Scattering a little deer corn for the deer as they go through this incredible arctic cold; making sure there’s suet and sunflower seeds for the birds in their feeders…. Sewing/quilting … Having a grandchild to cuddle … OH and my morning coffee and a fire in the fireplace insert. Ahhhhh. Thank you, God, for all such small, simple things that bring such joy (and aren’t really small or simple at all).

I’ve learned how quickly I can get triggered into a state of anxiety and worry about problems and issues my elderly dad is facing – and his growing stubbornness, making everything more difficult…. It’s what I pray each morning, that I can breathe in God’s Spirit of calm…

I would like to continue to grow in my practice of regular spiritual disciplines so that living in the Spirit is something of which I am more often consciously aware. I want to live more mindfully: the Spirit is both a taproot in my life and a North Star; I’m rooted and fed, but also led forward.

There are some things happening related to my elderly dad that will not be “lighter”…. but I can pray for less of a worried attitude about it. Breathe and just take each moment as it comes, make a plan but don’t freak. Trust the provision of God to hold what I can’t.

Eva Cassidy: “How Can I Keep From Singing….”

They are key and help to shape my days, my understanding of life, my very spirit.

Hot coffee from a wonderful machine which reminds me of my German friend who introduced me to such a machine, which leads me to be grateful for friendship, which leads me …. and on it goes. The Parade of Gratefulness.

It lets the other person know that I have actually been listening to them and not just thinking about what I want to say!

Thank you for this question, and I’ve answered in my heart.

At my age, I have moved beyond returning to some of the old stories or messages from my youth that limited me. But I have known people whose “stories” or expectations kept them prisoner and left them inflexible and resentful in the face of new life circumstances. Some time ago, I took this observation as a cautionary tale for myself.

I can quiet my mind and notice who and what’s around me. I could also appreciate that – for these moments – I have (blissfully) nothing I have to do, nothing that is expected of me. How seldom in life that really happens.

It’s a way to test the mettle of my ability to love. It reveals where I haven’t yet developed the ability to love, even if I don’t “like”…

If I look at my life, I have almost everything in abundance. When we are grateful, even a little is a lot. + (This is another one of those questions that is not easily answered… it’s a “ponderable.”)

I’m going to pull out my cinnamon, cayenne and coconut oil right now and put it by the coffeemaker so I remember tomorrow morning! Thanks!

Oh, I need info on the cinnamon and cayenne in the coffee, Sunnypatti! I often do butter/coconut oil or MCT coffee – or with collagen peptides, etc – but I’m always interested in new variations, and the why of it. Thanks!

I am grateful with you for your Covid shot and hope you are feeling okay tonight after receiving it. Any temps or aches are normal. Be well and know you’ve got “peeps” out here who care!

Thank you, Holly.

Thank you for this, Howie. I believe that opening our eyes to our own often/usually/almost always! unacknowledged and unconscious white privilege is a huge first step. It has just been in the air for those of us who are white that we breathe and so we don’t “see” it …. A confessional attitude about this is one of things I try to practice in my life, too.

Thank you! (blush)