Early morning on an almost-deserted beach. Blue sky, mild temperature. Water clean enough to swim (or paddle-board) in; almost no litter on the beach.
I am here. Conveyed in my modern, reliable car to an uncharacteristically empty car park. I can walk; unaided, unmolested, unafraid. I can breathe the air, think my thoughts, listen to my music and exchange pleasantries with fellow walkers.
Later I can go home. I have a home. I have a family and friends, a garden and a kitchen. Later, there will be food on my table, and people to share it with.
So many reasons to be grateful.
Posted to the Ragtag Daily Prompt | grateful
Zimmerbitch 
Love this. What I try to practice daily.
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I’m getting better at it. And it does seem easier as I get older.
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Whenever I am feeling down or stressed, I focus on gratitude. I learned it in yoga class, and it has made a big difference. It can almost always transform my mood.
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I do get pretty tied up in feeling cross that I have so much when others are really doing it tough. Then I get frustrated at not being able to do more about the big stuff that’s behind al, the little things … then I try to remember that me not enjoying a walk on the beach isn’t going to help anyone. 😬
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Indeed. Gratitude for EVERY TINIEST LITTLE THING….. I too find that I’ve become even more grateful for all the ‘goodies’ of my daily life since I’m no longer too stressed with duties. Was it Oscar Wilde who said: Youth is wasted on the young ones…. ?! I wouldn’t change any more with a younger person. I only sometimes (often) wish I had more energy (think Jane Fonda!!!) Ha….
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Yes; more energy would be good 😀
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That view is definitely something to be grateful for.
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😀
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So true! Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Teresa
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Thanks Teresa 😀
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Sweet
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From an old hymn?
Gratitude is riches, Complaint is poverty…
Lovely start to your day, Su, and my evening. 🙏
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Very true. Thank you 🙏
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You are blessed Su.
Leslie xoxo
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I am. Thank you Leslie
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🙂
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Beautiful post. A wonderful reminder for all of us!
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🙏
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This is beautiful! I had the same thought this week after a hike: how lucky am I to be able to walk up this trail. To be able bodied and of sound mind. I will try to remember your sentiment as I get on with work. (And maybe plan to have something yummy for dinner.)
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Heaven isn’t it? Am so glad for you. God has been very kind to me too and can’t thank Him enough 🙏🙏
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What a wonderful life without fear you have in NZ, Su!
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Marvelous to be grateful for life’s offerings, and you certainly have a lot to honor.
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Thanks Sally. It is a beautiful country, and we Kiwis need to do more to look after it.
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Yes indeed, we should remember this always. Your photo is beautiful x
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Thank you 🙏
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As I walked through bluebells this evening with the sun setting in a perfect blue sky, the only noise was from singing birds and I felt so lucky to have all this beauty around me. In spite of the pain of my sciatica and the fact that I was hobbling rather than walking, I am happy to be where I am right now.
(As your beaches empty, ours fill!)
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I’m sorry to hear you are still in pain with sciatica. But I totally get the “happy to be here” feeling. I’ve just spent an hour raking leaves and am feeling very contented. (It helps that I baked bread this morning 😂😂)
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I love baking bread, but it is off the menu at the moment as we are on a very low carb diet. What I miss most is a slice of toast!
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Is going low -carb helping? I been reading again about carbs and inflammation and think I probably need a diet reboot.
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It is helping us to lose weight. And funnily enough we don’t miss the potatoes, rice or pasta as much as we thought we would. We both find drinking loads of water hard, but realise that we have probably been dehydrated for years!! If only water tasted of something nice!
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That’s great. I’ve always drunk a lot of water, and am amazed by how little other people seem to drink. Have you tried putting mint and cucumber in a jug of water; tastes really good and isn’t as acidic as lemon.
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I am growing some mint so that is a good idea.
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Do cucumbers grow well for you? We had an absolute glut of them and they were delish.
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I have never tried growing cucumbers as I assume they need a heated greenhouse plus the OH doesn’t like them (although he often gets it in his salads…)
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I thought it might be warm enough down your way to grow them outdoors. But if you’d be the only one eating them …
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Perfectly expressed, Su! I can echo every sentence you wrote. There’s much to be thankful for, we sometimes only need some time to reflect on it. Getting older is helping me to see this simple but important truth.
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Thank you Sarah. I knew there had to be good things about ageing 😂😂
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Hehe! 😉
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Always be grateful. Loved this message! ❤️
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