Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a typical March day.
In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.
- Mark Twain
With a resounding roar, March’s final stand brings winds and snow befitting a wild spring blizzard. We awake to several inches of wet snow and ice covering the local landscape. The storm that began last night continues its rampage all morning. T and I try twice to take a walk, but retreat in the wake of high winds and sleet.
When the skies finally clear around 2 PM, we dash to the park, antsy for some exercise and fresh air. We walk briskly, completing five laps on the snow-packed walkway. Then, I undertake the arduous task of shoveling heavy snow and slushy ice from the driveway and sidewalk. Whew! Now that’s a workout.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Wednesday, 30 March 2005 - A writer's life
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a writer's life.
Some critics will write 'Maya Angelou is a natural writer' - which is right after being a natural heart surgeon. - Maya Angelou
Writing is very hard work, demanding discipline, respect for language, countless rewrites, careful editing, and boundless patience. It's the ideal occupation for my perfectionist soul.
Writing found me early in life, sealing my fate before the outside world could influence my destiny. I've come a long way since I first penned a simple verse nearly 45 years ago. Funny, all my poems rhymed back then. Today, my life reaches far beyond a third grader's imagination, yet I still exploit the same talent and write as passionately.
I believe I am a good writer. I believe I have a lot to say. I believe my words can affect a person's life. And, I believe that the book I am writing will change someone's world in an important way.
If you're looking for me, you'll find me in my studio. I'm sitting at the computer, writing.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a writer's life.
Some critics will write 'Maya Angelou is a natural writer' - which is right after being a natural heart surgeon. - Maya Angelou
Writing is very hard work, demanding discipline, respect for language, countless rewrites, careful editing, and boundless patience. It's the ideal occupation for my perfectionist soul.
Writing found me early in life, sealing my fate before the outside world could influence my destiny. I've come a long way since I first penned a simple verse nearly 45 years ago. Funny, all my poems rhymed back then. Today, my life reaches far beyond a third grader's imagination, yet I still exploit the same talent and write as passionately.
I believe I am a good writer. I believe I have a lot to say. I believe my words can affect a person's life. And, I believe that the book I am writing will change someone's world in an important way.
If you're looking for me, you'll find me in my studio. I'm sitting at the computer, writing.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Tuesday, 29 March 2005 - The Finch family
Dear Lord:
Today, I am thankful for the Finch family.
I am very happy to report that the finches are back! An energetic pair is busily setting up house in the Christmas wreath that decorates our front door. S and I can peer through the peephole to observe the hustle and bustle of nest building. The activity continues despite the blizzard that’s sweeping our valley with wet snow and cold winds.
Last summer, we watched three baby finches grow to maturity. I hope our luck continues this year. In the meantime, we’ve retired the “vacancy” sign and are settling into our roles as the Finch family’s landlord and protector.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for the Finch family.
I am very happy to report that the finches are back! An energetic pair is busily setting up house in the Christmas wreath that decorates our front door. S and I can peer through the peephole to observe the hustle and bustle of nest building. The activity continues despite the blizzard that’s sweeping our valley with wet snow and cold winds.
Last summer, we watched three baby finches grow to maturity. I hope our luck continues this year. In the meantime, we’ve retired the “vacancy” sign and are settling into our roles as the Finch family’s landlord and protector.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Monday, 28 March 2005 - My garden's first spring flower
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for my garden's first spring flower.
What a picture perfect day – temperatures in the 60s, blue skies, and cool breezes. Mid-afternoon, T and I finish our afternoon walk around the park and head for home. Before entering the house, I survey the xeriscape garden I planted late last summer to replace the lawn. I hope to find new growth on the hardiest plants.
Instead, to my delight, I find one miniature iris near the lavender plants, its pretty yellow head rising above the drab mulch. I check the other bulb beds and discover many green shoots pushing through the earth. I’m relieved that my garden is finally emerging from its winter sleep. To celebrate the occasion, I raise a glass of homemade lemonade and toast the little iris.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for my garden's first spring flower.
What a picture perfect day – temperatures in the 60s, blue skies, and cool breezes. Mid-afternoon, T and I finish our afternoon walk around the park and head for home. Before entering the house, I survey the xeriscape garden I planted late last summer to replace the lawn. I hope to find new growth on the hardiest plants.
Instead, to my delight, I find one miniature iris near the lavender plants, its pretty yellow head rising above the drab mulch. I check the other bulb beds and discover many green shoots pushing through the earth. I’m relieved that my garden is finally emerging from its winter sleep. To celebrate the occasion, I raise a glass of homemade lemonade and toast the little iris.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Sunday, 27 March 2005 - Easter
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for the resurrection miracle and a beautiful spring day on which we celebrate Easter.
For these blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for the resurrection miracle and a beautiful spring day on which we celebrate Easter.
For these blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Saturday, 26 March 2005 - A lesson in cooperation
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a lesson in cooperation.
I am usually an all or nothing person - that's just my personality. So, when we embark on our daily walks, I view the activity as an important aerobic exercise session. T, however, thinks differently. Most days, he walks briskly and deliberately like he's on an important mission. Some days, he chooses a moderate pace, stopping here and there to sniff the grass or mark a bush. And, at least one day a week, he dilly-dallies along the path, sniffing this bush and that tree as his mood dictates. On his "slow" days, I try to prod him to walk faster, admonishing, "This is a walk, not a sniff!" He doesn't care. He has chosen his pace and intends to keep it regardless of my demands.
So, I've learned to walk with T, and he has learned to walk with me. On his high energy days, we both get a great workout. On his moderately energetic days, he gets a better workout than he expected since he has to keep up with me. On his low energy days, I let him walk at a more leisurely pace, giving him ample opportunities to sniff and mark. In exchange, he lets me pause along the trail whenever I wish. He thinks I am resting, but I'm actually very busy observing the world around us, gathering ideas for this journal and the book I am writing.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a lesson in cooperation.
I am usually an all or nothing person - that's just my personality. So, when we embark on our daily walks, I view the activity as an important aerobic exercise session. T, however, thinks differently. Most days, he walks briskly and deliberately like he's on an important mission. Some days, he chooses a moderate pace, stopping here and there to sniff the grass or mark a bush. And, at least one day a week, he dilly-dallies along the path, sniffing this bush and that tree as his mood dictates. On his "slow" days, I try to prod him to walk faster, admonishing, "This is a walk, not a sniff!" He doesn't care. He has chosen his pace and intends to keep it regardless of my demands.
So, I've learned to walk with T, and he has learned to walk with me. On his high energy days, we both get a great workout. On his moderately energetic days, he gets a better workout than he expected since he has to keep up with me. On his low energy days, I let him walk at a more leisurely pace, giving him ample opportunities to sniff and mark. In exchange, he lets me pause along the trail whenever I wish. He thinks I am resting, but I'm actually very busy observing the world around us, gathering ideas for this journal and the book I am writing.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Friday, 25 March 2005 - Good news
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful that good news is on its way.
After a week full of troubling news stories, I am glad to turn off the outside world and spend time taking care of personal matters. Good Friday does that to me - forces me to look inward so I can assess the health of my soul.
Although difficult and complex, inner work is a very worthwhile undertaking. Today, I need to discard the debris and weeds and rocks that pollute my life. My inner garden needs to flourish so I must till the soil and plant only good seeds for my future.
For me, the process goes something like this: I explore, then discover, then deny, then repent, then forgive. I also cry a lot. Finally, I choose to move on. I don't enjoy the process but I like the results.
I look forward to Easter Sunday so I can embrace its message of renewed hope and greater faith. I also plan to celebrate some really good news.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful that good news is on its way.
After a week full of troubling news stories, I am glad to turn off the outside world and spend time taking care of personal matters. Good Friday does that to me - forces me to look inward so I can assess the health of my soul.
Although difficult and complex, inner work is a very worthwhile undertaking. Today, I need to discard the debris and weeds and rocks that pollute my life. My inner garden needs to flourish so I must till the soil and plant only good seeds for my future.
For me, the process goes something like this: I explore, then discover, then deny, then repent, then forgive. I also cry a lot. Finally, I choose to move on. I don't enjoy the process but I like the results.
I look forward to Easter Sunday so I can embrace its message of renewed hope and greater faith. I also plan to celebrate some really good news.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Thursday, 24 March 2005 - Flexible schedules
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for flexible schedules.
Today's weather embraced the four seasons. Clear blue skies, sunshine, and mild temperatures delighted T and me as we hiked the trail - a perfect spring morning. A mass of dark clouds, however, rolled in around mid-morning turning the azure sky a gloomy autumn gray. The clouds evolved into a slow moving storm, bringing hail and the familiar rumble of a summer thunderstorm. Right now, winter's snow continues to fall.
The crazy weather upset our afternoon schedules. S reluctantly cancelled his bike ride. Instead, he'll work out at World Gym or hit the heavy bag and speed bag in our home gym. T, on the other hand, insisted on his second walk. To appease him, I bundled up in my Gortex jacket, ski gloves and hat and lead him to the park. He didn't like the snow and sleet at all, so we turned around at the park entrance - too wet and too windy for both of us. We'll try again later if calmer weather returns.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for flexible schedules.
Today's weather embraced the four seasons. Clear blue skies, sunshine, and mild temperatures delighted T and me as we hiked the trail - a perfect spring morning. A mass of dark clouds, however, rolled in around mid-morning turning the azure sky a gloomy autumn gray. The clouds evolved into a slow moving storm, bringing hail and the familiar rumble of a summer thunderstorm. Right now, winter's snow continues to fall.
The crazy weather upset our afternoon schedules. S reluctantly cancelled his bike ride. Instead, he'll work out at World Gym or hit the heavy bag and speed bag in our home gym. T, on the other hand, insisted on his second walk. To appease him, I bundled up in my Gortex jacket, ski gloves and hat and lead him to the park. He didn't like the snow and sleet at all, so we turned around at the park entrance - too wet and too windy for both of us. We'll try again later if calmer weather returns.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Wednesday, 23 March 2005 - Serendipity, epiphany and opportunity
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for serendipity, epiphany, and opportunity. All three grace my life.
Today, I am thankful for serendipity, epiphany, and opportunity. All three grace my life.
- serendipity : the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.
- epiphany (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something; (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking; (3a) : an illuminating discovery; (3b) : a revealing scene or moment.
- opportunity : a favorable juncture of circumstances.
For these blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
Source: Merriam-Webster online dictionary
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Tuesday, 22 March 2005 - Clean water
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for clean water.
As I scan today's newspaper, I see yet another story about tsunami victims who cannot obtain enough clean drinking water. They queue for hours for a gallon or two of the precious life-sustaining liquid. A woman's desperation, a man's frustration, a child's confusion - the accompanying photographs convey the futility that colors this lose-lose situation.
I study the glass of purified water that I poured just a few minutes ago - a commodity that I take for granted. Suddenly, I feel very fortunate to have the basics of life so readily available to me: food, water, clothing, shelter, good mental and physical health, and hope for a better future. Indeed, I am a very wealthy person.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for clean water.
As I scan today's newspaper, I see yet another story about tsunami victims who cannot obtain enough clean drinking water. They queue for hours for a gallon or two of the precious life-sustaining liquid. A woman's desperation, a man's frustration, a child's confusion - the accompanying photographs convey the futility that colors this lose-lose situation.
I study the glass of purified water that I poured just a few minutes ago - a commodity that I take for granted. Suddenly, I feel very fortunate to have the basics of life so readily available to me: food, water, clothing, shelter, good mental and physical health, and hope for a better future. Indeed, I am a very wealthy person.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Monday, 21 March 2005 - Introspection
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a time of introspection.
For me, the week before Easter has evolved into a time of introspection, filled with self-reflection and prayer. I also cleanse my body, going on the "master cleanser" lemonade fast for as long as needed. My goal - to emerge on Easter Sunday with a rejuvenated body, mind and spirit.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a time of introspection.
For me, the week before Easter has evolved into a time of introspection, filled with self-reflection and prayer. I also cleanse my body, going on the "master cleanser" lemonade fast for as long as needed. My goal - to emerge on Easter Sunday with a rejuvenated body, mind and spirit.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Sunday, 20 March 2005 - A really good movie
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a really good movie.
Our claim to fame is never watching an Oscar-nominated film before the Academy Awards ceremony. I read the reviews, but wait until the film is on DVD before indulging in the actual viewing. Although we lose the impact of the big screen, we prefer to watch in the comfort of our home with healthy snacks available in the kitchen and the remote's pause button ready for bathroom breaks. Besides, T can join us even though he rarely reacts to anything on TV, including barking dogs and meowing cats. He sleeps through every movie no matter the subject or notoriety or noise level.
Recently, I've watched some films that I highly recommend: Chocolat, Big Fish, The Bourne Supremacy, Calendar Girls, Rabbitt-Proof Fence, Osama, The Hurricane, and House of Fog and Sand.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a really good movie.
Our claim to fame is never watching an Oscar-nominated film before the Academy Awards ceremony. I read the reviews, but wait until the film is on DVD before indulging in the actual viewing. Although we lose the impact of the big screen, we prefer to watch in the comfort of our home with healthy snacks available in the kitchen and the remote's pause button ready for bathroom breaks. Besides, T can join us even though he rarely reacts to anything on TV, including barking dogs and meowing cats. He sleeps through every movie no matter the subject or notoriety or noise level.
Recently, I've watched some films that I highly recommend: Chocolat, Big Fish, The Bourne Supremacy, Calendar Girls, Rabbitt-Proof Fence, Osama, The Hurricane, and House of Fog and Sand.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Saturday, 19 March 2005 - A good laugh
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a good laugh.
Sometimes the source is a newspaper article, a favorite cartoon or an NPR report. Many times, it's our Chocolate Lab, T, who amuses us with "better than TV" entertainment. But, most times, it's my witty husband, S.
Today, he stands on his well-worn soapbox, ranting and raving about politics and sports and whatever else annoys him. I try to stifle a giggle - I've already heard much of what he has to say. But, it's no use. S is so very funny this morning. I laugh, he laughs, and T, who thinks everything is about him, enthusiastically tap dances around us.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a good laugh.
Sometimes the source is a newspaper article, a favorite cartoon or an NPR report. Many times, it's our Chocolate Lab, T, who amuses us with "better than TV" entertainment. But, most times, it's my witty husband, S.
Today, he stands on his well-worn soapbox, ranting and raving about politics and sports and whatever else annoys him. I try to stifle a giggle - I've already heard much of what he has to say. But, it's no use. S is so very funny this morning. I laugh, he laughs, and T, who thinks everything is about him, enthusiastically tap dances around us.
For this blessing, I am grateful.
Amen.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Friday, 18 March 2005 - A cozy sweater ...
Dear God:
Today, I am thankful for a cozy sweater, thick wool socks, Ugg slippers, a warm lap blanket and a new knitting project.
You guessed it. Winter returned for what I hope is his final visit. According to the calendar, spring officially begins on Sunday. Brrr. With snow falling and the furnace working overtime, I'll need to see it to believe it.
For these blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
Today, I am thankful for a cozy sweater, thick wool socks, Ugg slippers, a warm lap blanket and a new knitting project.
You guessed it. Winter returned for what I hope is his final visit. According to the calendar, spring officially begins on Sunday. Brrr. With snow falling and the furnace working overtime, I'll need to see it to believe it.
For these blessings, I am grateful.
Amen.
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