Good morning lovely friends

As it usually does, my strength is slowly returning these last few days. I try to remember that cycle when I am at a low point. I am grateful for this journey with my body that doesn’t always cooperate and teaches me the value and priceless gift of solitude, quietness and rest.
My husband is experiencing his own struggles with pain in his hips and lower back. Looks like a whopping case of osteoarthritis according to the doctor he saw on Friday. So, together we are facing the reality of our aging bodies! Since I’ve lived with chronic illness for so long, I am grateful that I can empathize with him and that I can share in practicing self-care with him.

I listened to a guided meditation this morning that made me smile and encouraged me to embrace being human with all my faults, missteps, mistakes and imperfections.
“This being human is a guest house” said Rumi and we must welcome all the visitors!

I am wishing you all a day filled with self-compassion with my grateful love ♥

Blessings lovely community!

It is quiet day of solitude and rest for me and I am grateful to be spending our first prayer day of the new year with you. My health is not the best these last few days…but along with the desire to feel better is an acceptance, and even a gratefulness, for what is.
I am weak with fatigue but am choosing to believe that stronger days will come around again. This is the gift of living with my chronic illness….it has taught me so much about letting go, living with faith, and looking for the blessings no matter how I feel. They are always there, these blessings. Although I may struggle at times, they are never far from my awareness.

And so I share my gratitude with you my dear friends. I am grateful for the aroma of the incense that wafted around me as I spent time reading a book my daughter gave me for Christmas…”Letters from Henri”. I was brought to tears while reading this book, remembering how Henri Nouwen came into my life to rescue me during a dark time in my spiritual journey. I remembered why I call him my “guru”…this amazing man who has taught me that, despite my brokenness, I am still The Beloved.

I am grateful for a warm home, warm clothes, cozy blankets and hot herbal tea that bring me comfort on this cold winter’s day. Things that can so often be taken for granted.

Grateful too, that I was able to break out of my cocoon a little to accomplish a few small things to hopefully bless someone else’s day. I ordered 3 of the gratefulness calendars this year…one each for my daughters for Christmas and one for my sister to send to her for the new year. She’s had a hard and troubled life and I look for ways to encourage her…so today I filled in the calendar with fun notes on the birthdays that are meaningful to her. Tomorrow if I am feeling better, I will wrap it up and take it to the post office. This intention brings me joy.
I also took a picture of my 2 little cacti that I shared about with Cathy….and will be posting them for her…and all…to see😊🌵

I hope this day finds you all filled with the joy that gratefulness can bring ♥ Om Shanti dear friends

Dear Drew….I hope it is an encouragement for you to be home from the hospital and with a diagnosis. Sometimes having an answer that explains our physical struggles can bring relief. I pray that you are feeling some peace now and in the days ahead. And I will also offer up a prayer for the medical professionals that are caring for you.

I think you are very courageous Drew and I am so grateful that you are a part of our community here. Thank you for sharing this news so generously with us.
~Blessings ♥

My dear friend grateful sea…..you have often shared that you have trouble finding the words to express yourself. But I wanted you to know that you always touch my heart with your words! And I am so grateful to you for your beautiful heart, your vulnerability, and your willingness to share….you are truly an inspiration to me.

I hope that you had the loveliest of walks with your four-legged companion and I thank you for being so generous with your heart.

~Om Shanti lovely friend ♥