reflected yesterday, and then with your post also, I can see that stress is deeply affected by our being able to get our basic needs, and certainly air/breathing is one of them! One of my friends of long ago had spent many years doing Ala-non, and she taught me something that she had learned, that when she was emotional, hurt, or stressed, she should H.A.L.T. and take stock, is she Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired?...I’m so glad you are getting relief with that practice. It makes sense to me. As I reflected yesterday, and then with your post also, I can see that stress is deeply affected by our being able to get our basic needs, and certainly air/breathing is one of them! One of my friends of long ago had spent many years doing Ala-non, and she taught me something that she had learned, that when she was emotional, hurt, or stressed, she should H.A.L.T. and take stock, is she Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired? I thought that very useful, too. Read More1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThanks, Holly – that’s a good acronym – HALT. Was it you who recommended the book, “From Panic to Power”? It came yesterday. Wish me luck as I work on a paper in honor of Ned Seeman’s death, due Apr 30! 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioYes, it was. I hope you find the book helpful. Good luck with your paper! 1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaOh, dear dear Annie! {{{hugs}}}! Your strange problems make my strange problems seem small. Thank you 🙂 for that gift ðŸ’🎠I know a woman with dreadful health problems whose downstairs tenant walks her dog ðŸ•â€ðŸ¦ºðŸ¦®ðŸ’©ðŸ¾ðŸ“„[service dog, guide dog, pile of poo, doggy footprints, dog-eared page – thanks so much to the person who posted the emoji link for me on this site!] What kind/s of dogs did you have? ðŸ•ðŸ©My favorite one was a crazy black rescue dog named Girl [I don’t...Oh, dear dear Annie! {{{hugs}}}! Your strange problems make my strange problems seem small. Thank you 🙂 for that gift ðŸ’🎠I know a woman with dreadful health problems whose downstairs tenant walks her dog ðŸ•â€ðŸ¦ºðŸ¦®ðŸ’©ðŸ¾ðŸ“„[service dog, guide dog, pile of poo, doggy footprints, dog-eared page – thanks so much to the person who posted the emoji link for me on this site!] What kind/s of dogs did you have? ðŸ•ðŸ©My favorite one was a crazy black rescue dog named Girl [I don’t think anyone had ever actually given her a name.] Now I have a guinea pig 🹠[That’s a hamster – the emoji site doesn’t have a guinea pig emoji]. Warm wishes to you! Read More1 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieGood evening friends, I need some cheering up....For starter's my Whole Foods order did not arrive a few days ago. Yeah I am getting a refund but it is frustrating. Next the relay service I use just redid the site and it's not working at all :( I'm visually impaired as well so a caption phone won't help. And is that is not enough ...I fell today for the third time in the past two months. For those who don 't know ...I have neuropathy from my waist down and use a walker. As I am drawing clos...Good evening friends, I need some cheering up….For starter’s my Whole Foods order did not arrive a few days ago. Yeah I am getting a refund but it is frustrating. Next the relay service I use just redid the site and it’s not working at all 🙠I’m visually impaired as well so a caption phone won’t help. And is that is not enough …I fell today for the third time in the past two months. For those who don ‘t know …I have neuropathy from my waist down and use a walker. As I am drawing closer to God I think the evils one is trying to mess me up ….well he can’t win ! No matter what problems, trials etc I love Jesus ! Nothing or no one will change that. But I still could use a hug…Wish I could have a dog because dogs are so comforting. I really miss having one. Of course that’s not gonna happen since walking a dog won’t work….I can hardly walk me hahaha. Thanks for listening to me vent 🙂 Read More4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaOh, dear dear Annie! {{{hugs}}}! Your strange problems make my strange problems seem small. Thank you 🙂 for that gift ðŸ’🎠I know a woman with dreadful health problems whose downstairs tenant walks her dog ðŸ•â€ðŸ¦ºðŸ¦®ðŸ’©ðŸ¾ðŸ“„[service dog, guide dog, pile of poo, doggy footprints, dog-eared page – thanks so much to the person who posted the emoji link for me on this site!] What kind/s of dogs did you have? ðŸ•ðŸ©My favorite one was a crazy black rescue dog named Girl [I donâ€...Oh, dear dear Annie! {{{hugs}}}! Your strange problems make my strange problems seem small. Thank you 🙂 for that gift ðŸ’🎠I know a woman with dreadful health problems whose downstairs tenant walks her dog ðŸ•â€ðŸ¦ºðŸ¦®ðŸ’©ðŸ¾ðŸ“„[service dog, guide dog, pile of poo, doggy footprints, dog-eared page – thanks so much to the person who posted the emoji link for me on this site!] What kind/s of dogs did you have? ðŸ•ðŸ©My favorite one was a crazy black rescue dog named Girl [I don’t think anyone had ever actually given her a name.] Now I have a guinea pig 🹠[That’s a hamster – the emoji site doesn’t have a guinea pig emoji]. Warm wishes to you! Read More2 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieHey Mica ! Where can I find emoji] on this site ? It will be fun adding them! I had a crazy lovely Bedlington Terrier …a rescue. He lived for 20years! In his last years he was blind and a bit out there ..His name was Mr Raggs, I called him just Raggs or Raggsy …he was amazing finding his way around my house being blind. Raggsy was a joy…He made my laugh and cry. I miss him so much! I will see if I can post a picture. 4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThanks, Annie – he looks like a dear! Maybe I’ll post a picture of Girl some day – I have LOTS of them 🙂 getemoji.com is the link someone here gave me [maybe ‘ch’] – It’s such a treat. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioMr. Raggs is so nice, Annie! You did a fine job posting a picture I hope you and Palm are both feeling better today. I’m thinking of you! 🩠I know of two ways to get emoji, and there may be others. On my Windows PC, I only need to tap the Window key and then the period key, for a menu to come up. Then, recently, someone posted that you can go to a website called, Get Emoji and you can cut and paste from there. 🙂 ! 2 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmThanks Holly ♡ I’m feeling a lot better 🙂 1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaOooh, Holly – windows + period – what a great hint! With all my computer problems, learning how to use emojis has been way way down on my list ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘💕💕💕💕 1 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmAnnie, I need a hug too, so there it goes 🤗 3 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaA big hug, un grande grandissimo abbraccio cara Palm. 2 Reply ALICIA1 month agoALICIAHi, Anna. I’m back. 1 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmCara Anna, grazie ♡ un abbraccione a te. A big hug to you 1 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryHugs to you, lovely Palm! â™¥ï¸ 4 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmThanks Mary, and to you â¤ï¸ 2 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieGood day Palm ! Thanks for the hug 🙂 Here is a hug back to U …Today is a new day …a better day 🙂 1 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryâ™¥ï¸ 3 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieaww thanks Mary ! 2 Reply Mary1 month agoMaryYou are quite welcome. 3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in Ohio((((((Annie)))))) That is meant to be a big hug. I wish I could give you one in person. I'm sorry you had a bad week. I hope things get better from here. And I hope it isn't too awkward until your next Whole Foods order comes in. I have a friend who has been coming to dinner on Friday nights at my house for almost 20 years. He also has a walker now, so we go and pick him up and put his walker in our car. His is the kind you can sit on, too, which he likes because he is trying to walk as muc...((((((Annie)))))) That is meant to be a big hug. I wish I could give you one in person. I’m sorry you had a bad week. I hope things get better from here. And I hope it isn’t too awkward until your next Whole Foods order comes in. I have a friend who has been coming to dinner on Friday nights at my house for almost 20 years. He also has a walker now, so we go and pick him up and put his walker in our car. His is the kind you can sit on, too, which he likes because he is trying to walk as much as he can, but he often needs to stop and rest. I don’t know what we will do when he can’t get around as much. Maybe I will start taking dinner over to him then. He is just in a little two room place, but we will figure something out. We don’t lose our friendships when our bodies wear out. I know it can be frustrating to have a walker, and falling is no fun at any age, but at least you can still get around, Annie, and have some independence. I wish you could have a dog, too! Do you want to tell me about dogs you used to have? I used to have a spaniel. She was a sweet thing. I am often near to my laptop, Annie, whenever you need an ear. I could not be near it much today, though. My husband and I were doing taxes and other necessary things. I hope your evening is nicer! 🙂 Read More2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioGood morning ☀ I am thankful for the beautiful morning sunshine streaking in the window this early morn. It is interesting that there is nothing to compare to this basic joy which we all share. Mr. and Mrs. Hopeful reappeared at the nesting box! My husband noticed them. We watched them preen for a while and then the Mrs. started “feathering the nest” again while he sat on the clothesline. The look happy. 2 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaGreat quote today by the founder of Girls Who Code, an org that I donate to: It takes bravery to give yourself a break and refuse to let guilt dictate your daily life. RESHMA SAUJANI For me the problem is not guilt but ‘too much anxiety’ and I’m still working on what it takes to get beyond that! Warm wishes to all – 🙂 3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioPerhaps you can take stock as to when your anxiety increases and decreases? I have been thinking I should do this again for myself. When I have done it before it has always revealed to me useful insights. Sometimes small changes help. For me, I noticed that not drinking enough water makes me more likely to become anxious! I have no idea why, but still I'm certain, and drinking water is an easy way for me to support myself. I also found that rest is important, but not too much! For instance, a bi...Perhaps you can take stock as to when your anxiety increases and decreases? I have been thinking I should do this again for myself. When I have done it before it has always revealed to me useful insights. Sometimes small changes help. For me, I noticed that not drinking enough water makes me more likely to become anxious! I have no idea why, but still I’m certain, and drinking water is an easy way for me to support myself. I also found that rest is important, but not too much! For instance, a bit of solitaire is stress relieving, but too much is avoidance of other things so my stress will increase if I do too much of it. I found that walking helps me sleep better. The worries themselves are often more opportunistic of these daily habits, or lack thereof. The worries will still be there, but they can be amplified several fold if my habits are not supportive. I expect stress is very personal, and our triggers and calmers will often be different from each other. Taking stock daily or several times a day, can help us understand better. I’m glad you are talking about it, Mica. I hope you have a pleasant evening and will be able to sleep well tonight. 🛌🕊 Read More2 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThanks, HOlly – middle of the night is much worse than middle of the day. My women’s zoom people were talking about breathing practices as a good way of working with distress. May you sleep well! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioMm, yes, that time of night used to get me, too! It always amazed me how circumstances seem so differently in the middle of the night, and when the dawn comes, things seem better, and I would feel more rational, even though tired. I wish I had a magic wand, Mica, but perhaps your breathing exercises will be that magic wand! 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in Ohioha ha! That’s quite an interesting silver lining! 😂 What is on your learning list? 1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThank you, Holly – being old has definite advantages in terms of having less future life to worry about. I’m sort of amused at how much I seem to have to learn still, at this old age👵 1 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SThe great mystic Meister Eckhart shut the following: The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love.†6 Reply Kristi1 month agoKristiGood Morning Gratitude Loungers – I am writing to invite everyone to take a moment to review the Terms & Conditions shared above. This is a sacred space where our community members get to reflect on living gratefully in a safe, interconnected way. This lounge is minimally moderated, so we rely on tacit agreement with our Terms & Conditions, and trust in each person’s commitment to honoring them. Thank you for holding this space with us. With a grateful heart – Kristi Nelson, Executive Dire...Good Morning Gratitude Loungers – I am writing to invite everyone to take a moment to review the Terms & Conditions shared above. This is a sacred space where our community members get to reflect on living gratefully in a safe, interconnected way. This lounge is minimally moderated, so we rely on tacit agreement with our Terms & Conditions, and trust in each person’s commitment to honoring them. Thank you for holding this space with us. With a grateful heart – Kristi Nelson, Executive Director, and Your Gratefulness Team Read More6 Reply ALICIA1 month agoALICIAKristi, thank you for posting. I had left because I felt this space was turning into a chat room . I have been disturbed that days were determined to be meeting times. I was not feeling pressured from these decisions but noted some people were no longer writing in the gratitude lounge . I also noted there was no response to sensitive or poignant posts perhaps participants here no longer felt they were being seen or heard. I’d like to request that those seeing my post here that people ar...Kristi, thank you for posting. I had left because I felt this space was turning into a chat room . I have been disturbed that days were determined to be meeting times. I was not feeling pressured from these decisions but noted some people were no longer writing in the gratitude lounge . I also noted there was no response to sensitive or poignant posts perhaps participants here no longer felt they were being seen or heard. I’d like to request that those seeing my post here that people are on this site from all over the world. Some chose not to write and others may not write due to constraints where they live. Read More0 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioThank you, Kristi. 🕊 1 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieGreetings lovely friends, I have not seen Diane on here in quite some time. Does anyone know if she is doing okay? Love ya 🙂 1 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimDear Annie, Some of us have chosen to post on Prayer Tuesdays in the Practice space so that we could find each other there. Some of us have longtime friendships on Gratefulness.org and did not want to give that up. Not all have moved there, or not all have left this page completely, but we want to stay connected there so we don’t lose each other. Thank you for asking about this. I believe that Diane is doing okay, per her posts there. 2 Reply ALICIA1 month agoALICIAHello, Pilgrim. Thank goodness for your post. A relief . 0 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioYou may be able to find her In Questions. I am dearly hoping that Diane, Pilgrim, and other friends will return to observe Prayer Tuesday. I miss their presence, too. For a while there was also a shared coffee/tea time on Tuesdays in the late morning. The lounge became busy with more voices, and the change may have become very frustrating for some. We stopped the tea time for a while hoping that no one would feel displaced, and if a shared time resumes, it will be on a day or days other t...You may be able to find her In Questions. I am dearly hoping that Diane, Pilgrim, and other friends will return to observe Prayer Tuesday. I miss their presence, too. For a while there was also a shared coffee/tea time on Tuesdays in the late morning. The lounge became busy with more voices, and the change may have become very frustrating for some. We stopped the tea time for a while hoping that no one would feel displaced, and if a shared time resumes, it will be on a day or days other than Tuesday. We don’t want to lose the presence of any of our friends. I am hoping with time, we will feel more as a single, loving community. Differences in people are something to treasure. Differences can help us to learn from each other and broadens our experiences. My thoughts today are with the Prayer Tuesday group, and hoping that they will post today. I send my love to them ⤠Read More2 Reply ALICIA1 month agoALICIAHolly, I never thought of Prayer Tuesday as a “ groupâ€. There was no division here. Ursula, a young woman who succumbed to cancer, had asked us a few years ago to pray on Tuesday for her, for others, and to honor her favorite saint. I held Ursula as a friend . Her wisdom and insights were respected . The people on this site who knew her then tried to hold her in that awful journey and also to support each other knowing we’d lose a sweet soul. I don’t believe any of the participants ...Holly, I never thought of Prayer Tuesday as a “ groupâ€. There was no division here. Ursula, a young woman who succumbed to cancer, had asked us a few years ago to pray on Tuesday for her, for others, and to honor her favorite saint. I held Ursula as a friend . Her wisdom and insights were respected . The people on this site who knew her then tried to hold her in that awful journey and also to support each other knowing we’d lose a sweet soul. I don’t believe any of the participants here thought of themselves as a “ groupâ€. All have been welcome here. There is a loss with the changing tempo of the lounge. Read More1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaDear Alicia, Holly is a wonderful soul who wants to bring us together. She remembers each of us and our lives and problems, and she replies with great warmth. 'Group' is not an exclusionary term - we on this blue marble Earth are all a group on a small planet in the solar system, in a galaxy, in the universe. You remember Ursula better than I, who had forgotten her name. Why do you assume 'group' involves being unwelcoming to some? Yes, the Lounge changed with Urusla's death; she was its focus ...Dear Alicia, Holly is a wonderful soul who wants to bring us together. She remembers each of us and our lives and problems, and she replies with great warmth. ‘Group’ is not an exclusionary term – we on this blue marble Earth are all a group on a small planet in the solar system, in a galaxy, in the universe. You remember Ursula better than I, who had forgotten her name. Why do you assume ‘group’ involves being unwelcoming to some? Yes, the Lounge changed with Urusla’s death; she was its focus when I joined the gratefulness group – I see the Lounge as having gone through a dry period that has become moist again with the contributions of people such as Holly. Read More2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI hope I didn’t offend. It is so hard to find the right words, sometimes. How are you these days, Alicia? I hope you are enjoying spring. 2 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaWarm wishes to you, dear Holly – you are a gift to the lounge 🙂 2 Reply isabelle oliveira1 month agoisabelle oliveiraPeople are asking me questions on #GratitudeLounge and I can’t answer because there’s a bug on the #sacred site. So I apologize to people who ask me questions and can’t get my answers. You can talk to me on twitter.com/isabelle_c_s_o #Gratefulness, #edX, #Postdoc. 1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThank you, isabelle, for sharing ‘spinning straw into gold’ which speaks to me now as I deal with messes of ‘straw’ 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioIsabelle, I am concerned that it sounds like currently you may not be safe. Surely that should be your first concern. Physical safety first. We aren’t able to help with that, but there will be an organization local to you that helps women suffering violence, and you need to contact them. How can you expect to heal if you are still experiencing violence? First things first. Please seek help to secure your safety from an agency local to you. 0 Reply isabelle oliveira1 month agoisabelle oliveiraThe cow is sacred and is very well taken care of by Sri Gopala, so the cow blesses and nourishes this family with love. Spinning Straw Into Gold 1 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieHappy Sunday dear friends ! Just stopping by to say hello. I hope all is well in your world. 🙂 4 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimBeautiful, dear Annie! Thank you for making my morning bright and beautiful! 1 Reply Anna1 month agoAnnaHi dear Annie! A beautiful landscape indeed! I join dear Palm, is it a photo or a painting? We know, you are an artist! 3 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmThank you, Annie, this is beautiful! I can’t tell if it’s a photo or painting 2 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieHi Palm! I don’t know I just found it and used it as a profile background on my FB profile a while back…it appealed to me . Sending love your way 🙂 2 Reply Palm1 month agoPalmThanks, Annie 🙂 Sending love to you 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in Ohiohi Annie! What a lovely photo you have posted! I love the old mountain in the background! Where is this? 2 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieHolly I have no idea where it it but it looks so peaceful <3 3 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieHello Holly! As I mentioned to Palm I just went searching for lovely Spring pic’s on the internet for my Facebook profile background. Have a blessed day 🙂 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI missed that! Well, then we can “virtually” take a walk on that lovely hillside together, how is that? 😄 2 Reply Annie1 month agoAnnieSounds like a good plan 🙂 I wonder if Heaven looks like that ??? 🙂 3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioFor Mike ~ MANY years ago, I used to do a lot of babysitting. One day I was sitting for a little girl named Asa and her brother Damon. Asa asked me what a poem WAS, and caught off-guard I gave her a terrible explanation, that included "sometimes it rhymes," and who knows what else! She looked very thoughtful, went away, and concentrated for some minutes, and then she came back and handed me a piece of paper that said this: I used to be a dog, but now I'm a cat. I used to be a boy, but ...For Mike ~ MANY years ago, I used to do a lot of babysitting. One day I was sitting for a little girl named Asa and her brother Damon. Asa asked me what a poem WAS, and caught off-guard I gave her a terrible explanation, that included “sometimes it rhymes,” and who knows what else! She looked very thoughtful, went away, and concentrated for some minutes, and then she came back and handed me a piece of paper that said this: I used to be a dog, but now I’m a cat. I used to be a boy, but now I’m a girl. I used to be good, but now I am very good. I used to be a daddy-long-legs. -by Asa Ony, aged 7 I was so stunned and so impressed, I memorized it. It was all hers! 😂 Read More4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaWow, Holly – you taught her well! 🙂 1 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaConsulting in STEMM, isabelle – wow – what sorts of STEMM do you consult in? Warm wishes to you – 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioI hope you will join in the science conversations that Mica and I sometimes have! 🙂 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioDelightful reflection, Isabelle! 🌼 2 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SI love this part of Mary Oliver‘s poem calledWhen Death Comes. When it’s over, I want to say all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real. 3 Reply Pilgrim1 month agoPilgrimThank you for this, Mike. Mary Oliver’s poetry made such a difference in this world, in my awareness. 1 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SRight you are. I think she really woke up in people an appreciation of the profound elements in nature. Both she and the Kentucky poet Wendell Nerty Struck many of the same chords in me. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioLovely. Thank you, friend! I think you will also like this by XEmersonX Correction: Mrs. A. J. Stanley:“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express i...Lovely. Thank you, friend! I think you will also like this by XEmersonX Correction: Mrs. A. J. Stanley:“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.†-Mrs. A. J. Stanley Read More4 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThank you, that was lovely, but, Umm dear Holly - poppies wouldn't have been in Emerson's neighborhood. That poem was by Bessie Anderson Stanley and is also often attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as Emerson [Go, Woman!] She was born in Newton, Iowa... Her poem was written in 1904 for a contest held in Brown Book Magazine, ... Mrs. Stanley submitted the words in the form of an essay, rather than as a poem. The competition was to answer the question "What is success?" in 100 words or ...Thank you, that was lovely, but, Umm dear Holly – poppies wouldn’t have been in Emerson’s neighborhood. That poem was by Bessie Anderson Stanley and is also often attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as Emerson [Go, Woman!] She was born in Newton, Iowa… Her poem was written in 1904 for a contest held in Brown Book Magazine, … Mrs. Stanley submitted the words in the form of an essay, rather than as a poem. The competition was to answer the question “What is success?” in 100 words or less. Mrs. Stanley won the first prize of $250. Read More3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioYou are quite right! I goofed!!! Interesting, because usually I would share a different but similar version of this, that was Emerson, but when I searched for it, in my haste, this popped up and I didn’t thoroughly check. What I posted before is by Mrs. Stanley. This is the one by Emerson: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, ...You are quite right! I goofed!!! Interesting, because usually I would share a different but similar version of this, that was Emerson, but when I searched for it, in my haste, this popped up and I didn’t thoroughly check. What I posted before is by Mrs. Stanley. This is the one by Emerson: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.†Reference: QuoteInvestigator.com Thanks for catching that, Mica! I wish I could take you everywhere with me! ⤠Read More3 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioInteresting, Mica. Do you know if it was a boy or a girl? Just wondering because of his connection with the Alcotts. 0 Reply Mica1 month agoMicaThanks Holly 🙂 Poor Emerson lost a child. More warm wishes to you – 1 Reply Mike S1 month agoMike SThat’s a good one. Thanks much. Let’s keep trading poetry from time to time. Poetry really speaks to me. 1 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioIt reads like poetry to me, too, and begs the question, particularly with someone like Emerson, when does it stop being an essay and start being a poem? 🤔 2 Reply Holly in Ohio1 month agoHolly in OhioGood morning, friends, This morning there was a "snow surprise" on the ground. It is already starting to melt away with fine rain. Some neighbors will wake this morning and never know it was here. Mr. Hopeful sang on my roof again this morning, just outside my bedroom window. He and his mate relocated their nest after the Starling incident, but I don't know where they are... close, though. Very close. I have had a little more communication about the garden, but incomplete. My friends did n...Good morning, friends, This morning there was a “snow surprise” on the ground. It is already starting to melt away with fine rain. Some neighbors will wake this morning and never know it was here. Mr. Hopeful sang on my roof again this morning, just outside my bedroom window. He and his mate relocated their nest after the Starling incident, but I don’t know where they are… close, though. Very close. I have had a little more communication about the garden, but incomplete. My friends did not sell the farm but have rented out the house on the farm, rented the back field, and he transferred the LLC of the farm to his wife to lower their taxes. There might actually be a chance I can still farm there, but I haven’t been able to find out, and I would now need to go through her, and she can be… difficult in partnerships… so we will see. But I can pick up my things, at least, so that is a good thing! I am still worried that my friends might move away after this year, because would like to see them more this year. We’ll just have to see. But I have learned a lesson in this. Yes, I was misinformed (my husband didn’t mean to), but my heart and head went straight to the worst case scenario, and in truth, it went to past experiences and did not stay present. I am used to experiencing losses, and have come to readily to expect them. But I have also been savoring the kind words friends here have offered. Your words have been very true. Losses do lead to new opportunities. Change can be good. I am very grateful for wise and loving advice, and the sympathy that comes from true friendship. Here is another photo from my garden at the farm. 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