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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.

  • Mica

    Yesterday I decided I get much too distressed over small problems, so I told myself, “This is only a test” and I approached the problem calmly and solved it easily 🙂

    • Holly in Ohio

      I’m glad, Mica.
      I like to remind myself this:

      • Mica

        Thanks, Holly – I had another ‘test’ this morn and it turned out to be just that the email had gone to spam 🙂
        It’s useful to realize how tiny the problems of my current life would be if I lived in Ukraine 🙁

        • Holly in Ohio
          It is very much on my mind, too. We have a large Ukrainian-American population on this side of Cleveland, and yesterday our governor came to this area and asked for people to volunteer to take refugees into their homes. I was a bit surprised, as we are so far away from eastern Europe. We have an extra room and beds, etc., and I told my husband I am willing if he is. He is not usually as open to this kind of "inconvenience," but I could tell he is considering it. I don't think he will agree to it...

          It is very much on my mind, too. We have a large Ukrainian-American population on this side of Cleveland, and yesterday our governor came to this area and asked for people to volunteer to take refugees into their homes. I was a bit surprised, as we are so far away from eastern Europe. We have an extra room and beds, etc., and I told my husband I am willing if he is. He is not usually as open to this kind of “inconvenience,” but I could tell he is considering it. I don’t think he will agree to it, but I’m grateful that he is becoming more thoughtful of others and taking a step closer. He was actually the one to bring it up! ❤

          Read More
          • Mica

            That’s impressive that your husband brought up the possibility – is there a time span that you’d be committing to? My old neighbors housed 2-3 refugees in their house trailer / camper in their driveway for some months/? several yrs ago. Do keep us posted!

  • isabelle oliveira
    What am I grateful for? For being alive. What is the grateful life inspiring me to do? Studying. What are some blessings in my life (including those in disguise)? I’m alive. How am I being supported now? I am supported by #edX and no hate comes to me when I feed myself with edX content. The edX is love! What connects me to wonder, awe or a sense of the sacred? I am living in a sacred relationship with myself and edX. #Mentalhealthy, #PositivePsychology, #ResiliencePsychology, #UnconditionalSel...

    What am I grateful for?
    For being alive.
    What is the grateful life inspiring me to do?
    Studying.
    What are some blessings in my life (including those in disguise)?
    I’m alive.
    How am I being supported now?
    I am supported by #edX and no hate comes to me when I feed myself with edX content.
    The edX is love!
    What connects me to wonder, awe or a sense of the sacred?
    I am living in a sacred relationship with myself and edX.
    #Mentalhealthy, #PositivePsychology, #ResiliencePsychology, #UnconditionalSelfLove, #GentleArtOfBlessing, #Gratefulness, #Happiness, #ZestForLife, #Bioenergy, #WellBeing, #Sacred.

    Read More
  • Mary
    My dear friends, It has taken me a month to bring myself write these words. My youngest sister died suddenly in her sleep a month ago. I still cannot believe that this has happened. She was the baby in our family of three daughters. I admit that I have never stopped thinking of her in this way. Her name was Jean.Jean was so beautiful, petite and stylish, with flashing blue eyes and long dark hair, she was ultra feminine but could also be tough. Jean was warm and nurturing, vivacious, generous, a...

    My dear friends,
    It has taken me a month to bring myself write these words.
    My youngest sister died suddenly in her sleep a month ago.
    I still cannot believe that this has happened.
    She was the baby in our family of three daughters.
    I admit that I have never stopped thinking of her in this way.
    Her name was Jean.Jean was so beautiful, petite and stylish, with flashing blue eyes and long dark hair, she was ultra feminine but could also be tough. Jean was warm and nurturing, vivacious, generous, and loved by all who knew her.
    She was 6 years younger than me and I loved her so very much.
    Jean lost her way some years ago, believing strange things
    to be true. Life felt deeply painful to her and she fell into an unending depression.
    She was very angry with me, believing I was against her,
    and that l had been against her for many years.
    I could not convince her otherwise.
    I had always been hopeful that we would be able to get past this terrible misunderstanding and that we could be sisters again.
    But now she is gone.
    I am left with the sweetest of memories and deeply held regrets.The grace in this story is that I will move into deeper and more loving relationships with her sons, my other niece and nephew, their children, my surviving sister, my Mom, and always my loving husband.
    I have been shocked into keen awareness of the preciousness, and brevity of this lifetime, and the fact that I could quite literally lose anyone at any moment. My lesson is to treasure the time I have with my loved ones and to always make sure that they know how much I love them.
    My other lesson is that this life is short. I don’t have forever. So I will make conscious choices about how I want to live my life and then act on these choices.Dear friends, thank you for being here. Writing this sharing has helped me begin to process what has happened and to determine my direction in moving forward.
    My lovely, lovely younger sister has left this world. But the shock and deep pain of losing her has taught me that I can do better. I will never forget you Jean, my beloved sister. My heart is with yours. I will be forever grateful to have been your sister and to have dearly loved you. ♥️♥️♥️

    Read More
    • Mica

      Oh, Mary – thank you for sharing this with us. How sad! I’m newly grateful for my family members who survived untimely suicidal behaviors and recovered from severe mental illness. Your post brings tears to my eyes.

      • Mary
        Thanks so much Mica. I can see we have some painful experiences with family in common. I have cried quite a bit responding to all of the heartfelt responses from my dear friends in the Gratitude Lounge. Hearing from each of you has been a healing experience, and I am so grateful. Thank you Mica for sharing your painful experiences with family! I am so touched that my sharing brought you to tears. This group feels like a family. A family brimming with goodness and kindness. Thank you dear Mica f...

        Thanks so much Mica. I can see we have some painful experiences with family in common.
        I have cried quite a bit responding to all of the heartfelt responses from my dear friends in the Gratitude Lounge. Hearing from each of you has been a healing experience, and I am so grateful.
        Thank you Mica for sharing your painful experiences with family! I am so touched that my sharing brought you to tears. This group feels like a family. A family brimming with goodness and kindness.
        Thank you dear Mica for being here for me.
        Sending my love to you,
        Mary

        Read More
    • Diane
      Dearest Mary....My heart is hurting for you my friend. In this, sadly, we are kindred spirits. We have shared so much with each other here that has bonded us together in a very special way...including this painful loss of a sister. I pray that your sweet memories and deepening relationships with loved ones will be a comfort to your soul. It is a Grace as you have recognized. I have grown closer to my nieces since my sister passed and that has been a blessing. Mary....I hope that wit...

      Dearest Mary….My heart is hurting for you my friend. In this, sadly, we are kindred spirits. We have shared so much with each other here that has bonded us together in a very special way…including this painful loss of a sister.

      I pray that your sweet memories and deepening relationships with loved ones will be a comfort to your soul. It is a Grace as you have recognized. I have grown closer to my nieces since my sister passed and that has been a blessing.

      Mary….I hope that with time, your regrets will fade as you come to accept that you did what you could. I am speaking from my heart as one who understands. My prayer for you also is that you will feel her presence from time to time. My sister has visited me…it is a mystery, but she has reassured me that she is happy to be reunited with her husband and our beloved Nana.

      I’m grateful that God prompted me to check in this morning. May you feel all the love, light and prayers that are being sent to you from this sacred community. You have blessed us all by your heartfelt, vulnerable and generous sharing of your pain. God bless you my friend as you move forward in this life, as we all must. I’ve no doubt that you will continue to be a shining light for your family and all of those blessed to have you in their lives. ♥♥♥
      ~Shalom dear friend

      Read More
      • Mary
        Dearest Diane, I’m so glad you saw my sharing and were able to be here for me in this time of sadness. I remember when you lost your sister. I do feel a bond to you in this, as well as our shared experiences of being teachers. I do hope to become closer to my niece and nephews, and this will probably be my greatest comfort. I see Jean in her sons. My other niece and nephew grew up near Jean and her boys, often living in the same apartment complex. They knew her well. I hope to be of comfort t...

        Dearest Diane, I’m so glad you saw my sharing and were able to be here for me in this time of sadness. I remember when you lost your sister. I do feel a bond to you in this, as well as our shared experiences of being teachers.
        I do hope to become closer to my niece and nephews, and this will probably be my greatest comfort. I see Jean in her sons. My other niece and nephew grew up near Jean and her boys, often living in the same apartment complex. They knew her well. I hope to be of comfort to them as they deal with losing their Aunt Jean.

        My greatest regret with Jean is that I did not continue to be in touch with her. I had many good reasons for this, but they do not trump the fact that she is gone, and we did not reconcile. In time I suppose this will hurt less.
        My sweetest memories of Jean come from childhood. She was so beautiful and tiny and tough. Don’t mess with the baby. We had a chalk board and I taught her the alphabet and how to sound out words. I can see her sitting on a stool her little legs in shorts. I see her pretty face as she answered my questions easily. She was so smart and pure. I suppose I had that purity too, as we happily engaged in the learning process. I do hope to feel Jean’s presence. I have spent time to send her my love and on one occasion of focusing my love on Jean I felt very close to her, as though our spirits were one in love. I will continue to send her my love. I really don’t know if I can reach her, but I think maybe I can.
        Thanks for your thoughtful response to me, dear Diane. It means so much!
        I hope to hear from you again, dear friend.
        Mary

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    • Holly in Ohio
      Dear Mary, I am so sorry for your and your family's loss. Thank you so much for telling us more about her, beyond what happened. You showed us the edges of your grief, but also gave a lovely tribute to your sister, and her many wonderful qualities. I am sorry that she suffered from depression and anger. Hard on her, and hard on your family, but so good that you can put it into the context of the whole and know that wasn't all there was to her. People can get lost... it's not her fault, or anyone...

      Dear Mary, I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss. Thank you so much for telling us more about her, beyond what happened. You showed us the edges of your grief, but also gave a lovely tribute to your sister, and her many wonderful qualities. I am sorry that she suffered from depression and anger. Hard on her, and hard on your family, but so good that you can put it into the context of the whole and know that wasn’t all there was to her. People can get lost… it’s not her fault, or anyone’s.

      I’m glad that you are finding some value in this unwanted event. I hope your choices lead you in time to joy.
      Love to you, my friend. ❤

      Read More
      • Mary
        Thank you so much dear Holly for responding to me in this time of sadness and loss. I still can’t believe it. My psyche is very resistant to the truth at times like this. I just can’t believe that Jean is gone. Mom at 88 outlived her youngest daughter. I didn’t really think of what I had written as a tribute to Jean but I can see that now. Things had been so difficult with her for so long that I had almost forgotten who she really was. I value the much needed lessons I have learned from l...

        Thank you so much dear Holly for responding to me in this time of sadness and loss. I still can’t believe it. My psyche is very resistant to the truth at times like this. I just can’t believe that Jean is gone. Mom at 88 outlived her youngest daughter.
        I didn’t really think of what I had written as a tribute to Jean but I can see that now. Things had been so difficult with her for so long that I had almost forgotten who she really was. I value the much needed lessons I have learned from losing her, I just miss her.
        I am grateful for her two sons. Now that I think about it she does continue to live through them, and I do see so much of her in them. I am so grateful for my other niece and nephew who are each mourning her in their own way. I am grateful for my Mom, for my dear husband and for the privilege of being alive and having my life to live. Thank you, Holly, for you insights and support.
        Thank you dear Holly, my friend.

        Read More
        • Holly in Ohio

          You bring tears to my eyes, Mary… and thinking of your poor mom. No parent wants their children to precede them.

          I do understand about it still feeling unreal. Hugs, ((((Mary))))

          • Mary

            Thank you so much Holly for your concern and understanding. I have not told Mom. Before Jean had her breakdown she and Mom were extremely close, and had been for many years.
            I’m concerned that telling Mom would send her into a very deep depression. So as of now, she does not know.

    • Butterfly

      Oh Mary, what a terrible shock and loss for you. I’m so glad that sharing this with us is helping you. Keep sharing your feelings, we are here for you. Holding you in my heart with love and hugs xx

      • Mary

        Thank you so much Butterfly. My sisters death was such a shock. I still can’t believe she’s gone.
        Writing to all of you brought some clarity to me. I didn’t know that would happen, but I am so grateful that it did.
        It feels good to write about it. Most of my loved ones don’t want to discuss it. Bu it helps me so much to talk.
        Thanks so much Butterfly for your kindness.

    • sunnypatti

      Mary, I’m sorry you lost your sister. I have two and a brother, and I can imagine the grief you are feeling. I offer you comfort, prayers, and a big virtual hug.

      • Mary

        Thank you sunnypatti. I feel better for having shared my grief with my friends here. Thank you for your prayers. A big virtual hug right back to you sunnypatti.

    • Pilgrim

      Dear Mary, I am profoundly sorry for the loss of your sister Jean, and hold you and your family in abiding prayer. Thank you for trusting us with your pain and loss … you are brave to share your experience here. Please know you and your family are encircled in prayers and blessings from those of us here.

      • Mary

        Thank you so much dear Pilgrim for reaching out to me.
        I was hoping to hear from you.
        I feel deeply comforted by your words and your caring.
        and I do feel the prayers and blessings
        from the gratefulness community lifting me up.
        I do feel encircled in love
        and that is why I wanted to share with my loving friends here.
        Sending my heartfelt love and blessings to you dear Pilgrim.
        Mary

    • Anna

      Dear Mary, I can only imagine your sorrow…thinking of my two sisters, the sorrow has to be unbearable.
      Feel my heart with yours, dear Mary.
      I feel.humble because you are honestly telling us all your deep sorrow, your story with Jean.
      Right below you warmly suggest me to be kind with myself, oh dear, I would like to be kind with you, in presence and putting my hands on your shoulders, embracing you.
      With love , Mary.

      • Mary

        Dearest Anna,
        Your heartfelt reply warms my heart.
        I do feel your kind heart with mine, Anna
        and I feel stronger for it.
        You are so kind to me Anna and that means so much.
        I am grateful for your love and friendship.
        Mary

    • Palm

      Oh, Mary… I send you my love and comfort ❤️ ❤️ I remember you saying you had suffered a loss and telling Diane about the loss of her sister bringing tears, but I didn’t think you had also lost a sibling… Thank you for telling us, I feel humble. Your words make me even more aware of how precious our loved ones and life are. Thank you, my friend. I am glad that writing to us gives you comfort and that you have found grace from this shock. Sending a warm hug dear Mary 💫

      • Mary

        Dear Palm,
        I do feel comforted by your love and friendship.
        I’m so glad that the lessons I learned have helped you.
        They are important to me and will help me in going forward in my life.
        Thank you for your warmth and your goodness my dear friend. ♥️♥️
        Mary

  • Anna
    Tuesday prayer ... For peace, in the world and in villages, in cities, in our families, in our work, and especially in our hearts. Not easy, sometimes really hard, I am experiencing it at work, and I am slowly getting rid of some misunderstanding with some friends of my choir, but it is not easy to forget some somewhat racist statements. Still a little flame of opposition burns, I have to put out this kind of light because the light has to brighten and not burn, but I am telling my truth an...

    Tuesday prayer …
    For peace, in the world and in villages, in cities, in our families, in our work, and especially in our hearts.

    Not easy, sometimes really hard, I am experiencing it at work, and I am slowly getting rid of some misunderstanding with some friends of my choir, but it is not easy to forget some somewhat racist statements.
    Still a little flame of opposition burns, I have to put out this kind of light because the light has to brighten and not burn, but I am telling my truth and I must admit that it is so difficult.
    So, I think, how much more difficult it has to be among those who have power over people?

    Read More
    • Diane
      Cara Anna....it is by God's grace that I am here to be with you and our dear friend Mary. How precious and miraculous are our friendships throughout these years and across the miles. My heart is with yours as you process this disappointment and hurtful words from friends in your beloved choir that has brought you so much joy. I admire so much your honest sharing with us and I had to smile when you talked about your "little flame of opposition". I hope that you will always keep that flame...

      Cara Anna….it is by God’s grace that I am here to be with you and our dear friend Mary. How precious and miraculous are our friendships throughout these years and across the miles. My heart is with yours as you process this disappointment and hurtful words from friends in your beloved choir that has brought you so much joy.

      I admire so much your honest sharing with us and I had to smile when you talked about your “little flame of opposition”. I hope that you will always keep that flame burning just a little Anna…it is a passionate flame that the world needs more of. I have every confidence that your light will continue to shine, and with Divine guidance, will shine with peace. This is your nature Anna and it could not be otherwise. .

      ~Sending you my love, blessings and un grande abbraccio mio amica ♥♥♥

      Read More
    • Palm

      Dear Anna, I don’t have many words but I join you in prayer for peace and I am with Mary and Mica, a warm hug..

    • Mica

      Oh, dear Anna – warm wishes to you {{{hugs}}}

    • Mary

      Dear Anna,
      I send you my love as you work on being the kindest person that you can be.
      Please don’t be hard on yourself for not being perfect.
      The light of your love has been shining brightly in this gratitude lounge
      for as long as I have known you.
      Please be gentle and very kind with yourself dear Anna.
      You deserve your own kindness. ♥️♥️♥️
      Mary.

  • Mike S
    From the amazing poet John O’Donoghue.Sorry about the formatting gets lost here. EnjoyAll that is eternal in me Welcomes the wonder of this day, The field of brightness it creates Offering time for each thing To arise and illuminate. I place on the altar of dawn: The quiet loyalty of breath, The tent of thought where I shelter, Waves of desire I am shore to And all beauty drawn to the eye. May my mind come alive today To the invisible geography That invites me to new frontiers, To break th...

    From the amazing poet John O’Donoghue.Sorry about the formatting gets lost here.

    EnjoyAll that is eternal in me
    Welcomes the wonder of this day,
    The field of brightness it creates
    Offering time for each thing
    To arise and illuminate.
    I place on the altar of dawn:
    The quiet loyalty of breath,
    The tent of thought where I shelter,
    Waves of desire I am shore to
    And all beauty drawn to the eye.
    May my mind come alive today
    To the invisible geography
    That invites me to new frontiers,
    To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
    To risk being disturbed and changed.May I have the courage today
    To live the life that I would love,
    To postpone my dream no longer
    But do at last what I came here for
    And waste my heart on fear no more.”
    ~ from A Morning Offering, poem by John O’Donohue

    Read More
    • Mary

      Thank you Mike for this beautiful poem/prayer.
      Your timing is perfect. ♥️♥️♥️
      Mary

    • Anna

      Thank You Mike, I need this, as well as dear Palm.

    • Palm

      Thank you, dear Mike, I needed to read this.

  • Drew Blanton

    I went to see a Batman movie today.

  • Anna

    I join Palm, greeting you all, but it’s already Sunday night, so I wish you a peaceful, good, lovely week beginning. May hope, kindness and meekness dwell in our hearts all week long.

  • Palm

    Thinking of you all and wishing you a restful Sunday

    • Mary

      Thank you Palm! Such wise advice. Especially the part about resting the mind.
      And such a sweet yoga kitty. That must be a picture of your little Entropy!
      Such a good boy!
      ♥️

    • Anna

      Hi dear Palm, and thanks for this gem!
      It is really what I need…
      Have a good night, dear friend!

    • Mica

      What a gem, dear Palm – many thanks! Just looking at it makes me feel restful 🙂

    • Butterfly

      Thank you, Palm. I love the cat in meditation pose! I so wish I could be more cat-like. They are so good at resting. My cat is constantly demonstrating how to do this but I’m a slow learner! 😊

      • Mary

        So true that cats are good at getting rest, Butterfly!.
        They love comfort and really know how to luxuriate!

      • Palm

        Thanks, Butterfly. Me too, for now the best I could do is to commit to rest on Sunday afternoons, and still, I sometimes forget, so I was happy to see this reminder. Plus it looks like my cat 😁

  • Mary

    Dear Sandra, It’s been quite a long time since I have seen a post from you. I hope you are well! I am thinking about you and your Mother! Sending my love, ♥️♥️♥️
    Mary

    • Mica

      Thank you, Mary – yes, I send my good wishes to Sandra, too – and to you, Mary {{{hugs}}}

  • Mary
    Happy Friday to all. I found a short Sharon Salzberg affirmation video on Instagram a few minutes ago. Listening and watching it gave me a sense of peace and contentment. I will attempt to give you the link. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ca8nJ5ND-Ef/?utm_medium=share_sheet Well, you can’t just click on that link 🙀😐 So if you are interested, 1-Go to Instagram.com 2-Search for Sharon Salzberg. 3-It is her second post from the left. 🤓 Things should be easier to do. 🙃🙃🙃 It’...

    Happy Friday to all. I found a short Sharon Salzberg affirmation video on Instagram a few minutes ago. Listening and watching it gave me a sense of peace and contentment. I will attempt to give you the link.
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ca8nJ5ND-Ef/?utm_medium=share_sheet

    Well, you can’t just click on that link 🙀😐
    So if you are interested, 1-Go to Instagram.com
    2-Search for Sharon Salzberg. 3-It is her second post from the left.
    🤓 Things should be easier to do. 🙃🙃🙃 It’s a nice little video though. 🥰

    Read More
    • sunnypatti

      I listened to a great podcast that interviewed Sharon Salzberg recently. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagine-your-happiness-sharon-salzberg-meditation-icon/id1246494475?i=1000474332083

      I’m going to check her out on Instagram! Thanks, Mary!

      • Mary

        Tara Brach and Sharon Salzberg. Both so great!
        Thanks sunnypatti! I will give this podcast a listen!

    • Christine

      A very nice little video. Thank you, Mary 🌷💞🤗

      • Mary

        Thank you Christine. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  • Mica

    I love this morning’s quote – gratefulness is Contagious! Wonderful and true! Amy Edelstein, the author, is impressive – I check out unfamiliar authors whose quotes appeal to me.

  • Holly in Ohio
    Good morning! I remembered yesterday about a time many years ago when my friend needed to get some bicycle repair. We put her bike in the back of a car and drove to a bicycle shop in another town. We unloaded her bicycle, and as we were wheeling it through the front door of the shop, a young woman jumped up to greet us and said, "HELLO! How are you? Oh, we haven't seen you in a while! I see you have trouble with your bike. Just come on back here..." A rollicking chat followed as we went back ...

    Good morning!

    I remembered yesterday about a time many years ago when my friend needed to get some bicycle repair. We put her bike in the back of a car and drove to a bicycle shop in another town. We unloaded her bicycle, and as we were wheeling it through the front door of the shop, a young woman jumped up to greet us and said, “HELLO! How are you? Oh, we haven’t seen you in a while! I see you have trouble with your bike. Just come on back here…” A rollicking chat followed as we went back to the “employee only” section and we watched her repair the bike as we handed her tools and talked about many things other than bicycles. We had a marvelous time. As we rolled the bicycle out the door, I asked my friend how long she had known her friend and if we could get together with her again, soon. My friend laughed and said, “I thought she was YOUR friend!” We had a good laugh about that. The young woman in the bicycle shop had a special gift. It was the gift of treating anyone like an old chum, someone very familiar. She was so good at it, and her caring and interest was sincere, and we felt it. I remember thinking, “I want to be like that.” I had forgotten. What if we treated everyone we just met like a dear old friend?

    Read More
  • Mica

    Warm wishes to dear Holly and all of you – {{{hugs}}}

    • Christine

      And to you also warm wishes, Mica. Greetings from a sunny little country 🌷🌷💞🤗

      • Mica

        The last couple of days, the sky here has been blue without even a hint of a cloud. Warm wishes to you, Christine 🙂

  • arj

    Please light a candle for Ukraine.

    • Mica

      Done. Thank you, arj – may it make some tiny difference

  • Love Abundantly

    I’m grateful for this very moment of calm. Coming to this site and reading has helped me.

    • Annie

      Greetings Love Abundantly ! Love is the answer for sure ! God is LOVE…if everyone in the entire world LOVED each other …the Kingdom of Divine Will would reign …thy Kingdom Come !!! Sorry I got carried away 🙂 …anyway welcome 🙂

    • Mica

      Welcome, Love abundantly – this is indeed a wonderful site. {{{hugs}}}

    • Mary

      Welcome Love Abundantly!

  • Mary
    I send my love, my peace, and my warmest of wishes to everyone who posts or has posted on this Gratefulness website. I pray that deep disappointment and stinging hurt feelings can be sorted out as each one of us recognizes the beauty and good will in each other. I pray that we can work together, each speaking our truth and of our own needs, so that we can find a way to live together in joy and gratefulness. Can all of our needs be met in one place? Can we be vulnerable enough to speak up for our...

    I send my love, my peace, and my warmest of wishes to everyone who posts or has posted on this Gratefulness website.
    I pray that deep disappointment and stinging hurt feelings can be sorted out as each one of us recognizes the beauty and good will in each other.
    I pray that we can work together, each speaking our truth and of our own needs,
    so that we can find a way to live together in joy and gratefulness.
    Can all of our needs be met in one place?
    Can we be vulnerable enough to speak up for ourselves?
    Can we find new solutions?
    For if we, in this beautiful group, cannot find a way to live together,
    and see ourselves in each other,
    then what hope can we have for other communities and places in our beautiful, cruel, crazy and chaotic world.
    I pray that in this difficult moment, we dig deep to find the best in ourselves.
    That we speak up for ourselves with kindness
    that we find ways to meet the needs of all.
    I hope we can rebuild our Gratitude Lounge so that it can truly be a home where we all have our needs met, all are accepted, and all are loved.

    Read More
    • Holly in Ohio

      Mary, thank you so much for your very kind post, and Palm, and Ose, and all… I’m at a loss for words at the moment, but send my love to all. ❤

      • Mary

        I send my love to you Holly. ♥️
        I have not seen anything like this on the Gratitude site.
        I think everyone is now doing a bit of reflecting.

      • Palm

        Thank you Holly, sending love to you ❤️ Take care of yourself

    • Palm

      Amen, dear Mary ❤️
      I send love to everyone that has participated in the Lounge, I have learned so much from each and everyone.
      I am hurting for anyone that may have been hurt.

    • Ose
      Dear Mary, you speak my heart, thank you so much for doing so. I just came across another poem which could may be meet some of yours and probably our all heartfelt longing to rebuild our Gratitude Lounge to be a home of love and a sacred space for all. It is this deeply touching poem of Hafiz (translated by Daniel Ladinsky), once published here some years ago .“With That Moon Language” Admit something: Everyone you see, you say to them, "Love me." Of course you do not do this out loud; ...

      Dear Mary, you speak my heart, thank you so much for doing so.
      I just came across another poem which could may be meet some of yours and probably our all heartfelt longing to rebuild our Gratitude Lounge to be a home of love and a sacred space for all. It is this deeply touching poem of Hafiz (translated by Daniel Ladinsky), once published here some years ago

      .“With That Moon Language”

      Admit something:

      Everyone you see, you say to them,
      “Love me.”

      Of course you do not do this out loud;
      Otherwise,
      Someone would call the cops.

      Still though, think about this,
      This great pull in us
      To connect.

      Why not become the one
      Who lives with a full moon in each eye
      That is always saying,

      With that sweet moon
      Language,

      What every other eye in this world
      Is dying to
      Hear.

      Read More
      • Mary

        Much love to you dear Ose! Beautiful!! ♥️

  • Anna

    Dear friends, I am here in this Lounge for a prayer
    For Ukrainians.
    For the soldiers of all countries, forced to shoot at people like them, only in a different uniform from theirs.
    For our souls, because even in our hearts we need peace, and during our earthly journey it is sometimes more difficult than we can imagine.

    • Mica

      Amen, Anna! {{{hugs}}}

    • Ose

      Dear Anna, I join you, too! With all my heart. Thank you!

    • Mary
      Thank you dear Anna for your prayer. I join with you in praying for Ukrainians and Russians as well. I pray for all people whose homes and homelands are destroyed in times of war. And I pray for migrants all over the world who have fled their countries looking only for a safe place to live and to raise their families. And oh, Anna, we do especially need peace in our hearts. I try to be peaceful in my thoughts, words and actions, but I agree with you that life can be harder than I ever thought i...

      Thank you dear Anna for your prayer. I join with you in praying for Ukrainians and Russians as well. I pray for all people whose homes and homelands are destroyed in times of war. And I pray for migrants all over the world who have fled their countries looking only for a safe place to live and to raise their families. And oh, Anna, we do especially need peace in our hearts. I try to be peaceful in my thoughts, words and actions, but I agree with you that life can be harder than I ever thought it would be. I send you my peace, my love, and my warmest wishes, dear friend.
      Mary

      Read More
  • Mica

    The dove nesting on my balcony has laid a second egg! Both parents share sitting on the eggs. Here is a photo. They’re nesting on a round metal plate sitting on a rod with copper leaves twined around it that I found on the sidewalk last year 🙂

    • ch

      Thank you, mica, for the lovely picture. Good luck for them!!

  • Holly in Ohio

    Good morning!
    Those of you in Italy and California may find this amusing. I have been trying to grow lemon trees, an orange tree, and a mandarin tree for many years now. I started some lemon seeds in 2016, and I bought the others as small plants at an unusual organic nursery. Yesterday I spotted my first blossom! 😄 This is on the orange tree.

    • ch

      🙂 I have tried to start them from seeds, too. One tree grew very high with long thorns and one small very dry fruit. My daughter in law grows lemon trees in pots from the garden center and gets some nice big lemons from them. But it is always a big joy if one gets a blossom.

    • Michele

      I just noticed that my lemon tree has already blossomed too. This will be my second year with it producing I got a lot of joy last year picking my 1st lemons off of it.

    • Mica

      Fun! Indeed I had an orange tree and a mandarin-like orange tree in the back yard of my previous house, and we had a lemon tree in the yard of my first Goleta house. Does anyone in Ohio have orange trees? Warm wishes {{{hugs}}}

      • Holly in Ohio
        Yes! But most have them in pots! They do get oranges and lemons from their smaller, potted trees. My next door neighbor has gotten lemons off of a potted lemon tree gifted to him (so we don't know how old the tree is). I also know of a homesteading couple in town that have quite a few potted orange and lemon trees that they keep indoors all the year, and they get quite a few lemons and oranges. I don't know of anyone who has tried growing them from seed and gotten fruit off of it, but I am t...

        Yes! But most have them in pots! They do get oranges and lemons from their smaller, potted trees. My next door neighbor has gotten lemons off of a potted lemon tree gifted to him (so we don’t know how old the tree is). I also know of a homesteading couple in town that have quite a few potted orange and lemon trees that they keep indoors all the year, and they get quite a few lemons and oranges. I don’t know of anyone who has tried growing them from seed and gotten fruit off of it, but I am trying. 🌱 I also know of farmers throughout the mid-west that are growing full sized lemon and orange trees inside of heated greenhouses.

        Read More
  • Mary

    Diane, I hope you see my response to you. Scroll way down to your response to Pilgrim. Just after your response, I have responded to you. ♥️
    With love, Mary

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