Looking back over the year

 There were so  many things to be grateful for in 2012.  Here is a brief list.

First of all I am grateful that we are all still here - no catastrophes etc on Dec. 21, 2012!
My health is still good  and my cataract surgery was successful.
My mother turned 90 and is still in good health for her age.
I still have my part time job which allows me the "frills" in life.
I have had so many social  events  and good times with family and friends.

 This a year was filled  with so many wonderful moments:

• fun times, good food and laughter
• many outings in nature in this wonderful part of the country. - canoeing, hiking, swimming, snowshoeing
• a wonderful retreat with my teacher of meditation.
• special moments  with my son- lots of laughter and  good  talks
• early morning or late evening walks with my dog when it is so quiet and still
• sitting in my garden surrounded by flowers and the chirping of birds.

The list could go on and on ...

In gratitude for all the blessings received this past year,
Marg

Grateful for Freedom

I am currently reading Winter of the World the second part of Ken Follett's Century Trilogy.  The story takes place during the years leading up to and including the second world war.  Although it is fiction I am confident that it  accurately depicts the situation  during those years.  Reading about the atrocities  committed under the communist and fascist regimes made me realize how fortunate I am to live in a democracy where:

I can openly speak my mind;
I can easily put a variety of good food on my table;
I can go to the hospital and receive excellent care regardless of my status;
I had a good job and pension;
I can choose to worship  if I so desire;
I am not afraid .

Those days of oppression and repression seem so far away, yet many people n this world still live under such regimes.

In gratitude for  the life  and freedom I have in this country,
Marg

The perfect gift

This season gives us so many reasons to be grateful -  we just need to pause in our busy day where we rush about to find those "perfect gifts".  I heard an ad the other day that  basically said :  "Run out of money and can't buy that perfect gift for that special someone?  Come to us and we will lend you the money".  The season is indeed all about giving  but the perfect gift is the one that comes from the heart.

I have received so many "perfect gifts" already;

• time spent with friends celebrating the season
• time spent decorating the tree with my son, listening to Christmas music and sampling the eggnog
• finding that deep peace and stillness within,  in spite of the busy-ness of the season

In gratitude for all the joys and blessings of this season,
Marg

Entitlement

As I was meditating early this morning,  the idea of entitlement came up and I thought that this would be a good topic to write about.  Many people today have a strong sense of entitlement - I am owed this, I deserve  that. None  of us are entitled to, or deserve that magnificent sunset or  the wondrous  view of trees dressed in  dazzling snow. It is given to us as a gift to enjoy and to appreciate. Viewing the world from a stance of gratitude instead of a sense of entitlement would make for a happier and more harmonious planet - and we individually would be happier and more content.

source: the weather netw

The song of birds in the morning, the timeless rhythm of waves crashing to  the shore, the awesome night sky with stars sparkling - these are given freely for each of us to enjoy whether it be you or I, or the hardened criminal. None of us  deserves or is entitled to the wonders of nature.  It is all a magnificent gift, freely given  for us to enjoy!  Now that is unconditional generosity!

In gratitude for nature's gifts freely bestowed,
Marg