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 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 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 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 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 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.

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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 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

Thanks As A Way Of Living - Day 20

1. I am grateful for the ways our Outreach Team supported our partner, "For The Seventh Generation" as they work with families in the the Foster Care system in Michigan. Another way  we can make love real.
2. I am grateful to lead this community called URO. Love is making a way.
3. I am grateful for the rapid response from Greg @ Leone's Outdoor Services today when I made an inquiry about clearing the sidewalks and the lot if it snows on the weekend. Now we have a plan in place.
4. I am grateful to work with other organizations. Thanks Rotary!  
5. I am grateful for the plans Kim Lange shared with me about the music planned for our Christmas Eve Candle Lighting service at 6 pm on December 24..

Always in Love,

Ric

#LivingThanks

Thanks as a Way of Living - my gratitude practice till the end of the year (at least). A minimum, of five things each day that I am grateful for and why without repeats.

(c) 2016 by Richard L. Beattie, All Rights Reserved

Thanks As A Way Of Living - Day 16

1. I am grateful for my dad teaching me long ago to label wires, in this case to put a twist tie on one. My new twist is to then take a picture with my phone.
2. I am grateful that I am able to notice my rising frustration level and chill before I make a big fuss and embarrass myself. This has not always been the case when talking to telephone or companies.
3. I am grateful for my ability to understand and apply technology. Helps me understand the trade offs.
4. I am grateful to my niece, Alicia and her husband who gave me their old TV stand when they went to a wall mount. It looks good and serves my purpose well.
5. I am grateful to find a way to maintain The Weather channel live as well as several other cable channels without cable. I like saving $100 per month and having access to stations I like in the event that I want to watch them.

Always in Love,

Ric

#LivingThanks

Thanks as a Way of Living - my gratitude practice till the end of the year (at least). A minimum, of five things each day that I am grateful for and why without repeats.

(c) 2016 by Richard L. Beattie, All Rights Reserved

Thanks As A Way Of Living - Day 15

2016 Giving Tree

1. I am grateful for the growing traction that Outreach is establishing at URO because making the love that is God real has been a longstanding personal theme. #LoveIsOnTheMove
2. I am grateful for the very generous nature of our congregation as we reach out in love through projects like the Giving Tree which makes me feel happy and proud.
3. I am grateful that the energy that called me to join Unity of Royal Oak as Spiritual Leader is drawing the most amazing people with incredible passion, skills and spiritual gifts into community. Truly the dream I have long held for my life is unfolding in ways that are beyond what I had imagined.
4. I am grateful foe last Sunday's quarterly Town Hall Open Forum and the vision for our physical plant that continues to take shape. The building is not the church however it is a springboard and focal point for our community and the ways we  make Love ral and felt in the communities we are called to serve.
5. I am grateful for the ways that God made a way when I had all but given up on my calling. Grace given and gladly accepted.

Always in Love,

Ric

#LivingThanks

Thanks as a Way of Living - my gratitude practice till the end of the year (at least). A minimum, of five things each day that I am grateful for and why without repeats.

(c) 2016 by Richard L. Beattie, All Rights Reserved

Thanks As A Way Of Living - Day 12

Kruse and Muer on Main St, Rochester

1. I am grateful for a wonderful birthday dinner at Kruse and Muer with my dear friend Cindy. It was good to catch up and to walk along Main St and look at all the Christmas Lights.
2. I am grateful that all of the socks had mates. Sometimes, when I do the laundry, I have single socks left when I am finished. Today, all the socks had mates.
3. I am grateful for being able to sleep late this morning. I accept the gift of time for me.
4. I am grateful to live in the Greater Rochester Area (Rochester + Rochester Hills). There is lots to do and see in any season, small city atmosphere, multiple restaurants adn lots of green space.
5. I am grateful to be me and happy. Who, how and where I am is perfect. Thanks Love!

Always in Love,

Ric

#LivingThanks

Thanks as a Way of Living - my gratitude practice till the end of the year (at least). A minimum, of five things each day that I am grateful for and why without repeats.

(c) 2016 by Richard L. Beattie, All Rights Reserved

Thanks As A Way Of Living - Day 11

Grandma and me in Ventura, CA around 1986

1. I am grateful for my maternal grandma, Esther Ledger. Today would have been her 105th birthday. She had a huge influence on me both genetically and in terms of my personality. She was smart, quirky, stubborn, a terrific cook and story teller, loving, curious and you always knew there was a little more to the story than she was telling. Thanks Grandma!
2. I am grateful for our creative director, Kim Lange, who knows how to suggest something that will stretch me in a way that I can hear. 
3. I am grateful for the sense own ownership that continues to grow at Unity of Royal Oak. Today, Simon and Harvey creatively got the power to the lights on the railing out front, 
4. I am grateful for the sense of centeredness that can emerge from a deep breath and a moment of prayer. This morning, I was feeling upside down with having crammed too many tasks into too short a time just before service. We finally found a moment to pray and in that moment I shifted.
5. I am grateful for this amazing song, The Heart of Christmas by Matthew West. This morning Julie Noe delivered this big time. Selfless love is heart of Christmas. Thanks Julie!

Always in Love,

Ric

#LivingThanks

Thanks as a Way of Living - my gratitude practice till the end of the year (at least). A minimum, of five things each day that I am grateful for and why without repeats.

(c) 2016 by Richard L. Beattie, All Rights Reserved

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