BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.
I believe in the power of positive group energy. Perhaps if enough of us join together we can change the negative climate that exists and is overtaking our planet. Together we can move our fellow citizens of to a better, higher and finer place.
At the end of the post you will find a link up frog and I hope you will join me on this venture and once a week write a post and link up to others and share what you are thankful for this week.
Gratitude List
by Laura Foley
Praise be this morning for sleeping late,
the sandy sheets, the ocean air,
the midnight storm that blew its waters in.
Praise be the morning swim, mid-tide,
the clear sands underneath our feet,
the dogs who leap into the waves,
their fur, sticky with salt,
the ball we throw again and again.
Praise be the green tea with honey,
the bread we dip in finest olive oil,
the eggs we fry. Praise be the reeds,
gold and pink in the summer light,
the sand between our toes,
our swimsuits, flapping in the breeze.
Dom and I returned from our vacation this past week. The day before we left, we buried our dear friend Maggi. The enormity of losing this very special person moved me very quickly from just giving thanks for being on vacation into an intense appreciation for every day’s experience. I think the poem by Laura Foley expresses my feelings during this vacation.
I hope that by writing these posts that we will move together beyond thankfulness into appreciation. Because appreciation for the moments and things for which we give thanks requires us to be mindful of our lives. Thankfulness is an expression of our appreciation for life. Sometimes we get so focused on life’s challenges that we lose sight of being grateful for simply having a life to live.
Graze Mille,
I am sharing this post with my friends over at Two Writing Teachers. If you get a chance hop on over there. You will be sure to be inspired.
Grace and gratitude are such powerful transformers of change 🙂
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This is a good exercise to really make us look at how much we have to be thankful for and to appreciate all of it… Diane
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I saved your post to my Pinterest board of ‘Blog Posts I Love.’ – I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. The poem was lovely and I have to tell you. This post touched me Bernadette. Thank you.
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You are the best. Thanks for the compliment.
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Lovely poem and I am so sorry you lost your best friend.
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Beautiful post and poem, Bernadette. Being thankful for your relationship is Maggi is a wonderful way to honor her life and friendship.
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It is a good reminder to keep that positive nature! I need to remember that myself actually heh. 😉
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That poem, and your slice, is a worthy reminder to pause and be thankful for every day, thanks for sharing this message today.
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This is an awesome poem and so fitting for your project. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. It’s hard to take, but treasure the memories they will help you through your grief. ((Hugs))
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Sorry for your loss. I am glad you were able to find some solace in the beautiful poem and by writing.
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This is a beautiful post, Bernadette! I l love the poem you shared and my thoughts are with you during this time of sadness. I just started a gratitude log in my journal and I’m hoping to reap the benefits from it.
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Amen! 🙂
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The ending of your post really struck me, Bernadette. Since I have had my health problems my whole attitude toward things has changed. I wonder why it took an issue like that to make me appreciate more what I have and am given. We all have so much to be grateful for.
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More than one person is writing today about thankfulness and being kind, Bernadette. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, believe you are honoring her by sharing about being grateful for life every day. The poem is beautiful, touches me in my own beach memories.
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52 weeks of thankfulness is a worthy endeavor to bring sunshine to everyday life. Thank you for this post, Bernadette.
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I love these posts! So sad about your dear friend xxx I love the list Bernadette!
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I totally love this poem. I can quite imagine your feeling after your dear friends funeral, it’s not easy and a close reminder that we should be grateful for the simple lives that we have to live.
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This poem is great and the situation described is so wonderful. I used to swim a lot and nothing feels better than being at the ocean. I am waiting for a moment when my life returns because for the last 3 years it has been abnormally rough ride. No vacations, no parties, no nothing. I have been tied up to these walls and the outside backyard which is something I am thankful for. People who are still having no health problems should certainly value this advantage because it actually means everything.
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