For two important men in my life, for my late mom, for daughters who are amazing and interesting women, for a high school teacher who opened my eyes to justice and the “invisible” people around me when my church didn’t. Tip of the iceberg, friends. There are so many to give thanks for….

Remembering that my attitude toward things makes a huge difference in my day. Being grateful and curious no matter the way things are, wondering what I can learn or notice, and remembering too that “this too shall pass…”

Getting enough sleep and having a walk or other good physical movement every day – plus making that good food for myself and others that Javier talks about below! I can better care for others when I have cared for myself. Oh, and don’t forget: Wear a MASK!!! 🙂

Celebration vs. Gratitude ? …. I guess mine is more gratitude than outright celebration (which feels more party-like). I prefer the deeper sense of rooted gratitude which carries me through.

Breathe in God’s Spirit. Light a candle. Go for a walk. Reach out to someone else and do something kind. Open my eyes and see the goodness around me.

My daughters and their spouses/families, my church community and the outdoor ministries it supports, my tennis friends, the bike trail organization – and friends, friends, friends who are intertwined in the groups above and others. My husband and I are keeping up the financial support we can to help see us all through to the other side of the pandemic.

Leaving a job years ago, in which I was turning into a person I didn’t like. That change led to the life I have now… and for which I am grateful – daily!

Sometimes a conversation will enrich my point of view or cause me to adjust my view because I can get out of my own box of perception and see something anew. Other times a conversation will serve more to inform me about the person to whom I’m listening – and help me to understand them more deeply.

It opens my eyes spiritually… a two-step process of awakening: 1) open eyelids; 2) open heart.

This one: I’m awake, breathing, grateful to be in the same room with a man and a dog I love, snow outlining the pine and birch branches outside my window, suet feeders hung waiting for the woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches who will visit shortly.

Breathe. Accept. Love. Give thanks.

It always helps the state of my own spirit and soul. When I let those resentments go, they don’t define my life any longer. That’s not to say that they are always completely gone – they rear their resentful heads now and again. So I breathe and let them pass and go on with my life.

“My grace is sufficient for you….” That’s not meant as an easy, go-to answer; it’s just true. Finally, that makes everything in my life sufficient.

Paradoxically, that God is teaching me to hold two opposed things in my heart and mind at the same time and it’ll be okay.

It’s good that you are boundaried about some things and have your limits. 🙂

Prayers for you, Carla: for strength to meet each day and for continued gratitude for mobility. Blessings.

What an amazing gift and a wonderful thing to do as a thanksgiving offering. There’s that old story of a boy who gave his teacher a shell which could only be found on a beach hours away by walking. The teacher said, “You shouldn’t have! It was such a long way!” and the boy replied, “Long walk — part of the gift… ” So is your long drive….

I am right there with you, Kevin. The first response I had to this question was related to particular people who have turned out to be manipulative and conniving in my own life – and while I am also trying to pray with compassion for the broken soul within the one you mentioned, I cannot forgive the damage he’s done and continues to do. I’m glad God is God and that part isn’t up to me.