Day 33 ~ I know we said “5″, but…

3 Feb

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder

Gratitude for today, Day 33

Homemade orange juice pops in ice cube trays, warm sheets from the dryer, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (hehe), perfect pitch in the shower, inspiring strangers, brilliant colleagues, true friends, fuzzy socks, petitions for change…

Wait, was that 5 already?

What are you grateful for today?

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Day 32 ~ Just 5

2 Feb

Gratitude for today, Day 32

1. February.

I LOVE February!

Valentines Day, my birthday, all the “Love Stuff” everywhere–I’m so grateful for February!

2. For the 88 Baby Food Jars I received by mail today from several Moms across the US. Thank You!!

And the inner city youth of Los Angeles thanks you, too…it will be a day we will always look back with a smile..

Read more about our Valentine’s Day celebration HERE.

3. Hot, organic, hazelnut decaf by the fireplace…this just feels good.

4. Framed finger paintings which hang proudly above the mantle..

Masterpieces, if you will.

5. People Holding Hands, created by my friend Nan Ray–it’s educational materials that teach Love, Acceptance, tolerance, and Self Celebration–I love this curriculum, and the plush dolls that go with it. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

Wow..Nan, I’m honored to know you, love you, and be loved by you.

If you’re a parent, teacher or care provider, check this out!

I’m grateful to know I share the planet with people like Nan.

**
What are you grateful for today?

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Day 31 ~ And 155 reasons.

1 Feb

Has it really been 31 days?! Wow! What a year already!

If you started Jan. 1, 2012, then you’ve counted 155 reasons to celebrate your life…and if you started yesterday, then welcome! You’re right on time..

Gratitude for today, Day 31 (already, somehow)

1. Long conversations with my Dad…we never realize we’ve been on the line as long as we have been because the conversation, connection and laughter is as natural as breathing.

I so love that guy.

2. Watching the dream of a longtime, very close friend come true.

Her tenacity, passion and inspired action have lead to a new product that has the power to shift lives
I’m grateful to know someone so astounding, and so bright.

3. Leftovers.

Some food is just better the next day!

Like Chinese food…mmmmm.

4. I found $11 dollars in my jacket pocket this morning.

Oddly, just the other day, I donated a coat to the guy behind Target.
I’d left $10 in the pocket.

5. For my little boys singing voice. From the bathtub, I hear him singing the theme sing to iCarly.

God, he’s cute.

What are you grateful for today?

Count your blessings.

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Day 30 ~ Do you see what I see?

31 Jan

Theres a smile in the sky…do you see it?

Today, all day long, I made a cognitive effort to smile at every person I came into contact with.

Even the lady with the pursed mouth, folded arms, and short tone…yep, even her. (In fact, I figured she needed the smile more than anyone else I’d come into contact with all day..)

Smiling at her anyway, while speaking softly, and kindly seemed to loosen the drawstrings that sealed her lips shut.

(Hehe..)

She just needed a little love ANYWAY!
So, the smiles I passed out all day came back this evening when God smiled back…

Do you see it???

Isn’t it beautiful?!

Smiles are meant to be shared…

Gratitude for today, Day 30

1. Smiles. (They’re FREE–how do knock that?)

2. For the moments when God winks at you.

3. For those who remind me what it looks like to feel sour on the inside.

4. For teachers. Is there anyone more inspiring?

5. For smiles from up above…

Do you SEE it? Do you see the smile in the sky?

Count your blessings! What are you grateful for today?

(Here’s one to get you started..)

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Day 29 ~ Are you with me?

30 Jan

It’s a daily thing; 5 a day, in pictures, in words, and in affirmation.

Are you with me?

Gratitude for today, Day 29

1. Children’s Birthday Parties–I love them! The excitement, the party games, the friendships, the laughter…the cake..

(I love cake.)

These mini-ragers bring back memories~

2. Kids jokes.

(It’s always good to have a spare kid joke in your back pocket.)

Joke:
Why was 6 afraid of 7?

Answer:

Cause 7, 8, 9!!

Get it?

7, 8, 9…

3. Every stitch of laundry is DONE.

I feel so accomplished..

4. “Tommy the Throwaway Dog“, By Laura Marlow — based on a true story. It was our bedtime story tonight, and one of Sprouts favorites.

Thank you Laura Marlow for this beautiful contribution to children’s literature.

5. Fuzzy socks, and Jammie’s still warm from the dryer.

Its only as difficult as you make it..and it’s your turn!

Are you with me?

What are you grateful for today?

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Days 27 & 28 ~ The Versatile Blogger Award? Really?

29 Jan

Yes, as cheeky as it sounds, I’m grateful for gratitude! For the fresh and powerful perspective it brings, for the gentle way it opens my heart, for the magnetizing effect it has on the like-minded and like-hearted, and for the ever constant unfolding of blessings that I might otherwise and admittedly take for granted if I wasn’t so whole-heartedly determined to make it all mean something more, and feel gratitude for it all no matter what!

(Ah, the musings of a writer as the lights go on…)

Before I ramble on for even another sentence, I want to thank my friend, a teacher and fellow writer and blogger for the Versatile Blogger Award nomination. C.B. Wentworth, it was an honor and a JOY to see The Gratitude Garden receive the recognition and nomination after only 26 days (or 130 blessings).

Thank you for the gift, for the smile I have on my face as I type this, and for the light and insight you share in your own blog.

Review:

The Gratitude Garden

“This is probably the most positive blog out there! Each day there is something to be thankful for and this fantastic blogger lists her daily moments of gratitude. In turn, she encourages others to leave reasons to be thankful. I love the reminder to see my day through the lens of gratitude.”

The appreciation is mutual, and I’m grateful for your acknowledgement!

Visit the *beautiful and inspiring* blog of C.B. Wentworth HERE.

Also, winners are asked to “List something others don’t know about you”.

Hmmm…

I was first published at age 12 in a book called, “The Write Stuff”. It was a compilation of poetry written by foster children.

The full story behind this is published in Debbie Dachingers #1 Best Seller “Dare to Dream; This Life Counts”, but still most people don’t know that about me.

I still have a copy of that book from my childhood, and still feel grateful to my social worker for the invitation to participate.

Lastly, I was also asked to nominate 7 other bloggers, and share their blogs with you.

Only 7!?!?

And the nominees are:

1. A Scrivnerburg 365

365 days of real life, JOY through the lens of a gratitude with a loving, humorous, homeschooling Mom who captured the most precious of moments on film. We’ve been counting blessings together since 2007…

Elli, thank you for all you share with me, and with the rest of the world. You are an inspiration!

2. Gratitude is the Hearts Memory

Lola Jean is honest, raw, loving, insightful, and wide open in this recount of gratitude through her hearts memory.

3. Off in the Ethers

An inspiring and poignant blog about the challenges of depression, choice, Love and life. Beautifully written:

“No matter what the darkness whispers, the light IS your truth.”

4. You’re a Writer! Inspiration and Support for New Writers

Excellent blog, thought provoking advice, and FUN to read whether you’re a “new writer” or a best selling author! I love writing, and sharing creative momentum is good for the writers soul.

5. …from the Bungalow

Blissfully Bald: Why my wife and I decided to shave our heads

Read this and you’ll see why it’s been nominated.

6. Life and Laughter

Got Writers Block? Need to laugh? This blog should take care of both those issues…
7. Simply Said

Lauren Scott, Poet

Uplifting, unparalleled talent.

**

Oh, and my blessings for the past two days? 5 a day…

Well, the 7 blogs above–I feel blessed by the magic these writers share, and feel grateful for the opportunity to highlight their talent.

8. For those who Pay It forward, and inspire others to do the same.

Today, donate an old coat to a homeless person–leave $10 in the pocket.

9. For fresh baked quiche and red grapes (yes, lunch is ready!)

10. For all who contribute to my life, engage my mind, touch my heart, and inspire creative flow…

Im so, so grateful.

What are you grateful for today?

Count your blessings….

####

Dear Nominees,

To accept your 7×7 Link Award:

  • Thank who nominated you and include a link
  • List something others don’t know about you
  • Choose seven links on your blog that you think are worthy
  • Nominate 7 bloggers who have not received the award and include links
  • Notify the bloggers you have nominated

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Day 26 ~ For the contagious smile of a dog…

27 Jan

Yeah, it might be one of the worlds sweetest wonders. The smile of a dog is contagious, and beautiful, and genuine…and an absolute gift to the Spirit.

I had to share. Smiles are meant to be shared.

(See and catch smile below.)

Gratitude for Today, Day 26

1. For my fur-son. I simply adore him, and his fuzzy smile that stretches from one far corner of his muzzle to the other.

2. For ” #thankfulthursday ” on Twitter…blessing, after blessing, after blessing, in every size, color and lifestyle~very inspiring!

3. For new stationary. I love stationary, and send a lot of hand written notes…

Try sending a thank you note a day–
To anyone you’re grateful to or for, from your best friend to the lady at the post office who’s always kind and helpful.

You’ll love the way you feel, and those who receive your note will love the way you make them feel, too.


4. For articles that make me laugh out loud, like this one by Janene Mascarella: (Most Moms will appreciate this one.)

Read article here.

5. For for the snoring dog…

More smiles will come tomorrow.

Count your blessings.

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