The gift of life came from my parents
Today, friendship and company from my dog sitting on my lap.
A small aside.
I read the poem “Hokusai Says” this morning.
It is powerful.

My own bad self 🙂
And my own good self
And God.
And nature.
And family.
And friends.
And a damn good song.
Have a grateful day!

Helping others. And, the occasional shot of caffeine or adrenaline

From the Oxford Dictionary origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin gratia, from gratus ‘pleasing, thankful’; related to grateful.

I am called to these definitions also:

simple elegance or refinement of movement.

AND

in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

It’s also my daughter’s middle name 🙂

To borrow from Brother David, when I forget to STOP and take a breath.

Like the old song… “Love is the answer”

I say Thank You each day.

First I think of 3 body parts I am thankful for

Next, I say this : “Thank you God for another day. This life is a precious gift. I am not going to waste it. I am going to live my life with purpose and today’s intention is…”

I love today’s word of the day:

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.
THICH NHAT HANH

I will try to live this today and every day

By starting with gratefulness and paying more attention

Nothing and Everything

God. Yesterday a family member got a bad health diagnosis. There was anger, confusion and despair. At the end of the day after processing it all, I had some choice words for God. I woke up this morning and the sun was there just like every day. And I am coming to terms with the health issue. I trust God and myself to navigate the dark. A good light helps as well!

Gosh. What a question! I do not have an answer. I guess I will be pondering this one.

I can actively celebrate and honor this life by being grateful. I can also do this by being kind. I can also do this by using my gifts for the greater good.

When I act on the opportunity to help others. I try to serve others as best I can. I do that because it makes me feel good and I like to think that it has the added bonus of helping the world in my own small way.

Love

Peace. Perspective. Heart-mindedness. An awareness of breath. Rest. An awareness of self. I can hear my soul. Beauty.

Hi again Mica, I like the idea of a gratefulness doc. Cool! I have been collecting good quotes – grateful and otherwise – and putting them in email. This seems like a good practice. Glad that you are doing this as well.

Hi Mica, I am glad that you think so. I have been doing this morning meditation for awhile and it gets me in a grateful mood.