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Gratitude: Today, I'm grateful for...
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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Seven years ago today, while visiting family in Kansas 350 miles from home, in the middle of dinner on Christmas Eve, I succumbed to a stroke and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.
I spent nearly four weeks getting well enough to travel home to Fort Worth.
I am very grateful for the progress I've made since then, and especially grateful for my wife, who has been truly heroic all through this.
(The attached photo was taken 12/26/18, when I could sit up on my own. I managed half a smile.
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11 Reactions@scottrl
A Christmas Miracle!
Merry Christmas Scott
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4 Reactions@scottrl
Keep your faith in God and show appreciation to those around you going through the valley and you will see sunshine and your life's purpose. Kiss your wife and enjoy each day as if its your last and do not forget the true reason for this season. Merry Christmas
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5 ReactionsI’m grateful for all who have come here whether to share your stories or to lend support. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the New Year bring us peace, happiness, and harmony.
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4 ReactionsYou remind me how grateful I am for my kitty, Rocky, who is 19 this month but looks and acts like a kitten. He is such a snuggler. I am also grateful for having a home in Vienna (VA) which would no longer be affordable if I hadn't moved here 30 years ago. I am also grateful for finding this and other support groups to tackle and conquer osteoporosis, which is my new challenge!
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8 Reactions@pbradley1954
yes, God has given us many blessings, and we need to be thankful for the challenges as well.
Others often have worse challenges than we do and sometimes we forget that. It is difficult pill to swallow when our challenges are hard to face. A smile is a good antidote. Don't give up.
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3 ReactionsA roof over my head,
nutritious food to eat,
comfortable clothes to wear
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3 ReactionsToday I am grateful for friends. Just spent a wonderful afternoon and evening with two friends who have been through some hard changes lately, and visiting over cold beverages and a light supper was a blessing.
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4 ReactionsI very lucky to recently be in Florida. My husband and I decided walk on a beautiful long pier on the Gulf. Admission was $1.00. But when I went to pay mine I was told it was free because I am on a cane! So--free for disabled folks. One dollar is a small amount, but I was as happy as if it had been huge cost! Ir was a beautiful walk. And my husband did not seem to mind that he had to pay! Anyway, this was a few days ago but I'll always remember this with gratitude--a lovely experience made more beautiful by human kindness.
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7 ReactionsI try and start and end everyday telling myself or writing it down the things I am grateful. Today I am grateful having my mental and physical abilities for having a Stroke and it triggered my AFIB to return. Mayo Clinic got my AFIB to stop and I am on Medication. I am 81 years old and need a Walker 90% of the time but I can walk..I have two wonderful Rescue Dogs, Abigail, Big English Bull Dog 10 yrs. And Prince, Boston Terrier that is 5 yrs old. I am grateful to still be here today to love and care for them. I am content and have Peace.
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6 Reactions