Smart!

Today I am Grateful For ~

• Morning walks along the river.
• Meditating as I do so.
• Seeing my power animal (turtle) twice this morning, two different turtles...one swam right past me as I was resting on my haunches on the riverbank!
• Nurturing from Richard last night.
• Seeing the dog across the street out for a walk with her owner yesterday morning...she was wearing a hot pink sweater (the dog that is).
• A study group at my house tonight for my Great Works class.
• Elispses and the creative way I use them.
• Choosing to study creatively, as opposed to by the book (forgive the pun).
• Having fun with the kids from class and not having to dumb myself down in order to fit in.
• Appreciating their intellectual curiosity.
• A compliment~I like compliments...
• People chipping in to cover the cost of the pizza last, even though I had offered to buy them pizza.
• Intectual discussions that aren't stuffy.
• Having everyone back over Tuesday night.

May All Be Loved, May All Be Blessed, May All Feel Peace...

Looking in the Mirror

Today I am Grateful for ~

• Warm sunshine.
• Walking near the river this morning.
• Disovering more paths by deciding to take a risk.
• Going places I haven't gone before.
• Seeing a woodpecker about 15 - 2o feet from me and watching him/her for a few minutes.
• Seeing a finch while I was on the trail and a snake before I even got to the trail.
• Finding out there was a trail.
• A wonderful healing meditation during my trail walk.
• Feeling how absolutely lucky I am to live in this neighborhood.
• Slightly arrogant men and how hot they are (sorry Mom & Dad!).
• How much those men challenge me to grow and learn from them.
• The beautiful, sensitive, little boy that lies within each and every one of them.
• Learning about myself and seeing all parts of me, even when the view isn't pretty.
• Not Judging myself for what I see.
• Opportunities to grow.
• Knowing that I am becoming more and more of "Who I Really Am".
• Richard's cooperation and helping me to get what I want.

May All Be Loved, May All Be Blessed, May All Feel Peace...

Love, Sharon

Deep In My Faith

Today I am Grateful for ~

• Straight talks and saying what's true.
• Defending myself without fighting.
• Watching as things that were stated in the blessing that my Dad gave me, came to fruition.
• The loving support of the Universe.
• Bringing someone to tears (by being loving, not by being mean.).
• Shaina and I sharing moments of talking about our men.
• The ever maturing relationship we share as she grows older.
• Taking several breaks to relax and breathe while taking my Algebra test today.
• Eating dinner on the front porch.
• Listening to all the birds while doing so.
• Richard almost always eating whatever I feed him.
• The connections I've made with my fellow students.
• Knowing that I will walk along the river tomorrow morning.
• The talks that Richard and I have had about moving back to California.
• An opportunity to take part in a mock jury (and get paid, oh! and fed!!!).
• Seeing proof that, "The power of love, is larger than rage."
• You.

May All Be Loved, May All Be Blessed, May All Feel Peace...

I Am Loved

Today I am Grateful For ~

• The song "A Prayer for People Who Hate", and how it came to me at the perfect time. Discovering it applies not only to people who hate, but those that hurt us, as well.
• That the video was filmed in one of my favorite places on earth, Balboa Park.
• Fond memories of the week that my 6th grade class spent there during school hours.
• Knowing that sometimes I am Divinely Guided.
• Knowing that my heart will soon be thawing.
• Amy's love and compassion (oh, yeah and her flexibility!).
• Choosing a new path for my walk today and discovering that I can get really close to the river. I've lived here 12 years and never knew that!
• The huge turtle I saw sunning itself on a log.
• Seeing three snakes slithering along.
• The path through the woods that I never new existed.
• Sitting down and having a heart-to-heart with God.
• The blessing my Dad gave me regarding school and how much easier school has been (after I got the big paper handed in!).
• Being reminded that my compassion can be life-changing (thanks Anne!).
• The opportunities for fun coming up soon.
• The opportunity to start a part-time job this fall that would be perfect for me.
• The love and support of my parents.
• You...

Faith

Today I am Grateful for ~

• Having renewed faith inand commitment to my studies.
• Noticing the green everywhere right after thinking, "All right, now I'm sick of the cold weather (read winter)!" It helped me to see that Spring is still here, despite the cold temps.
• Seeing two squirrels affectionately climbing all over each other this morning. I can't decide whether they were litter-mates or lovers, but they were cute!
• Shaina going to the bank for me yesterday.
• Richard putting away dinner last night.
• The myriad of bird calls throughout my neighborhood.
• Coming across my skunk friend again on a walk recently.
• Coming up with a creative solution to our window coverings, using what I already have and loving the idea, not just being okay with it.
• Praying with my Mom this morning and her saying/praying what I needed to hear.
• How nice the house still looks.
• The delicious toast I had this morning, thanks to my MIL's home baked bread, yum!
• Looking forward to womyn's camp.
• Looking forward to reading Mama Gena's writings.
• Finding the synchronicity between my studies and my life...Reading Nietzsche right now and discovering that he's a pretty resentful, anti-rules, pissed at women kind of guy. And yet, he still has moments of clarity and brilliance. Hm-m, sounds like someone I love. If I can appreciate Nietzsche's brillance, despite the madness, maybe I can appreciate the Nietzsche in my life...
• Synchronicity
• Faith
• Hope
• Love
• You

Blessings

Today I am Grateful for ~

• My parents who will drive 17 hours to come see me (and Shaina and Richard, of course).
• That Easter dinner went well and the house looked nice.
• That several times, people said, "Good job."
• The birthday balloons and cake that Richard's sister Vickie share with me/us (her birthday is 8 days after mine).
• That all the snow that came down never quite stuck, allowing Richard to continue working w/Brad on their newest product release.
• Two blessings from my Dad.
• Mom's compassion and support.
• That Shaina seemed to relish her baptism.
• That my BF came to Shaina's baptism. We weren't expecting her, it was a pleasant surprise. Thanks Michelle!
• The way that my parents jump in and help, we make a good team!
• They opportunity to cry on Dad's shoulder.
• They way that they treat our dogs, letting them out when they need it. Disciplining them when they need it. Cuddling on the couch with them. Mom and Dad win the perfect "Doggie Grandparents" award.
• The way the dogs just accepted Mom and Dad as part of our "pack". I didn't have to worry about minding the dogs in addition to everything else going on.
• Shaina being a divine help on Sunday and without complaint.
• That everyone seemed to enjoy the dinners I made.
• Still really loving 40!
• Having my faith in my feminity and attractiveness renewed.
• The opportunity to be valuable to someone else and keep myself in check at the same time.

Anticipation

Today I am Grateful for ~

• Seeing Michelle, Bob and Nikki Saturday night.
• Watching Shaina share "insider" jokes with them about Catholic things, knowing that this kind of sharing is something she has always wanted. And the thought just now that if we had given her siblings to joke with about us, she may not have developed her spiritual side.
• Her impending baptism and joining the Catholic church.
• That she has chosen her own spiritual path.
• Watching "Peaceful Warrior" again and enjoying it.
• The bright sunshine today.
• Starting my Parent Coaching job tonight.
• The opportunity to help create peace in one more home.
• My cat laying next to me while I was working on my homework earlier.
• Warmer temps.
• The support and acceptance in Women's Group and how safe Kari, Shannon, and Cindy make it to explore all parts of myself (even the parts I'd rather not have).
• The energy and excitement around my house whenever my family is coming to visit.
• Seeing more people out and about as the weather warms up.