Memorial Day, USA - Honor Them

 Memorial Day, United States of America. We honor our Armed Forces, past and present, and their service to our country. Remember them. Speak their names, share your memories of them. Honor them and their service to our country. ❤️ 🇺🇸

#MemorialDay  #ArmedForcesUSA  #UnitedStatesOfAmerica  #Honor  #ThankYou  #Appreciation

Memorial Day Tribute

 United States of America Memorial Day. These words pay fitting tribute to the efforts of all our Armed Forces, past and present, during this weekend where we honor you all.  ❤️ 🇺🇸

#MemorialDay  #ArmedForcesUSA  #Honor  #Appreciation  #Tribute  #PresidentRonaldReagan #ThankYou

Morning Meditation - I Am Thankful

 Morning meditation™️. A simple statement that carries incredible power. Speak it, write it, think it, and do so daily. ✨

#HealingMorning™️  #MorningMeditationArchives™️  #IAmThankful

Gratitude Moments, Vol. I, April 2012

Photo: www.innerworkingsresources.com

Most of my readers are familiar with my Grasshopper Thoughts articles.  I write those when I'm either not in the mood to delve into a meaty, involved blog article, or I just have one of those days where my attention span is shot.

A while back, I read a great post on my Facebook newsfeed that made me smile.  It was titled, "The Amazing Moments in Life".  I liked it so much that my mind automatically began compiling those moments that resonate for me, so I came here to write a Grasshopper Thoughts entry with a slightly different format.  I'll call these Gratitude Moments and this may become a recurring series.  Let me know what you think!

Gratitude Moments

1. Hearing the voice of someone you love over the phone, unexpectedly.
2. Receiving a long, tight hug that lasts for several moments.
3. Seeing a flower blooming in an unexpected place.
4. Finding cash in a pocket or purse that you had forgotten was there.
5. Taking an item to the checkout counter and being asked, "Did you know this is on sale?" (SCORE!)
6. That moment when a favorite snack food that was discontinued years ago is brought back.  In this case, Taco Flavored Doritos™!
7. Finding that ink pen that fits your hand perfectly, is the right ink flow, the right ink nib/roller ball and learning that they're affordable.
8. Spending time at your Mom's house and waking up to a breakfast only she can make.
9. Walking through the woods at home in springtime and seeing all the greening up and blossoming occurring.
10. Getting enough snow to make snow cream.
11. Holding hands.
12. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.
13. Having a lazy day where you snuggle on the sofa with a blanket, the remote control, comfort foods and a good book.
14. Rubbing noses with that special person.
15. Getting kissed and hugged by a child.
16. Hot tea.
17. Family reunions and seeing all those faces that you love deeply.
18. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
19. Going to brunch with friends and discovering a new foody love. Lobster Bacon Flatbread comes to mind as a new one for me.
20. Laughing with friends and/or family until you cry happy tears.
21. Receiving flowers from someone who loves you, "Just because I knew it would make you smile".
22. Planting old fashioned flowers and watching them grow. Lily of the Valley is my personal favorite.
23. Being surprised that childhood chores you used to hate - like having a kitchen garden - have morphed into a thing of appreciation and enjoyment.  Go figure. I would never have dreamed my thoughts would change on this!
24. Listening to family members reminisce and tell stories about "the Good Old Days".
25. Finding that perfect mascara.  
26. Reading a book that literally changes your whole perspective on Life.
27. Meditation.
28. Having a good hair day.
29. Finding a new author, loving their writing style and discovering there are multiple titles of theirs available. *Love that!*
30. Having that special item of clothing that always makes you look and feel good when you wear it. One of mine is a sweatshirt my brother got me for Christmas over 10 years ago.  It's over sized, soft knit material, slouchy in silhouette and gets softer and more comfy the longer I have it, and oddly, makes me look skinny!
31. Yoga.
32. That unique smell of the morning air in your favorite location.
33. Recognizing how truly blessed you really are.
34. Banana popsicles!
35. Writing an article that, reading it back, literally gives you chills for how perfectly it has been written.
36. Celebrating a birthday of someone you love. Today is my dear, wonderful Mom's birthday...Happy Birthday, Mom!  I love you more than words can express. <3

I made myself stop at 36 things, but what I love about this process is that once you begin, the thoughts flow. There's the concept and practice of keeping a Daily Gratitude Journal and it is one that I occasionally do, but then get distracted on the daily entries part at some point.  What I can say here, today, is that sitting down to write these Gratitude Moments kept me in a happy, appreciative state of mind.  I have been smiling as I tapped out each thought and I love the Universal Law aspect of this.  Lifting our thoughts to a happy harmonic energy means that we are sending that accelerated energy outwards, where it will grow and maximize itself before returning to us to shower blessings that match that original happy energy.  I can't think of a better reason to embrace this concept and make it a habit.  What are your favorite memories and experiences that fit into the Gratitude Moments category?

The Circle of Friends Award

I received this award from a good friend, fellow blogger and reader of my blog, Marty, which was a pleasant surprise. Along with this award, I'm suppose to list 5 things I like to do:

1. Spend time with family and friends.

2. Go hiking in the Smoky Mountains.

3. Read, study, research and learn

4. Write, whether it be in blog format, or working on various manuscripts meant for future publication, or in my personal journal, writing is intrinsic to my nature and gives me absolute joy!

5. Volunteer with local hospice groups when time permits.

I dedicate this same award to all my readers, out of sincere gratitude and thanks to you each time you take a moment out of your day to read my words. I appreciate each and every single one of you! Pass this award on to those who make a difference in your life.

~ Dawn, aka Healing Morning

Appreciation

Today is Thanksgiving 2009 and I sit at my computer to share my thoughts about the day. East Tennessee is experiencing the most glorious weather today with blue skies, light breezes and fluffy clouds scudding across the sky. I often gaze about me, regardless of any specific holiday, and marvel at the beauty that surrounds me. We are nestled at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the terrain is gentle, rolling hills, dramatic ridges, many lakes and rivers, mist wreathed mountains in the distance and the verdant glory of the Tennessee Valley. I have lived several other places in my life, but I always find myself returning here....to my home. Southern hospitality and friendliness, soft cadence of liquid vowels in our speech, savory southern cuisine, rich history and old-fashioned manners still exist in a manner unique to this region. Family is here, friends are as well, and memories abound to create what I consider to be an ideal place to live.

This past year has been a challenging one, for me on a personal basis, as well as for our country and for the world at large. Yet, despite personal challenges, this year has also been one of deep and intimate discovery and growth. It was this year that I began the next level of my writing career and embraced some new genres, with one of them being blogging. I count the blogging process as one of the most unexpected, delightful changes in my life. I am growing as a writer and a creative spirit in areas that I hadn't anticipated and that makes the experience all the richer. I am finding that my writing is reaching out to people around the world and sparking conversation, laughter, growth and a desire to delve deeper into areas that inspire.

I have made conscious shifts and adjustments on a personal level that have opened up my life, once again, in ways that I could never have predicted. Friendships both old and new are flourishing and family connections continue to be that golden, happy energy in my life. I am blessed beyond measure, I find, on this lovely November afternoon. Yes, there is sadness in the world, tragedies exist and injustices happen. Today, however, I choose to focus on the blindingly sharp clarity that surrounds me and write my appreciation in the most glowing words possible.

I feel a profound sense of happiness today and I am aware that that is, in part, a result of the people with whom I surround myself. It is also a culmination of hopes, dreams and desires that I have chosen to hone and tweak until I have created a wide open path for myself to walk. Life is, indeed, good and I am fortunate to be here, this day, this hour, with these people and experiences.