Very Grateful for:
God’s myriads

Cod

Time to read a book that I chose, (as in not chosen by a professor because of the profusion of 5-syllable words)

Thinking about the idea and gift of wonder

This song by Susan Enan

the basil, rosemary, oregano, spearmint, parsley in the little potted herb garden

Crystal’s FB picture of angelic Hannah

The redolent scent of pine enveloping my walking detour through the small pine grove.

The day I acquired the habit of consciously pronouncing the words “thank you”, I felt I had gained possession of a magic wand capable of transforming everything. ~ Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov

Very Grateful for

God’s exclamation points

FINISHING THIS TERM OF CLASSES!

SO GRATEFUL TO BE AT THE HALF-WAY POINT FOR THIS CURRICULAR CLIMB!

the caps lock key

Very Grateful for:

God’s Rain
hearing the gentle rain
the birthday of Hannah Belle!!!! Congratulations Crystal and Mark! Welcome Hannah Belle!
Garrett’s kind gratitude post … always
nice friends and fun tennis
deciding not to play along
holding back from saying “I Told You So” …
…but doing a silent “I Told You So” dance instead! http://youtu.be/IV4sB7O97ro
the research that shows counting just 3 gift-blessings/day increases happiness by 25% (McCullough et al., 2002)

“Valor grows by daring, fear by holding back”~Publilius Syrus

Very Grateful for:

God’s forgiveness

this Mindful Pinterest board

fresh carrot/cucumber/mango/cherry juice

walking for the last 4 days

tennis tomorrow

my pillow

remembering to water the gerbera daisy

finishing another big paper

being able to see the finish line

“There are no winners in the race to get it all done.”

Very Grateful for:
God’s care
Dad’s 87th birthday
Amelia, returning home from her trip to New York, safe and energized
the kind good wishes from friends online (Crystal, Garrett, Cassie, Jean) and face-to-face
delicious chocolate macadamia nut coffee she brought with her
ceiling fans
just one more week of classes
the bright full moon last night
going out on my front porch to watch the full moon and finding a surprise vase of vibrant, orange gerbera daisies from my neighbors David and Troy
the promise of more languid days ahead

“Men travel faster now, but I do not know if they go to better things.” ~ Willa Cather

Very Grateful for:

God’s reset buttons

many hours of sleep

fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella

resets and updates

egrets roosting in my cedar tree

my neighbor, Richard, coming over to tell me

having neighbors who remind me to look up and not always straight ahead

this article on mindfulness http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/10-ways-add-mindful-moments-day/

Very Grateful for:

God’s patient correction

finding the error of pronunciation in my video before I uploaded it

and the error in a paper before I submitted it

and the error in one of my citations

learning to be ok with errors

Mom being transferred from ICU to a room

knowing she will get to go home upon her discharge, alleviating the worry of other options pending

recognizing that I went an hour without persistent worry

getting my chipped tooth fixed

making a nice grilled cheese sandwich on garlic bread with a bit of fresh basil

Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness. ~Pearl S. Buck

Very Grateful for:
God’s mercy
Jeremiah 29: 13
emails from Jean and Garrett
the songs of Todd Agnew
ceiling fans
and air conditioning
the basil plant
and even the weeds because they remind me that I have the ability to eradicate some things

Smiles, the face-to-face kind and the emoticon kind :)

“When the divine life possesses the soul, it flows over in gracious ministries among our fellowmen. The affluence becomes an influence importing itself to others.” ~John Henry Jowett in Things That Matter Most

Very Grateful for:

God’s surprises

a surprise light rain this morning (seemingly confounding the meteorologists)

the surprising benefit of an older, slower laptop. At first I pushed against it, but now I am thankful for the time to reflect between clicks

a surprising two-week meeting hiatus from one of my classes

Simon Jenkins’ comments in this surprising retreat from all things digital post

the surprising fun (and addictive quality) of the first App game I’ve downloaded called Dots and my surprise to find out that it is all about connecting

mom’s patience and endurance through all the changes she’s endured

dad’s contentment that she is home now

my surprise to discover that I’ve transitioned, being neither a “morning person” or a “night person” but more of a “mid-morning person”

“Those who look for the beautiful and pure and spiritually significant things in life can always find them – and in so doing be satisfied.” -Dave Graebel, a wonderful quote first seen on Jean’s list

Very Grateful for:

God’s care

a car without hail damage

and Amelia’s car too

the bright green of rejuvenated grass after the rain storms

the scent of a candle down the hall at work

just the scent alongside the beautiful quiet

YoYo Ma’s cello rendition of

The poem “XI” by Wendell Berry (listen to the graceful way Garrison Keillor reads it here  *advance to 2:56*)

In his passion to renew, to make whole, what ill use had broken. And so to you, whose lives taken from the life of this place I cannot foretell, I say: Come, and treat it well. ~Wendell Berry