AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
We have created a series of gratitude circles along a trail on the property.   Our aim is to encourage one another to open our hearts and minds more fully to the goodness, richness, beauty and grace in our world. 
You may walk along the trail and pause at each one to read, watch or participate in with the extended information below. We have included a selection of videos, poetry, music & texts which have helped us reach a deeper levels of awareness & gratitude.  “By choosing your thoughts, and by selecting which emotional currents you will release and which you will reinforce, you determine the quality of your Light. You determine the effects that you will have upon others and the nature of the experiences of your life.” — Gary Zukav
Lastly, we respect that everyone has a unique set of experiences, challenges, beliefs and values.  ​
~ Please simply take what resonates with your soul and leave the rest. ~

The Science of Gratitude - Mindful

Science Proves That Gratitude Is Key to Well-Being | Psychology Today

​Mission, Vision and Values - Gratefulness.org

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1.) GRATITUDE FOR EARTHS BOUNTY (name the canoe: earth ship)
Of all the planets in our Solar System  we have yet to encounter the abundance of life and beauty as we have here on earth.  Imagine a sense of peace within you.  Take a moment to close your eyes and envision you are completly content in your being and that you need nothing else.  Everything is taken care of for you.  You are safe, loved, whole, peaceful
Next to fruit tree or canoe with garden. 
find ways to make sure there are no hungry tummies - 
Thich Nat Han - eat a raisin - 2 minutes
​28. “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

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2.) GRATITUDE TO THE DIVINE FEMININE


Love, honor & gratitude to all the men & women who seek their true power in the form of LOVE.

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3.) GRATITUDE FOR ALL CULTURES & ETHNICITIES
Location is next to the boat ramp to the right. --  Cedar maybe?  Plant tree - soil from away.
World Map with sticky marks showing where dirt from
Get tree in Spring
6. “We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh
​​48. “In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh

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4.) GRATITUDE FOR THE BREATH OF LIFE   
To the left  or right of wedding point by watefront

4. “Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh
9. “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”— Thich Nhat Hanh
23. “Breathing in, there is only the present moment. Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh
26. “Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh

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5.) GRATITUDE FOR FIRE  
On stump between two fire pits upper lot
So much delicious poetry about FIRE!    And a favorite from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, "Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire."  —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.  

Rumi said it best, "If your knowledge of fire has been turned to certainty by words alone, then seek to be cooked by the fire itself.  Don't abide in borrowed certainty.  There is no real certainty until you burn; if you wish for this, sit down in the fire."

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6.) GRATITUDE FOR WATER  

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7.) GRATITUDE FOR CHILDREN
By waterfront entrance of enchanted forest---
​Pray for all children.... poem
You're in a coma- alien... first time you see, smell, hear, taste....
​JOY
Children more often follow our example- not our advice. 
​“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”- Mother Theresa 
​"Prayer for Children" by Ina Hughes 
We pray for children who put chocolate fingers everywhere,
who like to be tickled,
who stomp in mud puddles and ruin their new pants,
who sneak popsicles before supper,
who erase holes in math workbooks,
who can never find their shoes.
We pray for those who stare at photographers behind barbed wire,
who can't pound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead,
who never go to the circus,
who live in an x-rated world.
We pray for children who bring us sticky kisses and handfuls of dandelions,
who sleep with the dog and bury goldfish,
who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money,
who cover themselves with bandaids and sing off-key,
who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink and slurp their soup.
We pray for those who never get dessert,
who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
who watch their parents watch them die,
who can't find any bread to steal,
who don't have any rooms to clean up,
whose pictures aren't on anybody's dressers,
whose monsters are real.
We pray for children who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
who like ghost stories,
who shove dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub,
who get visits from the tooth fairy,
who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,
who squirm in church or temple and scream in the phone,
whose tears we sometimes laugh at,
and whose smiles can make us cry.
We pray for those whose nightmares come in the day,
who will eat anything,
who have never seen a dentist,
who aren't spoiled by anybody,
who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
who live and move,
but have no being.
We pray for children who want to be carried
and for those who must,
for those we give up on
and for those who don't get a second chance.
For those we smother with kindness
and for those who will grab the hand of anyone
kind enough to offer it.

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8.) GRATITUDE FOR GENTLE GIANTS

“We all travel the Milky Way together, trees and men.”
― John Muir, The Mountains of California

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9.) GRATITUDE FOR THE HEART
ON THE FENCE - GIANT RED HEART AND HEARTS INSIDE HANDS - silouette of people in rows
What is love: butterflies in belly,  feeding elderly, walking into harms way, say no to drug addicted child, opening mouth to share your heart, keeping your mouth closed to hear and sit with anothers sorrow, 
"Close your eyes... and notice your heart.  See if it needs some gentleness from you.  Comfort it in the way you would comfort your best friend." - Pamela Wilson
17. “The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh

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10.) GRATITUDE FOR PATHWAYS TO PEACE
Echart tolle, kabot zinn,  mindfullness, BODY EXCERSISES, WALKING MEDITATION, SITTING, 
33. “Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

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11.) GRATITUDE FOR EMPLOYEES

Natalie Merchant wrote this song to honor workers after reflecting at the kindness of a toll booth employee.  
https://youtu.be/BKxAggE3t9E

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12.) GRATITUDE TO OUR GUESTS
By waterfall or patch of bushes/flowers across from office
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​2. “Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh