To the universe I offer thanks for the gift of strong health. For the incredible gift that exercise is. For clean air and water. For warmth and hot water. For the gift of sight for reading and seeing sunsets. For my phone and what it does for me. For fresh homemade bread. For my piano and the ability to play. For Duolingo and learning languages. Shall I continue?

Everything. Since I started my journey of awareness last June I don’t think I have taken anything for granted. Perhaps I am unconscious of it in which case I cannot be held accountable. But I wake up in gratefulness and end in gratefulness and go through each day being amazed at my blessings.

First of all, I don’t believe we wake up grateful. It is something we choose the moment we become conscious. What does it do? Puts our focus on positive right away. It keeps our heart open and vulnerable to possibility. It is a painful way to live but so necessary.

The euphoria that comes from a 45 min jog. That feeling of having been given an unbelievable gift that money can’t buy. The connection with the spiritual realm that is felt when hearing or taking part in making, a piece such as Beethoven’s 9th. A simple sunset. These are moments we are allowed to feel one with the Divine. It is miracle.

I honestly don’t know. The question assumes that life is only positive. What I have learned is that there fleeting moments of perfection that quickly disappear. With a chronic pain condition there rarely a moment not tinged by physical pain. All life is viewed through pain. I think sunshine, sunset is a miracle every day. Exercise is something ecstatic because for a very brief time I am pain free. Because all is touched by pain for me, I cherish the positive moments that much more.

Everything. There would be peace. Not only personal peace, but relational peace. But here on Earth peace will not happen. Humans are far too fickle and stubborn to stop hurting each other. Our very humanity demands the need for a savior.

My kids. They are both far stronger than I. I have underestimated the world’s, societally made systems, to cause misery. I find it odd that some people must work so hard to make it and others need do hardly anything. But in the midst of the disparity humans can shine. Community can shine, if we only let it.

Time. The earth. The sun. The universe. Mother Nature. Clean air and water. Clothing. Warmth. My piano. My phone. My bike. My health.

That I don’t have much. That I really trust myself. That I don’t trust leadership or other people much.

I don’t understand the question.. I really don’t feel I lack skill regarding watching my thoughts. And I have decided that a certain amount of judgement is necessary. Awareness is priceless.

Myself mostly. A couple YouTube stars. The universe.

By being kind to myself which I frequently forget. Being kind to others which I am improving on. By simple acceptance of anything positive that comes my way. By having the humility to maintain high standards in all I do and all I touch.

Offer a kind word, and watch my attitude. I have grown confident in the competence gained from life experience. I forget that not everyone has had the same blessing and that I need to build people up.

Those that question my thoughts and what I am feeling and why. They help me get to what is below the surface to challenge my societally imposed attitudes. Very important.

I don’t remember responding to this question. The stars that appear are different to each situation. More than anything, it takes life experience to know you will get through whatever comes our way. That is everything.

I don’t know. For me it isn’t gratefulness that deepens compassion, it is life experience. Because I have survived much I can identify with almost anything. Lol ife is not easy.

The pandemic has brought my childhood traits back into focus. Meaning, I grew up to 6th grade without a TV in the house and pretty much made my own entertainment. Doing it again now.

As I don’t know what is best about me I cannot respond to this. I know I have drive and discipline and I used that alot in college 2008-2014. But otherwise nothing comes to mind.

I have already done my Wim Hof breathing to strengthen my body against the virus. Then I will do language study and play pickleball. Also some meditation before pickleball. Through all of it will be thought watching to guard against complaint and criticism, turning instead to gratefulness to be alive and healthy.