Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 23

Mom and me in September 2015

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 23 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating

1. Grateful for a full day spent with my mom today.
2. Grateful for the the ways that Margo, my mom's PD nurse, cares for her.
3. Grateful for Dr. Clyne who mom calls Hot Sox
4. Grateful for breakfast at Iris cafe.
5. Grateful for a between doctor appointment break at my house with music videos and Porkchop.
6. Grateful for Dr. Barnes and his reassuring way with mom.
7. Grateful for sorting and shredding  a huge pike of junk mail.
8. Grateful that I remembered to renew the license tag for the car before I got stopped
9. Grateful for a wonderful dinner with mom and Dion at the Sagebrush Cantina
10. Grateful for Porkchop snoring in his bed next to my desk as I type this blog entry.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 22

Moon in the West and Sun in the East

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 22 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating

1. Grateful that all three furnaces at our Spiritual Center are working.
2. Grateful for no ice on our walkway today.
3. I am grateful that Spirit brought a message to people today in spite of my feeling a bit scattered.
4. Grateful to focus on Hope today.
5. Grateful for honest questions at our membership meeting today.
6. Grateful for the 49 people who made the decision to join in this community called Unity of Royal Oak.
7. Grateful for a nice early dinner.
8. Grateful for officiating at Igor and Juiijana's re-marriage
9. Grateful for the opportunity to meet Lilly, Julijana's amazing sister whop is an MD, PhD and is not running a construction company.
10. Grateful for the exposure to a wee bit of Macedonian culture.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 21

First Week in Advent - Hope

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 21 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating

1. Grateful for nothing on my calendar today.
2. Grateful that I remembered to buy an Advent wreath.
3. Grateful that there were few people shopping at Costco since they don't run black Friday blah blah specials.
4. Grateful for a Costco food demonstrations free lunch.
5. Grateful to hear that Rowland was up and walked today.
6. Grateful for the shift into the Christmas season.
7. Grateful that last weeks snow is all gone.
8. Grateful for Soundscapes music channel.
9. Grateful for working through the music snafu for service tomorrow.
10. Grateful for Brooke who cleans our spiritual center.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 20

Black Friday?

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 20 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful that I have no need to go to any stores today.
2. I am grateful that, although I love a great bargain, I a, no longer looking to buy something to me me happy for I am happy at and from my core.
3. I am grateful that people share parts of their journeys with me. Journeys of life & death, rejoicing and grieving.
4. I am grateful for the gift of faith which anchors me.
5. I am grateful for a warm rainy morning on Nov 27.
6. I am grateful for the ability to turn of the so called "news."
7. I am grateful for a lively and mostly easy inner life filled with Light.
8. I am grateful for the car I drive that allows me to visit people and take care of my personal business.
9. I am grateful for the taste of turtle cheesecake.
10. I am grateful that I had only one piece of turtle cheesecake.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 19

My Sister Dion and Sister-in-Law Stephanie
Thanksgiving Day 2015

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 19 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. Grateful for a quiet morning at home.
2. Grateful for the smell of butternut squash baking.
3. Grateful for a lovely phone call from Maryann.
4. Grateful for the texts, phone calls and FB posts aharing Happy Thanksgiving wishes.
5. Grateful for a pleasant driver to Lapeer.
6. I am grateful for the good news my brother Darrin shared.
7. Grateful to share some ideas that see,ed to bring another perspective with Doug.
8. Grateful for an easy Thanksgiving Afternoon with my brother and sister and part of the family.
9. Grateful to heart the Lions won on Thanksgiving Day.
10. Grateful to hear that the 42nd Thanksgiving Dinner went well at Renaissance Unity.
11. Grateful for a wonderful telephone conversation with Karen Boland.
12. I am grateful for a fabulous collaborative family Thanksgiving Dinner

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 18

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 18 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful for this Thanksgiving Song by Mary Chapin Carpenter that we used during service last Sunday.
2. Grateful for getting the Mailing about our Annual Meeting mailed out.
3. Grateful for CJ and her willingness to stand in her faith.
4. Grateful for the copier being repaired finally.
5. Grateful for time with Steve and Katy at Beaumont.
6. Grateful for Cathie's successful procedure.
7. Grateful for the gift of ladies shoes for homeless folks from Patti.
8. Grateful for my sister's silly phone call.
9. Grateful for finding everything I needed at Aldi.
10. Grateful for the unseasonably warm weather.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 17

40th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Renaissance Unity
November 28, 2013

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 17 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful that Porkchop slept well after his oral surgery yesterday and is up, frisky and hungry.
2. I am grateful for having flexibility with my work hours when needed.
3. I am grateful I was able to figure out what was wrong with the vacuum.
4. I am grateful that all of the printers are once again online and  shared.
5. I am grateful that we now have WiFi throughout our Spiritual Center.
6. I am grateful for my my first legitimate, I asked for it "senior discount" at Tim Horton's.
7.  I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with the team who have stepped up to carry on Renaissance Unity's tradition of Thanksgiving Dinners.
8. I am grateful for Rev. Karen Boland who was the start of those dinners. In 1972, she ate dinner alone in a restaurant (she was not yet married to Jack Boland) on Thanksgiving. She noticed the number of other people sitting around at tables by themselves, eating on the holiday and the idea for a dinner was born. She asked Jack if the following year the church , then Unity of the Infinite Presence, could have a dinner and he told her okay if she organized it. The first dinner was in 1973.
9. I am grateful for the passing of this baton to a new team. 
10. I am grateful for the understanding that every step in my life, every things I have learned and done, every experience has led me to this moment.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 16

Porkchop Guarding My Home Office

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 16 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful for Donna and Kevin who have spent many hours working on my office, patching, priming, painting and indulging me to repaint the ceiling.  
2. Grateful for Erin Taylor, a friend and interior designer for helping me evolve a look, feel and environment that will maximize my work environment.
3. Grateful that there are is no more longer a tangle of wires, phone stuff and routers under my feet.
4. Grateful to see several items checked off on our Vision for Unity of Royal Oak board
5. Grateful for the team at Rochester Veterinary Hospital who took good care of Porkchop during and after his dental procedure today.
6. I am very grateful to have the funds to pay for his care.
7. I am grateful for powerful and fast routers.
8. I am grateful for my friend Marianne who shares her knowledge and tips about caring for Porkchop so generously.
9. I am grateful that my homemade chili gets tastier each day.
10. I am grateful to have gotten all of Porkchop's bedding washed while he was at the vet today.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 15

An Awesome Year to Be Born

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 15 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate 60 years of life adventure and spiritual journey today. 
2. I am grateful that God never let me go although I had tried to run so many times.
3. I am grateful that my spiritual journey has led me to where I am today, often in spite of me, and in ways that have startled me.
4. I am grateful for being born under the sign of Scorpio and on the cusp of Sagittarius.
5. I am grateful to a young girl by the name of Deanna who carried me and then labored to bring me into the world in the early hours, sixty years ago.
6. I am grateful that my mother, in spite of many challenges,(divorce, financial challenges and housing insecurity among others) managed somehow to raise 4 children, who all graduated high school, stayed out of serious trouble and are all self-sufficient. 
7. I am grateful for my dad and the many lessons he taught me about doing the right thing and not expecting someone else to take care of me.
8. I am grateful for my grandparents, especially my grand mothers, and all of my ancestors.
9. I am grateful for having grown up in Lake Orion, Michigan
10. Grateful for the skills I learned working in my dad's company, that were such a powerful foundation to grow from.
11. I am grateful for a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration at Unity of Royal Oak today that included celebrating my birthday.
12. I am grateful that Dion and Ashley were able be a part of our celebration today.
13. I am grateful for dear friends and volunteers who helped with a wonderful Thanksgiving feast.
14. I am grateful that I am still learning how to be a better me.
15. I am grateful for indoor plumbing and running water.
16. I am grateful for joy that lives in me, filling my life and coloring my world.
17. I am grateful, honored and humbled by the outpouring of love and birthday blessings from more than 400 people on Facebook.  

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 14

First Accumulating Snow of 2015
Back Yard at Unity of Royal Oak

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 14 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful for the first real snowfall of the year.
2. Grateful for the Welcome Inn Day Center in Royal Oak.
3. Grateful for the 6 people from Unity of Royal Oak who accompanied me to the Volunteer Orientation today at the Welcome Inn.
4. Grateful for a pre-Birthday lunch at Town Tavern with my friend Cindy.
5. Grateful for finding the perfect picture for the cover of the bulletin for tomorrow's service.
6. Grateful for this final day of my 59th year.
7. I am grateful for our Board President, Carol, who is a steady, calm hand on the tiller.
8. Grateful for my friend Ben who reminds me of the powerful of love and friendship.
9. Grateful for doors and opportunities opening up for our Outreach team.
10. I am grateful for Royal Oak, Michigan which is a beautiful city, more especially so in the midst of a wet snow storm which has left all the trees coated in white.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 13

Home Office View

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 13 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful for Dr. Rodney and Dr Sara, my Chiropractors.
2. I am grateful for the always changing view from my home office window.
3. Grateful for the folks who are following these posts.
4. I am grateful for the song One Power by David Nahmod
5. I am grateful for the smell of clothes fresh from the dryer.
6. So very grateful for a washer and dryer.
7. Grateful for the furnace and my ability to pay for the gas.
8. Grateful for three nieces, one nephew, one grandnephew and one grandniece (so far.)
9. Grateful for the gift of Clarity
10. Grateful that Porkchop does his business outdoors.
11. Grateful for the Life that lives me.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 12

Autumn is Fading Fast

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 12

Ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. Grateful for this cold and rainy morning.
2. Grateful for Donna's thoroughness.
3. Grateful for the reconnection with a dear friend.
4. Grateful for the ways Spirit moves to bring about healing.
5. Grateful to have sorted out the cable tangle at URO.
6. Grateful for the time I spent in Ventura, CA.
7. Grateful that I can (usually) understand Porkchop.
8. Grateful that I now have an office with hardwood floors and windows that open.
9. Grateful for my neighbors, Arnie & Kathy
10. Grateful to be caught up with this blog series

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 11

Carson Matlock: Selfie on Wood

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 11

Ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. Upcoming show of Carson Matlock's work on Dec 8 at Unity of Royal Oak
2. Grateful that CJ now has a plan for moving forward
3. Grateful for the huge shift in energy that came with my church office remodel project.
4. Grateful for a visit by Maryann
5. Grateful for Elizabeth pulling the pump out of the pond
6. Grateful for John and Delores
7. Grateful for my Nexus 6 phone
8. Grateful for cell service through Project Fi
9. Grateful that I have been able to keep up with technology enough to still be a "go to" person for people with questions.
10. Grateful that Porkchop doesn't hate his crate

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 10

Dinner?

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 10
Ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. Grateful for breakfast with Nancy
2. Grateful for understanding friends who don't take my changes in plans personally.
3. Grateful for a cold corned beef sandwich for dinner.
4. Grateful for the coffee machine in my kitchen.
5. Grateful for Laura & Ricky.
6. Grateful for the Fisher Theatre
7. Grateful that I know my way around this city.
8. Grateful I have a dishwasher.
9. Grateful for the play "Jersey Boys."
10. Grateful for Kenton & Patti

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 9

An Amazing Community!

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 9

Ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful for sleeping in!
2. Grateful for indoor bathrooms.
3. Grateful for Coney Special day at Antonio's.
4. Grateful for the credit union I have belonged to for 23 years.
5. Grateful for leaves to mow.
6. Grateful for my tractor to mow the leaves.
7. Grateful for the love behind this sign when I drove to the church (I am still on vacation.)
8. Grateful that I still had a pair of clean underwear this morning.
9. Grateful for the thought of two Thanksgiving Dinners this year.
10. Grateful to be the Pastor at Unity of Royal Oak

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 8

Lansing, Michigan, November 15, 2015

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 8
Ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. Grateful for this stunning, flaming red tree in the courtyard of the hotel.
2. Grateful for the best hot, "included with your hotel room charge" breakfast I have ever had, thus far.
3. Grateful for the opportunity to preach at Unity of Clare this morning.
4. Grateful for the drive from Lansing to Clare up 127 this morning
5. Grateful for the windmill turbine farm I drove through south of Mount Pleasant.
6. I am grateful for celebrating ten years of pastoral, "parish" ministry.
7. Grateful to the point of tears for the Love experienced and expressions today at Unity of Clare.
8. Grateful for Tuna Noodle Casserole being served at Unity or Royal Oak while I was away.
9. Grateful to take a few days off.
10. Grateful for my mom and sister who loved on Porkchop while I was away.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 7

Martha Creek @ Angels Landing Spiritual Center

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 7

1. I am grateful for a weekend away.
2. I am grateful for an easy drive to Toledo.
3. I am grateful for time with my spiritual teacher Martha Creek.
4. I am grateful for The Work which gives me a way to return to sanity.
5. Grateful for the ways that Martha's teaching has morphed.
6. Grateful for deciding to drive partway to Clare while it was still light.
7. Grateful for the waitress in the restaurant tonight.
8. Grateful for free WiFi
9. Grateful for the news that my office has wood floors under the ratty old carpet.
10. Grateful for a hotel with a restaurant tonight.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 6

Renaissance Unity Shelter Week 8, Friday Night

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 6

1. Grateful for the opportunity to serve oatmeal to the guests at Shelter Week #8 at Renaissance Unity.
2. Grateful to get the debris from demolishing furniture and old closet drawers removed from our spiritual center.
3. Grateful  for a wonderful breakfast skillet at Royal Diner.
4. Grateful for a mid day nap with the Porkchop boy.
5. Grateful for a strong sense of guidance to attend Martha Creek's workshop on Living The Work tomorrow at Angels Landing Spiritual Center in Toledo.
6. Grateful for my mom watching Porkchop for me.
7. Grateful for the opportunity to serve with the dinner crew at Shelter Week 8.
8. Grateful for the being asked to share the prayer in circle with the volunteers.
9. Grateful for time with Carson Matlock to record some video's for the our upcoming "Stay Put" one man one day showing of his work at Unity of Royal Oak on Dec 8.
10. I am grateful for the technology skills I have accumulated over the last 30 years.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 5

My office, totally empty and ready for painting!

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 5

1. I am grateful that I was able to go to bed early last night and catch up on some sleep!
2. Grateful that Porkchop took care of his business in record time this morning.
3. I am grateful that this first cold weather storm did not bring snow
4. Grateful for the "pressure relief valve" effect of demolition and hauling stuff out to go into recycling this morning.
5. Grateful to be able to share Thanksgiving Dinner setup information with April Ellenburg.
6. I am grateful for our Board of Trustees.
7. Grateful for an awesome board meeting today and for decisions made.
8. Grateful for passion, peace, power and Presence that flows from walking in Love.
9. I am grateful that the power is on at home.
10. Grateful for dear friends who share a passion for Life and making a difference.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 4

Misty November Morning

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 4

1. I am grateful for being able to fall back to sleep after my 4 am meditation
2. I am grateful for the Veterans who have fought and died to preserve the American experiment in self governance.
3. I am grateful for the misty view across the back yard this morning
4. I am grateful for health insurance that includes prescription coverage
5. I am grateful for the dishwasher doing the dishes while I write this entry.
6. Grateful for the pictures posted from Shelter Week 8 at Renaissance Unity.
7. I am grateful for the ways that Rev. Jim Lee and the leadership team at Renaissance Unity let me take on Outreach which has transformed me personally and molded and shaped my ministry.
8. I am grateful for having a job I look forward to doing each day.
9. I am grateful for the way that Porkchop jumps enthusiastically about going with me in the morning as if it was the best thing ever.
10. I am grateful for a second cup of coffee, some quiet music the stillness of a morning spent with Spirit.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 3

ROPA Prayer Breakfast Nov 10, 2015

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 3

1. I am grateful for the Royal Oak Pastors 1st Quarterly Prayer Breakfast. The focus on this morning was homelessness in our area.
2. Grateful to Royal Oak Schools for the use of the "Boardroom" for our breakfast without charge.
3. I am grateful for the doors being opened and the connections made for ministry in the Royal Oak Area
4. I am grateful that Unity of Royal Oak was well represented at the prayer breakfast by Cindy, Karen, Delores and Matthew!
5. Grateful for the people who took a chit and committed to prayerful action in positive ways to help eliminate homelessness.
6. I am grateful for the example for civic service exemplified by Jim Ellison, Mayor of Royal Oak.
7. I am grateful and blessed by the progress demonstrated today in Shirley B's recovery and for the loving care being provided by her circle of friends.
8. Grateful for the staff at Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak.
9. I am grateful that I can drive between work and home on surface roads.
10. I am grateful tp be able to go to bed early.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 2

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 2

1. I am grateful for finding several interesting desks.
2. I am grateful for having choices when I open the refrigerator or the pantry.
3. I am grateful for a reliable and comfortable car that allows great mobility.
4. I am grateful for the realization that I have been thinking small.
5. I am grateful for the experience of working online with three other pastors on the same documents at the same time via Google docs.
6. I am grateful that most of the leaves are off the trees now so when it drys up, I can mow.
7. I am grateful that I know that I don't know.
8. I am grateful for each and every "you" that might read this blog post.
9. I am grateful that Spirit has persisted with me.
10. I am grateful for remembering to make this post.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 1

Days of Gratitude for 2015

This is day one of a practice of listing ten things I am grateful for each day through the end of the year without repeating anything.

1. I am grateful for the music that Joel & Julie shared this morning during service, especially for them learning "I Am A Child of This Universe" by Faith Rivera
2. I am grateful that Renaissance Unity has continued hosting the Macomb County Warming Center's Rotating Shelter project that I had a hand in launching four years ago. Shelter Week 8 opened at their church tonight.
3. I am grateful for our Leadership Team at Unity of Royal Oak. This group of volunteers and staff have an amazing consciousness and are a joy to me!.
4. I am grateful for my friend and teacher Martha Creek who introduced this practice during a talk at Renaissance Unity several years ago.
5. I am grateful for the team who have assembled to paint my office at the church this coming weekend.
6. I am grateful to my family for their love and support over the years
7. I am grateful for the friends who have always been there for me.
8. I am grateful for my neighbor Fred and all the kind things he does for me without being asked.
9. I am grateful that Spirit never stopped calling me into professional ministry even though it took a long time for me to respond completely
10. I am grateful for the 10 pounds of love with a cold nose, in the form of a miniature pinscher whose name is Porkchop who has been my companion these past 2.5 years.