TODAY, I AM GRATEFUL FOR ..........

Today, I am grateful for many things.

First, for my voice and the odd[sm=rolleyes.gif] reason that some people like it.

Second, for Blue, Edda, Emil, Mommacrys, Celticstar, Richard, Judy, Star5776, China34doll, Vicky, and Brabsis. I'm very sensitive to feeling 'connected' to people; I'm more lucky that that sensitivity has led me to your beautiful souls.

Third, for every soul that has found Gratefulness.org. I've never been so blessed as now in finding such a large gathering of people that recognize 'need' as a good thing. The need to share one's self - feel as though they have something  valuable to give; a skill, experience, knowledge, the need to be supported by others, the need to support others. These are pack mentalities at their best: the reason a mother can leave her child with other pack members to forage for food; the reason a hunter feels that failing in his duty means others will starve, that a young pack member can contribute to the village by wanting to be the best at constructing shelter. (Please look at the color coding/coorelation between each statement.)

Fourth, I am grateful for those in my life that take my advice as one of the ways I show my love as opposed to percieveing my opinion as a method of criticism as it so verbally often sounds to those who do not know me.

Fifth, I am grateful and humbled for the challenges before me and the fact that Gaia has enough faith in me to trust me with those responsibilities.

Sixth, I am grateful for finally feeling the joy of being grateful.

The Goddess is alive and there is magick afoot.
Arow Blackdragon
Valley of the Kings

I'm also grateful for all the members of this forum.  I'm also grateful that someone in this forum (can't remember who, maybe Betty?) reminded me of how great it is to go on a retreat.  I started looking for one, but didn't find one right away that I wanted to go on (too expensive, wrong time of year, etc.).  Then someone in my meditation class last night just came up to me, said she was going on this retreat and encouraged me to go, and emailed me the information.  Strangely, everything about it was "right"--the cost, location, dates, curriculum, everything.  Weird, huh?
 
Lori

To truly listen is to perfect one's own virtue.

I am grateful to hear once again from Arow!
 
I learned today that a couple who have been trying to get pregnant for years are expecting in October. I am grateful with them for this gift of life.
 
Edda

Peace and joy!

Today I am grateful that my dog is back to normal after her operation yesterday. She had to go to the vets to be spayed, but she's fine again now. She still isn't totally aware of the lampshade collar thing that she's wearing, so she keeps ramming into the back of our legs.

She's a border collie crossed with a greyhound, and she's rather larger than we expected her to be. Some pictures here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12323892@N06/. She's about 12 months old, and we had her from a rescue home.

Things I'm Grateful For - Updated Daily. Now updated to the new Mk II version.

Solomon,
I am grateful today for your photos!!
After yesterday's shock of hearing about the buzzards being shot by some moron, you have just made my day with the photos of your dog. What is her name?
 
When you said she was half border collie and half greyhound I couldn't wait to see her, as my very first dog was just that....AND exactly the same colouring. When I was a baby my Dad bought Paddy as a puppy, to go rabbit catching with him. Rabbit was our main meat supply just after the war.
 
I'm told that Paddy took to me and guarded my pram! Apart from my Dad teaching him to chase cats (his most hated, and my most loved animal) Paddy was a loyal and loveable pet dog who lived to be 19, and died just before I left home.
 
I could do anything with him - I even dressed him in my doll clothes once - he was a good house-dog and didn't have a bad bone in his body. Lovely dog. I hope yours gives you many happy years.      J

Love is the only way

Today I am also pleased to see Arow's name up again!

Love is the only way

ORIGINAL: buttington
you have just made my day with the photos of your dog. What is her name?

Corwen. It's the name of somewhere in Wales, which we figured was appropriate because of her Welsh ancestry.

We used to dress up our old dog in my dads work jumper, and he'd just sit there and let us do it. Poor creature.

Things I'm Grateful For - Updated Daily. Now updated to the new Mk II version.

Today I am very grateful to the Spirit of the Holy One who gave me the idea for beginning this thread. May I always be open to the promptings of the Spirit of the Holy One.

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.

NAMASTE to all of you!

Richard, thank you for your posts of gratitude each day. They are so simple and yet such a profound reminder to all of us.

Vicky,May your mom enjoy many, many more birthdays with a very special daughter. She must be just as proud of you as her daughter as you are of her as your mother.

Arow, Welcome back! Your email voice sounds filled with gratitude and joy.

Edda, Congratulations on your one year anniversary. You truly have a beautiful neighborhood to walk around in especially on such a glorious beginning of Autumn day. May your Centering meeting this morning bring you a time of quiet peace and contemplation.

Dear Lori, You already know how very pleased I am about your retreat.

Strangely, everything about it was "right"--the cost, location, dates, curriculum, everything. Weird, huh?

Isn't the Holy One amazing??? It kind of goes back to the one line from Ecclesiastes--"For everything there is a time and a season." This seems to be your retreat "Season"

Judith,I was so sorry to read about your very special buzzards. Your email voice seemed filled with such sadness, hurt and anger. Senseless killing of the created is a constant reminder of the violence in our world community. It was good to read your post about Solomon's dog and how it brought back the very special memories of Paddy to help heal the hurt about your buzzards. May all of the created creatures fill your life with joy.

Solomon, Thank you for posting pictures of Corwen. She looks like a very special, loving dog. May she bring you many reminders of complete and total unconditional love. We missed your posts.

Today I am grateful for remembering the words of a dear friend--"when you are in the midst of a real problem situation and there seem to be no answers, you may already be living through the answer without even realizing it.

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.

Dear Arow,
I idendify with what you say about being 'connected' to people. I felt instantly connected to certain of the people I met on this site and you were one of them. Accept it!!!
 
I believe we are ALL conected, but we feel more so with some people than others of course. Also, we all have something to offer and we all have something we can learn from each other.
 
Man (or woman) is not an island. We do need others. I've said it before, but I'll say it again "Giving and receiving is the same." By giving, we ourselves benefit in many ways, and by receiving, we give a gift to the giver; that of being able to give their gift. I know some poeple who find it difficult to receive, but if you explain that, if they accept the gift, even if they don't want it they are actually 'giving' pleasure to the giver. Then they are happier because they can see it as them giving something!!!! This was once a lightbulb moment for me, but I'm not good at explaining it.
 
I spent most of my life finding it difficult to share, (things or myself) but I'm finding it easier these days, and actually enjoy it now.
 
I also get misunderstood. I'm quite forthright sometimes, and fortunately people don't seem to get upset! As a healer I often 'see' what people need to hear, and usually I don't beat about the bush. Although she may not always like what I say, a friend often asks me what I think because she knows I will be truthful. (not unkind)
But this can be misconstrued as being cold, and I'm anything but cold. Not easy.
 
Finally, I'm not always grateful for the challenges life throws up for me.       Love J

Love is the only way

Sometimes it isn't your job to make people understand. It's just your job to tell them.

Things I'm Grateful For - Updated Daily. Now updated to the new Mk II version.

Solomon:  Thank you so much for sharing photos of your dog.  She looks so sweet! 
 
Thanks, too, for your response to Judith: Sometimes it isn't your job to make people understand. It's just your job to tell them.   That's a good reminder for me too.  I occasionally get accused of being "negative" when I think I'm being "direct," and when it's really important for me to be clear.  I need to remember your words.
 
Lori

To truly listen is to perfect one's own virtue.

Thank you, Betty! The morning was peaceful and reflective. We also share warm friendships and lots of laughter. (Once our pastor heard us laughing and stopped in saying in jest, "I thought you were supposed to be praying!")
 
Edda

Peace and joy!

Adding something to my reply to Arow's post, I heard this morning something which seems relevant, whether you believe in God or not. What ever you want to call it.
 
"My best definition of God is the creative spirit which runs through all of us." (Beth Nielson-Chapman, singer/songwriter)
 
Solomon Thanks for your last post. I liked that very much.
 
Today I am grateful because yesterday I heard a second 'baby' buzzard. I had been hearing it squeaking for several weeks, but dismissed it as a young seagull, as they sound similar before the buzzard starts to find it's voice. I've been fooled before, in other years, into thinking there was another young buzzard, only to discover it was a seagull after all.
 
But yesterday there was no mistake, and this morning I saw it being mobbed by crows. It is several weeks younger than it's sibling; as if nature knew that, despite being successfully reared, the first one wouldn't survive. I hope and pray this one will grow to adulthood and nest here next year.      J

Love is the only way

Hooray!!!  Today I'm grateful for new a baby buzzard and the wisdom of nature. 
 
Today I'm feeling grateful for this moment and everything in it.  I'm grateful that we have an unusually cool morning and my windows are open; that I hear birds singing outside; that I see green leaves on the tree just outside my window.  I feel grateful for the love and companionship of my cat, who is looking at my right now like I'm God, for some reason (maybe because she just had her breakfast).  I'm grateful than in an hour or so I will go church and sing in the choir and enjoy making music and the companionship of my choir friends.  I'm grateful for the support of my companions in this forum.  In this moment I feel very blessed.
 
Lori

To truly listen is to perfect one's own virtue.

Today I am grateful for the week of meditation, meditative hiking, dancing and singing that lies behind me and has richly blessed my life. Anyone interested in looking at the place may go to: www.st-georgenberg.at. The monastery on top of a high rock in situated in grand surroundings (photo on the left). Follow the 8th link on top, "Führung", and go on to "Virtuelle Führung St.Georgenberg" (4th link below the picture on the right). I feel grateful to whoever has "Love is the only way" as his/her motto on this thread. It came in handy to go with my symbol of a bridge (a piece of bark put across the gap between two pieces of rock), and I am equally grateful to Zenmember, I think, using the mantra "breathe in confidence, breathe out doubt" when walking in silence. Thank you all!

Juliana

"Speak Peace in a World of Conflict" (M.B.Rosenberg)

Dear Juliana, I am grateful with you for the beautiful week with which you were blessed. Thank you for the link to the Benedictine Abbey in its gorgeous surroundings which contribute so much to the experience. I must be hard to get back to everyday life!
 
Edda

Peace and joy!

Dear Juliana, Thank you so much for posting the website of your retreat house. I am so pleased you were able to go. The pictures are gorgeous, truly a place to "taste and see the goodness of the Lord." It is good to have you back on the forum. Retreats truly never end but are just a continuation of the new and many blessings one has received while on retreat. May the peace and joy you received follow you wherever you go and bless all whom you meet.

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.

Today I am grateful for my imagination, which is really helping me with my writing. And for Clematis, which is helping me actually do the writing.

Things I'm Grateful For - Updated Daily. Now updated to the new Mk II version.

Today I am grateful for a cool early morning, for the gift of being able to hear the singing birds, for the gift of sight to see the morning sunrize and for an email from a very very dear friend who will be in town the middle of September.

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.