Gratitude: Today, I'm grateful for...

Posted by Zebra @californiazebra, Jul 2, 2023

Studies have found that expressing daily gratitude improves both physical and emotional well-being. It helps us focus on what is good in our lives, the world and others. It also helps us find the silver lining in our challenges. Gratitude turns what we already have into enough. Gratitude brings us joy. I’d love it if you can share something you’re grateful for today. I’ll start.

I’m grateful I have both the ability and luxury of taking long daily gratitude walks through the beautiful nature that surrounds my home.

I’ll take you through my typical walk:

When I open my front door to leave, I’m usually greeted by a few adorable squirrels, three crow friends, juncos and wrens who all hope for a walnut treat before I go. My walk along the creek down the street brings me peace with a variety of 100-foot trees, flowers of every shape and color, grass, fascinating wildlife, sounds of a babbling brook, birds calling, squirrels chasing, etc. Each day, I also see bunnies, ducks with ducklings, egrets, lizards, turtles, a variety of small birds, butterflies, and sometimes coyotes and hawks.

I meet new people along the way as we share our love of nature. I am also greeted by their happy, adorable dogs. Sometimes I learn something new. Sometimes I feel like I was able to bring joy to someone by letting them know they are worth a few minutes of my time. That brings me joy. Half the people in my large retirement community live alone as I do. Today, I met a lovely 96-year-old woman who walks a half mile with her cane and sweet rescue poodle every day. Impressive! She didn’t look a day over 80. I never miss an opportunity to smile and say hello to everyone who passes by. When I arrive home after an hour or so, some of my wildlife buddies are usually there to welcome me back with the enthusiasm of a dog.

When my last dog went to Heaven a few months ago, my camera became my new walking companion. Once I’m home, it’s time to upload my latest nature photos. I relive my walk all over again through the eyes of a zoom lens and a 32” monitor that together reveal extraordinary colors, patterns, textures and wildlife expressions the naked eye can’t see. I’m sharing a few pix from today. Can’t wait to go again tomorrow! 🙂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 21 12:19pm

Old Friends - We spent a delightful evening with our small group - over 40 years of friendship - and I am still in awe and wonder at what brought and kept three such different couples together. But we all have a deep love and respect for our spouses and each other. And we all are caretakers of our families, and profoundly understand the love and commitment that involves.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 24 6:37am

I have several friends who I help with computer problems which has been a reminder for me to be grateful. Today I was reminded why it's important by one of my daily emails from a website I follow.
-----------------------------
Your Year of Healing
Dear Friend,

Here is your insight and suggested practice for today:

Insight: Older trees provide shade and not fruit, and that’s enough. Best to respect and value our seniors. They are the cherished treasures of our family and our world.

Suggested Practice: Think of how you can help a senior in your life feel valued and loved.

Audio file link: Please visit https://www.amitsood.com/year-of-healing/ to listen to the audio. When you are there please also click "I commit to today's practice."

My warmest wishes to you.

Amit
Amit Sood, MD MSc FACP
http://www.amitsood.com

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 24 7:08am

In reply to @johnbishop "I have several friends who I help with computer problems which has been a reminder for..." + (show)

I meant to say that I am one of those older trees helping other older trees which is why this email brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart 🙂

adr | @adr | Jul 25 6:27am

In reply to @johnbishop "I have several friends who I help with computer problems which has been a reminder for..." + (show)

Thank you the link. I just subscribed and think the short little audio will be a great way to start the day!

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 25 6:41am

In reply to @adr "Thank you the link. I just subscribed and think the short little audio will be a..." + (show)

I had the good fortune to meet Dr. Amit Sood where he spoke at a conference in Rochester, MN. As part of his talk, he showed us this short video.

Zebra | @californiazebra | Jul 25 9:53am

In reply to @johnbishop "I had the good fortune to meet Dr. Amit Sood where he spoke at a conference..." + (show)

Great little video. I really like Amit Sood’s books and philosophy. Thanks for sharing.

adr | @adr | Jul 25 10:40am

In reply to @johnbishop "I had the good fortune to meet Dr. Amit Sood where he spoke at a conference..." + (show)

That must have been amazing! This is some really good stuff. I've never heard of him or his work but know I have to explore some more. I have learned so much from people sharing information. So appreciate it.

dfb | @dfb | Jul 26 12:35pm

I am grateful that my suicide attempts were not successful, though, at the time, I was not happy about it.

I was suicidal pretty much my whole life but never attempted it until after I had stopped venlafaxine, and they put me back on it because of the discontinuation effects. The following week, I tried to kill myself three times.

The good news is that it changed something in me when I realized it was the medication that caused such overwhelming anxiety along with the lifelong depression I had learned to live with.

For most of my life, the effort involved in killing myself was beyond me. When the venlafaxine was restarted, anxiety, the likes of which I have never felt, made the desire to kill myself overwhelming.

The only reason I am still alive is I am a felon and can't own a gun. I am afraid of going back to prison if I am caught with one, and I couldn't get the knot on the ligature just right, so I would pass out and die without suffering.

Suicide is an option; tens of thousands of people take it every year, but waiting is also an option. Knowing I had the option kept me alive for 60 years. Eventually, the suffering lessons as we become accustomed to a new level of pain.

I believe people are most at risk when the suffering shows up out of nowhere.

Now, life is filled with joy, like Scrouge when he realizes Christmas hasn't passed.

As for chronic suffering that is terminal, I believe that humans should have the choice to end their suffering, but that's just me.

I hope everyone lives in peace and good health.

AZ | @equanimous | Jul 27 8:46am

I came down with covid a couple days ago. Since then, I've had splitting headache, body aches...the works. And what being sick always reminds me of is how grateful I am for my body's natural intelligence and ability to heal. I've elected not to take the antiviral drugs and to let my body "do its thing." Thank you body! However...if this were something more serious, I would elect for medical intervention. And, for that, I am also reminded how grateful I am to live in a time where medical advances are truly amazing.