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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.

parrot53 | @parrot53 | Jul 3, 2023

Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for the music in my life. My husband plays guitar and performs with a singer/ violin player. She is a very talented younger woman. The music they play is diverse and delightful. They play everything from Frank Sinatra to the Cranberries. I get to hear them all summer long. This past weekend they played at a local farmers market. People were so appreciative and some sat for almost an hour and a half just listening. It is always a pleasure to listen to good musicians and I feel doubly blessed to have this duo in my life. They bring me great joy.

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2 replies
Lagrange 5 | @lagrange5 | Jul 3, 2023
In reply to @parrot53 "Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for the music in my life. My husband plays..." + (show)
@parrot53

Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for the music in my life. My husband plays guitar and performs with a singer/ violin player. She is a very talented younger woman. The music they play is diverse and delightful. They play everything from Frank Sinatra to the Cranberries. I get to hear them all summer long. This past weekend they played at a local farmers market. People were so appreciative and some sat for almost an hour and a half just listening. It is always a pleasure to listen to good musicians and I feel doubly blessed to have this duo in my life. They bring me great joy.

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Hello @parrot53,

If you haven't already done so, you may want to go to the discussion group "Music Helps Me". You may find some very interesting discussions in there.

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alli3 | @alli3 | Jul 3, 2023

I am grateful to have a roof over my head, running water, electricity, indoor plumbing, food in my fridge, work that I love, people I can count on and much, much, more.
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2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 3, 2023
In reply to @alli3 "I am grateful to have a roof over my head, running water, electricity, indoor plumbing, food..." + (show)
@alli3

I am grateful to have a roof over my head, running water, electricity, indoor plumbing, food in my fridge, work that I love, people I can count on and much, much, more.

Jump to this post

Today I am sitting with an overflowing heart, watching my husband and 7 year old grandson work on a complex project, while his little brother watches our photo frame, Mommy takes a much needed nap, and my visiting friend reads her book.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the 4th with a paddleboard outing in the morning, and a picnic in the backyard with friends and family later.
When I count my blessings, I can temporarily forget my aches and pains, and the craziness in our world.

Sue

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1k194 | @1k194 | Jul 3, 2023

Zebra, your walks sound wonderful and the pics you posted are beautiful.

I am grateful today, as I am each and every day, for my husband. He is my everything.

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Jul 3, 2023
In reply to @parrot53 "Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for the music in my life. My husband plays..." + (show)
@parrot53

Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for the music in my life. My husband plays guitar and performs with a singer/ violin player. She is a very talented younger woman. The music they play is diverse and delightful. They play everything from Frank Sinatra to the Cranberries. I get to hear them all summer long. This past weekend they played at a local farmers market. People were so appreciative and some sat for almost an hour and a half just listening. It is always a pleasure to listen to good musicians and I feel doubly blessed to have this duo in my life. They bring me great joy.

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@parrot53 -- How wonderful to have such talent in your very own home! I love when someone is randomly performing somewhere. Thanks for sharing! You sparked my gratitude topic for today:

I'm grateful for all the wonderful tribute and other concerts here in my retirement community. We have our own 800 seat performing arts center for indoor concerts all year and a lovely enclosed patio venue that holds 300 and serves dinner during the best weather months. The tribute bands are wonderful and sometimes we also get the actual famous artists from yesteryear. I go to 12-15 each year with friends, low cost, amazing and I can just walk down the street -- so convenient! Five minutes after the concert, I'm home in my jammies savoring another great memory. Mostly 50s - 80s music. Something for everyone! 🙂

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Jul 6, 2023
In reply to @alli3 "I am grateful to have a roof over my head, running water, electricity, indoor plumbing, food..." + (show)
@alli3

I am grateful to have a roof over my head, running water, electricity, indoor plumbing, food in my fridge, work that I love, people I can count on and much, much, more.

Jump to this post

@alli3 great reminder to be grateful for all the basic necessities that are also luxuries we enjoy, but take for granted. I'll add that I'm grateful for all the people that help make those things possible like inventors, farmers, truckers, entrepreneurs, plumbers, carpenters, supermarket workers, etc. It's definitely a group effort to supply all these basic necessities and luxuries to us.

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valerieanthony31 | @valerieanthony31 | Jul 9, 2023

I am so happy that I found this gratitude group! I write a gratitude list every morning of ten things I am grateful for -- and I try not to repeat entries from previous days. One of my entries today is that I am so deeply grateful the life and health of my sixteen-year-old cat named Scout who is my constant company as I work to find a solution to my chronic pain disorder. I have been housebound for a month, but the way I choose to look at it is that it just gives me more time to cuddle with her.

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1 reply
Zebra | @californiazebra | Jul 9, 2023
In reply to @valerieanthony31 "I am so happy that I found this gratitude group! I write a gratitude list every..." + (show)
@valerieanthony31

I am so happy that I found this gratitude group! I write a gratitude list every morning of ten things I am grateful for -- and I try not to repeat entries from previous days. One of my entries today is that I am so deeply grateful the life and health of my sixteen-year-old cat named Scout who is my constant company as I work to find a solution to my chronic pain disorder. I have been housebound for a month, but the way I choose to look at it is that it just gives me more time to cuddle with her.

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Thanks for joining in! Pets are the best! Hope Scout sets a longevity record!

I'm grateful I found two more places to enjoy nature hikes this weekend! I was able to take pix of some new birds and get some great exercise. It was nice to go on a couple new adventures. 🙂

I'm also thankful that I get to go visit a litter of 6 week old puppies tomorrow just for fun! Let the cuteness begin!!!

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jeffsmock | @jeffsmock | Jul 10, 2023

I am thankful for hospice. I recently had health issues, and was unable to care for my wife, who is in hospice here at home. She was able to go a hospice house for a respite. It was a very nice place. That allowed me time to heal a little. We both needed a break from everything. Very grateful. I'm grateful she is back now. 🙏🙏❤️🙂

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