​A few years back, I discovered another powerful gratitude practice. This goes above and beyond being grateful for what IS in your life, in the present moment. For several years, I have been applying this new idea in my life with great results. What it involves is writing a letter to Spirit or Your Higher Power, not only expressing thankfulness for the blessings in your life right now, also making sure
to include writing about what you are thankful for in the future, as if it has already happened. It is affirming to know that Spirit is listening, and watching things come to pass as imagined and written down. This gratitude practice definitely works!
 
Recently, I shared this practice with a friend who was fretting in advance about a future move to another place. She listened to me, and tried it, and feels much more peace about the move. And thanked me. I have told many others about writing about future things to be thankful for, and she is the one person I know about who tried it and feels completely grateful to have learned about it. Give it a try.

Hi everyone! This enews is about JOY. Keeping joy in your life, adding joy to your life, and spreading more joy in the world. I feel like we could all use more joy right about now. So, I will share ways I know about to help you uncover more joy and happiness in your life, if you are having a hard time.
Joy is closely related to my favorite subject, gratitude. When we appreciate our lives, and all of the blessings we have, naturally we feel good and joy springs up into our hearts. We can smile and laugh so much easier. I feel fortunate to be an optimistic person by nature, and that helps me all the time with my joy levels. Even if you’re pessimistic by nature or sad, there are still things you can do to make yourself feel better. Check out the Joy Practices below.
Sometimes something annoying happens in my life, and I let it get to me. (A few examples: a grumpy person I talk to; bots who are so hard to communicate with; an unexpected bill) I can return to more joy and happiness by listening to music I love, stopping to meditate; enjoying beautiful artwork; going into nature; and/or talking to an upbeat friend who will listen and not try to fix anything. Recounting my favorite reasons for gratitude always brings my spirits up again too.

Happy Spring to those in the Western Hemisphere!
 
The skies have been grey with lots of rain this winter here in Oregon. We even had some late snow in Feburary too. Now, I’m SO grateful to hear frogs croaking and singing each night in our pond. I am in love with the frogs in our pond! They are the happy announcers of Spring almost here! To see signs of Spring everywhere, to feel more warmth, and enjoy the sunshine is bliss.
 
The focus for this March newsletter is Recharging Our Gratitude Practices. When the outside world is getting me down, there is no better cure than to start recounting what I am thankful for in my life.
Actually, I do this every single morning, in my prayer and meditation time, and in the evening before I go to bed too. Being grateful always sets a positive, uplifting tone in my heart and soul. I’ve listed some ways we can amplify gratitude in our lives, to let it be a Superpower.

​Some of you may have noticed I didn’t send out a newsletter in January. Life definitely got in the way. December landed my husband in the hospital twice, and I’m very grateful to report that he is doing great again. The second time he was able to go home was on my birthday 12-31-24, and I just couldn’t get organized enough to send out a January offering. So, here we are in February!
 
The focus for this February newsletter is Recharging Our Spiritual Batteries. When the outside world is getting me down, it is so important to refuel my connection with the Divine Beloved. Actually, I do this every single morning, in my prayer and meditation time. I can toss and turn in the night, and then when I spend at least an hour in the morning with practices that replenish my heart and soul, it sets a positive, uplifting tone for the day. Of course, I admit life tends to get in the way and I may forget my connection to All That Is, and then, I have to recalibrate again. I am very grateful for the tools in my spiritual tool box, some which I will share here, with links too.

​As this year winds to a close, with its amazing manifestations and also some disappointments or loss which are a natural part of life, I give thanks for all the people in my life who inspire me, and are awake and aware. So many of us are dedicated to making a positive difference in this world, and knowing I am not alone feels so gratifying. In November, I received a clear message from Spirit, which said “Keep
on keeping on” and talked about the importance of being a loving light-filled person in this world, envisioning more peace, more plenty, more love for all. Just because most human civilizations have been warlike and power-seeking in the past, does not mean it always has to be this way. As the Peace Song we sing at the closing of services at the Center for Spiritual Living says: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it beginwith me.” I believe I (and all of us) signed up before birth to be here at this particular time, and sometimes I wish I hadn’t. Then I summon up my bravery and courage and I do
keep on keeping on. This yer for me has been about more healing. I now belong to a 12-step program, and this was a missing link in my spiritual life. I am ultra-grateful for all I have learned and brought into my body, heart and mind. Like so many spiritual paths, I know it is God-inspired in every way.
VERY GRATEFUL.

Gratitude journals, books and greeting cards can be ordered at www.graceofgratitude.com

wisteria, lilacs and more coming soon. Nature always brings joy to my heart. Taking walks in nature brings peace and a deep sense of sacredness to me, and that elicits joy. Some of my other passions include creating art and photography, writing, teaching, swimming, sharing spirituality with like-minded folks, and being a homebody with our pets and my partner. All of this ignites my joy and zest for life. What are your passions? 

Letting go of worries, doubts and fears helps us access more joy. If you are sad or grieving, don’t deny it. We need to feel all our emotions and not try to tuck them away. I have found that when I have grieved, the world does start looking brighter eventually. And then joy returns to my heart and soul. I also know that we can simultaneously be sad, and still feel joy. If I have lost a loved one, remembering my times with them can bring a happy smile to my face.

If you are sad or sick and/or just cannot find joy, here are a few ways you might re-discover it.

•  Write in a Gratitude Journal each day and night. 
List 5 things that you appreciate it. Mix it up. Keep going.

• Guided Meditations – Go to YouTube or Insight Timer (a wonderful phone app). Do a search for Joy – there are many meditations to choose from. And I also recommend Gabby Bernstein’s All is Well 5 minute meditation. I never grow tired of it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNVTSpSSPQg

• Create a Vision Board for Joy – Find images or words on the internet or from magazines or calendars. Cut out what speaks to your heart and soul on finding more joy in your life. Put it all together on a big piece of paper and place it where you see it a lot, to amplify your joy and passion.

• Discovery, Exploration & Play – Each week, let yourself enjoy one new thing that brings you joy.
Delve into what brings you passion and joy, and share it with the world. Each of us can affect the world positively by doing what makes our hearts come alive. Be playful and free. Open your heart to be more loving and kind! Giving can help us be more joyful.

​“Your purpose is to be joyful. Your purpose is to live with ease. Your purpose is to surrender to the love of the Universe so you can live a happy life. Accept the purpose of love, and your life will radically change this instant.”
Gabrielle Bernstein