An Online Gratitude Journal
Pivot delicately … around change … for it will always appear.
A cup of love. That’s all I need to envision.
We all deserve to work toward our dreams. I’m so grateful for the parents who allow their children to do so.
Love thy neighbor. I feel so grateful for those who do.
Warm food is a beautiful thing. Gratitude.
There is good. And there is bad. Our parents taught us so. I’m so grateful for all who choose good.
When we don’t receive a quality education, healthcare, or mental healthcare … we can struggle indefinitely. I’m so grateful for all who see the struggle and seek expert help to improve it.
We have choices. We always have choices. I’m so grateful for choices.
Let there be light. Soft beautiful light. That is what I’m grateful for.
So enjoying this moment. Right now. With gratitude.
A day of catching up. A day of food. A day of gratitude.
As frosty and cold as it is, there is sun. I am so very grateful.
Stocked up. It’s such a comforting feeling. I’m feeling gratitude.
Good people seek understanding. Not hatred. I’m so grateful for good people.
The best people in the world are ethical, kind, and decent. Feeling deep gratitude each time I encounter one.
Out and about in a new foreign country. I am so grateful for all the little differences. They create a big difference. And it’s beautiful.
Just a few more steps and it’s all done. I’m so grateful for the chance to organize, pack, and take good care of myself.
Everyone should get to see the beauty of Paris. I’m so grateful for the brief time I have.
Sunshine. And gratitude.
A day filled with bountiful fresh organic produce. I’m grateful for each morsel.
Ask. And one might receive. So grateful.
A day out and about, exploring a city, eating organic food. Greens, potatoes so delicious I could have eaten just that, and a portabello burger on gf bun. Gratitude.
Traveling more remotely with a longer-term furnished rental stay means learning all over again how to obtain a steady supply of organic food. I’m so grateful to realize I should create a blog post of resources so future purchases will be a tad easier.
So much has been accomplished, so quickly. Deep gratitude.
Cozy. Warm. Comfort. This is a luxury for which I am so grateful.
A little drive in the sunshine (with some unexpected fierce blowing wind) is still a treat when cute little cottages and their beachfront are involved. Gratitude.
I may have worried I’d starve to death when it came to finding groceries. And then there was a solution. Feeling so grateful for accessible organic food, no matter how adaptable we must become to find it.
A tiny, authentic, Japanese Sushi kitchen. With absolutely delectable avocado, veggie (including little leafy greens!) and mango rolls. So grateful.
A warm pink filled the morning sky and all under it. Feeling gratitude.
Clean. Nice. Safe. Multi-cultural. This experience is a joy I’m so grateful for. Along with $11.50 (before tip) gluten-free vegan whole food restaurant meals.
I’m watching someone who loves connecting with his family. Deeply grateful.
Getting settled. Which is so much easier in a clean, nice, cozy space. Feeling deep gratitude for all of this.
Up early for a big transition, we left one long-term furnished rental for another. On a ferry. To an island. Then a mainland. Then a sailboat. Then a border. A day of crossings. And the border guards were actually wonderful. I’m so grateful for the reminder to stay in the moment and choose to feel peace whenever possible.
The sun can’t shine through today, but warm lights still glow. Gratitude.
This New Year’s resolution will be harder than not eating chocolate last year: I’m going to stop swearing. Because no matter how little I swear, I don’t like it. My dad was a sailor and he swore like one. I was imprinted. My poor sweet immigrant grandparents have had to look down and witness this. I feel guilty. It’s not becoming. It never makes me feel good. It certainly doesn’t make me feel better than whatever it is someone is trying to whip up a ruckus about. I’m so grateful for realizing it’s never too late to choose what makes us feel better.
I’m so grateful that so many of us no longer partake in fireworks. For the animals. For the soldiers. For the traumatized.
Just like that, everything is cleaned out and elsewhere. Not a speck left. So relieved. So grateful.
A favorite show returned … after a year away. So much gratitude.
Saturday is a good day. Especially when treats are involved. I feel grateful.
Even if I don’t feel the need to go out on a Friday night, I still feel grateful for the buzz about town.
Feeling gratitude for the most healing corner farm stand, for getting rid of difficult things, for finding solutions for precious things.
We have to make special days special all on our own. Especially if not all families celebrate special days with their family members who love them. Especially if not all receive cards, presents, or love. Deep gratitude for those who do.
Silent Night. I’m so grateful for it.
Cuddling is gratitude.
Kisses are gratitude.
A storm … it is a brewing. Much red and purple are on the professional weather app map. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an image as dire as that. These are the moments I’m grateful for those who comprehend what will whip around next.
I had the best thought in the world today. But I forgot it … because I forgot to write it down. So, right now, I am so grateful for the ability to write things down.
When another sees your precious, innocent, goodness … and attempts endless ways to destroy it … that is everything you need to know. You are precious. You are innocent. You are goodness. You are simply decent (without even trying) that others feel threatened by your existence. I am profoundly grateful for you.
The wind … it whips. Heavy items drop from the sky. Afterward, I’m so grateful.
The rain … it pours. Afterward, I’m grateful. The earth is even more grateful.
Beauty truly comes from the inside. For this lesson, I am grateful.
One task accomplished. A mystery potentially solved. Tea. Sunshine. Lunch on the horizon. More organization. My favorite nearby farmer’s corner market. A salty dark chocolate. All of this is much needed. All of this helps me feel gratitude.
Decency. It’s what makes people beautiful. And we get to choose it. I’m so grateful for those who do.
When we listen … then reflect back what someone has just shared (to ensure we’ve correctly understood, interpreted, and validated) … it can feel like communication perfection. I’m so grateful when I’m reminded how powerful this is for all.
Reading or listening to another’s struggles can make our struggles diminish greatly. Redirecting my brain from recycling my own struggles … to feeling concerned for the well-being of others … feels so much better. Deep gratitude to all who share.
Nature feels like necessary medicine. Even when I don’t want to go outside, I know I should. And after I do … it’s verified. Gratitude.
I’m so grateful for everyone who cares about ensuring a kind, thoughtful climate.
I’m so grateful for all who work so hard to ensure everyone possible receives a quality education … from birth to death. Every single day.
The beauty + intelligence of critical thinking skills. I can only feel gratitude.
I still remember, when it was academically presented to me in childhood, how humans can be most … easily influenced + make the worst decisions … when in a group. How groupthink could potentially be the most dangerous and harmful for all. That we must always step back from group influence … and analyze independently … away from emotion and pressure … to ensure we think critically … and do what is most decent. I’m (still) so thankful for that lesson.
Love. We know what it is. We get to choose it. I’m so grateful for those who do.
Truth. We know what it is. We get to choose it. I’m so grateful for those who do.
Chocolate. I’m loving it again. So much. In moderation. Gratitude.
Even if everything I thought I could count on were to disappear, I would find a way. This thought makes me feel gratitude.
We can always and forever feel grateful for the stories of Santa. Truly. What they are based on … can always be lovingly delved into.
I was awake last night thinking through the chemistry. As a child, why did I love the crispy chocolate chip cookies I made (using the recipe on the back of Nestle’s chocolate chip package)? It was clearly all that baked butter and sugar. I’m so grateful I’m now taking a different path (recipe to follow!).
I opened two boxes, sorted, then paused. Now I want to open and sort the rest. I’m so grateful there are only a few more.
Unexpectedly, a little one said hello yesterday … while playing her new drum, while sharing how much she loves a certain pie (me, too!), and while mentioning she has never met certain individuals before. I had to tell her how precious she was.
Nobody could love and cook like my grandmothers. They enveloped me with warmth and kindness, plus filled my belly with their delectable handcrafted meals. It was pure delicious comfort that I am eternally grateful for. And I learned today that I need not even attempt to recreate all that they provided. Because there is no way to match all that they did. Simply holding those experiences close … fulfills me.
I get to eat chocolate again. It’s been a year since I last tasted it. A New Year’s resolution I started early, I’m so grateful to have met this goal. This is the second time I’ve gone a year without chocolate. Both years were much needed. These acts help me recalibrate … because it’s really about sugar.
New traditions were discussed, to honor old traditions. I’m feeling grateful that I paused for a few days until we were both ready to process these thoughts.
Tossing items in piles, then boxes and bags. Who knew this could make some of us feel endlessly grateful? Still getting organized.
Does it go in a suitcase? Or on a boat? Or in a camping auto? I’m feeling grateful for any option.
Organized. I’m getting organized again. It’s amazing how grateful that can make me feel.
We took good care of ourselves today … even though we didn’t want to. Feeling so grateful for the effort and the results.
A rest day. We all deserve them. And we all deserve to feel gratitude (not guilt) for indulging in them. Today was a rest day.
Wind, rain, big trees swayed, and lights flickered all night long. Now there is safety to be grateful for.
I love intelligent people. I’m so grateful for intelligent people.
A ray of sunshine. Just a ray. And it brought gratitude.
I’m loving this rainy, cozy, day indoors. The earth needs this moisture. I’m grateful that this moisture ensures we have water to exist.
Organization. I’m getting organized again. And I’m feeling grateful for this.
I love kind people. Do I say this enough? They make life worth living. May all experience such gratitude.
I’m not sure when, exactly, I realized the importance of not hating. Even though we can naturally still have that thought and feeling—especially if one is lured into the cycle of hating … lured into endlessly feeding harmful chemical reactions within the body. But one can also choose to think through one’s real need … one’s “I” statement … and transform a harmful chemical reaction into a healthy chemical reaction. This is always available to us. May all learn to feel gratitude for it.
Kind human beings are the most beautiful human beings. I’m grateful for them every single day.
Basic human decency is the most incredible act in the play. Nothing else is necessary to watch. May all be lucky enough to feel this gratitude.
The softest green. The fluffiest green. Even wet, is so beautiful. Gratitude.
You know a purchase is right when there is no regret going in and no regret going out. I’m feeling so grateful for realizing this, listening to this, acting upon this.
Some expensive purchases were necessary. It might have been a little fun. I’m so grateful they were on sale.
To safely grow our brain—our intellect—we are taught to read from sound sources. That teaches us to think critically. That teaches us to be good and do good in the world. I hold such deep gratitude for the wisdom of this.
Choosing to be kind and empathetic. Choosing to have a loving moral compass. These people are heroic. What an amazing life to strive for. I am so grateful for what they teach us.
Caring thoughts. Listening with care. Caring words. Caring actions. These humans are heroes. These humans help us live the good in the world. These are the examples I am so grateful to learn from.
Love and joy, especially in the face of adversity. This is what I am in awe of. This is heroic. I am so grateful to witness such beautiful humans.
I love embracing intelligent and kind humans. I feel gratitude for them.
People who develop and use their Intelligence to do good in the world … emotional intelligence, street smarts, academic intelligence … it all matters … it’s all needed to do good. That is what I’m grateful for.
Snuggling makes me feel so grateful for being snuggled.
Cozy. Warm. Fed. Clean. Clothed. Gratitude.
Passing on a sidewalk, three witches paused together today. I’ve so loved dressing as a witch, too. The older I get, the more I want to dress in wild and fun ways—not just for Halloween. I’m so grateful that our world celebrates public costumes.
Decency. Kindness. Gratitude.
Tuesdays with Morrie. A book that’s provided endless gratitude.
Mondays used to be my sad days … until I reminded myself that I was born on a Monday. I now feel grateful for (I love) Mondays.
We’re finally feeling better—there’s no more painful Covid cough living here. Gratitude.
Handcrafted grilled veggie sandwich. Yam fries. Aioli dipping sauce. Whenever we get to share this gluten-free vegan treat, we savor it. And we feel grateful.
Clarity. I am so grateful for clarity.
A nightmare ended with quick, vital, determination. Sunshine. A walk. Crisp cold. The Co-Op. Thank goodness for warmth indoors. Plus plant-based veggie balls (my favorite Ikea gluten-free vegan meatballs yet). So much to be grateful for.
Shiny. Compact. Lightweight. Stainless. With short rounded handles. I love this new little pot so much. It holds three quarts yet seems as packable as my two-quart travel pot. I somehow think it will be capable of doing anything. So much gratitude.
Up in the early morning light to see the first sunshine in what felt like a while. A carpet of orange pine needles had fallen everywhere. Today was the perfect day for a drive (and a ferry ride) … the perfect day to run errands. Then, of all things, we kept running into a kind couple from an island we once lived on—who also visit family in Sweden. We could not believe it. I’m so grateful for serendipity.
Something extra special is arriving in the mail. It will be handled with care. Feeling grateful.
Kindness. Especially when it comes from a place of maternal concern. I love that so much. I think our world would be better off if kind women were leaders everywhere. That thought makes me feel so grateful.
Warmth. Atop the trees. How did we get so lucky? Gratitude.
Lately, I’ve been dreaming of Ikea veggie balls. Meatballs made from plants. I think they are the best-tasting meatballs. (I also dream of them being packaged in paper, not plastic.) My taste buds might soon experience this gratitude, too.
This season of squash. Cut in half. Rubbed lightly with sea salt. Baked until soft. I’m so grateful for it.
Soon, I’ll have spent one year without chocolate. It was a goal—my New Year’s resolution (started a month early, last November). So I’m beginning to allow myself to think about chocolate again. And I can’t believe how grateful I am to know I’ll get to taste it, smell it, savor it … by next month!
A moral compass. Guiding one in an ethical, kind, and loving direction. I’m grateful for that … in this moment.
Allowing ourselves to be loved. Especially in our older years. Making sure each day is truly as we want it to be. Filled with what is beautiful and loving. Surrounded by what makes us feel happiness and gratitude. Pure joy. Shopping sprees for favorite food. Special meals out. Meaningful connection. Visits to special places, especially in nature. This is what I hope for myself. This is what I will feel deep gratitude for. This is what we want to gift loved ones—because we literally exist to love one another. Because not one of us should have to live alone in fear.
Today will be one more day of sun waiting for good use. This, I am grateful for.
Two boxes and some sheets. It’s the little things. Gratitude.
I’m feeling so grateful that we finally perfected the most delicious gluten-free vegan (and nearly entirely organic) pizza so far: sweet potato wrap (or gf pizza crust of choice) as the personal-size crust, muir glen tomato paste, basil, thinly sliced red onion, mushrooms, olives, artichokes, and pineapple—with maple syrup drizzled extremely lightly on top. Bake on the center rack (or on a very thin flat pan) at 350 F for 25-30 minutes (or until the crust is firm/crunchy).
Warm snuggles. Is there anything better? When we have this in our life it’s a special thing to never take for granted. Because we all know what it’s like when we don’t have this. There are no guarantees here. So I’m pausing to feel gratitude.
So much support. Everywhere. We can seek it. We can utilize it. Nobody need question it. We can feel grateful for it.
Thank goodness for finding the peaceful route. Thank goodness for those who want to be there for their sibling. Thank goodness for those who want to be there for their parent. Deep gratitude.
Simply being there to support those who are grieving. A phone call can make all the difference in our healing. Feeling so much gratitude for these moments.
Speaking passionately. Feeling soothed and heard. With an empathetic ear. And a gentle touch. Gratitude.
Out for a drive. Picking our package up from a back porch. Passing by the Farmer’s Market. Snacking on veggie sushi and a grilled veggie sandwich. Touchless grocery order picked up. All while remaining in our bubble. I’m so grateful there are ways to get out when we still sound sick, that allow us to protect others, too.
Even when it rains, it’s fun to live in the treetops. My last home (an eco cabin) and our current rental share this trait. Feeling so much gratitude.
I’m so grateful for a partner who loves to massage my head, neck, and shoulders. Every single day. He claims it calms him, too. The most incredible blessing.
I coughed so hard and long in the dark of this night that I will be grateful if I wake in the morning and still have lungs. My reminder to not get COVID ever again.
I’m feeling so grateful to exist during President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday! Happy Birthday, Mr. President! I remember so much about his presidency, even though I was just a child. What a wonderful role model. My dad would be so grateful for this, too.
And, then, I remembered my favorite deli sandwich that was my favorite before my current favorite deli sandwich. So I’m making that now, too. And someone else loves that sandwich, too! So grateful.
I’m now making my favorite deli sandwich … myself. And someone else loves it, too. So grateful.
Sunshine. Water. Blue skies. And a Farmer’s Market. Just witnessing this feels healing. Full of gratitude.
It took a few months to help another solve a problem. To stop the hemorrhaging. To organize. There have now been solid steps forward. And there is gratitude.
Baked squash and potatoes, steamed veggies, apples and nut butter, blueberries with nuts and seeds. My belly is so grateful.
The most beautiful obituary appeared … along with the strongest rainbow … from (what felt like) sea to shining sea. As if we were hugged. So much gratitude.
I could live off of soup. And other one-bowl meals. Easy to fix. Easy to eat. Easy to clean up after. Easy to feel grateful for.
I think I messaged my doc’s office four times yesterday. Sunday. Today’s call left me feeling cared for (especially since I was sicker than I conveyed) Gratitude.
There is this thing. It’s called Covid. But, somehow, I forgot about it. So I’m officially grateful for the reminder … that I never, ever, want to experience it again.
Sleep. Rest. Soup. And more sleep. For this I am grateful.
Early to rise. To review. To support and send off to the airport. Serendipity—this was to happen exactly as it happened. Organizing. Delivering. Out to breakfast. More organizing and delivering. Pausing at the sanctuary for tea. Even more organizing and delivering. Takeout. At the sanctuary once more. Shower and sleep. A day of moving what felt like heaven and earth. Yet feeling so grateful for doing so with love, connection, and caring.
A deep loss. Then coming together to preserve what was meaningful. Comforting. Communing. Eating in honor of—at one of his favorites. And a slumber party because of. Deep gratitude we were all there for each other.
So grateful for this entire last day. Heading over for coffee with banana bread. Connection. Salad. A feast. Music. So dearly clasping my face. Saying thank you for the card. Picking blackberries. More banana bread. Walking to dinner and tea. Finally getting the map right. Stories. Photos. We love you so much. Reaching out. Moving hair to touch one’s face. Holding hands. Embracing shoulders. Precious words. See you, my friend … you will always be my captain.
He was so happy to head over for coffee. A gaggle of ladies. Flowers and food. Goofiness. Deep gratitude.
So grateful we heard he loved the photos! Then we showed for coffee. Music. Found the little vase for the beautiful flowers. Tried to read the newspaper. Then a little rest.
Feeling endless gratitude for the twinkle, the knowing smile and laugh, after hearing … you didn’t know it at the time, but when you bought the boat shop, I came with it.
Too tired for a visit from both of us. So grateful one of us made the cut. A good day to rest.
So grateful for the companion who alerted us that we have less time than we thought. We must make the most of beloved connections while we still can.
Why not just bypass anger and go straight to solutions? I was so grateful to embrace this for years while living alone on an island.
So grateful for the sunshine after the moisture.
I truly believed it then. And I still believe it now. Most of us can heal enough from our trauma to experience, be, and contribute good. And feel gratitude. We just have to choose this.
What a day. What a day. What an amazing day. Witnessing the extra special full story. A man and his beloved boat. I’m so grateful for the lives they have impacted.
It’s still going strong. Festival fun and crowds everywhere. I’m so grateful for witnessing a very special sailboat ride today.
Live music and gluten-free vegan festival food. How did I get so lucky?! Gratitude.
The first day of a big festival. In a small town. And so many people are starting to buzz everywhere. I am so grateful for this feeling of community.
Quiet. Morning dew. Sunshine. Matcha tea. Fresh leafy greens. A gluten-free vegan muffin (!). Plus gluten-free vegan sushi and more food for later. Super grateful for enjoying this moment.
No matter how thoroughly we might verify something, there are no guarantees. Feeling gratitude for this reminder today.
Deep gratitude for males with appropriate behavior. They are blessings.
I’m still so grateful for yesterday’s gratitude. I’m so grateful to be free.
I’m so grateful to be free. Free from the control of others. Free from conforming to any one group. Free. All on my own at any given moment. Free.
We’re so grateful to celebrate a beloved mentor’s birthday today. A peaceful, kind, loving man. Who has provided good-paying work to those closest to him. To build boats. Wooden boats. Beloved boats. Boats that provided sailing adventures. Like that time he sailed to Hawaii with two teen boys who still adore and love him. They had the expedition of a lifetime. They used only celestial navigation. They had their tushies handed to them a time or two. Yet they still sought out a lifetime of adventure. And they’d do it all over again, with and for one another. No matter what.
When someone uses body language/tone to communicate they’re above others or the ultimate authority, it doesn’t mean they are. It often means … they want what they want. And they want others to provide it to them. I’m so grateful that we can all choose to live free of that, under our own personal wisdom of authority instead.
If someone tries to convince us of something, we are taught to triple-verify whether or not it’s true. We investigate, investigate, investigate. We are freedom fighters for truth. And we are grateful for this.
It is so easy for outside influences to instill fear and phobias in anyone. To psychologically paralyze. But one can feel gratitude for and take tiny steps toward those who love unconditionally (like family who love us simply because we exist), to bring the comfort and meaning we have sought.
One need not feel stuck on the negative, chaotic, or fearful. We get to process and move past that … at any moment we decide we’re ready. Deep gratitude.
We get to acknowledge how we feel. Words are for sharing how we feel. I’m so grateful for those who remind me of this.
We can practice expressing concerns in positive ways. This is an actual thing. That works. We are capable of this. I am so grateful each time I make this choice.
We can be rigid or flexible. We get to choose. I’m so grateful to know it’s a choice.
In a safe world, we see how to interact with others positively. From day one. No unnecessary sibling rivalry. No bullying. No abuse. Lots of gratitude.
Call. Send a text. An email. A card. A note. Little interactions. So loved ones know their loved ones are always there for them. To go through life with them. So they always have a place of love to be. Gratefully.
Little tugs. Gut instinct. Tiny red flags. Repeated promises that never come to be. I am so grateful that we can feel and see these. They guide us. They help us live in reality.
I think it’s healthy to gently, lovingly, question what happens around us. Every. Single. Thing. Until we verify all facts. I’m so grateful for this freedom.
I think it’s vital we all know all our loved ones’ authentic selves—who all our loved ones were before life began influencing them. And to know this about ourselves, too. Who is the authentic you? I’m so thankful that this can set us free.
I think it’s so vital that we all build trust. Deep gratitude to all who courageously take these loving steps.
I think it’s so vital that we all make it a goal to not be casual and cruel, that we do not take relationships for granted, and that we all choose to grow, change, and improve our communication. I’m so thankful to all who attempt this.
We’re doing the best we can … with the resources we have … at any given moment. I’m so thankful it’s within our power to continue learning more.
I work on my communication skills to place myself in social experiences that are healthy for me. Of course, I’d prefer a monastery (but that wouldn’t fly long). Grateful to know.
I try to focus on gradual change (even though I always want immediate change). Feeling gratitude for this effort.
We can only make choices within our personal area of control. So grateful for the endless reminders.
I don’t know everything. I can’t know everything. I love not knowing everything. So grateful that I am okay with this.
We all get to practice our listening skills (I’m trying to remember to breathe and pause before responding). Deep gratitude for all who practice, too.
We get to be curious … balanced with a wise gut instinct. So grateful for striving for this.
Feeling deep gratitude that change happens. That growth happens. For us all.
I’m so grateful to know that destructive influence is predictable and it doesn’t deliver what is promised. And that all have the ability to help halt it.
I’m so grateful that everything can be a learning experience.
All want to be free. All want to know the truth. I’m so grateful we can choose this.
True love is always stronger than conditional love. True love never requires you to prove yourself or prove your beliefs. Immediate family gives true love to immediate family. Because you were born. Because you have always been wanted. Because your immediate family is so grateful for your existence. Because your immediate family wants you to experience their true love and care forever.
A baby boy was born today. Happy birthday, dear birthday boy. I’m so grateful he tells me how much he loves spending one-on-one time with his immediate family. Together. To take them out and about. To do things for them. To feel their closeness as a family. They will always mean everything to him. So he misses them dearly.
Individuals will choose what is not destructive … it’s just a matter of time. Gratitude that everyone has this freedom.
Our authentic selves can never be erased … not even by destructive influence. Feeling grateful that we can hold loving space for all to experience this.
Family is family … meant to grow and learn together. Gratitude for this realization.
I’m so grateful for all beliefs … that help others live their kindest self.
“May the good Lord take a liking to ya!” My dad (who read the Bible more than once but claimed he was an Atheist) would playfully say that when I was being silly. I feel gratitude for those moments and how they still make me smile.
I’m so grateful we can now see our past thinking. In history. In political science. In corporate law. And that we can now become educated in these areas via ethical sources.
I love that we can see how important it is that we reverse and correct our mistakes. Collectively. As a community. Which can heal everything. Gratitude.
I’m so grateful my partner recognized that I’m factual and can’t help it. I have to work hard to add nuanced words around facts. Even though my brain also contemplates endless nuanced details. Gratitude for neurodiversity.
I’m trying to view others’ hostility as my reminder to not be hostile (when I might feel hostile, too). Gratitude
A shower. A shower. A shower. How many days has it been? Scheduled for first thing this morning. Enormously grateful.
I am so grateful for courageous women who truly care about using their intelligence to make a kind difference in this world.
The narrow country road meandered through farmland. Then it began winding up through trees, where long strands of Spanish moss dangled from above. A stunning mountain range gradually appeared. Melting snow, alpine lakes, and wildflowers dotted our path toward the beautiful mountaintops. There might have been bears … plus no cell, data, or wifi … but I still feel grateful.
Today I witnessed a community of men working hard to help, respect, and protect a woman. I feel so grateful for their existence.
I love the wisdom of our elders. I want the wisdom of our elders. I respect the wisdom of our elders. I am so grateful for the wisdom of our elders.
Is there anything better than a weekend filled with farmers’ markets? Just strolling through for a bit makes an entire day feel like a treat. Gratitude.
They appeared to want to talk. They seemed kind and friendly. They sounded intelligent and thoughtful. They lived interesting lives. They could relate to so much. Sisters. I’m so grateful when we take a moment to get to know people who seem like they might be good people. We need a world of good people.
I’m so grateful that today I had an unexpected opportunity to say thank you, thank you, thank you.
Four seasons. Appreciating four seasons. Living in four seasons. Give me four seasons. I’m feeling so grateful for four seasons.
Gluten-free vegan blueberry muffins. I could eat them every day. (But I do not.) Gratitude.
The cutest baby deer everywhere. Completely grateful.
Early to rise. Birds are vigorously talking to each other. Dewy air. Fog settled in. Soft warm morning sunshine glowing everywhere. Gratitude.
Walking by at street level, a friendly sign pointed me down old stairs, through a cellar door, into a small basement. What was I greeted with? An entryway? A hallway? An office to tinker in? A little shop? Softly worked driftwood. Wasp paper. Dried seaweed for future lamp shades. Selective beautiful antiques. And gorgeous sounding Pyrenees Koshi chimes—to hang individually or so they can touch and play together. So grateful.
I’m grateful for boundaries and for all those who hold and respect them.
I’m grateful for good people who do good things. For people who truly care about this whole wide world.
I’m so grateful for kind doctors.
I’m continuing the “happiness all day” theme from yesterday. So far it’s working. Gratitude.
The best day ever. Happiness from the moment of waking. AC on and protected from the sun. An important doctor’s appointment. A gluten-free vegan burger wrapped in lots of lettuce, with gooey sauce, and a big pickle for breakfast (I’ve never eaten a burger for breakfast before). Gluten-free vegan key lime pie for brunch. Another important doctor’s appointment. Another gluten-free vegan burger with gooey sauce, pickles, and yam fries for dinner (I’ve never had two burgers in one day). Gluten-free vegan blackberry ice cream in a waffle cone for dessert. Today was special, so I let myself have an entire day with vegan junk food, a rarity. And it did the trick (now all I want to eat are green smoothies and lentils). Grateful.
I am so grateful for life. For somehow being brought into this world. For seeing it. For experiencing it. For independently moving through it. For knowing there is no guarantee I will exist except for this moment.
I’m so grateful for knowing that we should first repeat back (reflect) what we hear another say before we respond (to verify we understand what another intended to say). Now to put that into practice all day, every day…
I am still feeling deep gratitude for what I felt grateful for yesterday.
I’m so grateful that I’m independent. I love the clarity that independence brings. I get to assess everything independently. I have no individuals to please. I have no groups to please. I have no gurus to please. I have no Queens to please. I have no Gods to please. I am not desperate to belong to anyone or anything. I am free.
Happy 126th Birthday to my beloved Swedish immigrant grandmother. I still love you so much. Thank you for always embracing me in your loving arms when I arrived. Thank you for always looking at me, and speaking to me, with such love. I can relate to so much that was you. I now see your eyes in mine, your expressions in mine, and your ways in mine. I felt special and chosen because you always waited until I arrived before you finished making your delicious pies—so I could help you. I can still see and smell them as if we are together now. How so much of you and Grandpa transferred to me is a miracle. I am so grateful for everything about you.
I love that today is July 2nd. A perfect month. A perfect number. Feeling gratitude.
I can’t believe July is here. July is my favorite month of the year. Deep gratitude.
We all want life to be a certain way. But life cannot always be that way. So we acknowledge this. We wish for what we wish. But we see the reality. Then we work honestly within that reality … to keep our loved ones safe and secure. And we feel grateful for this.
Step back for perspective. Step back to see the whole picture. Because there is no perfection. There is good. There is bad. There is complex. And gratitude for the clarity.
I'm so grateful to realize that I’m not here to hold allegiance to a person or group. I'm here to be good, kind, and loving.
I’m so grateful to realize that I’m here to think independently. Plus care about the whole wide world.
Smooth. Fibrous skin. Orange and sweet. So refreshing. Fresh raw carrots at breakfast. A first today. Gratitude.
It’s taken a while. A lifetime, practically. But I now realize what I say within earshot of anyone can pollute their brain. Or not. I make that choice. Those of us who grew up in homes modeling crudeness and swearing … we’ve had to work hard to choose wiser. For the most part, I’ve chosen wiser. But still. I have moments of laziness on this front. Which is a waste of precious life. I’m so grateful to realize this.
Round. Shiny. Stainless. Including lids. Made with precision. Two for nuts. Two for seeds. Small enough to tuck in my day bag. A simple joy that brings gratitude.
I’m deeply grateful that we can see how much character counts—that anyone can try to get away with anything, but good character counts more than it all. Our character is who we choose to be. Our character is our value.
I’m grateful that we can see how easy it is for any human to believe a manipulated video—and that anyone can overcome this. One can instead find joy in investigating and verifying facts.
I’m grateful that we can see how easy it is for any human to become addicted to hate—and that anyone can overcome this. One can instead find joy focusing on, and generating, all kinds of beautiful goodness.
I want to spend my life trying to be factual, kind, and humble. Even though I’m imperfect at it, I care about attempting it. The successful moments make life much more meaningful. The unsuccessful moments show me how vital it is that I continue this attempt. For peace. This I am grateful for.
Deep gratitude for those close to me who care about meaningful and honest conversation. So we can learn and share.
Shiny stainless steel. Rectangle with rounded corners. Half the height of full size. So lightweight. A bread pan to travel with, to make my favorite gf vegan banana bread anytime we have access to an oven. Feeling deep gratitude.
Farmers’ markets. With handcrafted gluten-free vegan smoothies, soups, yam udon noodles, focaccia bread, fruit crisps, and ice cream. This is what I’m grateful for.
I’m so grateful that I noticed my skin was receiving far too much sunshine so I could take action for a better future—new (bluesign) sun shirts with hoods, a bigger-brimmed (organic) hat, and (hemp) neck gaiters for everyday wear.
I’m finally getting back to pampering my skin again. I’ve just ordered my favorite products, and I’m trying two new items (will update via blog post). I feel deep gratitude for this skincare which has helped me so much.
I’m so grateful for finally saying no to unnecessary meals out. I’m so grateful to see the enormous savings.
Back roads. Leisurely roads. Roads with a view. That is what I’m grateful for.
I’m so grateful that I’m finding more economical ways to eat out while traveling full-time. And food co-ops appear to be lowering their food prices!
I am so grateful that I realize border patrol, state transportation, and other governmental employees should always be trained to handle difficulty without inflicting emotional trauma or physical harm on any of us. That their role should always be to protect all.
Sunshine. On this summery morning. As delicate green leaves and blossoms burst forth. I am grateful for you.
I’m so grateful for plenty of sleep, showering, and clean laundry (sometimes nothing feels better than that).
I’m so grateful that, just when I think I’m feeling better, my partner reminds me to take it easy until I know I’m better for sure. He was right (that beach walk and those steep stairs wiped me out).
I’m so grateful that we can deeply care about precious ones—even if we didn’t bring them into this world.
I’m so grateful we can learn to independently witness, study, and assess—choose critical thinking skills—instead of bias/a desperate need to cling to a team or outcome.
I’m so grateful that we can prevent passing along our illness to others—and for all who take these precautions.
I’m so grateful for the wisdom to be cautious and to wait patiently (especially when we don’t want to).
I'm so grateful for safe medicine that helps until one heals.
I’m so grateful that, as a wee one, I was so excited when I heard I’d have a baby sibling. I believed my little baby sibling would be the most amazing human ever.
I’m so grateful that I experienced a deep love for ballet as a child, as if I’d known it in another lifetime, and had to continue what instinctively filled me up and carried my tiny body forth.
I’m so grateful that my oldest sibling was so happy that I was born, and lovingly held me in those first few months, while I was so fragile.
