3.26.2013

Today I'm thankful for unexpected mail, inside jokes, stellar dancing (Happy Belated birthday, moonwalk), raw vocal talent & off-the-wall humor.

3.22.2013

Today I am thankful for sight, which will help me to live vicariously through family headed to warm beaches tomorrow. I am also thankful for those with sight that sees beyond the eye's ability to see opportunities to serve and help others. I am grateful for instant communication in all of its forms that keep me in touch with those far away. Finally, I am thankful for inspiration.

3.21.2013

Today, I am thankful that the idea of starting this blog has motivated me to post again (in spite of Spring Break slacking). I am thankful for sincerity, the sweet smell of rain in bone dry Colorado, meadowlarks' songs, and artistic perceptions. I am thankful that beauty can be seen in simple things, and that artists can bring awareness to beauty by seeking to interpret the world. I appreciate mental snapshots and great places that make me feel small. I am thankful for friendships and relationships that pick up without leaving off, in spite of gaps of months, miles, oceans, or years. Above all, today I am thankful that quality time is not the same as extravagant activities, but rather living to experience moments with loved ones.

3.15.2013

Today, I am thankful for sarcasm, loving teasing, frozen waterfalls, and getting off of work early.

3.14.2013

Today, I am thankful for open-hearted hugs, unmitigated joy, sarcasm, chocolate milk, and color.

3.13.2013

Today, I am thankful for random acts of kindness, wandering walks, spring sunshine, and sweet potato tots.

3.12.2013

Today, I am thankful for compassion...both demonstrated and received.  I'm thankful for individuals who seek to see the beauty and good in others and give, without expecting anything in return.  I am grateful for the innocently naive curiosity and wonderings that find their way out of children's growing brains.

3.11.2013

Today, I am thankful for those who have earned their gray hair, uninhibited laughter, and the power of ridiculous songs (K-k-k-Katie all the way to Mr. Parr's remixes).

Smile a while...

& give your face a rest. (Stretch out wide & ease your manly chest!) (Only to be sung loudly with goofy grins fully in place...)

I've been wanting to reestablish a thankful/gratitude journal for a while now, & have taken forever getting around to it.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized how fruitful a shared journal could be.  Smiles and sincere thankfulness are like dandelion seeds of happiness and "warm fuzzies," so why not be responsible for blowing those seeds out into the world to spark life into the sun-cracked, routinely trodden sidewalks in our minds? (Can you tell I've been reading Shel Silverstein lately?).  Anyways, back on point.  My goal with this blog is to set expectations for publishing low with the intent that the follow-through will be more consistent than my last attempt, when life was significantly more eventful.

I want to make a point to be consciously thankful for at least one new thing each day, and invite anyone who cares to join me to create a running record of why I'm (or you're) happy to be alive...like the 30 day photo challenge, but ongoing & easier to complete.

Exercise creativity. Inspire fond trips down memory lane (thanks for the blog title, Grandpa Lee).  Encourage empathy.  Remember compassion. Document happiness. Who's with me?