Day 34 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. This incredible poem, The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman
2. Ashley helping me get a load of old computer carcasses ready to take to SOCRA.
3. Finally being able to dispose of approximately 3 years of used insulin syringes (sealed in the proper waste containers.)
4. The fact that Rochester Hills now participates in SOCRA.
5. The two attendants at SOCRA totally emptied out the car full of stuff for recycling.
6. The sheer number of people at the Recycling Center.
7. A very helpful deli clerk at Kroger who helped me determine how many feet of submarine sandwich we need for Sunday.
8. My very portable Chromebook convertible tablet which makes note-taking easy.
9. Meeting with LD Phillip's family in Lake Orion to plan his funeral for Saturday morning.
10. A sense of accomplishment at getting a lot done today. Each load of stuff I haul out makes the entire house seem lighter.

Christmas continues ...

Ric

Day 33 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Eli carving the Rib Roast.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. A wonderful family Christmas dinner today with most of us gathered together at Darrins and Steph’s house.
2. Diane the neighbor who took a double-take as I got out of my car asking, "Ric is that you?" I said yes she hasn't seen me since I've released so much I needed energy to the universe 
3.  An absolutely stress-free day. Which was so delightful. There was a point in time where the holidays became such a hassle because we couldn't all be together or different ones couldn't be together and I never liked it.
4.  Finding Eli at home when I got up for my brothers which was a wonderful surprise because he thought he would have to work later.
5. Plenty of keto-friendly snacks such as sausage stuffed mushroom caps and Ham Roll-Ups with cream cheese.
6.  I made a 15 lb prime rib which was our main course it was absolutely delicious and perfectly roasted.
7. Jayda’s cheery disposition and willingness to do whatever is needed.
8.  Stephanie made a really good crustless cheesecake. Yummy.
9. Easy conversation between us about those dear family members who are no longer with us, yet are very much part of our gathering,.
10. Leftover's to bring home.

Christmas in my heart!

Ric

Day 32 (Christmas Day) I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Christmas Day Sunset

Today, I give thanks for:

1. The energy and noise of an almost 14-month-old little boy in the house on Christmas Morning. It's no different for him than every other morning. But for me, it was an incredible gift.
2. The silence in the house this morning after Ashley and Owen left to go do some Christmas stuff with other people. The transition from his youthful excited noise and absolute quiet has been a wonderful reminder for me of the very powerful gift of Silence. I could hear the quiet more clearly than I have in a long time. 
3. I received a call late this morning from my sister letting me know that she and her husband and several other people who had attended a Pizza Making Party at her house Christmas Eve were all sick with food poisoning. I'm grateful for a plan to celebrate our family Christmas on Thursday the 26th at my brother's house in Lapeer.
4. At first, I fussed with the sudden shift in plans. Over the next few hours, I realized that I was being gifted the vast majority the day it to reflect, rest, continue my own healing, listen to music, watch a documentary and some YouTube videos. In other words, Christmas Day this year was celebrate Ric day. An experience of expanding consciousness.
5. An idea that showed up in my mind or perhaps was recalled from something I've read about Christmas not being any specific day or the end of a season.  Christmas is the beginning of a season and expanding Love and Light.
6. Wearing a blue plaid flannel shirt and red plaid flannel sleep pants and not caring if the colors didn't match. 
7.  Not going farther than my own door well except to unwrap Murphy from the oak tree in the backyard. At which point of got to meet some of my new neighbors to the north family and the kids wanted to pet Murphy which she was absolutely in favor of by the way. 
8. Having lived in this neighborhood for 25 years gives me a perspective on having witnessed a couple of transitions in the neighborhood. We have a lot of younger people with families here no as earlier residents moved on and sole their homes. There was a time that gatherings of my family were some of the biggest on the street. This Christmas Day there are several large (by the number of vehicles) In our neighborhood and there are some of us that are just one or two people home. I just notice it like another chapter in a book. 
9. Sending and receiving many Merry Christmas texts filled with joy and loving thoughts.
10. The warm day, 50+ and sunny, reminded me of my first Christmas in California When I realized that it's not about the snow.  Don't get me wrong, I like the change of seasons here however if it's cold and snowy great and if it's warm and sunny great.
11. Working in my home office which has west-facing windows in the afternoon and looking up to watch the sunset which was absolutely spectacular. What an amazing day in every day.

Merry Christmas to me!

Ric

Day 31 (Christmas Eve) I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Waking up at 5 am barely able to breathe and immediately working with the power of Lifeforce and denials and affirmations.
2. Having a physician who I can contact early on a Christmas Eve morning with a big 911. I woke up sick! Bronchitis, which I've been dealing with for two weeks had taken a serious turn for the worst during the night. He called in prescriptions for prednisone and augmentin.
3. Coming to terms with the distinct possibility that I may not be able to conduct our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services.
4. The complete faith that our Team would do an outstanding job without me if needed.
5. A glimmer of hope filling me a couple of hours after the initial dose of the medications, plus nasal spray and Cold-ease because I felt like I could breathe and the coughing and running nose subsided.
6. Puffs plus tissues.
7. As the symptoms continued to subside during the morning and early afternoon, I knew that I would nake it to conduct the services.
8. Realizing this was my fifth Christmas at Unity of Royal Oak.
9. Making it to rehearsal.
10. The incredible performance of our Music Team.
11. The beautiful New Thought friendly Christmas song our Creative Director, Kim Lange wrote for the service and performed with her sister Stacey
12. The 70+ luminaries that The Britt bunch prepared and placed lining our walkways and surrounding the property.
13. Kim and everyone else, helping me to get through the service. (I was not at my best)
14. Mr. Kabobs giving the church a discount oh the meal we had ordered.
15. Mary Wackrow's poem, "Pick Your Part."
16. April & Gracie sharing "The Gift of a Letter."
17. CJ sharing "A Fillmore Christmas" written by Charles Fillmore in 1919
18. Rev. Carolyn's beautiful sharing of Christmas Is An Inner Journey
19. Seeing a whole bunch of people I haven't seen in a while.
20. The Light shining through my own foggy morning and through each element of the two services. The concepts of Light and God With Us emerging so clear and strong.
21. Nick helping me to get myself packed up and into the care to go home. He could tell I was rapidly running out of steam.
22. Driving home with a big awareness of my mom riding home with me.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Ric

Day 30 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. A Big Merry Christmas from the older lady at the dry cleaners who is passionate about sharing her faith.
2. Having the same dry cleaner for 25 years.
3. Discovering that MOD Pizza has a  delicious cauliflower crust that is Keto friendly. Yummy!
4. Premier Pet Supply has the friendliest and most helpful staff.
5. Finishing my Monday errands very early.
6. My Chromebook laptop.
7. Curiosity Stream - one of a couple of streaming services I use with Chromecast.
8. Receiving an email letting me know that Google Fi is rewarding my loyalty with a free Google Nest mini.
9. Lydia  Bastianich's PBS show, Lidia's Italy.
10. Getting to bed early - tomorrow is a long day.

Almost Christmas!

Ric

Day 29 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Sunrise on the First Day of Winter 2019

Today, I give thanks for:

URO Music Makers & Mark Watson

1. Dawn after the longest night of 2019.
2. Knowing the days will slowly begin to get longer.
3. The Unity of Royal Oak Music Makers were absolutely Fabulous this morning.
4. Receiving many cards, an art heart & a candle, cookies for Own (my grandnephew, and a Costco cash card from dear friends.
5. Our "Ugly Holiday" sweater day was a huge success. I think more than half wore a sweater. What a perfect fit with the 4th Sunday in Advent theme of Joy.
6. The Hanukkah sweater in the congregation today. 
7. As I write this sentence, the sun is setting in the west and I welcome the first night of Hanukkah.
8. Listening to the music rehearsal for Christmas Eve.
9. The opportunity for clarity about Christmas Eve Services.
10. The gorgeous "New Thought" Christmas song that our Creative Director, Kim Lange, wrote for Christmas Eve.
11. Since I became the Spiritual Leader at Unity of Royal Oak, we have been able to pay the bills when we receive them.
12. 52° on the first day of winter was awesome.
13. Karen giving me homemade cookies for Owen.

Happy Holy Days!

Ric

Day 28 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Owen's Christmas Stocking

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Owen's Christmas stocking hanging on the mantle.
2. Renewed life in the lower level of my house.
3. I picked up my new tux for Christmas Eve. It had needed alterations.
4. My friend and URO member Craig Nelson picked up the donated gas range from friends Mary & Bob Hanser and delivered it to Melanie and installed it for her.
5. Melanie making french fries for her kids for the first time in a long time.
6. Lunch with my good friend Tony.
7. A young & new server who tried too hard.
8. Free air at the gas station at BJ's Warehouse Club.
9. The low tire pressure indicator is off finally Yeah!
10. Saving .20 per gallon on my fillup at BJ's gas.
11. 46° and Sunny on the day of the Winter Solstice

Only Love,

Ric

Day 27 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

My Escape is Full of Love

Today, I give thanks for:

1. For several years, I've had the joy of playing Santa to three families who are provided food including a turkey or a ham, diapers if needed and gift cards for children's gifts and clothing through the generosity of the Ford Engineering Employees Christmas Fund (ECF).
2. A dear friend, Saundra Lamb, a now-retired Ford Engineer who connected me to this program several years ago.
3. The amazing Ford Employees who raise the money through bake sales, paying a fee to wear jeans sometimes and contributions. Then they shop and prepare the boxes for delivery.
4. It was cool to pull my new Ford Escape into the garage to be loaded up.
5. There is always meat and cheese for sandwiches, my choice was  Roast beef and 3 different kinds of cheese w/o bread.
6. Ford Sync 3, which led me to the delivery address in a different yet more direct way than I would have taken.
7. A ring-necked Pheasant running down a neighborhood street in Detroit.
8. A friend of one of the recipients who helped carry the boxes into the home.
9. Meeting the two-year-old twins of one of the recipients.
10. Learning that this lady had a promising interview during the week for a job with the Water Department in Detroit during my delivery visit and a phone call this evening telling me she had been offered a job beginning in January. Merry Christmas!
11. A long conversation with Kathy, the sister of a woman who is making her transition.
12. Discovering that Kathy had attended Grief & Loss with Rev. Sandy Hess.
13. A gift and a nudge from my mentor.

In the Spirit of this Holy Season,

Ric

Day 26 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Getting up in time to be on time to meet David & Novlett at the surgery center.
2. Several times that staff at Beaumont Medical Center West Bloomfield demonstrated by asking if they could help when I was looking around for signage for the surgery center and pointed the way It was a consistent action by 4 people I met which demonstrated that there was a culture of helping.
3. Having prayer with Novlett and David before her surgery.
4. The relaxed and easy way of the surgical team.
5. Having an hour and a half talk with David. It's the second time in a week and I am enjoying the growing friendship.
6. News from the surgeon that everything went well.
7. Any easy stress-free drive south on I75 to Detroit for dinner with a friend. The freeway has been under construction all year from  M59 to 12 Mile Rd. Resulting in the Northbound lanes shifted to the Southbound side making for very narrow lanes.
8. My dear friend Cindy Jacque's suggestion of Joe Meur Seafood for the venue for this dinner.
9. The opportunity to spend time and share an incredible meal with dear friend Angela. It has been about 5 years (when I left Renaissance Unity) since we've seen each other in person.
10. Our server, Brian, was perfectly attentive without hovering.
11. Sharing a plate of ten of the largest shrimp I have ever seen with a wonderful cocktail sauce for an appetizer. 
12. One of the best flavored, perfectly cooked Delmonico steaks I have ever enjoyed.
13. Sharing a slice of cheesecake (which I haven't had in many months) was the perfect ending to an awesome evening.
14. The picture-perfect picture backdrop of Christmas trees and the server who snapped our photograph.

Day 25 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. A working furnace on this frigid day where the high is forecast to be 18°.
2. The soothing effects of hot homemade soup.
3. Being able to work at home and nurse my bronchitis.
4. Conversation with Rev. Greg Coles about a subregional Board training that URO is hosting in April of 2020.
5. Fast internet service.
6. My recliner.
7. Not having to leave the house for anything today.
8. A large cup of hot tea.
9. Adding a fresh bag to the one in the cup and more hot water - something my mom died all afternoon and it makes me think of her.
10. The way the warm cup feels in my hand
11. Sweat pants and a sweatshirt as a work-at-home uniform.
12. Hanging up the wreath and turning it on.

Light & Love,

Ric

Day 24 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. The first "Song Around The World" I heard was Stand By Me compiled by Playing For Change. It still makes me smile and tears me up after ten years of listening.
2. A wonderful breakfast meeting with my friend David this morning.
3. Excitement about our evolving Civic Engagement/Beyond Polarization/?? experiences.
4. Adding a new member to URO today.
5. Our server was a delightful woman!
6. Fluffy and cheesy eggs at Care Muse.
7. Remembering that the structures have 2 hours free during the day, so I walked a block and got free parking.
8. Enrolling in an affordable vision plan through UWM.
9. Remembering to print return address labels for CJ.
10. Managing an almost legible note in several cards.
11. An amazing clerk named Kim at a local men's clothing store who helped me get my wardrobe together for Christmas Eve. 

Peace and Plenty on this planet. Peace and Plenty here and now!

Love,

Ric

Day 23 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Discovering this meme about everyday magic being the result of seeing everything through the eyes of love. The spiritual practice I invited our community to consider this week was looking at every person and situation this week through the eyes of love.
2. My podiatrist, Dr. John, who has taken care of my feet for many years.
3. Lake Orion, Michigan which is where I grew up and went to school. I am referring to both the Village of Lake Orion and the larger Orion Township of which the village is a part.
4. Taking a drive out Central Dr. in Lake Orion, an area called Swiss Village where we lived as I came into teenage years and puberty.
5. Memories of sleeping out in the woods with my best friend at the time.
6. Memories of skinny dipping at night out of boats especially the night of July 20, 1969. About five of us were swimming and we had thrown our jeans in the boat. Someone turned the boat over trying to climb in and I dive for the clothes. Fortunately, I got them. We got into the house just in time to watch Neil Armstrong take the first steps on the moon.
7. Memories of my first sexual experiences which involved sleepovers and sleeping out.
8. Remembering the people who lived in most of the houses back in 1970.
9. The lake (Lake Orion) after which the township and village are named. We seemed to usually find houses to rent on the lake. 
10. Finding a 15-pound Rib Roast for Christmas dinner at Costco.
11.  A pot of "Boiled Dinner" (which is what my Grandma Ledger called it) cooking on the stove. It's soup made from the end of a ham preferably with the bone, cabbage, carrots, onion, celery, and potatoes. I substitute rutabaga for the potato. Then it cooks quite a while.
12. An afternoon in Lake Orion which stirred up the memories and the stories of my childhood, my mom and her parents, my Aunt Donna & Uncle Joe and so many others.

Always with Love,

Ric

Day 22 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Week 3 of Advent for 2019, with the theme of Love!
2. The song Love Is Still The Reason by Jason Mraz set the tone for my talk. 
3. Jeb's heartfelt musical performance today.
4. Visit from my friend Rev, Linda Dominick.
5. Meeting Linda's son from LA and her friends from Ann Arbor.
6. The beauty of our Christmas decorations at URO.
7. The view out the Sanctuary window between the two Christmas trees of the big snowflakes falling gently during our service.
8. Delicious Turkey sausage soup today during fellowship after service.
9. An awesome Board of Trustees meeting after service today.
10. Warm flannel sleep pants.
11. The "Spiritual Practice" homework for this week is to look at everything this week through the eyes of Love!

I see you!

Ric

Day 21 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

PRISM Men's Chorus

Today, I give thanks for:

1. I woke up this morning.
2. Dancing with Owen in the kitchen to "Baby Shark."
3. Owen's happy reaction to the big stuffed Lion pillow I bought him.
4. Getting an important thank-you note written and mailed.
5. Reservations for dinner on Thursday with a dear friend who is a huge supporter. It will be good to catch up with each other. 
6. Watching Unsolved Mysteries, which is a program that my mother loved and I never watch. In fact, I don't think I've seen it since she made her transition. But I was going through the TV looking for something to watch for a second and there it's on and Mama is in my mind and here with me.
7. A short nap 😴
8. Finding my favorite pair worn pair of Levi 501 jeans from way back and they fit again.
9. A wonderful dinner with Kim and Simon at Brio Tuscan Grille.
10. Connecting with friends (from back in the day at Renaissance Unity) Joel and Sam with their friends & family.  
11. Attending The PRISM Holiday Extravaganza at the Macomb Center which was a wonderful event.
12. Talking to Coleen and Yvonne who were sitting next to me. The wait for the show to begin and during intermission was full of conversation.
13. 150 Men in "ugly" holiday sweaters. The PRISM Men's Chorus changed for the second act.
14. The PRISM Dancers were fantastic.

Peace, friendship & fun!

Ric

Day 20 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. The way the sun rising in the east hits the top of the trees in the west this morning. It only lasts for a few minutes but always makes me smile.
2. My office at home which is serene and comfortable like a favorite sweater.
3. The west-facing view from my home office window. At this time of year, I can look across the pond to the condos on the other side which makes a wonderful landscape.
4. Chicken wings without breading (thinking about last night's dinner.)
5. My chiropractors Dr. Rodney & Dr. Sara.  
6. Toast - the eclectic restaurant in downtown Birmingham.
7. A wonderful lunch with my colleague Carolyn this afternoon at Toast.
8. Finding a parking place in the structure at Merril & Pierce in Birmingham today.
9. Four days without Android Auto and my car disconnecting.
10. Being able to comfortably check the pressure in the tires on my car.

Love.

Ric

Day 19 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Illustration

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Waking up to discover that my Facebook post last night about finding a gas range for a woman and her two children has accomplished the mission. I love the ways Love works! And this is the perfect demonstration for Week 3 of Advent. Sometimes, love takes the form of a stove.
2. Grateful for Mary & Robert donating the stove
3. Grateful for Craig's offer to transport and install the stove.
4. The Ninja coffee system sitting on the kitchen counter that quickly makes me two cups of delicious coffee.
5. Getting my home printer configured for Wi-Fi printing. Yeah! I can print from any of my devices now.
6. Discovering a new organization forking to bring folks together through music.  Koolulam has many cool YouTube posts including gathering 1,000 Muslims, Jews & Christians together and singing Bob Marley's song One Love, which is a favorite tune of mine. 
7. The energy of the Full Moon at 12:12 this morning 12/12.
8. The crew from Leone Outdoor Services picking up the huge pile of leaves this morning to take them back to the yard and add them to the mulch pile.
9. The road crews out in the bitter cold this morning patching potholes.
10. Erin, the optician at Costco who straightened out my glasses this morning. She was so cheerful.
11. Amy who is at the door checking receipts at Costco. I've watched her for several years and she is always friendly with a huge smile.
12. Norma the luminaria lady calling to see if we are participating again this year. She organizes the neighborhood behind Unity of Royal Oak for the annual Christmas Eve display of Luminaries. Of course!
13. Amazing, it's only 12:23 - I suspect more reasons for being grateful are just around the corner...

Day 18 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. The abundance of more than one warm coat to wear on this cold morning.
2. Jonna and her authenticity and easy way of being.
3. A bright crisp afternoon.
4. Finding a down jacket in my size (new sized me) at Costco.
5. Discovering this "lion pillow" which lept into my cart at Costco. It's a gift for Owen.
6. Being a Great-Uncle for the third time.
7. Being able to pay for things with my phone via Google Pay.
8. Paying my property taxes this morning at City Hall. 
9. Leone Outdoor Services arriving this morning to deal with my fall cleanup. After bad weather, the Oak trees tendency to hold their leaves forcing waiting later, and Thanksgiving.
10. Being a part of the Rochester area for more than half of my life.
11. Looking forward to meditation tonight.
12. Heated seats in my car.
13. Buying a shorter USB C cable to connect my phone and car to use Android Auto. The one I had was longer and frequently disconnected from the application
14. Android Auto which has so many cool features that integrate my car and phone to give me turn by turn directions, additional music capability, the ability to listen to an audiobook through my speakers and best of all, brings Google Assistant to my car.
15. Thirteen people who joined me for meditation tonight on a very cold night in this area. there's a powerful meditation because of the energy of the moon and the energy in the room.

Love one another. It's why we're here.

Ric

Day 17 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Messages of encouragement that show up right on time.
2. CJ and her commitment to caring for our congregation.
3. Getting my dress watch repaired quickly at Triple Crown this morning.
4. Buying a fun novelty "rainbow" watch while I was waiting for my dress watch to be repaired.
5. An afternoon visit with my friend Brian.
6. For heartfelt words of assurance that arose from the depths for Lorraine.
7. An Oral B toothbrush!
8. Toilet paper.
9. The dishwasher.
10. My wonderful primary care physician!
11. This beautifully easy Tuesday.

Grateful for another awesome day!

Ric

Day 16 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Genisys, the credit union I have been a member of for almost 30 years.
2. A mutual friend informing me that Michele was in the hospital and going to have surgery.
3. A 2 for 1 day at Beaumont today, visited/prayed with Michele prior to surgery and a lovely visit with Steve that had been planned the night before.
4. Walking down the hall at Beaumont between pastoral visits and meeting up with Jim Fortune who is a new volunteer patient transporter. He inspires me!
5. Paying down debt earlier than anticipated. Yeah!
6. Getting the termination letter for Planet Fitness mailed. I need more assistance than they can provide to help me get started.
7. This powerful quote from Oprah Winfrey, "Everything Is Always Working Out For Me!"
8. The "coincidence" of stopping by the church on my day off to use the potty and noticing I had a phone message alerting me to Kim F's declining condition.
9. The privilege of visiting with Kim F and sharing some thoughts with her about death and dying.
10. Sharing with Michelle, Kim's daughter
11. The spiritual gift of pastoral care which flows from a deep place within me.
12. The salad bar at The Mackinac room at Wm. Beaumont Hospital.
13. The people like you, who find and read this blog. I hope that you are working with some kind of gratitude practice to establish a deep conscious of gratitude as a way of living. 

I am in Love with Life,

Ric

Day 15 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

3 of 4 Critters Chilling

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Work that I love so much it seldom seems like work.
2. Waking up feeling rested and a bit better than I had been feeling yesterday.
3. Nasal Spray that works.
4. Peace between the four four-leggeds that live with the three humans in the house.
5. Seeing the new (to us) large face clock that Bonnie gave us recently, hanging in our Sanctuary.
6. Christine's cheerfulness while making the coffee each week.
7. A wonderful second Sunday in Advent service this morning.
8.  Chatting with Saundra, Sharron and her mother at lunch after service.
9. The gift of a "Bless Somebody Else" by Curt Karr CD from Saundra.
10. An unexpected visit and mind-blowing gift.

Living in Love,

Ric

Day 14 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Saturday morning selfie with Owen. Watching him embrace the world is such a lesson in being fully present now.
2. Easy return of an item at BJ's w/o a receipt because they could look up my purchase history.
3. Having the sense to stay away from the Seniors. Christmas party with my sore throat.
4. April & Kim carrying on with the party.
5. Grace and Alex stepping into the role of Santa & Mrs. Claus.
6. Being part of a caring, dedicated team of people.
7. An entire afternoon-long nap.
8. Getting my talk started early this week.
9. Saturday evening at home with YouTube.
10. This gratitude practice.

Love,

Ric

Day 13 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. A FB friend request from my newest neighbor.
2. A phone call from a friend this morning that included an invitation to dinner and a coffee house concert tonight in Ann Arbor.
3. A phone call from one of the organizers of a Sweat Lodge I'm attending this later this month and learning this particular Sweat Lodge has no nudity involved. 
4. The Christmas "Giving Tree" in our lobby, where people share hats, gloves, mitten, and scarves for folks who need them and cannot purchase them.
5. My Grand-Nephew pointing his finger at me this morning and then reaching out with two hands to be picked up which was a heart-melting moment. 
6. A steaming hot cup of Rasberry Zinger tea is the perfect afternoon beverage.
7. The decadent taste of 85% Cacoa dark chocolate. 
8. The look of banded collar dress shirts on me.
9. Dinner at Palm Palace in Ann Arbor. Delicious, simple food.
10. Finally attending a Don White concert. It was so much fun. He sings, tells stories and shares.  jokes. He is also an author and unabashedly is still a hippie.
11. Because I drove to Ann Arbor, Dianne drove us back home.

Don White

Blessings and this Holy Season!

Ric

Day 12 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I give thanks for:

1. Feeling much better when I woke up than I had felt yesterday. 
2. Strong guidance to visit a friend at the business he owns before making my way to URO.
3. A "chance" conversation with my friend Craig during which I learned of a good handyman who is part of the community.
4. The gift of three poinsettias.
5. Nest Mesh Wi-Fi
6. The Giving Tuesday fundraiser I created for URO reaching 103% of the goal which I set by intuition
7. A conscious, intentional and productive day in my office at URO.
8. A delightful visit by Marilyn, one of the former YFM Volunteers when I was the Youth Minister at Renaissance Unity.
9. Laughing with one of the tellers at the bank that the church uses because she was struggling and adding our deposit up and unable to balance to our deposit ticket until she turned around and discovered some cash had fallen on the floor.
10. The view through the windows at Grand Tavern as I waited for my dear friend, David's arrival for dinner.
11. A wonderful Prime Rib dinner with my friend, who had been a roommate of mine before he moved in with his lady.
12. Having David pick up the tab and giving me some body wash that I love the smell of for my birthday.

Blessed Me!

Ric

Day 11 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Esther Karvala at 19

Today, I give thanks for ...

1. My grandmother Esther Minerva Karvala Ledger who was born on Dec 4th and would be 108 today.
2. My 36.1 % Finish & Scandanavian Heritage. I will visit this region of the world soon.
3. Learning to look at the world through wide-eyed wonder from my Grandma L., she described herself frequently as curiouser and curiouser.
4. A call from a minister friend who just wanted to talk and for me to share a prayer.
5. The stillness of this late autumn morning
6. Porkchop snoring in his bed next to my desk.
7. Having slept through Owen and Ashley getting ready to leave for daycare/work respectively.  Which means that I slept soundly.
8. Discovering that the trash and recycling are already at the curb. Thanks, Ash!
9. Midweek Mindfulness Meditation this evening.
10. Noticing ten things to give thanks for before 11 am. Perhaps I'll; add more to this day's entry later.
11. For the Power of Life in me to revitalize and invigorate my being..

Day 10 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I Give Thanks For ...

Adult Lunch Box

1. Remembering to make and bring a salad, pickles and, olives for my lunch today.
2. Tuna in foil packs that keep well in my desk.
3. The way that people completely stopped traffic on Crooks Rd to allow a family of Canada Geese to safely cross the busy road. There was no fussing or horn blowing.
4. Washing and vacuuming my car this morning on the way to work.
5. Installing the floor liners for my car that arrived over the weekend.
6. Replacing my too thick bi-fold wallet with a Ridge wallet.
7. Remembering to bring my lunch pack kit and coffee travel mug home.
8. Skinny Pop popcorn.
9. Staying within my budget with so many Black Friday month and Cyber Week deals and the continuous assault of texts, emails, and notifications about stuff to buy.
10. Mr. & Mrs. Claus suits in their containers in the Lobby at URO which reminds me of many holiday seasons I donned the Santa suit.

+-+

Day 9 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I Give Thanks For ...

1. Preparing and delivering the certificate I had promised to Tina & Tony which cleared the last reminder off my calendar at least for now.
2. Enjoying the third cup of Sweet & Spicy Tea this afternoon.
3. Listening to a powerful TED talk by Simon Sinek about leadership titled: Why good leaders make you feel safe. The quotation is from the talk.
4. Aldi's whole milk Greek Yogurt. YUMMY
5. Homemade hard-boiled eggs.
6. Learning how to plan meals and cook from the combination of Grandma Ledger, Grandma Miller, and my mother.
7. Create TV channel 56.3.  Until I "cut the cable cord" I did not realize that there are multiple digital channels.
8. Chromecast which lets me "cast" Youtube, Amazon Prime and a whole lot more to the Television
9. My healthy, strong, beating, open heart.
10. My ability to choose a course of action, test it out and choose again if I want.

Peace and All Good,

Ric

Day 8 - I Give Thanks For

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I Give Thanks For ...

1. Waking up in time to finish the preparation for my talk even though I overslept 75 minutes.
2. Christening Laura & Katie's infant daughter Isabella during our service today.
3. Meeting her sweet Grandma & Grandpa who thanked me way too many times.
4. The number of friends and family who came to our service for the first time to be part of the christening.
5. The opportunity to share the Unity version of the first week of Advent with these mostly younger people.
6. Andrew Mucha waiting to talk to me after service to explain the tears he had shed (when I saw him in the Sanctuary) were tears of Joy.
7. The Sunday Morning crew of Harvey, Nick & Simon and the ways they have taken charge of Sanctuary preparation.
8. The huge success of the first Youth & Family Ministry Artwork auction
9. Purchasing several items from the auction including these rainbow decorated items. 
10. The energy in the service, during the silent auction and fellowship afterward that seemed ignited by the focus on the baby.
11. Discovering that Ashley had made my bed for me with clean sheets.

Enjoy the Journey!

Ric

Day 7 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I Give Thanks For ...

1. Making the decision to stay home last night.
2. The meme to the left about taking care to select awesome people to surround me.
3. Realizing that there is greatness within me because I am a vessel for God.
4. A Saturday with nothing on my calendar.
5. The new Maytag Washer & Fryer I bought a few months ago. Much more efficient.
6. This quiet putzy day.
7. The brand new Aldi that just opened in Rochester Hills.
8. I made Dearborn Brand Kielbasa & sauerkraut for dinner. I like this brand.
9. Listening to Wyndham Hill Celtic Christmas Vol 2. A favorite for many years.
10. My wonderfully working eyes!

Peace & Plenty on this planet, Peace & Plenty here & now.

Ric

Day 6 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I Give Thanks For ...

1. Kirkland coffee, black and hot.
2. Convio traveling coffee "cup" which keeps hot for hours and with no spills.
3. The increasing number of ways that our congregation takes responsibility for our building and more important to me, caring for each other.
4. The gathering of 30+ people to Deck The Halls of Unity of Royal Oak for the Christmas Season.
5. Picking a better place for pizza and salad than last year. Green Lantern you rock!
6. Waking up early on the day after Thanksgiving.
7. Not shopping on "Black Friday" because I am mindful that there is little I need at this time.
8. Finding the missing dimmers for some LED lighting that had been misplaced.
9. We didn't need to go out and buy more Christmas stuff.
10. Porkchop (MinPin) who chose me after my brother Matt died by jumping up into my arms when I opened Matt'sd front door. He spends a lot of time alone and never seems to hold a grudge about it. Pure love.

Happy Friday!

Love, Ric

Day 5 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Today, I Give Thanks For ...

1. Owen sitting in my office, pointing at everything as if he was asking, "What is that?" His inquisitive nature reminds me to approach life with "wide-eyed wonder."
2. Text messages about Thanksgiving, allowing an instant connection.
3. Receiving a warm message from someone I had not expected which made my heart happy and humble.
4. Being able to pick John up and bring him to his friend's house for the holiday.
5. Having everything I was bringing to our family Thanksgiving celebration yesterday which allowed this day to be easy and stress-free.
6. Arriving at my sister's on time.
7.  Jeremy getting the splinter out of my palm that has been annoying me for several days.
8. Getting the laundry done
9. Finding a sock I have been missing for a month.
10. How blessed I am with family and friends.
11. Catching up with Darrin & Steph
12. Dion's gravy success!

Thankfully,

Ric

Day 4 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things for which I am grateful for each day without repetition.

Artwork created by the Unity of Royal Oak
Youth & Family Ministry

Today, I Give Thanks For ...

1. The blessings that flow from the youth in our program.
2. A new roof this summer has eliminated worry during today's high winds and pouring rain.
3. Our ACIM discussion group was deeply engaging today in conversation around healing and sickness.
4. Filling my car up with gas at BJ's for $2.149 today.
5. Ashley helping me get the peppercorns out of the seafood cocktail.
6. On this eve of Thanksgiving, 10 people attended the Midweek Meditation.
7. The Liquid Mind X CD from Chuck Wild.
8. The gift of growing friendship with Jon & Susan and their faithfulness participation on Wednesday nights.
9. Heart to heart conversation with Ashley tonight. I love getting to know who she is as a young woman and mother.
10. The wind and rain have helped the Oak Trees release the leaves so fall cleanup can happen.

Peace & Plenty!

Love, Ric

Day 3 - I Give Thanks For ...

My current gratitude practice is to share at least 10 things I am grateful for each day.

Yours Truly with a car full of turkey dinner.

Today, I give thanks for ...

1. The Outreach Team at Unity of Royal Oak whop are making Love real and felt.
2. The sixteen families we were able to provide a Complete Thanksgiving Meal.
3. The joy of delivering some of those meals.
4. The Life that fills our center several days a week through the volunteers and staff members. When I started in 2015, many weeks, I was the only person in the building during the weekdays.
5. My recently purchased Ford Escape which I have used several times to transport items that would not have fit in my previous car.
6. The opportunity to connect with the Unity Of Royal Oak Music Makers at their rehearsal for Christmas Eve. 
7. A 52° day on November 26, Wow!
8. Our church elf (Nick) hauling all of the Christmas decorations up out of the basement.
9. Being able to sleep in this morning because I was tired and I knew that URO was open and humming along.
10. Harvey's big heart for driving a coworker home to Algonac because his tie rod broke. Love in action.

Always in Love,

Ric

Day 2 - I Give Thanks For ...

I am grateful for the music that moves me. I connect songs with moods, seasons, people and chapters of my life. Here are a few current favorites. The position in the list is no indicator of importance. Enjoy!

Search For The Hero by M People

This song is about searching for the hero inside yourself.

This Is Me! by Keala Settle

In many ways, this has been one of my personal theme songs.

The Arrow

Incredibly athletic dancers. Erotic but not sexual.

Million Pieces by Bastille Ft. The Chamber Orchestra of London

This is that relationship that you knew could never work and still, you hung there in mid-air.

Caledonia by Celtic Thunder

The harmonies of this group are incredible. 

From Now On by Hugh Jackman

Great song from a fantastic movie, The Greatest Showman.

Thanks, April

Holy Now by Faith Rivera

There is only One Presence,

Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi

Let Life Do You  by Amitabhan

I know Ami and love the music he makes. I use this one as a chant.

Affirmation by Savage Garden

Reminds me of a wonderful and interesting chapter of my journey.

God Is by Faith Rivera

Saraswati Dreams by Jaya Lakshmi & Ananda

Rise Up by Andra Day

(Hula) Danced by Alaka'i Christopher Lastimado

This guy is such a good Hula dancer.