Day 45 /365

A mostly quiet, yet full day. So glad I went to Unity again this week, blessings runneth over. Today is a day of gratitude for the beautiful souls in my life, those I mention here, and those I've not yet mentioned..but whose names and spirit is written in my heart. I am thankful for the richness of my life, in the loving, caring friends and family I have..and for the opportunities that arise that allow me to know, and experience that. I am also grateful for:

1.) Juanita (in the tech room) at Unity... what a radiant soul she is, a generous heart, her sharing of wisdom and inspiration... i am thankful for her telling me to consciously greet myself in the mirror each day

2.) seeing Kasey today at Unity..the first time in a long time...so good to see my dear friend; and the treat that she sang today!! She sang "My Funny Valentine" like I've never heard it; visiting with her afterward

3.) seeing faces of new freinds at Unity (Linda) and old ones, Ron, Vernon, Delores... felt good to be in their radiant energy

4.) talking to Zaundra today...for over an hour.. oh, that did my heart good! ..it'd been a long time, and talking with her was like we'd never stopped - a sign of real freindship

5.) keeping up with my dear frined Laura Hegfield - and that she keeps up with me; she's a lovely, loving soul...filled with inspiration; I'm very thankful she's in my life

6.) talking with Bernard and Duane today...wishing them Happy Valentine's Day.. Billy too

Day 44 /365

A good day today. It almost felt like Spring.. a sunny, chilly spring day - a cheery day. I am thankful for:

1.) my thoughtful, compassionate, nurturing, hairdresser and friend, Bessie

2.) the care and learning I receive for my body, physiology, mind and spirit at Pure Reign; learning from Jason about zeta potential and its role in our health, tv and other interesting things

3.) my walk today with Randy & Carol...and our visit at their house afterward; their help in moving my living room furniture around...it opened up renewed energy, ideas and encouragement in making changes at home

4.) National Public Radio - the unique and expanded programs they offer

5.) the way when I set and release an intention, and send out my prayers , that I receive just what I need in regard to what I prayed/asked for...and the many forms it comes in... thank you!

Day 43 /365

Ahh...finally Friday, and a four-day weekend ahead for me. I exhale, feel my self rooted in my body, connected. I am thankful for:

1.) becoming more and more grounded within my being; allowing my mind and heart to find balanced, harmonious integration in my physical body - making way for a more balanced life

2.) being satisfied with less sugar in my tea; feeling good I am doing something nurturing for myself

3.) my lunch with Nancy G. at work; and the wonderful sharing about life that we always do whenever we get together... I am thankful for all that we learn from each other

4.) catching up with Lisa S.-S. today; another good sharing and catching up

5.) feeling good to be home; and I am thankful to have my home

Day 42 /365

At lunchtime I took a walk toward the lake front...through the park...and let myself simply be with the vibration of Nature. The trees, many of them still holding depths of snow, and the still white snow all over the larger areas...and the bright, bright sun...it was peaceful, and beautiful, and assuring. I am thank for:

1.) my lunch time walk, the splendor of Nature...and the brief conversation I had with another walker, who stopped by the bench where I was sitting

2.) learning about the programs at Renewal in the Wilderness, from a freind

3.) my friend sharing with me the winter wonderland of snow paths and hills, he and his wife (and son) built...for the little one's enjoyment .. oh what a gleefull experience!

4.) realizations... revelations... inviting them... realzing when they've come....and saying YES to them.. as they represent the unfoldment and the actualizations of what I've asked for on some level... what my heart has desired

5.) life... all of it

6.) the guiding light and wisdom of Howard Thurman's words: "...decide and abide" from his book, For the Inward Journey; and to Rev. Michael Beckwith for talking about it on his CD, The Vibration of the Most High

Day 41 / 365

Tonight I enjoyed a different route home, making my way throught the neighborhood and the 6+ inches of snow. Seeing all the old Victorian homes, and others all lit up with the goings-on of the families inside, was heart warming and... made me reminisce back to the home of my childhood, both in Ohio and Michigan - made me smile. In this moment gratitude springs up from me for:

1.) living in such a beautiful, historical neighborhood of diversity; .and that its close enough to work

2.) more hours of daylight...Yay! It's getting lighter and lighter outside every day

3.) a nice, warm bath to settle into... with my new favorite essential oil, Vertiver - it's good for getting grounded; and I'm thankful for Nancy Santo Pietro's book on Feng Shui and Health - where I read about Vertiver

4.) my ever-deepeing appreciation for the animal kingdom... especially dogs and cats, but there's so much to learn from the entire kingdom - I'm enjoying their lessons and fascinated by their instincts...and how Nature takes care of them...threfore Nature, takes care of us too

5.) reconnecting with my friends Marta & Lloyd after a long, long time from talking with them

6.) Life...is good... and I am very thankful for mine, and that I get to share it with those whom I share it with..from family, to friends, to co-workers, to neighbors...to those I encounter each day in the blink of an eye...it's all very powerful.

Day 40 /365

Just got home from a blizzardy commute. It's been snowing since this morning, is expected to continue all night. It's that good "packing" snow.. the kind snow ball fights are made of... and snow men..and women... and sledding... and children playing, sticking out their tongue to catch snow flakes..and dogs frolicking for joy... it's the snow of snow angels. My journey home was a good and safe one. I am thankful and appreciative of that, as well as:

1.) the accoustics of a heavy snow fall; it's a blanket of softness, the paradox of the "sound of quiet" it creates... the conscious breathing it inspires

2.) my safe journey & arrival home... and those of friends and loved ones

3.) ....I got a kick out of the Weather Channel playing the "Theme from Shaft", in this evening's report... ya gotta love that!

4.) screening the pilot episode of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" at work today... and for his commitment to getting world citizens on track to healthier eating and healthier lives

5.) feeling good in my body... healing continues in my physical and emotional bodies

6.) the role that creativity (collage, doll-making, creative expression) plays in flushing out what's really going on inside.. as well as the inspirational tool it is for the articulating my life vision and tapping into the subconscious

7.) My brother Billy...for checking in with me more often; and my brothers Duane and Bernard to.. for being there

I am grateful for this whole Gratitude-Joy! process. I am seeing, feeling, and experiencing the lovely, rich, textured tapestry of my life ...and Life. Who knew these Recipes for Gratitude would create such a Feast of Apprciation? ...and the bounty keeps overflowing...and I am thankful.

Day 39 / 365

I am grateful for...

1.) snowmen.. they make me smile..and love seeing all the creativity; brings back childhood memories

2.) the basics: my life, my breath, Spirit which animates my being

3.) a long sigh, releasing stress...especially when I didn't know I was holding my breath

4.) practicing grounding exercises for the root chakra - settling me into my body, and the earth