Gratitude Journey Day 29

Grateful for:

1. Resolving issue with Medicare part "D" to get Mikes prescriptions
2. Kim, a very helpful pharmacy tech, at Meijer
3. Being able to take the time to work on these personal/family things
4. The last night of 4T - potluck
5. Knowing when to get off the freeway and drive surface roads
6. My sister, Dion for so many reasons.
7. Sharing The Work with D & T as a way to move forward in their relationship
8. paved roads
9. having been delivered from addiction to nicotine 7 years ago
10. Getting a line on my great great grandfather for my family tree

Grandma Ledger 100th Birthday

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This would have been my maternal grandmother's 100th birthday. I still miss you Grandma!
Esther Minerva (Karvala) Ledger 12/4/1911 - 8/6/2002


Grateful for:

1. Voraciously inquisitive spirit
2. Her love of reading.
3. Our mutual enjoyment of the Earth's Children Series (Clan of the Cave Bear) of books by Jean M. Auel
4. Determination
5. Cooking - this is hardly a single gratitude. I spent hours with my Grandmother in her kitchen and then in my kitchen.
6. Making Christmas cookies with all of the cousins, Gram always had room at the table and in her heart, for one more
7. Many Christmas Eves spent getting a 30+ pound Turkey in the oven, I would stay with grandma on Christmas eve to help her get things ready. Often we would put up the tree as well as make stuffing and cabbage salad. 
8. Always making me feel loved
9. Her absolute unwavering acceptance of me and my friends. I remember the day I came out to my grandma, she was so not concerned.
10. Story about clothes dryers being one of the inventions that most changed the world.
11. Her fierce sense of independence, she was her own person, regardless.
12. The Goose lady of Willet - 
13. Grandma asking me on the night before she died after I got her back home from the hospital, "Can I have my glass now?" Our code for enough vodka for a couple of drinks. 
14. Her love of Andre Schwartz'sa song "Dans Vanaand Met My" even though neither of us understood it, she said she knew in her heart what it meant.
15. Grandma making pasties & meat pies.
16. Stories of  her growing up in Iron River
17. Stories of commodity rationing during WWII and using ration stamps

Ten Favorite Things

These are ten favorite things that I come back to frequently: (there are more that I will probably share over time)

1. For laughing: 25 funniest auto-corrects (strong language)
2. For the song, Seasons of Love, from the play/movie Rent. Measure your life in Love.
3.  Jami Lula singing Love Is My Religion
4. Renaissance Unity which is both my spiritual home and employer.
5. Attending our Volunteer Christmas Potluck this afternoon.
6. Grateful for the memory of Frank Firek sharing "Twas The Night Before Christmas" with us at so many previous years at Christmas potlucks.
7. Will Tillander
8. Sloane Tillander
9. First Birthday Parties
10. Adele's voice.

Day 26 on this Grateful Journey

My top ten for today:

1. I am grateful that I survived the years in school when I was bullied.
2. Long handled ice/snow scraper
3. Rear window defroster in my car
4. A quiet day off, spent mostly at home
5. Realizing that the only item on my calendar for the day had been rescheduled.
6. Compliments from folks about the way I looked last night in my new Tuxedo, the first I have ever owned
7. My pharmacist, Anna, who always makes things work somehow.
8. Health insurance that covers prescriptions
9. Wonderful aroma of a pot of Boiled Dinner simmering in the kitchen
10. Finally catching up with Extreme Makeover Home Edition since the move to Friday night.

World Aids Day - I remember

Grateful for the life journey we shared, for love, friendship and memories:

• Douglas J. Arsenault
• Dr. Eric Loranger
• Richard L. O’Dell
• Jon Rowe
• Pat Lee
• Woody Lee
• Joe K. Grantham
• Tracey Mae Artinian LaCroix
• Larry Gaynier
• James Proffit
• James Holman
• Rev. Roger Webb
• William R. Fischer
• Rev. James Sandmire
• Phillip Gallnitz

First Snow

Nov 30, 2011 - First Snow

My Gratitude Spills Over ...

1. The quiet blanket of the first snow.
2. My dental office sends text messages as appointment reminders.
3. Only got up once last night to pee.
4. Having two permanent crowns seated this morning
5. Incredible improvement (I may post the before & now pictures) in oral health and appearance over the last three years..
6. Meeting the family of an amazing woman whose life we will celebrate tomorrow.
7. getting my hairs cut
8. being able to listen to an audio of  the lady whose funeral I am officiating tomorrow.
9. I love serving as a pastor.  (may be a duplicate).
10. I appreciate Google and the access to information of so many kinds it makes easily accessible

Copyright (c) by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Rain into Snow :-)

11/29/11 Rainy day turning to snow later.

Grateful, even now ...

1. Forecast of snow tonight - I prefer snow to cold rain
2. Always changing weather
3. Payday
4. Direct deposit
5. My eye doctor telling me that my challenges with glaring lights when night driving, especially when it is wet, are from cataracts and not any of the number of stories I had made up.
6. Driving surface roads home tonight.
7. Bought my first tuxedo today, the salesman was awesome. Thanks John.
8. My neighbors, Fred & Alice, are safely home from a trip to New York
9. Enjoyed a belated birthday lunch with my friend & coworker Mike
10. Grateful that two of my standing weekly meetings have been canceled this week.
11. Happy to be home on this rainy, windy, cold  & dark night.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Cyber Monday, really?

Today I am grateful for :

1. Connecting with my dear friend Jo Horn this morning!
2. Getting a 30 day license plate and almost getting the title issue resolved with my car.
3. Introducing a couple to The Work as a tool for working on their relationship.
4. The passion Carole & Denise have for our Christmas Outreach program
5. Divine ideas that emerge to allow us to assist more people
6. Opportunities that arise to make some extra cash at exactly to most opportune moment
7. Ben calling to share favorite memories of dancing and laughter
8. The guidance that always comes when I listen and take time to notice
9. Making the healthier choice to buy roasted turkey breast over the ribs
10. Quiet moments in a very busy week
11. The deep knowing that everything I need to be happy now, I have now.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Three Grateful Weeks ...

Today, I am feeling grateful for:

1. The opportunity to share some ideas and conversation with our Youth of Unity chapter.
2. Christening babies, I love to christen babies and adults.
3. The tunnel linking the parking structure and hospital at Beaumont's Royal Oak campus
4. Rainy days that offer the opportunity to curl up, reflect & read
5. The first Sunday in advent
6. Being able to return Chef John's knife to him
7. The amazing multifaceted diversity of our spiritual community
8. Remembering to take lunch to work with me
9. Actually having blogged for 21 days in succession
10. Singing aloud while driving and not caring what the other drivers think.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Twenty Days of Gratitude Consciousness

Rochester Municipal Park, 11/25/11

Gratitude flows from my heart for these reasons today ...

1. Going to dinner and the theater (All Night Strut Holiday Show) with friends tonight in celebration of my birthday
2. Mini Pumpkin Cream Cheese Creme Cake
3. Taking a nap in the morning (may be a duplication)
4. Embracing the flow of this journey in gratitude for twenty days.
5. A clean kitchen
6. The "Rudolph" van in my neighborhood that has antlers sticking out off the side windows and a red "nose" on the grille.
7. The giant pine tree outside my office window that is home to so many birds and squirrels
8. Getting a hair cut.
9. a two days in a row break from the recent frenzy of activities.
10. This amazing  Rochester/Rochester Hills area I call home.
11. I need to purchase new underpants because they are so big that are falling off, yeah!!!

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved

Another day of Thanks Living

Today, I am grateful for:

1. The lesson I learned from eggs while making an omelet this morning: I had two white shelled eggs left and added a brown shelled egg from the new dozen just purchased. Interesting thing about white eggs and brown eggs; they look different until you crack them open.
2. The joy of delivering the surplus from our Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday to the kitchen at Grace Centers of Hope, the largest shelter here in Oakland County, Michigan.
3. The rich smell wafting through the house from turkey soup stock simmering on the stove.
4. Realizing that Christmas is one month away.
5. The Memo from God which is included in the Og Mandino's classic book: The Greatest Miracle in the World
6. 59° weather on November 25, 2011
7. A wonderful walk on the Paint Creek trail and through Rochester Municipal Park.
8. Yummy taste of Rutabaga's in my soup
9. The smell of clean towels
10. An card from a dear lady I met when I officiated her sisters memorial service letting me know that prayers had been answered for her son. She has asked me to pray for her 48 y/o son who had been recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. His most recent PET scan shows the cancer has been shrinking and they now label it stage 1. Alleluia!
    

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved

Happy Thanksgiving Day

On this day we dedicate to giving thanks, I am grateful for:

1. Getting to the church to open it on time today.
2. Wonderful mixture of seasoned volunteers and brand new folks created an amazing energy and excited.
3. My dear friend Rev. Karen Boland who started this Community Thanksgiving Feast 37 years ago.
4. The great honor of continuing in her footsteps (although not in her shoes ☺)
5.  Being able to step back from the kitchen and attend to the big picture of the event this year.
6. The way that this established event shifts slightly to accommodate new ideas and energy while retaining its essence.
7. The generous outpouring of support, turkeys and mashed potatoes that our Renaissance Community delivered in waves of plenty and abundance.
8. The idea that we all cooked our turkeys, mashed potatoes and stuffing at home individually and brought the dishes to church where a dedicated group of volunteers mixed everything together with love. What a modeling for sharing our resources for the good of all.
9. The 325 people from every age group, family & marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity came together in celebration and as family for a few hours top share a meal and their presence. Wow!
10. Being joined by Jim Lee, daughter Tracy and two of her kids for dinner. So very sweet!
11. The most amazing slice of homemade apple pie, little sugar allowing the natural apple flavor through and such a flaky crust.
12. A dear lady who came up to me as she was leaving to express her gratitude. She said she had resigned herself to not having a "Thanksgiving Dinner" this year because she couldn't afford it. One of her friends had told her about the church and she really enjoyed to food and companionship.
13. The movie Wally which so many stayed to watch.
14. Cindy staying to the very end to help make sure what needed to get done was done.
15. I give thanks for you who are reading these ramblings,
16. A sense of happy exhaustion as I locked the doors and drove home with unused food to take the Great Grace Center of hope tomorrow for one more day of Thanks Giving on this journey of Thanksliving. 

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Eve of Thanksgiving

I am Grateful for:

1. The question "What would happen if you woke up this morning and all you had was what you thanked God for yesterday?" ~Martha Creek
2. Being able to laugh at myself. I was cracking three eggs to scramble for breakfast, the first two were uneventful; crack an egg on the edge of sink and deposit in bowl. The last egg, I cracked and promptly deposited into the sink. I looked down at the egg and started to laugh, belly laugh. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants.Thank You God for laughter and not taking things too seriously.
3. Remembering to check my medications and order the refills
4. Having a dishwasher
5. the ability to change my current focus quickly
6. Beautiful drive to my brother Matt's home
7. a sweet Thanksgiving Eve service this evening
8. The opportunity to preach
9. amazing coworkers
10. knowing when it is time to go to bed.

Grateful to Be & Happy Birthday to Me

On my birthday, I am grateful for:

1. Thank You God for this fifty sixth anniversary of my birth into our world. It has been an amazing ride so far and I feel like we are just getting to know each other and I am starting to get the hang of it. Thank You for the Life of me. Your life expressing in, through and as me. I give myself back to you. What is my role this coming year? How do I add value to the souls who cross my path? I love you Love! Looking forward to the second half. I am living in a state of Grace ...
2. Fifty Six Years and approx 9 months ago in an impulse of divine creativity via my parents passion I was conceived.
3. The flowers Cindy brought me and her ongoing friendship and support
4. 20,440 brand new days so far in this lifetime.
5. Martha Creek's friendship and mentoring.
6. Scrambled eggs
7. An awesome outpouring of Love on Facebook today.
8. Great eye exam this morning
9. Finding 5 people to take part in our faces of RU Video project
10. Getting the shopping done for our Thanksgiving Dinner
11. The reawakening desire to be in a relationship

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved.

Gratitude Journal Day 15

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Enjoying the last day of my 55th year.
2. My Droid powered Samsung Galaxy S 4G Phone
3. Awesome neighbors: Fred & Alice
4. Having my folding chairs home after 1 1/2 years
5. Finishing the Order of Service for Thanksgiving Eve
6. Topic and ideas for my Christmas Day message
7. The radio in my car
8. The Angry Birds game
9. Finding my blue tooth ear piece.
10. Successfully avoiding Christmas carols being played way too early for my taste.
11. Three amazing nieces: Ashley, Alicia & Jordan.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Second Grateful Week!

Today, my heart is happy about:

From my friends at http://www.fellowshipfortoday.org/

1. An Awesome Youth of Unity bake sale today
2. Cake auction success and fun, who knew I could be an auctioneer?
3. The Interfaith Center for Racial Justice annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service this afternoon.
4. Being invited to share as a part of a Prayer Forum at Fellowship for Today.
5. The marvelous way everything turned out around the Flute Concert which I had not properly entered in my calendar. Cindy, April & Kathy had a good time and the day was not wrecked for my friend.
6. Meeting author Sal Sapienza and his partner Gregg Smith
7. The idea that Mark Fuss would ask Sal to make sure to get me to the next GLBT retreat at Unity Village
8. The energy & friendship of Brad Miller
9. Realizing more and more that life is a process of prayerful awareness and fun!
10. A beautiful, just over an hour, drive home from Fellowship For Today last night.
11. Great conversation with my sister-in-law Stephanie.
12. The happy glow I feel as I reflect on the activities of this day.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Grateful on this Thirteenth Day

Today, I am deeply grateful for:

1. You
2. Going out for breakfast on Saturday morning.
3. Taking a morning nap just because.
4. The song "Firework" by Katy Perry.
5. High speed internet access at home
6. Being able to visit my Mom and tell/show her how much I love her.
7. Having learned how to cook & bake from my mother and both grandmothers as I grew up.
8. An ongoing love affair with Life that has served me so well for almost 40 years.
9. Reading Rev. Troy Perry's book "The Lord is my Shepherd and He know's I'm Gay" back in the early 70's which allowed the small god of my childhood to shatter, revealing a larger reality.
10. Giving up trying to get stuff because I know that I have everything I need.
11. Going through my Grandmother Miller's recipes.
12. Baking her Fresh Apple Cake

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved.

Twelfth Day of Gratefulness

New Year 2005 trip to Anchorage, Alaska

On this Twelfth Day of Gratefulness, I am thinking of:

1. Being up and awake to see this mornings glorious blue, purple, lavender sunrise.
2. Having Friday's off
3. Being part of a spiritual community that accepts and celebrates me as I am.
4. Waking up with the car in the driveway
5. My awesome neighbor Danny who mulched all the leaves in my yard.
6. Buckwheat pancakes
7. Fond memories of my last really went somewhere vacation to Anchorage Alaska in January of 2005.
8. Not having to replenish coolant before every trip in my car.
9. Not being concerned when the Warren PD pulled me over to check my ID (they thought I was someone with a warrant, NOT)
10. Lots of projects to work on which prevents boredom.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved.

Attitude of Gratitude Day 11

I will not drop my leaves just because the others have.

Be Yourself

1. Albert Einstein quotations which seem to capture the essence of spirituality and science.
2. The ability to imagine something different
3. Watching a huge flock of Canada geese waking up and beginning to graze, gaining strength for the journey south.
4. Dear friend Liz who touches my heart so deeply with her kindness.
5. This tree on my street which still is arrayed in fabulous fall finery while all the others have dropped their leaves and have slipped into winter mode.
6. Getting a new high score in Zuma Blitz
7. Hazelnut flavored creamer for my coffee
8. Electricity
9. Insurance is rewritten and in for the cabin (hooray!) my sister and brothers and I have.
10. The ability to celebrate myself and to decide what that means as I choose.
11. Memories of my grandma Ledger watching the geese leave for the season. It was hard for her to stop feeding them so that they would head south. 
12. Telephone conference call technology that lets me attend a meeting when I am not able to be present in person.
13. Car repaired for approx. $150 less that estimated!!
14. The winter coat I could barely zip up last year fits wonderfully.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie

Day 10 of this gratitude experience

Beauty is Everywhere. Notice ...

1. Sunlight streaming in my office window
2. Denise and Doug treating me to dinner
3. Sweet potato fries
4. Friends I haven't physically met yet.
5. The movie "Shelter."
6. The Internet
7. Facebook
8. Ideas and creativity that flow when Linda and I focus together.
9. Dear friends who are getting married.
10. Alaska's mountains

From Pity Party to Gratitude - Day 9

Giving Thanks in All Things

My story this morning: I don't have time to walk, I have a full day of important meetings, I need to get to work early.

Reality: The water pump on my car has been failing for about two  weeks and I had been hoping to make it to payday (the 15th) updated to hoping to get to Friday so that I didn't need the car and could put it in the shop.  In a stroke of Divine Order, today is payday and the water pump failed. I got the car to the garage and walked home. Coincidence? I live in a friendly universe that conspires to help me love myself. 

When the mechanic called me this afternoon with the estimate of more than $500 (Chrysler connects the water pump to the timing belt) , I had a pity party. Perhaps some of you can relate maybe to the story: Why me? Why now. Why after all the money I had to put into my teeth the last two months and the roof on the cabin two weeks ago. I am a minister, don't you know I need the car for God's work? Why? Why? 

Fortunately, I stopped short of inviting others to my party. As the belief "my car shouldn't break down now" flooded my mind I found another set of questions rising up:

1.  Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought? 
4. Who would you be without the thought?

Deep breath and the sanity and peace are restored as I used The Work of Byron Katie  to question my belief that the car shouldn't break down. Afterward   I got so much done, walked, did laundry and created a plan for getting to work tomorrow. 

I found many reasons to be grateful as well:

1. I had the opportunity to walk home which took 59 minutes and my goal is to walk an hour every day.
2. I have the funds to pay for the repair.
3. I was not far away from home when the failure occurred.
4. I have prior satisfactory history with the mechanic.
5. Got some housework done.
6. Was able to complete paperwork from my brother's case worker
7. Two friends stepped forward to give me a lift to work tomorrow.
8. Another friend committed to taking me home after work
9. Another friend called to see if I needed a hand or a loan
10. The experience has been useful as a teaching opportunity
11. Part of a larger demonstration of having my needs met this year.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights reserved

Gratitude Week 2 begins

. Amazing!

Summer dreaming on an almost winter day!

1. I woke up this morning
2. Brand new baby week
3. Summer memories
4. Chicken & rice soup cooking in the slow-cooker waiting for me to get home
5. The Work of Byron Katie which helps me remain centered and honest with myself.
6. The Jerusalem Bible.
7. Michael Bernard Beckwith's new CD, TranscenDance
8. Direct deposit of my paycheck.
9. My credit union, Genisys. I love being a member/owner.
10. Affirmations, the GLBT Community Center in Ferndale
11. Antonio David Garcia, the new Executive Director at Affirmations.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved.

One grateful week!

                 I Am Grateful for:

1. One week of compiling this gratitude list.
2. My ability to remain grounded in the midst of the storm.
3. Meeting Ed posthumously via officiating his memorial service.
4. Costco Gas
5. I am grateful for the breath I am taking now.
6. Cashews
7. Having food service in Mystic Grounds again.
8. My glasses
9. Tooth paste
10. Voice Mail

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved.

Gratitude that grows 11/12/11

         Today I am Grateful For:

1. Crisp (cold) almost winter mornings.
2. Bright sunny late fall afternoons.
3. Officiating weddings and commitment ceremonies
4. The sound and  smell of leaves crunching as I walk through them
5. Having awesome neighbors.
6. Living in the Rochester area
7. My niece Jordan Rose posting new pictures of Noah and Allie on Facebook.
8. That I can still be a computer nerd even though I am a minister.
9.  Friendships that stretch back 40 years.
10. Knowing that all of my needs are met.
11. Turkey chili

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved.

Grateful for Veterans and ...

 "It only takes one to end the war, me. I'm the one." ~Byron Katie


I am grateful for:

1. Veterans who have responded to the call, past or present, of our nation to safeguard our liberty and freedom. May their sacrifice never be in vain.
2. The telephone and my freedom to speak freely and without fear.
3. Having a car that runs and is paid for in full.
4. My own love of reading, which has opened the world to me.
5. The be grateful picture above that a friend sent to me.
6. The core team of volunteers for our upcoming rotating shelter week. We went through an orientation with the folks from the Macomb County Warming Center last night.
7. The gorgeous full (?) moon tonight
8. Being able to wear my favorite pair of blue jeans again.
9. Wireless Internet access all over our church
10. Google Music which lets me access all of my music from anywhere via the internet

Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie , all rights are reserved.

Great & Grateful - 11/10/11

Giving thanks from my grateful heart for:

1. That my alarm clock keeps ringing until I awaken.
2. The satisfaction (and clean nails) that come from washing the dishes.
3. A fried egg sandwich with cheese on toast which reminds me of Grandma Ledger
4. Getting a birthday card from the Youth Ministry folks even though I moved out of that department more than 2 years ago.
5. Having an office at the church with windows.
6. A text message from my brother Darrin asking if I was able to fix the water heater. (Yes, I did yesterday!)
7. A hot shower when I want to take one.
8. A warm home.
9. A comfortable bed.
10. Clean underwear everyday.
11. The power to choose.

Martha Creek delivered our Sunday Lesson on November 6, 2011 and challenged us with the question, "What would happen if you woke up this morning and all you had was what you thanked God for yesterday?" She then invited us to keep a gratitude journal of at least 10 things we were grateful for each day for at least the next 21 days (with no items repeated) as a spiritual practice of developing an attitude of gratitude.


Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie , all rights are reserved.

Gratitude list for Wednesday, 11/9/11

Today, I am grateful for:

1. The sweet smell of smoke from my neighbors wood stove wafting over the neighborhood this morning.
2. A solitary white crane fishing in the reeds across the pond; framed by reflections of russet, gold and yellow leaves.
3. Noticing how much easier it is getting to bend over and tie my shoes.
4. A profound sense of the state of Grace within which I live and move.
5. The awesome ability to change my thoughts & attitudes and therefore to change my world.
6. Having many choices about what to eat for breakfast.
7. Having close friends who love me and are willing to call me out on my stuff!
8. The stillness of this quiet morning.
9. An extra roll of bathroom tissue under the sink
10. The "balance" lessons learned watching squirrels busily hiding nuts for winter and taking time to play.
11. This friendly, supportive Universe I live in.
12. The hot water heater being out, which has led me to a do-it-yourself website and videos on how to change a thermocouple.
13. Hot Water, yeah!!!!!

Martha Creek delivered our Sunday Lesson on 11/6/11 and challenged us all with the question, "What would happen if you woke up this morning and all you had was what you thanked God for yesterday?" She then invited us to keep a gratitude journal of at least 10 things we were grateful for each day for at least the next 21 days (with no items repeated) as a spiritual practice of developing an attitude of gratitude.


Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie , all rights are reserved.

Gratitude list for 11/08/11

This day, I am grateful for:

1. My mom! I am not sure she knows how much she means to me at times.
2. The lone tree with bright red leaves left intact at the edge of the church yard. It seems to stand alone as a silent sentinel.
3. The non-stop stream of ideas that flowed forth in our marketing team meeting today.
4. This autumn mornings mist.
5. Receiving an invitation to a special first birthday party!
6. The support that appears as helpful volunteers with amazing skills exactly when they are needed.
7. The guy in the blue Ram pickup who opened a space for me to change lanes on the freeway this afternoon.
8. My neighbor, Danny, who mowed/mulched the leaves in my yard.
9. Crisply starched blue/yellow checkered shirt with button down collar - my favorite!
10. My friend and coworker Denise whose nagging makes me nuts and makes my world work smoother.

‎Martha Creek delivered our Sunday Lesson on 11/6/11 and challenged us all with the question, "What would happen if you woke up this morning and all you had was what you thanked God for yesterday?" She then invited us to keep a gratitude journal of at least 10 things we were grateful for each day for at least the next 21 days (with no items repeated) as a spiritual practice of developing an attitude of gratitude.


Copyright (c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie , all rights are reserved.

Gratitude list for 11/7/11

Today, I am grateful for:

1 - Work that is my passion, vocation and avocation
2 - Strong, hot coffee to start the day
3 - Scrambled eggs & toast
4 - November energy (my birth month)
5 - Indoor bathrooms
6 - Having a washing machine
7 - The furnace in my home
8 - An always expanding consciousness of God
9 - An amazing family
10 - Love that wraps itself around me as hundreds of hugs and smiles.

‎Martha Creek delivered our Sunday Lesson on 11/6/11 and challenged us all with the question, "What would happen if you woke up this morning and all you had was what you thanked God for yesterday?" She then invited us to keep a gratitude journal of at least 10 things we were grateful for each day for at least the next 21 days (with no items repeated) as a spiritual practice of developing an attitude of gratitude.

Jamey Rodemeyer, 14-Year-Old Boy, Commits Suicide After Gay Bullying, Parents Carry On Message (VIDEO)

Jamey Rodemeyer, 14-Year-Old Boy, Commits Suicide After Gay Bullying, Parents Carry On Message (VIDEO)

Jamey Rodemeyer had the love of his family and had even posted an "It Gets Better" video on Youtube last May. Evidently but the bullying (which can be intense in middle and high school) was intense and in the end, this bright 14 year old took his own life on September 18, 2011

When I was in high school (in the early 70's) three kids from our area took their own lives. They couldn't handle the constant harassing because others assumed they were gay. I know that two of those kids were indeed gay and the third was questioning his feelings. Unfortunately, he never got to sort things out.

Love for all people or fear of some. Each of us choose by the words we speak and think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtoBwOWc6Zs

Vulnerable

Two blocks from the end of my walk this morning I was charged by 3 dogs, including a pit bull or pit mix. Although they backed me up against a pickup truck, I was not bitten. The owner and her 20 something daughter had a hard time getting the dogs under control. No collars on the dogs, no leads. Telling me that they won't bit as they snapped, growled and kept trying to surround me. I did report the incident to the Sheriff  and animal control. Afterward I was absolutely drained emotionally. What if I had been a child or the older guy who runs in our neighborhood.

I am still shaking my head at the entire scene. The incident left me feeling vulnerable in a way that startled me.

I love dogs and do not blame any specific breed however I do think that owners of aggressive dogs should manage them responsibly.

Now, I need to get the dog in my head under control.

Happy Birthday to these United States of America!

 The  Ideas of religious freedom and self governance by the people launched a movement 235 years ago that continues to evolve. Thank you to those military & civilians who have paid with sweat & blood over the years for the freedoms we enjoy. We are not perfect and we are not finished yet. May America be a blessing now and always.


I say may America be a blessing because I often hear people say God Bless America. And yes, I too want God's Blessing on America and the entire planet. We are not separate from each other. All of the nations, people, life and this planet are interconnected on multiple levels.


Technology has made it possible to communicate with and, often, see and speak with almost anyone, anywhere at anytime. A couple of years ago, I officiated a wedding in Royal Oak Michigan that used Skype to link with the bride's family in Mongolia. They were able to be a part of the ceremony in real time. I met people in South Africa in 1997 that I regularly email, Facebook and Skype with. More than 500 million people are connected on Facebook alone. Of the worlds 6.9 billion people, 2.1 billion are Internet users.


Corporations span the globe, rapidly moving goods around the planet. Our economies are increasingly intertwined in complex ways. While global commerce has positive and negative aspects, we are still learning how to live on a massively integrated scale.


The ongoing movement of Spirit, by all the names and ways we understand It, is the ultimate connector. More and more, people are realizing that we are not separate beings with individual lives. Rather, we are individualization's of One life. We are part of one living organism called Life.


The rate of interconnections is increasing. Have you noticed? We can allow this transformation to drag us along or we can choose to be intentionally  involved with this exciting evolution in consciousness.


God Bless America and may America continue to be a blessing to all.










(c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie

Minister Resigns After Church Vote for Gay Clergy, Christian News

Minister Resigns After Church Vote for Gay Clergy, Christian News

In this article, The Rev. Andrew Coghill announced that he was stepping down from his pulpit in a Presbyterian (Church of Scotland) church because of his opposition to gay clergy which the General Assembly moved a step closer to ordaining.

He is quoted, "The Cross is not simply to be preached, it is to be lived." And I absolutely agree.

The cross bridges the apparent gap between divinity and humanity & calls us into a life in relationship to God based on Grace and not on the Law. To live the cross is to follow Jesus and his admonitions & instructions to "Love one another as I have loved you."

To be anything less that I was created to be is blasphemous. Someone recently asked how many homosexuals does God need to create before we get the message that everyone is made in the image and after the likeness of God.

Celebrate your life for it is a wonderful and unique expression of the very Life of God.

Only Love!

Ric

(c) 2011 by Richard L. Beattie

Love is the Guide

Dear God,

We remember that You are the unifying force that links all life.
In the stillness, we connect as One—heart to heart and mind to mind.
From this Oneness flows the guidance, ideas and courage we need to:

Cool reactors
Calm fears
Feed children
Love one another
Restore the planet
Heal the broken
End wars
And change course.

The effects of our error thinking are evident in many places on our planet.
Today, we move beyond effect to the deeper level of cause.
Now is the time for us to unite in thought, prayer and Love.
Remind us God that in You, All is well.
Thank You.
Amen

(c) Copyright 2011 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved

Waiting for the Storm

I love snow storms. Perhaps I should say I love to be safely at home (or in a cabin with a fire and someone special) with everything I need to stay home for several days when a storm is raging.. I enjoy the imposed slowdown as well as the display of quiet power. Frozen water is tiny flakes that weight almost nothing accumulate as a formidable force capable of stopping our machinery, shutting down airports and train depots.


For several days the weather people have been predicting the big storm was coming, 10-15 inches of snow and the likelihood that most everything would be shut down for a couple of days. The church was closing early so that we could all get home before the storm made its appearance. On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store to make certain that I would not have to go out for several days if needed.


When I got home, I noticed that I had bough ingredients to make comfort food, or the food from my two grandmothers' kitchens.Supplies for chicken soup, chili and chocolate chip cookies. As I work through "A Course in Weight Loss," I'm simply noticing the connections between my emotional state, in this case, the storm and being safe with Grandma by recreating the smells and tastes of her kitchen.


I don't know if the storm will deliver as forecast, but I have experienced another important aha about my eating habits. 


Keeping it as real as I can!
Ric