Tag Archives: Music

Gratitude Friday

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This post is a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

1. Fall. I know, I can’t stop talking about it, but I love Fall in Colorado–cool temperatures, the golden light, the green turning to yellow, red, and brown. I long during this season to stay outside, to take longer and longer walks, to sink into the tempo, the slowing down this season brings.

2. Fellow bloggers, who are also the kindest and gentlest of readers. Erica Staab and Sherry Belul and Sunni Chapman, who all offered me such pure comfort and genuine kindess this week.

3. So many good books. Right now, I’m reading Tammy Strobel’s You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap) and Christine Rosalie’s A Field Guide to Now, and next I’ll read Brene’ Brown’s Daring Greatly and Elizabeth Lesser’s Broken Open. And I’ll keep working my way down this pile, with Pema Chödrön’s new book and Erica Staab’s The In-Between on their way to be added to the stack. So many good books…

4. Self-Care, a warm shower or a nap or exactly what I want to eat for breakfast–a commitment to maintaining my awareness of my needs, being curious, having the intention to provide what I need, what I want, what would make me happy or give me comfort or make me laugh or feel good. To be able to finally do this for myself in the way I’ve always been able to do it for others makes me so grateful.

5. New music. Yesterday, I listened all day to Greg Laswell, (thanks to this post by Judy Clement Wall on Zebra Sounds) and today it’s Meg Hutchinson, (thanks to this post by Jen Lee).

Bonus Joy: Love notes from Eric. My heart fills until it almost hurts with the comfort and joy that these tiny slips of paper give me.

Something Good

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it looks like it’s waving at us, doesn’t it? or offering a hug.

1. An Intentional Life by Leo Babauta on Zen Habits.

Many of us go through our days awake, but following patterns we’ve developed over the years. We are going through the motions, doing things at home, online, at work without much forethought.

Contrast this with the idea of an Intentional Life: everything you do is done with consciousness, fulfilling one of your core values (compassion, for example). Everything is done with a conscious intent.

2. This quote: At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~Albert Schweitzer

3. This quote: As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John F. Kennedy

4. Anaïs Nin on Life, Hand-Lettered by Artist Lisa Congdon on Brain Pickings. When I was in my 20s, I read all of Anaïs Nin’s diaries. She was brilliant and strange, and I loved every word. These illustrated quotes are fabulous.

5. 40 Ways to Feel More Alive on Tiny Buddha.

6. Music is My Church by Sarah McLachlan on Huffington Post. Amen.

7. Six Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress Levels, from Dumb Little Man: Tips for Life. Oh boy, did I ever need this advice this week.

8. You Are Beautiful Project. Sometimes, something simple can be powerful.

9. Community, A Structure of Belonging from Patti Digh on 37 Days. “It is such a sign of hope in a world of pain that we take care of each other, still.” There is still time to give to the John F. Ptak Relief Fund. It always feels good to help someone who needs it, but when they are so grateful and full of love, it feels even better.

10. The next round of Telling True Stories starts on September 10th. I loved Laurie Wagner’s 5-week Writing ECourse, (see my open love letter to her and the class), loved, loved, loved Laurie’s wild, open-hearted, brave teaching, and if you are a writer looking to be inspired, to get wild, I think you will too.

11. Aimee Mann’s New Video. Aimee Mann’s music is brilliant, but a close second to that talent is her sense of humor–both of which are clear in this new video.