Many years ago, a spiritual teacher of mine, Rev. Guy Williams, challenged a class I was in to write down 100 things we were grateful for every day.
It seemed so daunting at first. When I took on this challenge the first few days I couldn’t seem to get beyond ten or 12 items.
Finally it dawned on me, or maybe I remembered Guy saying, that little things count. So for a period of time I wrote out 100 things I was grateful for each day – being a touch typist helps. Then I acquired a mala – sort of a Buddhist rosary with 108 beads and I began just to count off 108 things I was grateful for on a daily basis.
Those practices died off as many such practices have for me, but awhile back I began creating a 100 things list every Thanksgiving and posting it on one of my blogs. Cathy Miller picked up the habit from me, and I suspect some others may have too.
This year I’ve turned out to have a list of 108 things… without much effort. I could write more… but I won’t right now.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving for those of you who celebrate it. My apologies to all native Americans, and my wishes to everyone for a world that works for each one of you.
- Good coffee
- My espresso machine
- Hot water
- Tap water that’s safe to drink.
- My paid for car.
- Driving only two or three days a week.
- Electricity
- My computer
- My iPad
- My land line
- My cell phone
- New tires on the car
- Meditation
- My cat – MzTiz
- The zen center cats I feed – Ghost, Chloe, and Clarke
- That Clarke is letting me pet him almost daily.
- The Kwan Yin statue I can see from my office.
- A place to meditate in community.
- Fresh food.
- Trader Joe’s
- A new computer that’s finally set up right.
- My daughter, Linda
- My son, Mike
- My son, Steve
- Linda’s husband, Chris.
- Mike’s wife, Gloria.
- Mike and Gloria’s kids, my grand kids, Emily and Ben
- Steve’s wife Stacey.
- Steve and Stacey’s kids, my grand kids, Valerie and Cole
- Seisen
- Ando
- Doshin
- Cait
- Carol
- Cathy
- Lori
- Jenn
- David
- Living in Community
- Kozan
- Alan
- Kelly
- Sean
- Succulent plants
- Growing vegies
- Writing
- Freelance writing
- My commute – maybe six steps.
- Stove
- Fridge
- Kitchen sink
- Big old bathtub
- Instant hot water heater
- Massaging shower head
- Bathroom sink
- Flush toilets
- Gas heater
- Wireless in my house
- Electric lights
- My comfy bed
- Yogi Green Tea
- Yogi Bedtime Tea
- The Miele vacuum I scored on eBay
- eBay
- Amazon
- Half.com
- Craigslist
- Zen center gardens
- Eco
- Twigg’s Coffee shop
- Living near the ocean
- The Pacific
- Other people’s dogs
- Books
- Libraries
- Online friends
- My writing clients
- JonathanFields.com (and Jonathan)
- Lynn Twist
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Nicotine Anonymous
- Debtors Anonymous
- Underearners Anonymous
- John L.
- Stephanie
- Barbara
- Rev. Guy Williams
- Dogen
- zen
- My living room rug – I really love it.
- The rug in my office – I love it too.
- World Beat Center
- Balboa Park
- Studio 6 in Spanish Village
- Working with clay
- My doctor
- Don
- Wishlist
- WordPress
- The Internet
- This blog’s readers
- 5 Buck Forum members
- The 7th grade typing class I took that’s stood me in such good stead all these years.
- The money I have
- The money I’ve had
- The money that’s coming
- Breakfast!
What are you grateful for?
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I’m not doing too well right now, but I found a few things to be thankful for. One is that this horrid year will soon be over. Hopefully next year will be better. (I said that last year, but third time’s the charm….please?)
Elizabeth West recently posted..Thanksgiving 2013
Yes, you did find some things to be grateful for… and each one counts!
Love positiveness when I see it!
So, grateful for the wonderful blogging friends I’ve met through the years. ๐
Helene Poulakou recently posted..Inspiration Exists
The ability to restart yourself as you rediscover yourself. Anyone in recovery knows this one to be true.
Hi Bill… yes.
Great list, Anne. Brilliant! You have inspired me to take this up. I will be making a list next Thanksgiving as well. Hope you had a wonderful day. I’m a native San Diegan displaced to TN. #94 made me homesick.
Tanya Adams recently posted..Are Promotional Items Effective?
Tanya, glad it spoke to you… how did you get to TN?
Beautiful list Anne! Most days I ask myself what I’m grateful for, but I don’t do a long list — usually just a few things large or small.
And I’m definitely grateful for you!
John Soares recently posted..Comprehensive Guide to Setting Freelance Writing Goals
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Where the inspiration came from. ๐ I am very thankful for you, Anne.
Cathy Miller recently posted..My List of 50 Thanksgiving Thanks
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