The world has enough...

The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests,  flowered fields and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and a promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.
Michael Josephson  whatwillmatter.com

 This quote resonated with me.  Although I  think we can never get enough of the wonders of nature - we need to appreciate them.  How many times have I walked the same path , absorbed in thought, ignoring the beauty that surrounds me?  I strive to be more aware,  conscious and grateful - to drink deeply of that beauty.

The picture is from my trip to Alaska  - lush forests, serene lakes and majestic mountains.
In gratitude for all the wonders of nature,
Marg

Trees

This is a picture of the tree in front of my house.  I absolutely love trees, in all seasons.  Recently I have begun to look at the form of trees in the winter and I appreciate their stark beauty.  On my walks with my dog I often  notice the different  forms and shapes outlined against the sky.  This simple, bare beauty is hidden in the spring and summer  when we admire the leaves and blossoms.  Trees give us so much -  shade in the summer,  protection frmm the wind  in the winter. They  freshen the air, protect the topsoil, provide a home for birds.  Some trees give us  fruit and nuts,   but what I  most grateful for in the winter  is their simple, stark,  still presence.  Some trees in my neighbourhood are quite old, people come and go, but the trees are there, doing their job, fulfilling their purpose. I often think of trees as silent, sentinels of stillness.  They teach us lessons too : to have deep roots and a strong core, but also to be flexible and bend in the wind.  I love the children's book - The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - it really talks about gratitude, giving  and not taking things for granted..
In gratitude,
Marg

 Lao Tzu Quote

"Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize that there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you"

I came across this quote while reading a book, Christmas Magic (Chicken Soup for the Soul).  It made me stop and think- that 's a pretty tall order.  In our society even when we are blessed with abundance, we still find ourselves lacking, always wanting more.  Keeping up with the "Jones" seems to be the foundation of our consumer  culture.  In our quest for more, we are often blind to the abundance we  have. 
In  gratitude,
Marg

Lessons learned from my dog

Drake

I am ever so grateful for my dog.  He is handsome, smart, full of energy and always there for me. But more importantly, all my dogs have taught me how to live  and enjoy life .  We could all learn a lot from our dogs - how to be totally present in the moment; how to forgive no matter what; how to accept everyone regardless of race, gender, size, dress and of course smell! Dogs are totally non-judgemental.  Everything is an adventure to explore and sniff  -  even if it is the same tree we walk by every day.   I think if humans lived  more like dogs , the world would be a better place! So, let's take time to smell the roses and live life to the full!

Thank you Drake!
Marg

Buddha's perspective

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.” -Buddha

I came across this quote by Buddha and it definitely  made me think.Taken  from that perspective I should be grateful just for being alive each day,  grateful for every breath I take...

In gratitude,

Marg

Gratitude is the best attitude.  Author Unknown

Yesterday I went snowshoeing at my sister's country property.  Just the perfect day - temperature was mild  with a few snowflakes lazily drifting downward, fresh air and trees  surrounding us.  Made me enjoy the winter, that is , when it is not too cold!.  The crisp, clean snow is so beautiful - so many people in the world have never seen  snow  with the dazzling sparkles when the sun shines on it,   or experienced the  quiet stillness it brings -  truly a winter wonderland!

I am  grateful for the  family and friends  with country property,  and I am grateful that  I have the means and health to join them  and share in the camaraderie.

In gratitude,
Marg

Spent most of the day working, not my idea of how to spend a relaxing Sunday, so what am I thankful for today?  

The wonderfully mild weather with the sun peaking out late afternoon..

The fact that although retired from full time work, I do have a part-time job which helps make the living easier!

Food on the table, enough electronics to keep me out of mischief and a good wine to relax with at the end of a day.

I am indeed blessed abundantly.

Marg

Take Nothing For Granted
I was reading some selections from a book given to me recently entitled Serenity Prayers.
Here is an excerpt that resonated with me.

Take nothing for granted: the sheer act
of waking each day; fresh air upon your cheek;
each effort expended on self or another-
walking the dog, shopping for food, toiling
at home   in an office   or on the road.
Every moment is rare, short and full of glory....
Rochelle Lynn Holt

Gratitude Quotes and Good Friends

I was just  looking for some gratitude quotes to post on this blog and I found this one which explains in sorts why I created this blog.

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone .  G. B. Stern

Today I am grateful for the kind gesture of a good friend.  After a wonderful New Year's supper she sent me home with a  dish full of pasta, shrimp and braised bison!  What a treat  -  absolutely delicious and no supper to cook tonight   Especially appreciated on a rather busy day.

Thanks to my friends who posted comments and made me feel that perhaps this blog wasn't a  totally insane idea!

In gratitude,

Marg

The idea  for this blog came about 2 weeks ago while  I was driving in the car. Out of the blue I was filled with a  strong sense of gratitude and contentment. I gave thanks for my family  and friends,  for their love and support and even for the sometimes painful opportunities to grow.

In the past I have kept a gratitude journal for  a month or two at a time.  I thought about making a commitment to expressing gratitude in a public forum with the hopes that I would keep this up and that it might have a positive effect if even one person reads it.  So today with the beginning of a  new year,  I have decided to put my thoughts into action.   

With the Christmas season ending, I have been keenly aware of the  rampant consumerism  which encourages us to  always want  more, bigger and better and not to  be content with what we have.  I fully appreciate  how richly my life has been blessed just living here in North America. I know that some days I will have lots to say and other days perhaps I will just be grateful that the sun is still there!

I hope that  you will join me on this journey, holding me accountable to my plan. Perhaps  you might send me your thoughts of gratitude so that the seeds we plant  together will blossom into a lush garden.

In gratitude,

Marg