Day 44 in Gratitude

Today we were privileged to be a part of a Recommit to Love ceremony at our Center. We talked about how loving ourselves unconditionally allows for an open heart to see and be love. "How could anyone ever tell you you were anything less than beautiful. How could anyone ever tell you you were less than whole. How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle, how deeply you're connected to my soul" ~Libby Rodrick. I am grateful for the power of love.

I have learned that every emotion and thought we have is either based from love or fear. If you have fear in your heart and mind, it is for lack of love. I choose to grow in love, to be love, to share love, to understand others in love and for that I am grateful.

And in the words of John Lennon, whose lyrics have moved me since I was a child;

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Thank you to John and all the other dreamers out there, never stop dreaming, I am grateful for each and every one of you.

What are you grateful for?

Day 20 in Gratitude

I was listening to NPR today as they reported these numbers: The number of unemployed persons decreased by 556,000 to 14.5 million in December, and the unemployment rate dropped to 9.4 percent. Over the year, these measures were down from 15.2 million and 9.9 percent,respectively. I guess one would say these numbers hold some hope that things are turning around. I personally feel they are but as my readers already know, I am an optimist. The unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 9.4 percent in December of 2010. The fact remains, these numbers are staggering, shocking and unacceptable. More and more people go to bed hungry, cold and without any jobs to sustain them. For those of you who have jobs whether menial or with prestige, I encourage you to count your blessings. I was without work for almost a year, my husband has been unemployed now for one year and actively continues to look. Currently I have been employed for 4 months and for that, every morning I say THANK YOU GOD.

I am grateful for my health. I have many friends and acquaintances who are struggling to hold on to theirs. What some go through on a daily basis while battling their illness; pain, uncertainty, sickness and fear I pray for your comfort. I wake every morning and forget how healthy I actually am. My feet keep holding me up, my eyes see, my heart beats normally and my breath goes without any guidance. For all that, I am truly thankful.

On a lighter note, For Christmas this year my three boys bought my husband and I tickets to see Wicked.
"A breathtaking success story, of a magnitude the theater has not witnessed since the peak years of 'The Phantom of the Opera' ~ The Washington Post.
"This musical has it all in one 'WICKED' brilliant package, women together with memorable music, clever lyrics, and a heavy dose of humor." ~ Boston Globe.
We were blown away. The best play I've ever seen, my husband enjoyed it thoroughly. You want to skip out of the theater humming the songs with a huge smile on your face. Thank you guys, what a wonderfully thoughtful Christmas gift, we loved every minute of it!

What are you grateful for?