The following may come as a shock to some, less so to others, but after bouncing around in the blogosphere since 2004 I’m ending The Spectacled Bean, an almost 15 year old blog*. I feel it is time for me, a free spirit, to move on. I need a change of scenery. Something simple and … Continue reading And Then It Was Time For Me To Say Goodbye| THE SPECTACLED BEAN
Life moves fast, but your soul doesn’t. It whispers, slows, and calls you back to what truly matters. In the middle of deadlines, notifications, and endless to-do lists, your inner self quietly asks for something simple: care. Self-care isn’t just bubble baths or checklists. It’s a sacred practice. It’s the art of remembering who you […] The post 12 Daily Rituals to Nurture Your Soul and Bring Inner Peace appeared first on Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude.| Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude
If your nervous system feels like it’s been living with its shoulders up by its ears—jumpy, tense, and exhausted—then you’re not alone. In fact, stress, uncertainty, and chronic busyness keep many of us stuck in “fight-or-flight.” Yet, even in the midst of this pressure, a small and simple practice of gratitude continues to show outsized […] The post How Gratitude Can Heal Your Nervous System appeared first on Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude.| Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude
This marble-painting activity activates all the senses and lets you enjoy a mindful moment while making art with your little ones. The post Mindful Marble Art: A Creative & Sensory Practice for Kids appeared first on Mindful.| All Articles About Mindful Living Skills - from Mindful.org
“My body is not my own, but my wife’s.” So John Chrysostom admonishes a husband to tell any woman who would try to seduce him. In an age when many, surely including us, are tempted to see our body as ‘our own,’ this raises an issue of the first importance: what really is mine or […]| LifeCraft
Double rainbow in Ennistymon I must have been five or six when I first saw a picture of Ireland and knew I would go there one day. I'm...| Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg
Discover why the meaning of life is not hidden in mystery but revealed in the simplest truth: to be alive, awake, and fully present in each moment.| Life Inspiration
My very first Rengay, friends. And I’m elated to have collaborated with David of The Skeptic’s Kaddish. Please take a look. 🙇🏻♀️ Click on the link. 🙏 A two-person ‘Rengay’ By Selma and David sm- fast they propagate weeds. everywhere. everyday. spread far as the truth db- fabrications grow unchecked… Peregrination, or: A rengay I […]| Selma
In this publication, over the past several years, I have not kept secret that I am an avid 12 Stepper and that I have been very grateful to have found the Steps. They have become a very important part of my recovery and life for over thirty years. I see the 12 Steps as not … The post Empowerment: An Important Element of Recovery first appeared on The Phoenix Spirit.| The Phoenix Spirit
As someone who’s been listing off things that make her smile since 2020, I can confirm that practicing gratitude can sometimes feel a little tedious....| Notes by Thalia
I'm so thankful autumn has arrived! It's still hot here in the Sacramento Valley, and will be for at least a few more weeks, but I can tell that fall is here. The sun is less glaring. The rice fields are turning gold, and some are being harvested. I've heard arriving migratory geese calling to each other just after sunrise and sunset.| Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff
Hello dear friends, I hope this blog finds you smiling and ready for a quiet moment of thought. Today’s writing prompt truly spoke to me: “What details of your life could you pay more attention to?” It’s so easy to... Read More ›| Retiredकलम
Bless the poets, the workers for justice, the dancers of ceremony, the singers of heartache, the visionaries, all makers and carriers of fresh meaning—We will all make it through, despite politics and wars, despite failures and misunderstandings. There is only love. ~ Joy Harjo It was not all work and no play while we were […]| breezes at dawn
When Sun leaves at dusk, it makes a doorway. We have access to ancestors, to eternity. Breathe out. Ask for forgiveness. Let all hurts and failures go. Let them go. ― Joy Harjo, Crazy Brave: A Memo…| breezes at dawn
Autumn is a season of transition: cooler mornings, shifting light, and a natural slowing of pace. It is also a season that invites reflection. Pairing gratitude with movement offers a powerful, evidence-based way to cultivate mental wellness while easing seasonal stress. Rather than seeing exercise and gratitude journaling as separate practices, blending them can create… The post Gratitude & Movement: A Simple Fall Practice appeared first on IDEA Health & Fitness Association.| IDEA Health & Fitness Association
Are your pupils more polite at the end of Year 7 compared to the start of Year 7? Do pupils in Year 8 work harder than pupils in Year 7 because their habits of working have improved over their time at school? Are your pupils in Year 11 better at taking responsibility for their actions … Continue reading Becoming Better People| Bunsen Blue
“If you’re filled with joy and filled with love, you’re a blessing on this planet.”—Michael Singer Writing this post was also an excuse to post a picture of my amazing daughter when she was still i…| Pam Grout
When I last wrote on this blog, a little over a month ago, I promised I’d return mid-September for our monthly What’s On Your Bookshelf post. And that’s partially true. I’m back—but this time to sa…| Retirement Reflections
Create a gratitude practice that sticks—easy steps, faith-based inspiration, and proven ways to invite more joy into your life.| Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude
It’s been a busy week: lunch at a friend’s place ( someone I met at another friend’s house), a neighbour’s birthday celebration and my first meeting at a book swap group. Me…| Eúnoia
Originally Posted on The Coaching Tools Company as Gratitude That Grounds and Grows Your Coaching Practice | by Dr Steve Jeffs MCC "Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more." — Melody Beattie As coaches, we spend our days guiding clients...| The Coaching Tools Company
Last Sunday, I grabbed my cleats and drove to a saved location in Google Maps called “Sunday Soccer” around 2pm. I didn’t check with anyone ahead of time to see if folks would be there, even though it had been nearly two years since I last played with this crew. Somehow, I knew they would […]| agm
The Tuesday after Labour Day always feels like an ending and a beginning for me. Do you feel the same? There’s something special about this day. The return to school means the end of summer a…| Life with Alegria
In this guided meditation, Kim Armstrong walks you through a simple practice to expand your capacity for gratitude in the everyday moments of life. The post A 12-Minute Meditation for Cultivating Daily Gratitude appeared first on Mindful.| All Articles About Mindful Living Skills - from Mindful.org
Transform your life by trading the burden of expectations for the liberation of appreciation. Discover a path to genuine peace, connection, and abundance in this profound article.| Life Inspiration
Having an early January birthday has often meant celebrating indoors. When I was young, I envied those summer babies who could mark their special day with a beach bash or pool party. Following so closely after all the winter holiday celebrations, my birthday often felt like an afterthought… one that wasn’t necessarily welcome. Although my … Continue reading "Another Year Older"| Retirementally Challenged
Nature is Poetry. I dedicate this post to The McDonald Brothers.| Selma
By Mary Ann Faremouth, CPC From the prophets of the Old Testament to songwriters of today, much has been shared about how, during the changing of seasons, we can reap the best harvest. Here I am referring to “harvest” in a metaphorical sense — as it pertains to our garden of life. Also, […] The post Create Your Best Harvest in the New Work World and Beyond appeared first on The Pulse of the News.| The Pulse of the News
Gratitude. Thankfulness. Appreciation. The feels both you and a donor feel whenever someone contemplates, or gives, a gift to your organization. Acknowledgement. Recognition. These are the underlying secrets known by successful fundraisers worth their salt. At base, they’re about the obligation philanthropy facilitators carry to show supporters how much their support means. Sounds simple. And… The post Top Secrets to Igniting the Philanthropic Fire and Keeping the Warm Glow Burning? appea...| Clairification
Happiness and sadness in August.… Continue reading →| Natalie the Explorer
In the midst of never-ending what-ifs and might-bes, the journey is never easy— weighed down by worries umpteen. … More When Worries Worry| Void Thoughts
Maggie Watson is a joy. Her depth of understanding about the human condition is evident in her beautiful prose and poignant poetry. She exudes purpose in her writing, revealing the potency of healing through creativity and the power of sharing our stories. I love that Maggie understood the threads of empathy and compassion in “Surviving […]| Victoria Ponders
“It all comes to this: the simplest way to be happy is to do good.” – Helen Keller Inspired by Helen Keller’s beautiful quote, this is a good news post with gratitude galore – times fou…| Victoria Ponders
August 18 is Serendipity Day, a day when we’re all encouraged to look for the unexpected good things in life.| Boomer Eco Crusader
The Rule of Four is an easy practice rooted in kindness, gratitude, and self-awareness to improve your mental health.| The Best Brain Possible
I hope you found my last post, "Ease Into Minimalism with this 7-Item Checklist," a helpful and inspirational roadmap for a better, simpler life. That's what I intended it to be. But this blog is called Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff for a reason. If you want a richer life, and if you want to be able to make the most of minimalism, you need one more ingredient. | Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff
Frugal living isn't only great for your wallet, but a way to become resourceful, grateful, and contented. Here's how it improves more than finances.| www.maximumgratitudeminimalstuff.com
The benefits of minimalism go beyond a neat, organized, spacious home. Living with less might change your mindset and even the direction of your life.| www.maximumgratitudeminimalstuff.com
No. There you go; you can stop reading and move on with your life, unless you, too have ever wondered what the point is of looking for things to be grateful for and then writing about or listing them. I previously called out empathy and authenticity, so why not go for a positive psychology trifecta […] The post Should You Practice Gratitude? appeared first on Farther to Go!.| Farther to Go!
What you encounter, recognize or discover depends to a large degree on the quality of your approach. Many of the ancient cultures practiced careful rituals of approach. An encounter of depth and spirit was preceded by careful preparation. When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to the […]| breezes at dawn
How can your church be friendlier to newcomers? Karl Vaters believes churches can become friendlier by implementing the G.I.F.T. Plan: Greet, Introduce, Follow up, and Thank. By encouraging intentional, simple actions like greeting newcomers and following up, churches can build genuine relationships and make visitors feel welcome, leading to lasting connections and a more welcoming [...] The post 5 Steps to Help Your Church Be Friendlier to Guests first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Lea...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
A lot is going on, isn’t it? Around us. In this world. In our lives. So much is going on. … More We Are Okay| Void Thoughts
When someone you admire offers praise, it’s a delicious gift! The talented author, Deborah Brasket’s new book will be available soon AND she found time to review “Surviving Sue…| Victoria Ponders
The Gratitude Trick that Boosts Mood and Sleep This week’s Better You, Backed by Science email is about gratitude – and how it can boost your mood and help you sleep better. We all know how it feels when someone thanks us for something we’ve done. It’s warm. It lifts us. It can even turn a bad… The post The Gratitude Trick that Boosts Mood and Sleep appeared first on David R Hamilton PHD.| David R Hamilton PHD
When our friend Mary died less than a week ago, her husband Andy shared that her mantra for the summer was "no time to hurry." I cannot stop thinking of this or about Mary, a human of great grace, good humor, shining presence, and easy conversation. Time can feel incomprehensible, especially when it comes to death. Here was Mary, chatting amiably with me earlier this summer at one of the downtown protests. There was Mary walking down the steps from her porch, newspaper in hand and wide smile on| CMG
Photo credit to Karl Gerber on Pexels I enjoy learning about history, but in my own life, I focus more on the present and the future rather than the past. Still, occasionally, I like to look back a…| Pete Springer
Enjoying July in three Canadian provinces.… Continue reading →| Natalie the Explorer
It’s been so long since I published a gratitude post. I like it when a post starts with “It’s been so long since…” because it feels personal—like catching up with a dear friend. And when it’s personal, when you’re speaking to someone you trust, the curtains come off. The masks fall away. It frees the … More Gratitude Everyday| Void Thoughts
I've never stuck so long with a personal blog, so this is honestly a crazy post to make for me. Keeping this up for so long that I can say it's been a year? Damn, who am I?| valentine's days
I ran across this phrase “always and already” in a book by one of my favorite spiritual teachers/writers Adyashanti. The phrase filled me with reassurance. We are always and already enlightened. We are always and| Galen Pearl
A few months ago, I wrote about musical memories and car songs. As I re-read the post this morning I smiled. Sometimes it’s good to revisit our own words and reel in the comforting reminders.…| Victoria Ponders
First, the calamity We’re on a very bad path in the US at the moment. Many of you live in the US, as I do, although many of you don’t. However, as they say, “If America sneezes the rest of the world catches cold.” What happens here affects the entire world. Many people outside the...| Wildmind
On being grateful for this weird and wonderful experiment.| colemanm.org
If you've suffered a miscarriage and/or have struggled with infertility for years, becoming pregnant may be the greatest blessing of your life. But, it can also be terrifying. Early pregnancy especially, can be filled| To Make a Mommy
You’re staring at the screen, your finger hovering over the submit button as you run through your application materials one last time — the artist statement you’ve rewritten seven (oh, wait…now eight) times, the project budget you’ve tweaked and retweaked, the work samples you’ve agonized over selecting. We’ve all hit submit with the same, well-worn mixture of hope and resignation.| Inciter Art
How Many Acorn Trees How many acorn trees have you planted Lady Squirrel How many carry your paw print? How far did you travel to bury themFor safekeeping,Little Lady and then forgot…| Selma
If you are reading this on the date of its first appearance, 13 July 2025, it’s my birthday. Happy birthday me – all 68 years of me! While 68 is in many ways an annoying age, marking no special milestone (it’s not a zero birthday nor even a “last year in your 60’s” birthday) it […]| Brian Harris
I recently published an article in the WSJ (see here) titled, ‘AI Doesn’t Care if You’re Polite to It. You Should Be Anyway.’ That article was based on a longer, more fleshed out articl…| ThinkJudaism
I found easy gratitude today. I didn’t have to think about it. It was right in front of me, bathed in sunlight. I was in the farmhouse kitchen preparing for our Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow. I had a few recipes in front of me, a list Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 27, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
My gratitude was waiting in the frosty garden this morning. We woke up to a temperature right at freezing. As I headed outside to tend to the animals, I could see my breath. I can count the mornings this cold so far this season on Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 25, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my gratitude with my knitting needles in hand today. After a long day, I settled in on the couch under a blanket with my knitting in hand and Penny Lane to keep me company. As soon as I sat down, I felt relaxed. Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 24, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I shared with you yesterday that I found my gratitude baking in the farmhouse kitchen with my daughter. We made Italian Rainbow Cookies, a new recipe for us to try. By the end of the afternoon, we had red, white, and green layers filled with Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 23, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found a reason for gratitude in the farmhouse kitchen today. My daughter and I were in the kitchen baking up a treat for someone we love. I could have stopped right there. I was in the kitchen with good company and a good cause. Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 22, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I stepped outside this morning and found a reason to be grateful. As I approached the chicken coop to let our girls out for the day, I looked down and noticed that the lavender had bloomed. I love lavender, so fresh blooms are always a Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 21, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found a reason for gratitude in an early morning walk with Penny Lane today. It was a bit cooler than the last few days, but still warm enough to head out on a walk. Having weather that allows for one (or sometimes two) walks Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 20, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my gratitude in the brambles today. This photo might not look like something to be grateful for, but I was thankful all the same. If you look through these twisted branches, you can see our old barn. Just to the left is the Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 19, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my gratitude in the studio today. I spent most of the day sewing while Penny Lane snored on her bed nearby. That alone would be enough reason for gratitude. There’s something special about stitching together holiday pieces. For me, that applies to the Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 18, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my gratitude in the sunshine this morning. Penny Lane and I were out on a long walk. We were moving along, keeping pace with each other when I looked down and saw our shadows. The bright sun made a long shadow for me Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 17, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my gratitude at the sewing machine today. You could say that I stitched it together myself, because I did. Then I packaged it up and sent it to a new home to be enjoyed for years to come. Sending it on the way Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 16, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my reason for gratitude in what was a simple, ordinary moment today. I was dropping off a few orders at our local post office. I was trying to get home before dark, doing my best to cross another few to dos off my Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 15, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my reason for gratitude early this morning. That’s really saying something for a person who is not now, nor never has been, a morning person. This morning, I opened the curtains and sunlight came in from the window, illuminating this orchid in bloom. Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 14, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I shared a photo of this pretty striped petunia with you three weeks ago. When I did, I mentioned that I thought these blooms would be gone in just a few days. It stood to reason given the date. I don’t ever remember seeing bright Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 13, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
We were given another beautiful day, warmer than we had any right to expect. I’m trying to make the most of these warmer days. I have been walking, tromping about in our woods, and just spending time outside, making time to be outside in nature. Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 12, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found myself full of gratitude at a reminder from nature today. My mom and I were outside. She walked me over to her garden to show me something. She pointed down and drew my attention to a tiny blueberry bush she had nestled in Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 11, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my gratitude in a sweet memory today. I was looking through my photos this morning when my phone reminded me of an old photo I took a few years ago. These fluffy little ducklings were new to the world when I got close Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 10, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found a reason for gratitude hidden among dried leaves today. After a night of brisk winds, we woke up to a blanket of leaves this morning. The grass was covered as were all of the perennial beds. My mom and I had worked earlier Read More The post A Year of Gratitude – November 9, 2024 first appeared on 1840 Farm.| 1840 Farm
I found my gratitude in an afternoon stroll with Penny Lane today. I can’t imagine how many times we have walked this route. I also can’t fathom a guess for how many times I have found myself filled with gratitude with her leash in my hand. Penny Lane and I have walked so many miles| 1840 Farm - Living and writing in a circa 1840 New England Farmhouse with thr...
Thank you to all who helped make the 2018 summer of workshops happen! As they have done for 48 years, the Summer Workshops came together with the tireless participation of many friends and colleagues.It always strikes me as a minor miracle when the workshops all come together. But of course it is the enmeshing of hundreds of […]| Community of Writers
I’m proud of my sister, Lisa. She lives every day to help others, despite her own challenges. Life with our mom, Sue, was often difficult but remembering her legacy of service matters and I c…| Victoria Ponders
I can’t keep track of how many times the talented Elizabeth Wickham has pointed me to a terrific writing resource. She did so recently when she mentioned, “Writing Down the Bones”…| Victoria Ponders
by Al Weir, MD “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34, NKJV).| Christian Medical & Dental Associations® (CMDA)
by Al Weir, MD “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NIV).| Christian Medical & Dental Associations® (CMDA)
Photo Credit to cottonbro studio on Pexels It’s human nature to think more about age as we get older. Still, despite my daily aches and pains, I feel relatively young. The hourglass of life flipped…| Pete Springer
I think it’s Brené Brown who said that “no” is just an invitation to a different conversation. That’s a helpful reminder to dive into opportunity thinking, rather than to assume all is lost when faced with a rejection. But how might this look in practice? There is an intriguing Latin phrase, “numinibus vota exaudita malignis,” […]| Brian Harris
Guest blogger: Julie Hornok I sunk down a little deeper into my old brown leather couch and tried to clear my head. My mind had been on a loop for months desperately trying to figure out what else I could do to help my daughter, Lizzie. She was diagnosed with autism days after her| National Autism Association
Rest in peace. This is something we often say to or about the dearly departed. It’s a lovely sentiment, so lovely that I wonder why we wish it exclusively to those who have died. Wouldn’t it be nice to rest in peace while we’re still alive? Some might respond with the familiar saying “I can […]| Galen Pearl
Summer has arrived in the northern hemisphere with her beachy hair and flip flops, while bombs fall in faraway places that are closer than we think. Our chaotic world is propelled further into deva…| Life with Alegria
In 1995, my first book, Juneteenth Jamboree, was released by Lee and Low Books. At the time, it was the first and only children’s book on the first African-American holiday. I did not imagine…| children's books by the weatherfords
There are days when sadness returns, reminding me it still lives within. For such days, I made a list of the things that bring me light — the simple joys that help me feel grounded and whole. At va…| The Bespectacled Mother
We’ve all been there. You want to reach out to a prospect or client, but don’t know what to say. But there is one thing you can always say: “Thank you.” You have nothing to lose by thanking someone, and sending a thank you video is a more personal way to do it than a […]| BombBomb
I was walking with a friend recently, relating to her some of my experience two years ago when I began the year with a prayer to the universe. I prayed out loud every morning asking for liberation, whatever it takes. Apparently, for me it took getting cancer. Not what I had in mind, but I […]| Galen Pearl
Minimalist living—living more focused on what truly matters and less focused on stuff—has shown me how to break the cycle of consumerism.| Rich in What Matters
“Circumbendibus” means an indirect or roundabout way or process, often used humorously. It’s a mock-Latin term, combining “circum” (round about) and “bend” with the Latin plural ending “-ibus”. Essentially, it’s a synonym for circumlocution, a way of speaking or writing in a complicated, indirect manner. — AI overview of the word circumbendibus: in a roundabout […]| breezes at dawn
For we live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; and our time should be counted in the throbs of our hearts as we love and help, learn and strive, and make from our own talents whatever can increase the stock of the world’s good. ― A.C. Grayling, The Good Book: A Secular Bible […]| breezes at dawn
We need a different strategy—one that doesn’t just burn, but smolders, spreads, takes root. One that knows endurance is its own kind of rebellion. Soft Rebellion is the mycelial strategy of weaving beneath the surface, unsettling rigid structures with slow, persistent entanglement. It does not meet violence with a mirrored fist but with the supple […]| breezes at dawn
So what happens now? For the last twenty years or more, the science has been clear that our current lifestyle is having a devastating impact on the planet—and yet this has been mostly ignored. The papers from the Nobel laureates were just filed away. The prognosis was too inconvenient, so it’s been “business as usual.” […]| breezes at dawn
Paul briefly exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 for believers to "Pray without ceasing." Yet some of us might ask the question: "Why?" Why pray without ceasing? That seems a tall order for busy people who have many life obligations on their plate already. But consider the biblical inducements to prayer| JustinHuffman.org | The Online Home of Pastor Justin Huffman
Developing a sense of gratitude can improve your life, and this article includes tips on how to so it effectively.| Jails to Jobs
When the world feels wildly out of whack, it’s time to figure out how to bring things back into some semblance of balance. Today I a proven 1-2-3 formula for nonprofit fundraising success — even when the ground underneath feels shaky. This is a time when keeping one’s balance is quite a challenge. But, if…| Clairification
