Day 52 /365

A low-key Sunday. Today, I smile as I reflect and feel Gratitude-Joy within me. I am grateful for:

1.) ...having breakfast with a friend at the Morton Arboretum...and walking around the grounds taking in the outside museum of trees and shrubs

2.) ...a phone call from Kamaria...and our conversation; I am thankful she's doing good..and sounds good - she is an ever-giving blessing in my life

3.) ...Black History Month, and being reminded of the strength, courage, persistence, excellence, inspiration, pioneering-spirit of my ancestry; the programs on PBS profiling accomplishments and history as well as local programs in the area - raising awareness and pride

4.) the innate healing properties in the human body - a cooperative event with Mother Nature within us

5.) my sister-friend and neighbor, Pat... it's so good to have her near and fun to visit each other inpromptu..a minute here and there...or a planned time together

6.) my sister, Janet - and keeping up with her; it's always so good to re-connect with her...and to see all the creative stuff she's doing, from quiliting, to crocheting to researching the family tree and putting together a book or us all... she's quite an inspiration - I love you Janet

Day 51 /365

A chilly, overcast day today... that's OK. Today...I appreciate:

1.) the class Barb taught today at Pure Reign today, the learnings, the techniques, the benefits...and the people

2.) going to see Avatar again tomorrow, this time with Barb

3.) that I finished Anne Marie's Medicine Doll... who's medicine is the celebration of life...the joy of life... - I think she's gonna love it!

4.) the sweet dog "Cubby" - a neighbor's blond mix of hmm...poodle and German Shepherd maybe? They went all the way to Ohio to adopt him from an Amish rescue - I love how Cubby's tale wags and he does this howl-bark and tries not to leap when he sees me... I'm glad to see him too

5.) revelation - of what I simply have to let go of in order to live my expanded life; Barb's class helped tremdously today in transforming our "stuff"...

Day 50 / 365

Wow.. 50 days of journaling my gratitude, appreciation, thankfulness for life...my life and the life of all those who touch me...for a minute, a month, a year, a day...or a lifetime; this experience is bringing into close view of what is meaningful to me. I am thankful for:

1.) posting my 50th day of gratitude... yay!

2.) the awareness of the generosity of people, regardless of the actual thing given...the biggest gift is the consciousness of giving, the generosity...from the heart from gestures to tokens, to smiles and all else on either side of these... there are generous givers everywhere! I am appreciative of the person who gave me the last slice of a treat at no charge..."have a good day!" she said to me...with a smile

3.) a good juicy apple

4.) days that just humm along...unfurling like a blooming flower...at just the right pace for me

5.) plants and flowers.. they light up my surroundings...and make my heart smile

Day 49 /365

A good day... even more Spring-like than yesterday... in the mid-30s and sunny! Here's what I appreciate about today...and about my life:

1.) a nice warm Hymalayan Sea Salt bath - it's like Chicken Soup for the Soul

2.) the warm, cheeful energy of the man who sells the Tribune on Lake Street...and the young lady who sells the Sun Times on State Street... it's a sandwich of cheeful greetings in the morning

3.) feeling good

4.) enduring friendships

5.) that the internet helps make the whole world feel like "a neighborhood" - that combined with the intention of reaching out and finding like-hearted soulful people... birds of a feather truly do flock together - the radar goes out and we all find each other...it's a beautiful thing

Day 48 /365

What a Good Day! This is the best I've felt in a long time.. I can't remember when; my overall sense of well-being is heightened...my body/body systems are strengthened and my mental, emotional and spiritual health is cohesive, grounded and integrated... I am thankful for:

1.) ...all the work I've been doing with Barb and her team at Pure Reign...as well as with Dr. Shepherd..and all of my healing practioners is paying off. I am thankful for all my friends who've encouraged me..and held the high watch as I trekked through this still ongoing journey... I realize that as long as we're on the planet.. it's an "ongoing journey"

2.) the delightful surprise of a red envelope and Valentine's Day card from my dear friend, Anne Marie... how thoughtful she is... and the sentiment was so touching... thank you Anne Marie!

3.) Kamaria's voice mail today... although I would've loved to speak with her...it was so good to hear her voice - and that she thought of me and called

4.) ...I now enjoy tea without sugar (thanks to what I talk about above, in #1) - Allegre's "Fruit Ambrosia" organic tea from Whole Foods is my new favorite

5.) getting an e-mail from dear friend, Royce - it'd been a while..and I understand why

6.) peaceful ride home tonight on Metra...and the 20-minute, unwinding walk home

Day 47 /365

A beautiful Winter day...and I am thankful for:

1.) the good, solid night's sleep I had - and that I was able to sleep in

2.) being in the mode of gettting rid of...letting go of what I don't: love, need or use ...mostly in my physical environment, but I know it's on all levels too

3.) how one simple move can be powerful - moving my furniture on Saturday (thanks to Randy & Carol) provided many openings..and glimpses of what's possible; that single move is still having it's way with me

4.) taking time to work a little bit on a creative project... my dolls - it's wonderful how indulging my muse.. when she comes - does wonders for the spirit!

5.) my healing body, mind and spirit - and for the healers and angels in my life that assist my journey into healing

Day 46 /365

Ahh.. a day off work...and another one tomorrow...Yippee!! I am thankful for that, as well as:

1.) the wonderful day I had today with Rev. J. we went to lunch at The Blue Max Cafe and had a grand time chatting and enjoying our budding friendship... I also enjoyed showing her the beautiful Maze Library - a grand time indeed!

2.) declaring February as "Freedom from Stuff" month... yes!! It feels good to be clearing out stuff I don't need... unshackling myself from it. I thank Rev. J. for not only her pep talk, but for laying it out to me as only she can... to not let myself be ruled by "things" - Thank you Rev. J. !

3.) following through on taking care of myself... and listening to more music and public radio as I am "up and doing" at home -

4.) Restorative Yoga - which I'm on my way to in a few minutes - another way of taking care of my body; body/mind work

5.) taking a few minutes to work on an Intention/Medicine Doll I'm making for a friend