FEBRUARY '12 Daily Gratitudes- Welcome All

Posts: 2,174
2/7/12 3:11 P

Today I bow in gratitude for:
~ my family
~ my home
~ necessities more than met: clean food and water and clothing etc
~ silliness
~ yoga
~ more blessings than I could ever list
namaste,
sherrie

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2/7/12 11:53 A

This morning, I am grateful for:

-Continued forward progress on work projects (first quarter is always very crazy)
-The gorgeous sunshine we had yesterday
-The full moon and our perfect view of it at night off our deck
-The many abundances in my life, but especially the basics: food, shelter, warmth, clean water
-Travel books and guides, so much fun to read and plan

Make it an excellent day!

Posts: 2,558
2/7/12 9:43 A

Tuesday's gratitude:
... a good night's sleep
... a busy day ahead
... the people I'll interact with at various activities today
... this crazy winter ... no snow to shovel ;)
... another chance to get it right (whatever it is)

and all the abundant blessings God provides each day.

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2/7/12 8:06 A

Appreciations this morning include:
-The new snow is light and fluffy making pre-dawn snow clearing easy
-Fresh brewed coffee made for me when I finished
-Web business action all completed
-Inventory completed and sent shortly after check arrived
-‘Family’ cave time fun
-R driving me on all my errands
-Flexible choices
-Full Moon benefits

Posts: 4,826
2/7/12 4:19 A

I am grateful this morning for:

- refinements to lesson plan making it even better.
- sensitivity to body's needs, listening and following them.
- Roberta Flack's new disc of Beatles songs.
- creative work time yesterday.
- the power of KISS (keep it simple, silly)

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2/7/12 12:42 A

Tonight I am so grateful for the many blessings of the day:
- the call from my granddaughter telling me it was a Happy Yellow Belt day being celebrated with chocolate cake with what else, yellow icing;
- my grandson asking me on the phone did I have a nice day, Grandma?
- the wonderful sunshine that speeded us on our walk around town that kept us outdoors almost 2 hours
- - available leftovers for dinner so I could enjoy a leisurely evening
- The beautiful sunset over the city that capped a beautiful day

And finally, I'm grateful to SP to spurring me on to be a more beautiful me!

Posts: 2,174
2/7/12 12:25 A

Tonight I bow down in gratitude for:
~ a willingness to listen
~ hope for hearing
~ energy in all it's forms, even when my body is waning, so many other forms persevere
~ heat, warmth, light
~ hugs
~ more blessings than I could ever list
namaste,
sherrie

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2/6/12 10:38 P

Tonight I am thankful for...
~the wonderful faculty that I get to work with.
~free computer help via my nephew.
~my counselor.
~a nice, quick dinner out with Alexis.
~free (and unexpected) money in the mail.

Posts: 17
2/6/12 5:54 P

Today I am thankful for: My husband being off work, being back home after a weekend at a military family retreat, my step-sons Jordan and Jackson, and strawberry crystal light. :]

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2/6/12 5:24 P

Today I am grateful for:
A beautiful weekend at the lake
Once again having access to the internet and therefore SparkPeople
A pile of great books to read
An excellent evening spent with a great friend last night
An interview tomorrow
A quiet night at home

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2/6/12 1:16 P

On this Monday, I am grateful for:

-A great exercise plan yesterday with the final result being 90 minutes of exercise, including 40 minutes of it in the gorgeous sunshine
-Win-win exercise, where it scores in more than one area!!!
-Gym at work open again today (it closed on Friday due to our evacuation from a chemical spill, and really messed up my Friday exercise plans, at lunch AND after work)
-Dinner plans with a friend we haven't seen in too long tonight
-Trader Joe's STILL having heirloom oranges that we've been enjoying for a month now (don't know how long the growing season lasts, but I'm hoping for another month!!)
-My amazing partner and the constant support I get

Make it an excellent day!!

Posts: 2,558
2/6/12 10:25 A

It's Monday morning and I'm thankful for ...
... this crisp sunny morning; no wind ... so peaceful
... joyful banter with J before he left for work and a week away on travel
... a plan for accomplishing all that's on my plate this week
... Chaco to keep me company while J's away
... the nice weekend just past; the pleasant boundaries of my life

and home, food, shelter, and so much more!

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2/6/12 8:57 A

Appreciations this morning include:
-Breakfast date adventure keeping that happy tradition vibrant and fresh
-Notice of eBay sale and it’s mailing done in my inbox this morning
-Easily adjusting camera for the extra sunlight to make posting images for R
-Emotionally joyful play residue from unrecalled dreams
-Progress pleasing on office organizing project
-Enjoying cave time with R and dogs watching super bowl (despite fully grasping the game)

Posts: 4,826
2/6/12 5:01 A

I am grateful this morning for:

- a good night's sleep.
- sticking to my goals yesterday.
- interesting dreams.
- the recording I created yesterday for students.
- a little guitar creativity during the weekend.

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2/5/12 10:16 P

After a very long weekend I come to share my thanks. Tonight I am thankful for...
~a wonderful visit with my SIL.
~a fun first competition for Miss A.
~friends that listen and give good advice.
~this weekend being over.
~the prospect of better things to come.

Posts: 2,558
2/5/12 5:48 P

Today I am thankful for ...
... loving relationships in my life
... this afternoon's vigorous walk in the sunshine with J and S and our dogs
... saying "no thank you" to invitations that were not in sync with our lifestyle
... another great worship service
... the evening ahead to spend as we please ;)

and so much more!

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2/5/12 11:34 A

On this quiet Sunday morning, I am grateful for:

-Having the time to view a video Maha forwarded to me regarding a hunter-gatherer diet and how vital it can be for supplying necessary nutrients to our mitochondria
-Sunday mornings when I usually have quiet time to myself
-Extra special kitten snuggles this morning (our Siamese is becoming more and more loving)
-An excellent phone conversation with my sister
-Sunshine streaming through my home office window this morning
-My massage coming up here shortly (much-needed)

Make it an excellent day!

Stephanie

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2/5/12 11:27 A

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a songbird will come.
-- Chinese proverb

Good morning,

Good to be here in this SpecialSparkSpot. Gratitude~~

~ for Stephanie's loving service to her dear friend...and sending prayer and mantra to her regarding today's difficult conversation with her

~ following GBoomer's lead to the new "Verbling" website and finding an interesting new Spanish conversation resource


~ for a compelling, poignant story on a lovely, progressive Christian blog
paintedprayerbook.com/2012/02/05/epiphany-
6-what-the-light-shines-through/#comme
nts

~ for a bike ride ahead with a friend, followed by JOYFUL NOISE (Queen Latifah & Dolly Parton!) with friends

~ for reaching greater understanding through in-depth conversation with two distinct friends

Blessed be,
xox
Maha

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2/5/12 7:50 A

Appreciations and gratitudes this morning include:
-Science channel documentary on the Great Lakes. surprising stats and it all recalling my magical visit to Niagara Falls and group date with our handsome Captain pilot
-Easily joining neighbor to push off the light additions of new snow accumulations
-Client opting for purchasing shield instead of lay-a-way and now it is ready to mail
-Scoring 96% on sleep last night and feeling genuinely rejuvenated this morning
-Sunday morning traditions ahead with R

Posts: 4,826
2/5/12 4:17 A

I am grateful this morning for:

- seeing the progress at the old house yesterday.
- 3 books borrowed from the library.
- being able to help L with some work stuff yesterday.
- the new "Verbling" website and the fun language-exchange I had there yesterday morning.
- interesting conversation with L about some cultural things last night.

Posts: 2,174
2/5/12 1:24 A

Just got back from my trip but want to post before collapsing into bed.

Tonight I am grateful for:
~ safe travel
~ reconnecting
~ new perspectives
~ music
~ validation
~ more blessings than I could ever list
namaste,
sherrie

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2/4/12 8:35 P

Tonight I am thankful for...
~my SIL making it safely here last night.
~my taxes being accepted by both the fed and state gov'ts via e-file.
~the resources available on SP, from challenges to videos.
~a good run this morning.
~an early bedtime.

Posts: 2,558
2/4/12 11:48 A

This morning I'm grateful for ...
... abundant sunshine
... fun things to do this weekend
... seeing a path forward on a project of mine
... a wonderful conversation with J yesterday
... renewed determination to make some changes in my routine

and so much more!

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2/4/12 10:45 A

This morning, I have much to be grateful for, including:

-For the first time, one of our kittens sitting on my LAP for a love/purr fest (I had been thinking we had no lap kitties out of three, but maybe that will change)
-Progress on my tax prep
-My CPA that I've been going to for years now and the prep kit he always sends, including a small magazine with the major new tax matters that have changed in the past year and checklist
-Finding out that my massage therapist has some available time on Sunday (she's normally booked a few weeks out) - yay, I get a much-needed massage tomorrow
-Another opportunity to spend time with my dear friend tomorrow, although I have to try and have a difficult conversation with her, and have been working on the best approach
-Hot tea, especially wonderful in cold weather

Make it an excellent day!

Stephanie

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2/4/12 8:38 A

Appreciations this morning include:
-Sparkling sunlight reflecting like diamonds on abundant blankets of snow
-Three hours of snow shoveling including helping a neighbor
-R driving me on errands and being fun company
-Studio time and cave time, keeping my own counsel and sharing ideas too
-Lovely roasted veggies ready when I finish last twilight snow clearing
-Cuddly dogs and option for more sleep after sparse amount last night

Posts: 4,826
2/4/12 6:55 A

I am grateful this morning for:

- Saturday.
- Time with Y and H yesterday.
- Stuff I got done at work yesterday.
- My darling students at SMS.
- Clear thinking, the result of talking it over with L.
- Great neighborhood walk with L yesterday.

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2/3/12 9:05 P

Tonight I am thankful for...
~spending 8 hours working with friends today.
~reminders that support is available even when it's not immediately visible.
~my mom and all the love, help and support she provides.
~having my taxes done.
~the reassurance that good and truth will always win over negativity and deceit.

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2/3/12 7:56 P

I am ever MOST grateful for....
.... health at my age (over 70)
.... ability to walk on the treadmill
.... the scale slowly moving downward
.... family
.... good food
.... my Savior Jesus Christ and His provision....
.... good interaction with family members
.... smiles on granddaughters face.

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2/3/12 5:10 P

Sla Salle - what an exciting time! So glad to hear everything worked out.

Today I am grateful for:
My best doggy bud curled up on my legs while I work from home
Beautiful fog and hoar frost trees
Trustworthy trades who do excellent work for me
A difficult conversation going very well
Turkey and Veg lasagne smelling great the house
Heading to the lake this weekend and anticipating the beauty

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2/3/12 2:46 P

Today, I am grateful for so much, including:

-Everybody being safely back in my building at work, after being evacuated for 1-1/2 hours due to a chemical spill in our lower garage (I'm on the safety team)
-Firefighters and HazMat workers who do their jobs well and risk their own safety for others
-Rain today that is much-needed
-Heirloom oranges I found at Trader Joe's still in stock, hoping for more tonight!
-National Wear Red Day, in honor of our nation's leading killer - heart disease
-My commitment to get a good workout in today IN HONOR OF heart disease

Posts: 2,174
2/3/12 2:16 P

Today I bow down in gratitude for:
~ my meditation practice and Maha's sharing of the article on meditation
~ warm, healthy food
~ deciding to re-commit to working on a certain challenging aria
~ Lula's playfulness
~ a weekend of wonderful music ahead
~ more blessings than I could ever list
namaste,
sherrie

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2/3/12 11:01 A

I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind.
-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Good morning,

My every-other day posting at each of my favorite and important Homes of Gratitude are so nourishing and important in my day. Thank you Rebecca and gratitude family, for making that possible by the way we've made it a consistent part of lives. Today~~

~ an important and useful article on meditation on my good news source today -- www.dailygood.org/view.php?sid=172

~ the bittersweet aspects of life that keep me reaching for ways to know and experience the Joy

~ deep sadness about the self-inflicted suffering a friend inflicts upon himself in the out-of-balance "place" that he lives in his mind

~ gathering in circle tonight at one of prisons, an experience in the bittersweet, and one that provides a constant source of wisdom from my inmate friends

~ Rebecca's thought-provoking blog this morning www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal.
asp?id=REBCCA

Blessed be,
xox
Maha

Posts: 2,558
2/3/12 10:27 A

Friday morning gratitude:
... bowling well yesterday
... the good basketball game last night (even though our team lost)
... this foggy morning
... laughter
... my congenial husband and our life together

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2/3/12 8:31 A

Appreciations and gratitudes this morning include:
-Taking little girl dog on KJ walk with me yesterday, seizing the opportunity before the ‘big snow’
-Studio time well utilized with British chick flick enjoyed
-Orders received from Norway, and the wide reach of the web
-MHC feeling powerful and refreshing intentions
-Call from C reporting A was doing very well out of surgery
-Waking up to fresh coffee and the intentionally quiet sounds of R going to work

Posts: 4,826
2/3/12 4:09 A

I am grateful this morning for:

- a good meeting with M and H yesterday about next school year.
- yesterday's run.
- my student C for his intelligence, passion and hard work.
- online chat with D.
- making K laugh by appreciating her doodle.
- interesting possibilities for the next school year.

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2/2/12 9:17 P

Tonight I am thankful for...
~finding old letters from dear friends.
~a good day off before I begin a long-term placement.
~a busy but fun weekend planned.
~inner strength that allows me to work through adversity.
~tears-the ultimate emotional release.

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2/2/12 1:12 P

Today I am thankful for:
My husband cooking me breakfast
Getting the job
Topped up windshield washer fluid on warm, wet day
The continued love and support of my co-wokers
Quiet time for me tonight to cook, stretch, sauna and restore

Posts: 2,558
2/2/12 10:32 A

This morning I'm thankful for
... light snow today
... kind (encouraging) words from a thoughtful friend
... my dependable Prius
... our energy-efficient furnace and the warmth it is providing
... nature's beauty

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2/2/12 8:01 A

As I await the prediction from Punxsutawney Phil at Gobbler’s Knob I think of my gratitudes:
-Components for perfect walk all lining up for KJ hike under lacy veil of scattered clouds to see geese on icy pond and wide mountain horizons
-Top hats, traditions and ground hog interpretation of shadow viewed, predicting 6 more weeks of Winter, may not be true but makes for festive celebration just the same
-Amusing feel good movie enjoyed with R (“Cedar Rapids”)
-Dream emotions recalled and feeling auspicious
-eBay order received this morning and already being mailed
-My always appreciated vibrant good health

Posts: 4,826
2/2/12 5:01 A

I am grateful this morning for:

- a free stream of Paul McCartney's new album of old songs on NPR.
- lunch and chat with Y yesterday.
- good work done yesterday.
- good studying done yesterday.
- happy news received in email.

Posts: 2,174
2/1/12 11:26 P

Tonight I bow in gratitude for:
~ Everyone who comes to this site and shares
~ Rebecca for sharing the Yosemite HD link
~ Maha for sharing Pema Chodron's Heart Link
~ My wonderful daughter and her perfect way of encouraging and pushing me when we are walking and biking together
~ Progress with students
~ Lovely dinner out with daughter's boyfriend's mother and friend
~ more blessings than I could ever list
namaste,
sherrie

SparkPoints: (56,908)
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2/1/12 7:58 P

Tonight I am thankful for...
~the sharing that happens on this thread alone. That Yosemite video was amazing!
~the resources that we have available to us via the internet.
~the prospect of a wonderful weekend.
~the potential for a long-term teaching assignment starting Monday.
~an absolutely gorgeous day.

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2/1/12 5:34 P

Today, on this first day of February (yes, already), I have much to be grateful for, including:

-This beautiful weather
-Starting the month with a walk OUTSIDE, soaking up some natural Vitamin D, cheering my mood immensely
-Being able to get in 80 minutes of cardio yesterday, a huge improvement over being down with double ear infections this past week
-My job and the company I work for; our founder and the guiding principles that continue to resonate throughout the company
-Comfortable old friends
-Another organic produce delivery on our doorstep this morning

SparkPoints: (15,189)
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2/1/12 12:52 P

Today I am grateful for:

A fridge stocked full of healthful pre-cooked meals
The beautiful hoar frost on the trees this a.m.
The surprise coffee I was brought
The love and support of a good friend this a.m.
My favourite velvet jacket
Looking forward to a cross country ski with my husband and pup tonight

Posts: 2,558
2/1/12 11:13 A

This first morning in February 2012, I am thankful for ...
... this new gratitude thread; R's "Yosemite HD" link and Maha's "Simple Gifts" link
... another day filled with sunshine
... my dear grandchildren whose photographic faces are smiling at me now from the unique Christmas card my DIL put together ... too wonderful to put away
... my massage appointment today
... progress made toward goals I've set

and the days that are getting longer and all the positive energy around me ... thank you, thank you, thank you!

Posts: 1,007
2/1/12 10:59 A

I've been ill for several weeks and improvement is slow but I had the energy to do 15 mins gentle exercise. I am also so grateful for a sunny day despite it being really cold.

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2/1/12 9:57 A

There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathless and beautiful.
-- Howard Thurman

Happy February!

In answer to GBOOMER's '???' regarding my performance on yesterday's exam, I feel good *enough* about it, but not great. Hopefully now that we're beginning the Renaissance period of Spanish literature, I will resonate more with it. And we're also seguing now from Medieval Spanish to contemporary Spanish, which is waaaaaaaay more easy to grok. Happy that *it* and January are over.

And I'm especially happy to be beginning a new day and a new month with all of you~~

~ voices of joy like Dr. Thurman's, such an important reminder

~ a fresh slate with Spanish lit as we move ahead, determining to be more involved

~ doing my body the favor of strength training ahead this morning, and resolving to make the best use of this day, the only one I've got

~ finding a silly little lost *thing* that I really like having around

~ not freaking out about the possible loss of an old friend around a misunderstanding, although I'll do my best to save it

Blessed be,
xox
Maha

P.S. Sherrie, it's QUITE possible that I "harvested" the Chodron quote from here. I recommend subscribing. It's just once a week and they're always juicy, usable snippets, like this week's which just arrived --

HEART ADVICE FROM PEMA CHODRON

Don’t worry about achieving. Don’t worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can. When you realize you’ve wandered off again, simply very lightly acknowledge that. This light touch is the golden key to reuniting with our openness.

www.shambhala.com/html/learn/features/pema
/index.cfm?utm_medium=email&utm_source
=HA%202/1/12




Edited by: VALERIEMAHA at: 2/1/2012 (10:02)

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2/1/12 9:27 A

My gratitudes and blessings today include:
-Vibrant good health that is my normal state and has returned!!
-Beautiful day, warm enough for hand washing very dusty ‘cedes
-Open window fun ride to do errands in clean car
-Relaxing studio time fostering health balance
-Two loads of laundry done and stowed
-Video below


Suggest you view this in fullscreen (click on the little 4-arrow icon to the immediate left of the word vimeo at lower right of vid frame)

Don't forget: Esc key gets you out of fullscreen. matadornetwork.com/tv/yosemite-hd-will-blo
w-your-mind/

Posts: 4,826
2/1/12 4:53 A

Wow! It is February already.

I am grateful this morning for:

- having a little adventure yesterday outside of the typical Tuesday routine.
- getting home early enough to beat rush hour.
- being entertained by a dumb movie yesterday. "Columbiana". Guy stuff.
- finishing Pimsleur Spanish 2 yesterday.
- a decent night's sleep.
- the continued blessings of marriage with L.

SparkPoints: (218,840)
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Posts: 18,761
1/31/12 4:26 P

The common meaning of gratitude is to be thankful for benefits received. While this is important, I feel that the energy of gratitude is one of the most powerful attracting forces in the universe. A heart filled with Thanksgiving, even when appearances tell us that we are mired in scarcity, conflict, and affliction, moves us to a higher frequency in consciousness -- and we soon witness reality shining through the illusion.
- John Randolph Price

The idea here is to write at least five things you are grateful or appreciative each day, thus cultivating an attitude of gratitude I will be here with my 5 when it is February in my time zone. I appreciate everyone who joins me in this tradition.