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! 🙂

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jeffsmock | @jeffsmock | Sep 28, 2023

In reply to @jeffsmock "Thank you @bf99 My Wife passed on August 3rd. I was blessed to have her in..." + (show)

Thank you for the hug

jeffsmock | @jeffsmock | Sep 28, 2023

In reply to @peacetoyou "Many blessings to all of you. I am so grateful that l can walk today. I..." + (show)

Keep positive

AZ | @equanimous | Sep 29, 2023

I am grateful for my body. I know it is doing the very best it can, given my particular set of circumstances. I especially thank my lungs for the good job they are doing, despite the challenges they face. Here's to positive thinking, gratitude, and self love.

Zebra | @californiazebra | Sep 29, 2023

In reply to @equanimous "I am grateful for my body. I know it is doing the very best it can,..." + (show)

I love that Arlo! That is great food for thought today.

jpm16 | @jpm16 | Sep 30, 2023

I am thankful for Creation, the beauty in the world, for bodies that very often are effective healers of themselves when properly feed and treated, and most of all thankful to the Creator for all of these things, the Lord Jesús Christ!

Scott R L | @scottrl | Sep 30, 2023

I had a stroke in December 2018. From the start, I've tried to be grateful for as much as possible.

Every day, I try to make a list what I'm grateful for that day, large and small. It's a good habit, and much better than making a list of what I'm not thrilled about! That's a highly toxic habit that poisons everyone around.

Grateful to have a home, grateful to be improving, however slowly. Especially grateful for my wife, the real hero in my story.

Anyone else grateful for this forum?

Zebra | @californiazebra | Sep 30, 2023

In reply to @scottrl "I had a stroke in December 2018. From the start, I've tried to be grateful for..." + (show)

@scottrl

Yes, grateful for this forum. Grateful for your good message and attitude. Prayers for your continued improvement. Bless your wife for all the TLC she gives you. Thanks for sharing.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 30, 2023

We are working with our grandkids to pause before meals and express thankfulness. Beyond food, family and friends, we get some surprises once in a while - Legos, exercise, and tablets (computer time) have been a few.

Today, I am thankful for vaccines. I am old enough to remember losing friends to Scarlet Fever and pneumonia, knowing people who lived with post-polio disabilities that led to early death. I am also endangered by lung disease and other conditions, so without flu, pneumonia, shingles, Covid & RSV vaccines, I would be very isolated.

And for ibuprofen and ice to ease the discomfort of choosing to get 2 vaccines the same day, and less then 2 weeks after my flu shot!

Sue

Zebra | @californiazebra | Sep 30, 2023

In reply to @sueinmn "We are working with our grandkids to pause before meals and express thankfulness. Beyond food, family..." + (show)

@sueinmn
Good for you teaching the grandkids. I think grandparents can add so much value since we have more life experience than young parents and have sorted out what’s important and what’s not in life.

Stay healthy! 🙂

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 30, 2023

In reply to @californiazebra "@sueinmn Good for you teaching the grandkids. I think grandparents can add so much value since..." + (show)

They are great teachers as well. And so is their auntie. We love to offer some things overworked parents sometimes miss. Today, Dad wad helping a friend at his Mom's cabin, Mom was trying to sort winter clothes and recuperate from a car accident earlier in the week, and we offered quiet time to older brother, who loves his down time, and extra attention to the younger one, who loves his one-on-one opportunities.