Grateful Me - Day 5

My gratitude journal - everyday for 30 days I find and post at least 10 things I am grateful for without repeating.

1. I am grateful for this morning view of a doe and fawn through my home office window.
2. I am grateful for Kirkland's dark roast coffee. Bold and strong brewed here at home.
3. I am grateful for the Ninja coffee maker that replaced the Keurig. It makes a great cup of coffee very fast and I can clean it
4. I am grateful for cool breeze blowing through open windows.
5. I am grateful for needing a blanket last night.
6. I am grateful for indoor plumbing.
7. I am grateful for toilet tissue.
8. I am grateful for Carol Q. and I placing the order today for our cabinets for our kitchen at Unity of Royal Oak.
9. I am grateful for taking my first real walk in a long time.
10. I am grateful to have Rochester Municipal park to walk in.
11. I am grateful for a wonderful lunch at Recipes in downtown Rochester.
12. I'm grateful for an awesome meal at Bill's with Dan.

I am grateful for you!

Ric

Grateful Me - Day 4

My gratitude journal - everyday for 30 days I find and post at least 10 things I am grateful for without repeating.

1. I am grateful for this awesome perfect day. A nice breeze and 75.
2. I am grateful for the presence of my Grandma Miller, Miss Katie, my dad's mother. The geranium in the picture is a cut of one of hers. This plant is more than 20 years old. The parent plant was older. I feel her presence here with and in me often.
3. I am grateful for the ability to work and home occasionally, especially when I need to do a lot of writing. I got so much done today.
4. I am grateful for the team of volunteers and staff I work with. The are deeply committed and dedicated. They live the message and teaching of Unity.
5. I am grateful Bluetooth speakers than sound awesome with a small footprint and price tag.
6. I am delighted by the 2018 World Day of Prayer program our Prayer Partners Core Team have created.
7. I am grateful for lime flavored water.
8. I am grateful for my increasing ability to be self differentiated.
9. I am grateful for this Life that lives me.
10. I am grateful for wonderful neighbors. Cathy & Arne are amazing.

I am grateful for you!

Ric

Grateful Me - Day 3

Midweek  Mindful Meditation

My gratitude journal - everyday for 30 days I find and post at least 10 things I am grateful for without repeating.

1. I am grateful for the desk officer at the Royal Oak PD who helped me make the report of yesterday's incident.
2. I am grateful for the more than Main St. feeling of downtown Royal Oak early this the morning
3. I am grateful that I can easily find food that works with my eating program almost everywhere.
4. I am grateful that there is some progress in discovering why Julianna has been so ill recently.
5. I am grateful for our growing Wed. ACIM discussion group.
6. I am grateful for lunch after ACIM today especially good conversations with Mary and Tom.
7. I am grateful for the friend request from Greg Barrette this morning.
8. I am grateful for the continued interest in our Midweek Mindful Meditation.
9. I am grateful fora text from Kevin saying he would be at meditation.
10. I am grateful for the dramatic change to cooler temperatures and drier air that greeted me when I left URO after meditation. Seems that Autumn is whispering, "I am close!"

I am grateful for you!

Ric

Grateful Me - Day 2

Create a gratitude journal and everyday for 30 days list at least 10 things you are grateful for. And no repeating. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

1. I am grateful for the beautiful grounds at Unity of Royal Oak. They represent  the growth of our community's consciousness in a visible way. The neighbors and visitors often tell me how much they enjoy our beautiful property.
2. I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Sally in the hospital today and share some knowledge with  her about dialysis and kidney care. Mom was with me in that moment.
3. I am grateful for the way that the fender-bender I was involved with was handled peacefully.
4. I am grateful for our Conversation Skills class discussion this evening. I am intrigued by the ways that spiritual practices are showing up in business trainings.
5. I am grateful for The Work of Byron Katie which is so alive in me.
6. I am grateful for Air-conditioning on this hot and very humid day.
7. I am grateful for my car which has served me well for five years and is not paid off.
8. I am grateful for Felicia who is our mail lady. She has a sweet and shining disposition.
9. I am grateful for this exercise which helps me "notice" where God is at work in and around me.
10. I am grateful that Kim has the week off to rest and simply be with her beloved family.

I am grateful for you!

Ric

Grateful Me - Day 1

 Several years ago my friend and mentor/teacher Martha Creek shared this challenge during a talk she gave at Renaissance Unity. Create a gratitude journal and everyday for 30 days find at least 10 things you are grateful for without repeating. Yesterday, I challenged our congregation at Unity of Royal where I am Spiritual Leader and Pastor to embark on this same journey with me. So here we go!
Today, I am grateful for:

1. My initial encounter with Unity and its New Thought/Ancient Wisdom teachings in 1976 at Unity of The Infinite with Jack Boland. My life has never been the same.
2. Martha Creek whose example, teaching and advice has propelled me to a deeper knowing of myself and a closer "walk with Spirit."
3. The Privilege of being the Spiritual Leader of the amazing Community for Conscious Living called Unity of Royal Oak.
4. Karen Drucker who is a singer and songwriter of powerful & uplifting songs that touch the heart. Such as the one in the blog post.
5. My sweet dog Porkchop who is sleeping in his bed next to my desk and is currently snoring. 
6. Genisys Credit Union where I have been a member for 27 years. Awesome service.
7. My friend and member of our congregation, Nick Hill, who waters, nurtures and maintains our beautiful grounds. He was out watering this morning when I stopped in for at 9 although it is my day off.
8. Having Monday off.
9. The New Thought Network which provides hours of positive lectures and inspiration .
10. The self awareness to live and be without blaming any one for anything.

I am grateful for you!

Ric

Step by step, choice by choice the journey continues

It's the fifth anniversary of my brother Matt's death. Mother's day is near and Father's day not far away. The anniversary of my father's death and my mother's are just passed. I share pictures of Matt, Mom, my Grandmothers, Dad, Erik and others not because I am living in the past but because they are all alive in me as memories, mannerisms and habit patterns (good and bad) and genetic material. I re-member and celebrate them all.

I am grateful for Darrin and Dion and both of their families. Forty five years ago I graduated from Lake Orion High School and began to move out into the world and shape my life.  It has been an amazing, mind blowing journey. Not everything has come out as I had planned and some of my choices brought tough lessons. Lake Orion to Detroit, Rochester, Ferndale, Los Angeles, Rochester, Ventura, Lake Orion and back to Rochester. Cook,machine operator, computer geek, manager, executive manager and not minister. Each step, opening doors and closing others, every winter has been followed by spring

A Powerful Question from Martha Creek. "Who Would I Be If I Was Willing?"

Who would I be if I was willing?

• I'd be more willing to not know and be wrong
• I'd be bolder in living my truth.
• I'd take more walks and vacations if I let things be.
• I'd be married if I risked going out and being available.
• More ...

Thanks As A Way of Living - Day 33

1. I am grateful for a day to just be still.
2. I'm grateful for the opportunity to make a hospital visit to a friend.
3. I am grateful for the opportunity to share some of my own experience strength and hope with the person who quote just happened" to be in the hospital, in the next bed to my friend.
4. Still very very grateful for the most amazing Christmas weekend still abuzz about both are candlelighting in the Christmas morning service.
5. Grateful for the ways that spirit flows through me when I let it happen.

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 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 30

1. I am grateful to our Outreach Team who allocated funds for Christmas for two of our families.
2. I am grateful for Saundra and the Ford Employees Fund who adopted three families through Unity of Royal Oak.
3. I am grateful for my sister, Dion, who not only let me use her van to deliver gifts today but went with me and helped.
4. I grateful for Carol's willingness to be Christmas Carol as she had done for many years .
5. I am grateful for the families that received our gifts of love made real.  I love being able to put feet and food to our prayers.

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 29

1. I am grateful that the small amount of holidays related shopping is finished and I no longer need to wait in long queues or dodge peoples carts.
2. I am grateful; that I was able to listen in on the Christmas Eve music rehearsal this afternoon. The spirit of Christmas is finally stirring within me.
3. I'm grateful that Liz can play the piano for Christmas Eve which allows Kim to lead and direct.
4. I'm grateful that the piano tuning service was able to come out on short notice after the sudden shift to dry winter air took the sound south.
5. I am grateful for ongoing support from our Board of Trustees which makes things run smoothly.

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 28

1. I am grateful that today is the Winter Solstice which means the days will begin to lengthen. 
2. I am grateful for memories and photographs of my mother and my awareness of her nearness this first Christmas season since she made her transition.
3. I am grateful that I remembered to buy flash paper for our burning bowl service.
4. I am grateful that the cold symptoms fro earlier in the week are dissipating.
5. I am grateful for a really sound sleep last night. I feel fantastic today!

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 26

1. I am grateful for the wonderful chicken soup I made today with garlic infused chicken broth I bought at Aldi last week. Wonderful garlicky flavor!
2. I am grateful for this cold quiet day. It forced me to slow down and pay attention.
3. I am grateful for a warm conversation over dinner with my neighbor Fred this afternoon. His wife of 54 years passed this past February and he is learning to navigate life in a new way.
4. I am grateful for Norma the neighborhood Christmas Luminaries Chair person in Royal Oak. We will have 50 luminaries surrounding Unity of Royal Oak in Christmas Eve.
5. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about some of the side TV stations since I dropped cable. I am enjoying the PBS side station @Create a lot among others.

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 25

1. I am grateful for this focus on Peace this Fourth Sunday of Advent which led me to the meaning of Shalom which then led me to the awareness that peace is more than the absence of conflict and that peace is a consciousness of deepest connection to Source. Preaching regularly is a powerful personal spiritual practice.
2. I am grateful for the streamlined service opening that grew out of conversations with several people over the past week. I didn't feel like I had to rush the talk.
3. I am grateful for Harvey's singing The Holly and the Ivey today. I love to see people stepping into their gifts and sharing them in community.
4. I am grateful for Sharon and Richard choosing to celebrate his birthday with the entire community by providing lunch from Chicken Shack as well as ice scream and cake. The sense of community, connection and ownership grows each month.
5.  I am grateful for having nothing that I must tend to at the moment allowing time for a nap and some music. Now to dream about Christmas ...

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 24

Cleared Lot & Walkways - Thanks Leone Outdoor Services

1. I am grateful the parking lot and walks were already cleared at Unity of Royal Oak when I went in this morning for our Men's Group Meeting. Before hiring Leone Outdoor Services, the parking lot wouldn't be cleared until Monday (for the medical offices that share our lot) and the walkways and public sidewalks waited until I could find someone to shovel.
2. I am grateful for the six men who turned out on a snowy morning that had been forecast to be icy for our reformed Men's Group. A hearty bunch of guys who made breakfast and then had a heartfelt conversation.
3. I'm grateful for the new coffee maker and everyone liking the coffee. We're a group of coffee snobs in the men's group it seems. 
4. I'm grateful that ,y new snow thrower worked like a champ and had enough battery time to clear the driveway and Porkchop's spot out front too. Porkchop has short hair and is small so he isn't a fan of wading into the snow to do his business.
5. I'm grateful the forecast freezing rain did not materialize and I was able to easily get to the venue for a wedding I was officiating. I prefer a stress free zone.

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 22

1. I am grateful for the variety of activities happening tonight at Unity of Royal Oak. In addition to the usual Attitudinal Healing and Thursday Night Thrive we had Caught In Conversation. Incredible for a small congregation in a 6500 square foot facility!
2. I am grateful for our relationship with Song and Spirit Institute for Peace. Tonight, we hosted the second Caught In Conversation program where 85 people from the Abrahamic traditions (Christians, Jews & Muslims)  gathered around 11 tables to share a simple meal and some conversation about who we are and how our faith has been important to us. Awesome!
3. I am grateful for Imam Steve El Turk from IONA who is a peacemaker and an amazing man!
4. I am grateful for Cindy Jacques who jumps in wherever I ask her too and always delivers more than requested. She makes my life easier.
5. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and learn and grow and be immersed in a community of faith..

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 21

1. I am grateful for the decorations all around Unity of Royal Oak. I like Christmas lights and decorations a lot however, I don't put too much up at home at this time.
2. I am grateful for an amazing full winter moon. Makes me smile and wonder.
3. I am grateful for a few minutes with Hazzan Steve and Brother Al from Song and Spirit stopping by this morning.
4. I am grateful for the energy of our Sanctuary. I love to meditate there.
5. I am grateful for Dave and Dan, brothers who are long time residents of the neighborhood.  My driveway is now fully clear.

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