Thanks In All Things - November 24, 2020

This practice is about identifying 10 things each day for which I am grateful without repeating as I Give ThanksIn All Things:

1. A peaceful and restful night.
2. Following my intuition and discovering Gio Benitez is married to Tommy DiDario - the world continues to evolve.
3. The peace that rises up from deep in my spirit when I am open to see things differently.
4. Waking up in a warm house when the temperature outside is 22°
5. A sweet Happy Birthday audio message from Martha Creek and her grand-niece Hadlyn.
6. Roosevelt is doing a great job on the painting of the Sanctuary.
7. Marco's Pizza's meat lovers pizza in a bowl.
8. Nick and Kim hauling the Christmas decorations out of the basement.
9. Getting 3 more strings of light to lite up.
10. A late recording studio session with Kim & Michael Adams

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 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 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 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

Thanks As A Way Of Living - Day 32 - Christmas Day

1. I am grateful for April actually wearing Christmas jammies top church! I had invited folks to wear ugly sweaters or the Christmas PJ's and several did.
2. I was grateful for the couple from, our neighborhood who visited for the first time this morning. They said they have been walking by for the past few months and decided to check us out.
3. I am grateful for a wonderful Christmas Season at URO and I am grateful now to rest for a few days. It has been very busy!
4. I am grateful for the relaxed atmosphere as we explored the idea of its time to BE CHRISTmas.
5. I am grateful for a wonderful time with my family this afternoon. Good food, and sweet energy.

Merry Christmas,

Ric

#LivingThanks

Thanks as a Way of Living - my current gratitude practice - maybe till the end of the year. 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 31 - Christmas Eve

URO Had A Full House on Christmas Eve

1. I am grateful for the incredible teamwork of our volunteers and staff. Christmas Eve was a joyous and relatively easy experience.
2. I am grateful ror the luminaries which ringed our property and were such a welcome invitation to all and connected us to our neighborhood where almost every street was lined with light.
3. I am grateful for the most incredible Christmas Eve Candle Lighting service I have experienced in several years. The feeling of love in our was amazing.
4. I am grateful for the many people who helped make our musical program over the top! Wow!!
5. I am grateful for a lovely lunch with friends.
6. I am grateful for the many gifts I received and especially with the pan of lasagne from Shirley which I will take to my family gathering tomorrow.

In the Spirit of Christmas,

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 27

1. I am grateful for the twenty people who gathered at URO and went caroling in our neighborhood. It was a good community building event.
2. I am grateful for the six houses where someone came to the door and especially for the little kids who enjoyed our christmas carols
3. I am grateful that the weather was decent with snow but without bitter cold.
4. I am grateful for being able to simply participate without being the organizer.
5. I am grateful for a finding a set of warm gloves in my size on sale!
6. I am grateful for the joy in the room when we came in from singing and had snacks.

In the Spirit of Christmas,

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 23

1. I am grateful for this electric snow thrower that arrived as promised yesterday. My cardiologist and primary care physician tell me I must not shovel snow. Now I can be fully compliant.
2. I am grateful that I assembled the snow thrower and charged its battery in advance. Sometimes I procrastinate until the last possible moment, not this time.
3. I am grateful for time to think. I am a lucky man and pastor so time to ponder, wander, reflect and contemplate are essential and allowed for me. No more, "Richard - stop day dreaming."
4. I'm grateful that my cousin Jolene and my sister stopped by for a minute. The connection with family has grown more important for me as my generation of our family finds itself to be the elders.
5. I am grateful that I persisted with the clerk at Kmart who told me that if I hadn't received an email or a text then the item I had ordered for in store pickup wasn't ready. I told her that their system had told me the item would be available the prior day. She seemed doubtful but physically went to check and there was my sweater. Saved a trip back to Lake Orion.

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 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 17

Porkchop's New Blanket

1. I am grateful for this new blanket for Porkchop's bed in my home office that I bought at Aldi for a really good price. He seems to like it too since his old blanket was worn out and he likes to be covered up and warm.
2. I am grateful to have a plan in place for someone who can pick me up and get me to URO to deliver the Sunday lesson if the roads are too bad fr me to drive. It is important to me that we have service even if only a small number of people attend.  Carol has a Yukon, yeah!
3. I am grateful to have a warm house on this cold night. I am mindful of the many people in our area who are homeless and the many people working to provide shelter.
4. I am grateful to discover a young (he will be 16 on Christmas Eve) musical genius named Ethan Bortnick tonight on PBS. What a blessing he is as he inspires young people to transform the world. Wonderful talent and he reminds me that the best is yet to be so hang on world!
5. I am grateful to have a dishwasher which is running as I finish this blog entry and work on the sermon for tomorrow. For most of my life, I was the dishwasher.

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 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 1 (Happy Thanksgiving)

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. Oh, and no repeats.

1. I am grateful for my mom, Deanna Beattie. Although she is gone from this physical dimension, she is with me in my thoughts, attitudes, feelings and in my family members. My mother taught through her example that happiness is not dependent on money. She gave of herself to us kids and to anyone who was around her. Taking people to pick up their Focus Hope food distribution was something she did for years. It was my birthday two days ago, and mom was so with me. Although she had little money she would always buy me a little gift even though I asked her not to for many years. The last few years they were dollar store gifts, but they each carried a mother's priceless love. Thanks for the love and for the raising.
2. I am grateful for the music on the CD Celtic Christmas Vol 2 from Windham Hill.  I have had this CD for twenty years and it is one of the first I play each season. It evokes awesome memories of prior holidays seasons and helps stir up the Spirit of Christmas within me. I am listening as I write this blog entry
3. I am grateful for the steaming cup of Good Earth Sweet & Spicy tea I am enjoying on this November day. I was introduced to Sweet & Spicy tea this past April while vacationing in Big Sur, California with friends Martha Creek and Diane Czerwonka. The three of us went to a spa which was my first time at a spa. What a wonderful, liberating day. Martha and Diane helped me move beyond my story about why I never experienced a spa day.
4. I am grateful for the opportunity yesterday afternoon to deliver the gift of Thanksgiving Dinner to two families that are part of our spiritual community. In ways that I could not have imagined, the gift from Unity of Royal Oak was a blessings to these two families and beyond them. Our overall Thanksgiving Dinner program reached thirteen families this year which has made this pastor very happy.
5. I am grateful that two days ago, on Nov 22, I celebrated 61 years of living. There was a time when I was not so sure I'd make it past 40. My thinking about love and life had gotten very twisted and I had lost myself down the rabbit hole of addiction to cocaine. I am grateful that Spirit found a way for my long abandoned hopes and dreams to come into demonstration beyond my wildest hopes.

Always in Love,

Ric

#LivingThanks

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

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 37

Black and White Sky

2015 Gratitude Practice, Day 37 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. Grateful for Dr. Clyne, my mothers nephrologist.
2. Grateful for thje P.D. Nurse Margo who has guided Dion and I during this entire journey.
3. Grateful for Iris Cafe, a place where mom and I usually stop for breakfast after her doctor appointments.
4. Grateful for our server this morning who remembers that mom like an english muffin and we both drink coffee and always greets us with a smile.
5. I am grateful for my sister, Dion, who has given a lot  and done many things she doesn't really enjoy' to be mom's primary care giver.
6. Grateful for the Pinwheel bakery in Ferndale for their funky environment, friendly service, awesome latte!
7. Also grateful for a first time in my life, pear and brie galante and it was warm too! So awesomely yummy.
8. I am grateful that I was at our Spiritual Center today (usually my day off) to receive a UPS package and thus avoid the redelivery or pick it up myself dance.
9. I am grateful for the gift of all 15 issues of Seekers Into The Mystery from my dear friend Clayton which were in the package.
10. I am grateful for the beauty of the oddly looking almost Black and While sky this afternoon and my thinking to take a picture
11. Grateful for the opportunity to share some ideas with a young man today who is receptive and so ready to change his life.
12. Grateful for the ICU nurse caring for Mike tonight. What an amazing shining light she shares.
13. I am grateful for the coming Winter Solstice in 7 days which means the journey toward longer daylight has begun.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 33

Providence Park Hospital in Novi, MI

2015 Gratitude Practice, Day 32 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. Grateful for time spent and confidence built with someone who need to use social media to further her causes and has had trust issues.
2. Grateful for Donna working with me on the getting my door unlocked.
3. Grateful for Jackie calling me about Shirley's worsening condition and hospitalization so I could go visit Shirley and support Bonnie as she keeps vigil.
4. Catching up with Bonnie & Marsha over a hospital cafeteria dinner.
5. Grateful for open, easy and real conversation with Marsha about the importance of women talking about women's sexuality because there is still so much sexism in our culture
6. I am grateful for the pastoral care gifts Spirit continues to express through me. Pastoral care is a favorite part of my work.
7. Grateful for a sweet  telephone conversation with Linda P. on the way to the  hospital which made the drive to Novi fly by quickly.
8. Grateful for the opportunity to visit Providence Park Hospital for the first time.
9. Blessed by the powerful prayer time Bonnie, Marsha, Jackie and I had around Shirley's bed in the hospital room. Sometimes it feels like Spirit could be touched if I reached out my hand.
10. Thankful for an easy drive home last night.
11. Grateful for a wonderful phone call and prayer session with CAthey Jo before her surgery in the morning.

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 28

Women members of the Family of Faith

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 27 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful that my talk ideas poured out in a rapid flow this morning.
2. Grateful that my sister came over to help me get Christmas stuff out of the garage rafters.
3. Grateful for my niece Ashley's help taking Christmas trees to church for tomorrow's decorating.
4. Grateful to the swivel rocker/recliner my sister brought over today - so comfy.
5. Grateful that Dennis & Donna took down the "oak leaves" sign at church so we can get another made like it.
6. Grateful for a wonderful Family of Faith Christmas Concert this evening.
7. Grateful for a wonderful group of folks from Unity of Royal Oak who attended the concert.
8. Grateful to offer the welcome and opening prayer at the concert.
9. Grateful to see so many dear friends at Renaissance Unity
10. Grateful to see Fanny Cooper at Renaissance Unity tonight.
11. Grateful I was able to join some of the URO bunch at Doc's for dinner after the concert.
12. Grateful for Lydia's good news!

Gratitude Days of 2015, Day # 26

Royal Oak 2015
Christmas Tree Lighting

2015 Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice, Day 26 - Post ten things (at least) each day w/o duplicating.

1. I am grateful that I am okay with not having all the answers
2. Grateful for curly fries with coney chili.
3. Grateful for Terry Jo and the ways she is expanding her comfort zone.
4. Grateful for a sweet telephone conversation with Carol today.
5. Grateful for Mailchimp.
6.  Grateful for Jim Ellison remembering my name.
7. Grateful to be part of a Team.
8. Grateful for Doug & Dennis Lewis and their phone call today.
9. Grateful for Royal Oak, my second home town.
10. Grateful for a call from Rev, Gregory Gice to check on me today.

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.