Gratitude Lounge Welcome to our community space to support and celebrate Grateful Living. Please consider reflecting on questions such as these: What am I grateful for? How does gratefulness enrich my life, my community, the world? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? You are welcome to include images and videos to illustrate your reflections… Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Aine6 years agoAineOne of the books on the Intention Table is Dale Carnegie's classic, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. I decided to flip through it today, and I came across this gem: "Chapter Eleven: Don't try to saw sawdust." He then goes on to tell of a man named Fred Fuller Shedd who was editor of the Philadelphia Bulletin. Mr. Shedd was addressing a graduating class and "asked, "How many of you have ever sawed wood? Let's see your hands." Most of them had. Then he inquired, "How many of you have... One of the books on the Intention Table is Dale Carnegie’s classic, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. I decided to flip through it today, and I came across this gem: “Chapter Eleven: Don’t try to saw sawdust.” He then goes on to tell of a man named Fred Fuller Shedd who was editor of the Philadelphia Bulletin. Mr. Shedd was addressing a graduating class and “asked, “How many of you have ever sawed wood? Let’s see your hands.” Most of them had. Then he inquired, “How many of you have ever sawed sawdust?” No hands went up. “Of course, you can’t saw sawdust!” Mr. Shedd exclaimed. “It’s already sawed! And it’s the same with the past. When you start worrying about things that are over and done with, you’re merely trying to saw sawdust.” This snippet was all too apropos as I have been fretting a bit thinking that maybe that email I sent that has not gotten a reply might have loused up the opportunity I was saying yes to, maybecthe recipient now regrets her offer, maybe she thinks I am a spastic nerfbag…and…and…and… No wonder it’s so cloudy in here that I can’t see! I’ve been trying to saw sawdust! I am grateful for the wit and humor of two men now long gone who said exactly what I needed to hear today. I am grateful for the medium of books so that this wisdom is available to me, grateful to those who taught me to love reading, and grateful for the ability to laugh at myself. Sawing sawdust. Lol! Read More3 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeAine….once again we are kindred spirits! I sent 2 chatty emails a couple of weeks ago. One to my sister-in-law and one to an old friend who had invited me to a lunch gathering that I couldn’t attend. I haven’t heard back from either of them. And of course, because I am me, I started worrying about it. Now, thanks to your sharing, I too am laughing at myself! ~Blessings 1 Reply Aine6 years agoAineThe pithy little saying has been helpful as a reminder to me today as I have had to haul myself back in at times. I was asked to guest blog on a site hosted by Psych Central, and the person kind of expected I had a blog of my own — which I don’t. Yet. That is now in process, however. There could be any number of reasons why she has not replied to my response accepting her offer. ANY NUMBER. But where does MY mind go? To finding a way to blame myself. Hmm. This needs changing! 1 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaVery funny indeed! And i also like what Palm says. If someone doesn’t answer it is not my responsibility, it is out of my hands! 1 Reply Aine6 years agoAineAh, yes, it is! But how many of us have ever wished there were an Unsend button on our machines? I once had a computer arbitrarily send an email on a very delicate subject — which was NOT ready to send, if ever. I had it in Drafts thinking it would stay there until I chose to send it or delete it. Nope. Off it went. I was horrified when the person referenced this email, and I found it had sent it, but there was nothing to be done. ???? 1 Reply grateful sea6 years agograteful seaYes, like Palm, I find the allegory of trying to saw sawdust funny and useful. I keep imagining it as a Charlie Chaplin vignette. And this makes me smile. Thank you. 1 Reply Aine6 years agoAineOh, that would be funny! ???? 0 Reply Palm6 years agoPalm???? funny and useful allegory, thanks for sharing Aine, I also fret a lot about unanswered messages, and the thing is, it’s not even my responsibility nor it is something that is my hands ! 1 Reply Aine6 years agoAineI am so glad I am not alone in this! It is one of the foibles of electronic communication, I think. I also find texting etiquette challenging. You would never simply walk off in the middle of a conversation, but it happens all the time with texting or messaging! Then there's the difficulty of telling tone of communication, despite the fact that you can insert everything from a smiley face to a burrito, bowl of soup, or the Jamaican flag! I have stopped using text or messages for anythin... I am so glad I am not alone in this! It is one of the foibles of electronic communication, I think. I also find texting etiquette challenging. You would never simply walk off in the middle of a conversation, but it happens all the time with texting or messaging! Then there’s the difficulty of telling tone of communication, despite the fact that you can insert everything from a smiley face to a burrito, bowl of soup, or the Jamaican flag! I have stopped using text or messages for anything that is deep enough to be misunderstood. I will no longer have conversations via text, especially tricky ones. I limit it to things like, “I am en route,” or “Did the box arrive?” There’s much less drama and fretting over how something was taken that way, and I am all about reducing all unnecessary stress and drama these days. ???? Read More1 Reply Palm6 years agoPalmIt is so true and I am so glad I am not alone in this either! 0 Reply manda6 years agomandaWhat a fantastic chain to read this morning! I too giggle at sawing sawdust 🙂 Thank you for sharing sweeties! Beautiful day wishes to you <3 1 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaI have to learn from you Aine! 0 Reply Palm6 years agoPalmMee too! 0 Reply THenry6 years agoTHenryMorning to kind hearts and gentle people. So happy that my workweek begins on Monday and ends on Wednesday. We are expecting a foot or more of the white stuff. It’s grand to lookout at the beauty of winter knowing I have no where to be. French toast and bacon for breakfast and now relaxing in my den, with thoughts of where my travels will take me in 2018.Be well, be safe, be ever mindful of the gifts we have been given. 3 Reply manda6 years agomandaSounds amazing THenry!! I hope you enjoyed your beautiful, magical snow 🙂 I hope we get ours they are forecasting; we’ve been skipped a lot this season and our dear trees and critters need moisture <3 Loving wishes to you! 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineThe most enjoyable snow is definitely the kind one need not drive in! We got caught out on Christmas Eve on slick roads as the snow started just after we got to our friends', unbeknownst to us. I must say I am hoping that this arctic Narnia is the big shebang for this winter and that more moderate temperatures will be the rest of it. It is all relative, isn't it? Yesterday, we were out, and it was about 17F. It was cold, of course, but it did not seem quite so seventeen-ish as we had recentl... The most enjoyable snow is definitely the kind one need not drive in! We got caught out on Christmas Eve on slick roads as the snow started just after we got to our friends’, unbeknownst to us. I must say I am hoping that this arctic Narnia is the big shebang for this winter and that more moderate temperatures will be the rest of it. It is all relative, isn’t it? Yesterday, we were out, and it was about 17F. It was cold, of course, but it did not seem quite so seventeen-ish as we had recently had -1F. Read More0 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeGood morning lovely people: It is a cold, grey, blustery, snowy day here and I am so grateful to be warm and cozy, practicing hygge in my little farmhouse. My husband is working from home today and so we have a roaring fire in the wood burning stove. As I type this, sitting in my kitchen next to the fire, I can look out the sun room and see the wind and snow blowing and hear our chimes chiming heartily! For Christmas, my older daughter gave me a lovely candle. It's a soy candle from the "H... Good morning lovely people: It is a cold, grey, blustery, snowy day here and I am so grateful to be warm and cozy, practicing hygge in my little farmhouse. My husband is working from home today and so we have a roaring fire in the wood burning stove. As I type this, sitting in my kitchen next to the fire, I can look out the sun room and see the wind and snow blowing and hear our chimes chiming heartily! For Christmas, my older daughter gave me a lovely candle. It’s a soy candle from the “Homesick” line….perhaps you have heard of them? There is a candle for every state and provide the aromas that remind you of “home”. My daughter got me an Arizona candle because she knows that I miss visiting there since she moved to Colorado several years ago. Having this candle flickering next to me and giving off the aromas of “desert sand, blue agave, lime, and orange citrus” is such a delight. And to complete my hygge morning, I am wearing thick wool socks and fluffy slippers! I am grateful to have been introduced to hygge sensibilities this winter…it is truly making a difference. I am so NOT a winter person but this time around I find that my heart is more open to this seasons’ gifts. I am grateful for the fun 23rd birthday that my younger daughter had yesterday. To celebrate she spent the entire day wearing a warm and cozy “onesie”. Her adorable boyfriend brought her a breakfast sandwich from their favorite cafe and he joined her in wearing a “onesie” as well. 🙂 They played video games and made cupcakes…there was a lot of giggles and smiles happening and it made my heart so happy. My daughter is starting her graduate school studies later this month, moving into NYC and trying to secure a part time job. I’m so grateful that she had such a silly fun day to enjoy in the midst of the stresses of navigating her new “adult” life. I am grateful for the yummy banana bread and fresh pineapple I am enjoying for breakfast…and the coffee of course! Manda…each time you share about baking your home made bread I am intrigued all over again and wonder if I can do the same. Although I do love to cook, I am not a baker….the aforementioned banana bread is from a mix! But, I imagine it being a lovely meditative process and a wonderful aromatherapy (of which I am a great believer!). Perhaps I can make it my goal in this new year to at least give it a try. I am grateful for all the ways I am inspired by each of you here in this sacred community. Thank you all for sharing your lives…you have enriched my own immeasurably. ~Sending you all a warm and cozy hygge hug. Read More8 Reply Sylvie6 years agoSylvieDear Diane, what does “hygge” mean, I can’t find it in the translating programs? 0 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeGood morning dear Sylvie. Our friends Pilgrim and Niels have explained hygge to you perfectly! It was serendipity that brought me to learn about hygge. I had heard a report that said that the people in Denmark are the happiest people on earth and I was intrigued by this. I have always struggled with the cold weather, both physically and emotionally and I wondered how the Danish people could be so happy when they live in such a frigid (and often dark) climate? There are many reasons, but one ... Good morning dear Sylvie. Our friends Pilgrim and Niels have explained hygge to you perfectly! It was serendipity that brought me to learn about hygge. I had heard a report that said that the people in Denmark are the happiest people on earth and I was intrigued by this. I have always struggled with the cold weather, both physically and emotionally and I wondered how the Danish people could be so happy when they live in such a frigid (and often dark) climate? There are many reasons, but one that really spoke to me was their tradition of practicing “hygge”. I decided that this winter would be different for me…that I would enter into this cold season with an attitude of hygge. I introduced this word to our lovely community here and share often about my new-found gratefulness for this season. It is good timing because we are experiencing a very long spell of frigid temperatures here in parts of the U.S. including where I live in the Northeast. It’s as if the Universe is saying to me: “Ok, Diane, let’s see how thankful you really are!” Another interesting thing I will add is that I recently discovered that I have some Scandinavian ancestry! This was totally unexpected, as I have known only of my Italian and French (on my mother’s side) and the Irish and German (on my father’s side) heritage. How funny that I should discover this as I adopt this very Scandinavian custom of hygge in my own life! Life is indeed full of humorous surprises sometimes! 🙂 ~Sending you warm and cozy hygge wishes my friend! Read More1 Reply Pilgrim6 years agoPilgrimHi Sylvie, I checked out a book about hygge from the library, as so many people were talking about it. I would say that, in a word, it means cozy. It is a way of life for some countries, and includes things like gathering with friends, good food on the table, fire in the fireplace, candles, blankets, sweaters and warm clothes to go outside, maybe playing board games or other simple things when gathered. It doesn't seem to include the attachment to electronic entertainment that has a grip on a lo... Hi Sylvie, I checked out a book about hygge from the library, as so many people were talking about it. I would say that, in a word, it means cozy. It is a way of life for some countries, and includes things like gathering with friends, good food on the table, fire in the fireplace, candles, blankets, sweaters and warm clothes to go outside, maybe playing board games or other simple things when gathered. It doesn’t seem to include the attachment to electronic entertainment that has a grip on a lot of the world. Read More1 Reply Sylvie6 years agoSylvieThank you, dear Pilgrim, for the information. 0 Reply niels6 years agonielshello Sylvie, [hope you don’t mind me butting in to this conversation…] I also wondered what that word means, and found this in Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygge We have a word in Dutch that means about the same (‘gezellig’), we think it is typically Dutch and not translatable but ‘hygge’ comes close ???? 0 Reply Sylvie6 years agoSylvieThanks, Niels. I’ll look it up there. In German we have a similar word to your dutch word ,”gesellig”,which means enyoying the company of others, … 1 Reply niels6 years agonielshi Sylvie, interesting and funny how those words are similar but still have their special flavour… in Dutch it can also be said of interior decoration for instance. And it may be used in a self-mocking way as ‘gezellig’ has a tendency to go over the top… 1 Reply Aine6 years agoAineHappy Birthday to your dear daughter! It sounds like she and her boyfriend have fun just being together, which is wonderful. My husband and I became friends first, and we still just enjoy being together all these years later. 0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaA warm wish to your daughter for her 23rd birthday and for her new life in such a big city! Congratulations to her and to her parents! Yes, each success of our sons/daughters is also our success, at least for a little extent, don’t you think Diane? Dear Diane, your daughter is only one year older than my eldest son, he is studying biology, this year he will get his first universitary degree! 0 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeThank you cara Anna! And congratulations to you and your son as well as he completes his university studies. Anna….I have my Masters degree in Biology! What is your son hoping to do when he graduates? I love it that we have children about the same age and starting new adventures in their young lives. ~Have a blessed day my friend 🙂 0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaDear Diane, here in Italy you can stop your studies after three years of University, but if you want a Special degree you have to go on, for other two years. My son don't want to stop after these first years, and he hopes to get a Master in marine biology after five years. Just this year a special course will start in Milano, but I always suggest him to go abroad, because I believe it is better for his "curriculum". Now we will see. Above all for the costs, but my husband and I are going to do o... Dear Diane, here in Italy you can stop your studies after three years of University, but if you want a Special degree you have to go on, for other two years. My son don’t want to stop after these first years, and he hopes to get a Master in marine biology after five years. Just this year a special course will start in Milano, but I always suggest him to go abroad, because I believe it is better for his “curriculum”. Now we will see. Above all for the costs, but my husband and I are going to do our best, surely the best we can, for the future of our sons. University is expensive expecially when both the parents are working, but I am grateful because I have a good work, and also my husband. We always say that we have a lot to do each day, but finally we invest in their education, culture (and I hope also in their health because they do a lot of sport…). My deep hope for my son is that he can accomplish his goal but that he does not forget the science can walk alongside with mistery, faith, transcendence. You are an exemple for me, and I would like that Marco becomes like you, more open to these arguments. I have to be patient. Hi dear friend! (and forgive me if I don’t use the subjunctive very well, I am still keeping on with my english course ????????) Read More0 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeYour English is very good dear Anna! I am inspired by you to keep practicing my Spanish...my daughter that is starting her graduate studies is fluent. She was a Spanish major in college and spent a year in Spain. Whenever I hear her speak I want to do better myself! I also desire so much to learn Italian....there is a place nearby where I live that offers Italian lessons for free! Perhaps I will try to do that...those 2 languages are very similar I think. I remember hearing my Nana speakin... Your English is very good dear Anna! I am inspired by you to keep practicing my Spanish…my daughter that is starting her graduate studies is fluent. She was a Spanish major in college and spent a year in Spain. Whenever I hear her speak I want to do better myself! I also desire so much to learn Italian….there is a place nearby where I live that offers Italian lessons for free! Perhaps I will try to do that…those 2 languages are very similar I think. I remember hearing my Nana speaking Italian to her sisters when we were growing up. She lived with us and helped to raise me but she never spoke Italian to me. But I hope that maybe I have inherited some of her abilities 🙂 I also wanted to share with you that in my study of biology….learning about the miraculous ways that our bodies work and how nature is all connected to work together so perfectly…it really is a mystery of faith! Your son Marco will discover this in time and as he matures, I am sure. ~Blessings to you and alla tua famiglia cara Anna Read More1 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaGrateful for the sunny day 🙂 2 Reply Aine6 years agoAineOh, I love hibiscus family members! 0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaI missed your beautiful pictures of flowers dear Cintia, this is so welcome! It seems to me that a warm sun is brightening my home through your image. 1 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaHello Anna! Thank you! Warm hug to you 🙂 1 Reply manda6 years agomandaAmazing you are! So much love and happy words/stories/poems in the lounge this night to enjoy; thank you for sharing - you warm my heart :) I am reading the book The Secret Life of Trees and if you get a chance - I recommend this gem. As I walked in the woods tonight, I noticed differing types of bark thickness/texture/color from pine to pine. Curiousity and gratitude and smiles continuously held in my heart and twinkling eyes * Jack too seemed to be enjoying something this particular w... Amazing you are! So much love and happy words/stories/poems in the lounge this night to enjoy; thank you for sharing – you warm my heart 🙂 I am reading the book The Secret Life of Trees and if you get a chance – I recommend this gem. As I walked in the woods tonight, I noticed differing types of bark thickness/texture/color from pine to pine. Curiousity and gratitude and smiles continuously held in my heart and twinkling eyes * Jack too seemed to be enjoying something this particular walk this night and his old bite wound looks good enough to wait a day before investigating – so he gets to skip out on a daily cleaning! Grateful to share in smiles and accomplishments with clients today. My job can be very stressful and sad on my heart, but these few and far between moments are something of extraordinary cherished moments! I am happy to share in this with a family this afternoon 🙂 Grateful to enjoy a hot soak tonight and bake a loaf of almost 100% whole wheat – how I enjoy playing with dough and the smell of bread baking at night 🙂 Thank you for being here and sending hygge love to you and throughout our world <3 Read More2 Reply Aine6 years agoAineHave you tried using white spelt flour, Manda? It is different than whole wheat but very nice! I used to bake, but as we can no longer eat wheat, the habit died off. I used to make a Maple Oatmeal loaf that perfumed the whole house! Gluten Free baking is a challenge, too, as my husband and I cannot handle sorghum and can only do a little tapioca starch. As both of those are often used to give a semblance of elasticity to gluten free baked goods, it is tricky. Products made from mostly ri... Have you tried using white spelt flour, Manda? It is different than whole wheat but very nice! I used to bake, but as we can no longer eat wheat, the habit died off. I used to make a Maple Oatmeal loaf that perfumed the whole house! Gluten Free baking is a challenge, too, as my husband and I cannot handle sorghum and can only do a little tapioca starch. As both of those are often used to give a semblance of elasticity to gluten free baked goods, it is tricky. Products made from mostly rice flour tend to taste like drywall and have a 2.3 second window before they become inedible. If you ever developed a gluten free line that actually tasted good, held its tastiness, and did not have the texture of a roofing shingle when toasted, you would be (hee hee) the toast of the town! (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.) Read More0 Reply manda6 years agomandaI have dear Aine. I love all the flours! I have not dabbled in gluten-free, but perhaps someday 😉 0 Reply THenry6 years agoTHenryGood evening my friends. Thank you Aine, Diane, and Manda for your words of kindness and understanding. Early days yet, and the healing is slow. My home feels so empty, with visual memories so thick, I can swat them like flies. Our pups give so much, and ask so little in return. Blessings to one and all The Old Man’ Dog She gets it She is in it for the long haul She doesn’t question my motives Listens without judgment Always, I mean always there Never sad She lightens m... Good evening my friends. Thank you Aine, Diane, and Manda for your words of kindness and understanding. Early days yet, and the healing is slow. My home feels so empty, with visual memories so thick, I can swat them like flies. Our pups give so much, and ask so little in return. Blessings to one and all The Old Man’ Dog She gets it She is in it for the long haul She doesn’t question my motives Listens without judgment Always, I mean always there Never sad She lightens my load when I feel down Only growls at dinner time Keeps strangers at bay This princess is tough My best days are spent Exploring with her Like no other She is devoted beyond measure We are partners We are of the same spirit We are this and So much more T Henry February 23, 2012 Read More3 Reply Aine6 years agoAineYes, early days. The hole their passing leaves is immense. Grieve in your own way and time. It takes as long as it takes. What a bittersweet honor it is to walk with them to the end of their path. For some reason, your poem reminded me of a story that touched my heart. It was the reverse of yours, where the dog was losing the person instead of vice versa. That kind of thing always plucks my heart strings because I have had many dogs live to old age, and I know how attached they are to us, as... Yes, early days. The hole their passing leaves is immense. Grieve in your own way and time. It takes as long as it takes. What a bittersweet honor it is to walk with them to the end of their path. For some reason, your poem reminded me of a story that touched my heart. It was the reverse of yours, where the dog was losing the person instead of vice versa. That kind of thing always plucks my heart strings because I have had many dogs live to old age, and I know how attached they are to us, as we are to them. They grieve when they lose their people as we do when we lose them. There was a woman in the midwest who was, as I recall, a nurse in the geriatric realm. When an elderly woman had to go into care, she knew her beloved dog was going to be homeless. She was shattered, of course, and it was adding to the strain of her injury or illness. This nurse saw this and wanted to help them both. The end of the story was that not only did the nurse find that dog a home, she wound up starting a local rescue for animals and elderly people in a similar situation. It made the newspaper there, and I saw it online later. What an angel to both dog and human! I am getting teary just typing this. So sweet and special is the long loving bond between us and our old fur friends. They do give us everything in your poem and more. Thank you for sharing. Read More0 Reply manda6 years agomandaThank you for sharing your poem THenry! I had a conversation today about dogs and wondering why they come back as a dog in world. Not sure if you believe in reincarnation of the spirit, but if a dog was an unkind human or didn’t learn about love and then comes back as a dog to learn about unconditional love, or if a dog was a past zen master and that’s why some breeds are so chill….. It was fascinating to think about it 🙂 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineI think many of them are angels, actually. They perform many of the same tasks but with the ability to get closer to us than anything twelve feet high with five sets of eyes could. ???? The saying, "Some have entertained angels unaware," might apply to everyone who ever owned a dog or cat -- whether they realized it and treated them accordingly or not. That is not to leave out other animals -- I've know some very angelic horses who were able to speak with my spirit and vice versa, and who wer... I think many of them are angels, actually. They perform many of the same tasks but with the ability to get closer to us than anything twelve feet high with five sets of eyes could. ???? The saying, “Some have entertained angels unaware,” might apply to everyone who ever owned a dog or cat — whether they realized it and treated them accordingly or not. That is not to leave out other animals — I’ve know some very angelic horses who were able to speak with my spirit and vice versa, and who were sent to me at specific very needed times. Even though they did not belong to me, they were mine. ???? Read More0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaoh, wonderful and intriguing dialogues here below, it is a pleasure to come here and read them, almost like being around a table, or gathered in a cozy room, and chat about nice and deep topics! I have just come here to write my reflections about a bad way to spent my Christmas holidays in the past, as I promised to Ursula, but, forgive me, Ursula, these lovely conversations are so positive, they spread a good energy over me. I feel that my opinions are not a need. Maybe, like my flu, this is ... oh, wonderful and intriguing dialogues here below, it is a pleasure to come here and read them, almost like being around a table, or gathered in a cozy room, and chat about nice and deep topics! I have just come here to write my reflections about a bad way to spent my Christmas holidays in the past, as I promised to Ursula, but, forgive me, Ursula, these lovely conversations are so positive, they spread a good energy over me. I feel that my opinions are not a need. Maybe, like my flu, this is another sign for me. And ….I know the meaning: “Anna, when you can’t speak, whatever the reason, be still, don’t try to turn to your purpose again, reflect, and it could be the time to tell a good news, better than the previous one”. Be more humble, more patient, my little Anna.” Thank you to everyone today, because you remind me the focus and the practice of gratitude and of a true faith. As to Sant’Antonio, I join you with this ancient italian prayer ” Sant’Antonio dalla barba bianca, fammi trovare cio’ che manca” which means “Saint Anthony with the white beard, makes me find what I miss”. There is also another quote, which says in an idiomatyc form that the day of Saint Anthony lasts one hour and the time of a Glory more than the day of the solstice. If I will remember, I will try to take a photo in the night of Saint Anthony. During this night a municipal organization lights a big fire, in a safe place. This is as an old tradition of farmers, who wanted to “burn” the Winter, opening the door to Spring. During this feast people use to drink a boiled and spiced wine, “vin brule'” and eat pancakes. dear transoceanic friends, take care! your cold winter is a news of the day even here, on the other side of the Atlantic. Other friends, wherever you are, I hope in a right winter for everyone! Read More1 Reply grateful sea6 years agograteful seaYes, dear Anna, I agree, the conversation here this morning is like sitting around a cozy table and I feel it is okay even if I don’t have any stories of my own right now, but I’m more like a cat curled up and contentedly purring. Oh, I love the St. Antonio prayer you share. Love that it rhymes. Wish I could hear you speak it. Such a beautiful language, yours. I hope you are feeling better from your flu. Best wishes. 0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaA big hug dear Grateful Sea! I don’t know if i’m going better because this weird flu has gone but it is coming again..It seems that this is the winter flu of this year, so the doctors say… Oh yes, I love my language…☺…. Some days ago I tried to post a record …but it did not work. I believe that if you want to listen to me speaking in italian…..you have to wait….????but who can know? See you soon! 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineTake good time for you to recover, Cara Anna. Sometimes it circles back around because we try to do too much too soon. What is the favorite soup for illness in your area? Chciken soup seems universal, but I also grew up on homemade tomato soup. I often will have my husband order chicken vegetable soup from the local Chinese restaurant with extra ginger, scallions, and garlic. Helps so much! He is wonderful to care for me when I am ill, but he has not yet mastered the art of soup. Hope you fe... Take good time for you to recover, Cara Anna. Sometimes it circles back around because we try to do too much too soon. What is the favorite soup for illness in your area? Chciken soup seems universal, but I also grew up on homemade tomato soup. I often will have my husband order chicken vegetable soup from the local Chinese restaurant with extra ginger, scallions, and garlic. Helps so much! He is wonderful to care for me when I am ill, but he has not yet mastered the art of soup. Hope you feel better soon! Read More0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaAine, there is not a special soup, at least, I don't know exactly. When we are sick and we cough, we use oranges, clementines...In general I tend to cook pasta, rice, according to various recipes, especially with vegetables: broccoli, radicchio, black cabbage, radicchio, green gems, and we eat a lot of green and red salade. I also love pasta with beans. I don't use a lot of onions and garlic because they cause gastric reflux. And I love lentils with vegetable broth. Today I am better, you are ri... Aine, there is not a special soup, at least, I don’t know exactly. When we are sick and we cough, we use oranges, clementines…In general I tend to cook pasta, rice, according to various recipes, especially with vegetables: broccoli, radicchio, black cabbage, radicchio, green gems, and we eat a lot of green and red salade. I also love pasta with beans. I don’t use a lot of onions and garlic because they cause gastric reflux. And I love lentils with vegetable broth. Today I am better, you are right, often we would like to do too much. We have to wind down. Read More0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineThis is a picture of my new tradtion. Last year, I decided to do an Intention Table and set out emblems for what I am hoping to welcome into my/our life in the coming year. (I do not do resolutions as they are embryonic guilt to me!) When I looked back at the end of 2017, I was amazed at how much of my intention for 2017 had indeed come into my life. On it are certain books on topics I am wanting to absorb, gold, green, and red for prosperity and abundance, candy for sweetness, lumina... This is a picture of my new tradtion. Last year, I decided to do an Intention Table and set out emblems for what I am hoping to welcome into my/our life in the coming year. (I do not do resolutions as they are embryonic guilt to me!) When I looked back at the end of 2017, I was amazed at how much of my intention for 2017 had indeed come into my life. On it are certain books on topics I am wanting to absorb, gold, green, and red for prosperity and abundance, candy for sweetness, luminarias for enlightenment, keys for more freedom, and other emblems for health, protection, guidance, and love. To me, this sets out my prayerful hopes and intentions for 2018, as a sort of offering, then a release. I cannot force such things to come, but I can welcome them when they do. May your 2018 also be filled with exactly that which your hearts most need so that at year’s end when you look back you can stand in amazement and gratitude at the gifts of this year. ❤️❤️❤️ Read More 4 Reply Springerlady6 years agoSpringerladyThis is such a lovely idea. I too struggle with the thought of resolutions… so easily forgotten or mangled within just a few days or weeks. I am a very “visual” person so this is just perfect and a great reminder of the intention(s) I would like to live and welcome into my life. Thank you for sharing this idea. 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineMangled is the perfect word for what so often happens to resolutions! It made me laugh in resonance. I see your name -- do you have Springers? We just lost our nearly sixteen year old rescued Springer at the end of August. We rescued her when she was about three months old. She was an incredible dog. We referred to her as our "Dog of Decided Opinions." I have no doubt that once we move, in time, she will "send" us another dog to join the pack, maybe even another Springer. Every dog we l... Mangled is the perfect word for what so often happens to resolutions! It made me laugh in resonance. I see your name — do you have Springers? We just lost our nearly sixteen year old rescued Springer at the end of August. We rescued her when she was about three months old. She was an incredible dog. We referred to her as our “Dog of Decided Opinions.” I have no doubt that once we move, in time, she will “send” us another dog to join the pack, maybe even another Springer. Every dog we love and lose eventually has sent us another dog with some sort of interesting reminder of the one we lost. Not the same in any way, but still a certain something that is hard to explain. And every time, we honor the life of the one we lost, and never stop missing, by being willing to love again. Read More0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaVery very interesting Aine! I am going to seek for something that can work like a reminder, an object which I can put near my bed…I am thinking…. 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineCara Anna, one of the books on the table is an old classic by Dale Carnegie called, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living." The fascinating thing to me is that it was written between 1937-1944. What a time of worry and fear! It makes me think maybe he has much good to say born of living through that time. It is like how Michael Singer wrote The Untethered Soul while he was going through a very hard time with his company being investigated for fraud or something like that. He had done nothing... Cara Anna, one of the books on the table is an old classic by Dale Carnegie called, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.” The fascinating thing to me is that it was written between 1937-1944. What a time of worry and fear! It makes me think maybe he has much good to say born of living through that time. It is like how Michael Singer wrote The Untethered Soul while he was going through a very hard time with his company being investigated for fraud or something like that. He had done nothing wrong, someone else had, but it was still a strain and process. And then he wrote about how not to get immersed in the emotion of the moment but rather observe. Wow. I love reminders. They function as encouragement to keep allowing positive change in our lives! Read More0 Reply grateful sea6 years agograteful seaI love this idea, Aine, thank you. Do you keep it set up just for a little while and then take a photo to remember? Maybe I will try. 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineYes, I keep it up a little while and take a picture, though I am already finding parts of the display have to go missing because I needed that book or this item. Lol It is all about opening yourself up in quiet and then placing what your heart speaks onto your table. There are no right or wrong answers, no guilt or shame, only a heart’s intention to open oneself to what one needs most. For me, seeing it there as a visual decoration makes it more real somehow. ???? 0 Reply Erich6176 years agoErich617That is a very nice approach. I stopped making resolutions years ago. 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineThank you! 0 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaDuring the dinner, my husband said about his headache during all day. He felt a little sick, because he didn't had lunch. We talking about it; how many people living without food around the world. We reflecting about their headaches, other pains in their bodies and their pain of the soul. Just one day "without food" it was unpleasant, we can't imagine many days without nothing. It's so sad. I'm grateful for the dinner that I made yesterday. Rice prepared with cereals. Grateful for ever... During the dinner, my husband said about his headache during all day. He felt a little sick, because he didn’t had lunch. We talking about it; how many people living without food around the world. We reflecting about their headaches, other pains in their bodies and their pain of the soul. Just one day “without food” it was unpleasant, we can’t imagine many days without nothing. It’s so sad. I’m grateful for the dinner that I made yesterday. Rice prepared with cereals. Grateful for every single person that provide these food in my table. All process until get it in my hands. I’m grateful for the kitchen stove, the refrigerator and I’m grateful for the money is enough to buy the food and pay the bills. Read More2 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeCintia...thank you for sharing. You have such a kind and caring spirit. I too have had the hungry on my heart lately and I do pray for those than hunger before each meal. I am contacting our local food bank to see if I can be of service...this is one of my goals for the new year. My health doesn't allow me to volunteer much but I can do what I can. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes. She said: "We cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with great ... Cintia…thank you for sharing. You have such a kind and caring spirit. I too have had the hungry on my heart lately and I do pray for those than hunger before each meal. I am contacting our local food bank to see if I can be of service…this is one of my goals for the new year. My health doesn’t allow me to volunteer much but I can do what I can. I’m reminded of one of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes. She said: “We cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love”. ~Sending you warm wishes dear Cintia…I hope that your husband is feeling better? Read More0 Reply grateful sea6 years agograteful seaA lovely reflection of your conversation. Blessings to you and your husband. Thank you, Cintia. 1 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaThank you grateful sea!! Blessings to you! 0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaI wish a quick recovery for your husband dear Cintia! I often suffer from headache so I deeply know the circumstance ????!! 1 Reply Aine6 years agoAineAnna, is there perhaps a good acupuncturist near you? I used to suffer from horrible headaches for many years. Some would lay me flat and I was nonfunctional for days. They went away to very seldom and not as bad when I do have one after I went to a Five Element acupuncturist for something else. I think they are down to what might be considered “normal” now rather than 8-12 a month! 0 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaHe is fine, thank you Anna! 1 Reply Aine6 years agoAineSuch seemingly small things are not so small when we step back as you did and see through other's eyes. ❤️ Have you ever made congee or jook? It is a Chinese type of porridge made of rice, broth or water, maybe a piece or two of chicken or some vegetables, herbs, all cooked for about 1 1/2 hours or more. Wonderful for winter. It is a ratio of about one part rice to five or six parts water, and you can thin it out as it cooks if it gets too thick. I had it once at a friend's house, and it ... Such seemingly small things are not so small when we step back as you did and see through other’s eyes. ❤️ Have you ever made congee or jook? It is a Chinese type of porridge made of rice, broth or water, maybe a piece or two of chicken or some vegetables, herbs, all cooked for about 1 1/2 hours or more. Wonderful for winter. It is a ratio of about one part rice to five or six parts water, and you can thin it out as it cooks if it gets too thick. I had it once at a friend’s house, and it was yummy. It is a nice way to stretch the meat, too! Read More0 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaHi Aine! Tks! I’ll try to do this rice. But with only vegetables because we don’t eat meat 😉 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineSounds good! I bet it would be wonderful if you did the broth with some root parsley in the pot. My Oma always put root parsley in her soup, and it added so much. It is hard to find here, so we usually grow it ourselves. Yum! ???? 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineAnd it is cooked on a low/slow heat. 0 Reply Swami Padmanabha6 years agoSwami PadmanabhaI feel that it´s impossible to conceive how big and deep is the Godhead and at the same time, how tiny and small I am in relation to him. But at the same time, what strikes me the most is that beyond this two unconceivable realities, I am being loved, considered and forgiven by the Divine. So in the face of these chain of unending considerations, I feel I have more reasons to be grateful than the time I have to live my life. So my conclusion is that in this light, life is to be lives on the ...... I feel that it´s impossible to conceive how big and deep is the Godhead and at the same time, how tiny and small I am in relation to him. But at the same time, what strikes me the most is that beyond this two unconceivable realities, I am being loved, considered and forgiven by the Divine. So in the face of these chain of unending considerations, I feel I have more reasons to be grateful than the time I have to live my life. So my conclusion is that in this light, life is to be lives on the …I feel that it´s impossible to conceive how big and deep is the Godhead and at the same time, how tiny and small I am in relation to him. But at the same time, what strikes me the most is that beyond this two unconceivable realities, I am being loved, considered and forgiven by the Divine. So in the face of these chain of unending considerations, I feel I have more reasons to be grateful than the time I have to live my life. So my conclusion is that in this light, life is to be lives on the basis of gratitude, if it´s to be lived in its full embrace. Read More4 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeGood morning Swami...and welcome. Just this morning I read this during my meditation time...it is from Fr. Richard Rohr who started the Center for Action and Contemplation. "From God’s side, we are always known and loved subject to subject, just as the persons of the Trinity know and love one another. We will not and cannot know or even love one another if we objectify one another in any way. This is perhaps the clearest way to describe God’s unconditional acceptance and forgiveness: We... Good morning Swami…and welcome. Just this morning I read this during my meditation time…it is from Fr. Richard Rohr who started the Center for Action and Contemplation. “From God’s side, we are always known and loved subject to subject, just as the persons of the Trinity know and love one another. We will not and cannot know or even love one another if we objectify one another in any way. This is perhaps the clearest way to describe God’s unconditional acceptance and forgiveness: We are never an object to God. God cannot not love God’s image in us. This is the eternal covenant. God loves us center to center.” ~May we all have this miraculous awareness of Divine Love. Read More2 Reply Aine6 years agoAineHow beautiful, Diane. Loved center to center. That is a Awe moment. 0 Reply Swami Padmanabha6 years agoSwami PadmanabhaThanks for your welcoming. And yes, I consider very important for any person who aspires to love God, first concentrate on how God is already loving oneself, and thereby find the necessary strength and hope for engaging in whatever practices that may promote oneself loving him. In our particular devotional tradition of Vedanta, the idea is that God already loves us purely, but at the same time our loving relationship with him will enhance considerably when we voluntarily choose to also love him,... Thanks for your welcoming. And yes, I consider very important for any person who aspires to love God, first concentrate on how God is already loving oneself, and thereby find the necessary strength and hope for engaging in whatever practices that may promote oneself loving him. In our particular devotional tradition of Vedanta, the idea is that God already loves us purely, but at the same time our loving relationship with him will enhance considerably when we voluntarily choose to also love him, since the perfection of love comes when both parties mutually agree to full participate in it, the most beautiful and consuming of all tasks. Read More1 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaI agree with your consideration; “I feel I have more reasons to be grateful than the time I have to live my life”. Best wishes 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineOh, yes, that someone so unutterably vast could so deeply love someone so finite is one of the most blessed mysteries. It teaches us acceptance, for how could anyone ever “deserve” such a love as this? 0 Reply Swami Padmanabha6 years agoSwami PadmanabhaThis is for me one of the biggest challenges in being humble: to accept that you project yourself in a direction/goal (love of God) that even if you reach it, you´ll never be worthy enough of deserving it, for eternity. So to live with such awareness implies extremely deep humility and therefore, gratefulness. 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineAmen. To know we are freely given what we could never afford to pay for is grace and gratitude, humility and healing. If all lived in such consciousness, from such a place of love and humility, so many of this world’s sad struggles would cease to exist. One gift to come from the terror, horror, and rampant fear in our world, is that there is an amazing upsurge in people searching for the antidote to fear. And the only true antidote to Fear is Love. 0 Reply Swami Padmanabha6 years agoSwami PadmanabhaThe so-called Nemesis/antithesis is actually giving us a hint about its original. So fear has the potential of eventually taking us to ultimate love, if wisely approached. 0 Reply Ursula6 years agoUrsulaHello everybody, and welco me to the new ones here! And of course the'old ones', too! Aine, Mary and some others who haven't written for a while ... How are you?? Happy 2018 to you all, again! As Manda posted such a beautiful picture, I wanted to write about our yesterday family walk, late at night ... My brother-in-law and his wife were visiting us, and we decided to have a walk with Sunny in the woods, the full moon shining and very near to the earth ... a special one as my sister-in-la... Hello everybody, and welco me to the new ones here! And of course the’old ones’, too! Aine, Mary and some others who haven’t written for a while … How are you?? Happy 2018 to you all, again! As Manda posted such a beautiful picture, I wanted to write about our yesterday family walk, late at night … My brother-in-law and his wife were visiting us, and we decided to have a walk with Sunny in the woods, the full moon shining and very near to the earth … a special one as my sister-in-law had read in the newspaper! It was magic, the moon and the clouds which went by with ‘full speed’, the colours around the moon, the path in the woods lit by the moonlight … And our ‘little wolf’ Sunny with a blue light on her so that we can see her when she is runnuing between the bushes and trees … I also went to see if my candle that I had lit in the afternoon near a S. Antonio’s statue which is up the road at the entrance of one of my ‘wood paths’ was still burning … It was and it looked beautiful! I had found it in the department of the candles for the cementary, but with flowers all over and it didn’t look like a cementary candle at all! My children loved it and said it was a candle for the table ???? but I told them it was for S. Antonio who always accompanies me on my walks … And I often met him during my pilgrimage, too! He must be kind of a brother of Saint Francis, S. Francesco, Franziskus! And he actually was in his company! So I love to see the candle now when I pass by and have a stop at his ‘santuario’, always saying a prayer, sometimes the ‘Abwun d’baschmaya’ (Our father) in Aramaic which I learnt recently, visualizing the original meanibg of the words! I love it! Have a peace filled and beautiful day everybody! Read More 3 Reply manda6 years agomandaWhat a cutie pie Ursula! Sunny must have a beautiful life with you <3 thank you for sharing lovely! 0 Reply Diane6 years agoDianeSunny is such a cutie Ursula. He actually reminds me of our lovable mutt Wesley. :) I love the ritual of lighting candles...yours sounds so lovely and I can picture your delight in walking through the woods to visit with St. Anthony and see your candle shining brightly. I imagine it being a place of serenity and joy. I have to say I am totally impressed by you learning The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic! That's quite an accomplishment my friend. ~Have a bright and beautiful day liebe Ursul... Sunny is such a cutie Ursula. He actually reminds me of our lovable mutt Wesley. 🙂 I love the ritual of lighting candles…yours sounds so lovely and I can picture your delight in walking through the woods to visit with St. Anthony and see your candle shining brightly. I imagine it being a place of serenity and joy. I have to say I am totally impressed by you learning The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic! That’s quite an accomplishment my friend. ~Have a bright and beautiful day liebe Ursula Read More0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineThat sounds magical, Ursula! I am so glad Sunny is settling in well. Rescuing an animal is always very dear to my heart. They are so grateful and give so much more than we do, I think. Such unconditional love! As for me, I am better than I was. A number of things requiring acceptance and a period of adjustment have been coming my way over the past couple months, and I am tired but grateful. Our plans for my husband to make great headway on the house while he was not working over the holid... That sounds magical, Ursula! I am so glad Sunny is settling in well. Rescuing an animal is always very dear to my heart. They are so grateful and give so much more than we do, I think. Such unconditional love! As for me, I am better than I was. A number of things requiring acceptance and a period of adjustment have been coming my way over the past couple months, and I am tired but grateful. Our plans for my husband to make great headway on the house while he was not working over the holidays did not go as planned, though some things are getting done. Yesterday, he replaced a storm door that needed it and was pleased with the result. It has been so cold here with single digits and minus temps at times that we have limited outside time a good bit. The storm door could be replaced from inside the deck greenhouse/mudroom, so we had only to wait for a sunny enough day for warmth. With such cold weather and snow, I think maybe we are caught in Narnia under the White Witch! I am not familiar with St. Anthony. Is he the one who helps you find lost things? I was baptized Catholic at age one to please my very Catholic Oma, but I was not raised Catholic. Oddly enough, though, I first met God through learning the Our Father and Hail Mary prayers in my father’s first communion book, which he ran acrosss and no longer wanted. So while I do not know the saints well, I am partial to Mother Mary and St. Joseph as images of the ideal loving parents. I talk to St. Joseph especially about my needs surrounding the move, and I feel heard. Not far from us is the Sorrowful Mother Shrine. I walked through it one fall. There are paths with little grottoes (I think that is the right term) that you can spend time in, some even with seats. A beautiful place. How are you doing since your treatment? Many blessings for your 2018! Read More2 Reply Diane6 years agoDianePilgrim and Aine: Just this past Monday I said a prayer to St. Anthony when my daughter couldn’t find her wallet. And when we put our house up for sale 2 years ago…we buried a St. Joseph statue in our garden! Upside down as the tradition goes! It was such a frantic time on moving day that we forgot and left him there. I wonder if the new owners discovered him! ???? Must be my catholic upbringing but these little rituals are very meaningful to me. ~Sending hygge warmth to all. 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineI had heard of the St Joseph tradition, but I simply could not bear to bury the poor man in the yard possibly to be scratched up by curious chickens. Instead, I put a statue of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt that I love in the window facing the direction of the town we want to move to. Then I light a little lamp underneath it each night as dusk falls and allow myself to pause a moment to feel the comfort of knowing St. Joseph cares and is helping even if I do not see it yet. After all, n... I had heard of the St Joseph tradition, but I simply could not bear to bury the poor man in the yard possibly to be scratched up by curious chickens. Instead, I put a statue of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt that I love in the window facing the direction of the town we want to move to. Then I light a little lamp underneath it each night as dusk falls and allow myself to pause a moment to feel the comfort of knowing St. Joseph cares and is helping even if I do not see it yet. After all, no one knows more than St. Joseph about wanting to move quietly and to where one feels safe and peaceful! Read More0 Reply Pilgrim6 years agoPilgrimDear Aine, we think similarly - I have The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe next to my tv, ready to watch! St. Anthony is looked to as the saint of lost thing. As a young girl I learned this little prayer: "St. Anthony, St. Anthony, please look around. Something is missing and cannot be found." And where I live, some folks are known to bury a statue of St. Joseph in the garden to help them sell their house. Interesting, the traditions that rise up! It is quite frigid outdoors here, also, and mak... Dear Aine, we think similarly – I have The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe next to my tv, ready to watch! St. Anthony is looked to as the saint of lost thing. As a young girl I learned this little prayer: “St. Anthony, St. Anthony, please look around. Something is missing and cannot be found.” And where I live, some folks are known to bury a statue of St. Joseph in the garden to help them sell their house. Interesting, the traditions that rise up! It is quite frigid outdoors here, also, and makes me antsy not to be able to run my errands. The small things, not so much, but trying to get gas or groceries when I am running out is quite the challenge. I do not always do so with a graceful heart. May you be well, dear friend. Read More0 Reply Aine6 years agoAinePerhaps we can implore the patron saint of Canada to take back their weather? I am so thankful my husband hads been around during this cold snap. There have been a few little hiccups with the pellet stove that I did not know how to handle. He just zips right on in and fixes whatever it is, whereas I am more along the lines of standing there pleading with whatever device it is to "Just work, please, don't you want to work?" I loved reading the Narnia series in the order Lewis wanted them ... Perhaps we can implore the patron saint of Canada to take back their weather? I am so thankful my husband hads been around during this cold snap. There have been a few little hiccups with the pellet stove that I did not know how to handle. He just zips right on in and fixes whatever it is, whereas I am more along the lines of standing there pleading with whatever device it is to “Just work, please, don’t you want to work?” I loved reading the Narnia series in the order Lewis wanted them read. How they all built up to the last book was intriguing and moving. His view of heaven in The Last Battle was so deeply thought provoking, but I think my favorite book of all is The Horse and His Boy. ❤️❤️❤️ Read More0 Reply Diane6 years agoDianePilgrim and Aine: Just this past Monday I said a prayer to St. Anthony when my daughter couldn’t find her wallet. And when we put our house up for sale 2 years ago…we buried a St. Joseph statue in our garden! Upside down as the tradition goes! It was such a frantic time on moving day that we forgot and left him there. I wonder if the new owners discovered him! 🙂 Must be my catholic upbringing but these little rituals are very meaningful to me. ~Sending hygge warmth to all. 0 Reply manda6 years agomandaI am grateful for the picture/phrase of the day! I took a photo with my phone so I may always remember just how simply, magically, wonderful life is :) I had a banana peel start to a day with some slippery feelings of the toxicity some places in our world experience and brought me into anxiety, sadness, and a bit of helplessness. I meditated on this, cleared the energy in my spleen, worked on a brilliantly large stuck lump in my throat, and threw in the towel and remembered the message of t... I am grateful for the picture/phrase of the day! I took a photo with my phone so I may always remember just how simply, magically, wonderful life is 🙂 I had a banana peel start to a day with some slippery feelings of the toxicity some places in our world experience and brought me into anxiety, sadness, and a bit of helplessness. I meditated on this, cleared the energy in my spleen, worked on a brilliantly large stuck lump in my throat, and threw in the towel and remembered the message of the day here! And then my day turned into magic – acupuncture believe it or not my pulses were fine after two weeks of no treatment, stress of applying for jobs today, feeling weightiness of our world, and the new phase in my life – going on dates! I did some errands, attempted a walk with Jack and realized no way jose – brrrr….. So I am feeling a bit of an endorphin kick as I type due to the beautiful movement of dance and working on a new fusion of qigong and belly dancing 🙂 I am thrilled my body can move and set backs – meh, I just take them, grin, and send big doses of love <3 Grateful for a clovey humidifier cleaning the air, food to eat, clean clothes and bedding, and Jeff my wonderful toilet has made it to 2018 (wohoo!). I took this photo on New Year's Eve – I am grateful for learning how to be super mindful in my body and walk with Jack while looking up. I was enamored with the sky and my heart was in awe. Loving wishes to you, your loved ones, and our magnificent world <3 Read More 3 Reply Palm6 years agoPalmWow Manda, lately I have a fascination with clouds and this is amazing, thanks for sharing 0 Reply Cintia6 years agoCintiaSo beautiful!!! Lovely! 1 Reply manda6 years agomandaThank you Cintia! I hope your husband’s headache has alleviated 🙂 I agree with Aine, a yummy rice porridge might be something new to try. How amazing the luxury of food is. I have been on a tight budget lately and making experiments. I also notice buying the food that isn’t pretty as this time of the year, soups are my favorite and they are just going to end up in the blender after cooking 🙂 0 Reply Pilgrim6 years agoPilgrimSo beautiful, Manda – thank you for sharing! Many blessings as you look for another job, perhaps more akin to the person you are. And dating, as well. So brave! Be well, my friend. 1 Reply manda6 years agomandaThank you Pilgrim for your kind words! I hope you are well too my friend, nice to see your post this night! 0 Reply Aine6 years agoAineOh, how vast and lovely is that sky! Dates? Cool! Some lucky person is about to find the Aladdin’s cave treasure of a lifetime and doesn’t even realize it yet! Something must be in the air — I had some very active Spleen points last Friday myself. I am so thankful for acupuncture that it views and treats us as a whole rather than as fragments and symptoms. It is still drastically cold here, too. The thirties coming next week will seem like a heat wave! 1 Reply manda6 years agomandaThank you sweet Aine! Yes, my spleen is off – though I think I ate way too much sugar goodness this past month 🙂 Thinking this might be some of the culprit….. Enjoy your heat wave 😉 0 Reply Anna6 years agoAnnaO dear Manda, as Sylvie says, it is stunning! A wonderful picture, indeed! 1 Reply manda6 years agomandaThank you dear Anna; so nice to hear from you!! 0 Reply Sylvie6 years agoSylvieDear Manda, thank you for this absolutly stunning picture ???? A warm hug out of a storm over the ocean
