Day 41 - Musings of Gratitude

*Artwork by Shawn Gallaway*

Last night I had a difficult time falling asleep, I just could not stop thinking about what I will begin for the next 42 days. There are so many things I want to do. I still have pain in my hand from the carpal tunnel surgery, it’s getting better but ever so slowly. So I have to wonder if I really am ready to do 42 days of sketching. It will happen but maybe not just yet.

I remember years ago when I was much younger I would be so excited to find money left in vending machines or in pay phones. Now I prefer to leave a coin for someone else to find, hoping that when someone finds it they will be as happy as I used to be when I would find a coin. I know it’s just a small thing, but my little random act of kindness brings me great pleasure.

I remember another time when ever I would go shopping at a local grocery store there was a checker who worked there. He always greeted me with such a big smile, it touched my soul. My husband and I had separated at the time and I was deep in the darkness of depression. It was just a little thing but that smile and friendly greeting meant so much to me. As I got better, I noticed that he greeted each of his customers the same way. I never knew his name or spoke more than a few words as he was ringing up my purchases, but I know that he was making a difference in peoples lives. I shall always be thankful for the smile that lit up my darkness. It really is strange that such a little thing as a smile can make a difference in someone’s life, but it does.

I have often wished that I had the gift of music, alas, that will never be in this lifetime. If I try to sing, it comes out wrong. I cannot carry a tune, I’m not sure what is wrong with me. Is this what being tone deaf means? I also have extreme difficulty trying to recognize a song when there are no words. So I wonder, what does it mean for me if “Music [. . .] is the key to unlock the Heart-Door of the Supreme” as Sri Chinmoy says? I enjoy listening to music and even singing along with my favorites but I only do it when I am alone. I’m sure this is a gift to those around me!

‘An Post’ just delivered my gift, This is The Moment!, from Walter Green. Here is the inscription inside.

Dear Marsha,

I was both touched by your amazing life events as well as your profound journey of gratitude. May you find a nugget or two in “This is the Moment” to further enrich your life. Be well and enjoy the moment.

All my best,

WG

I can hardly wait to start reading. In fact I will begin as soon as I get this posted. I am so great’full to Walter and what an amazing gift he has given me. I am truly blessed. I am gratitude!

Opening doors of possibility as I walk my path of gratitude! I am Marsha!

Day 41 - MUSE-I-CALL-YE GRATITUDE

Day 37 - Ripples of Gratitude

*Return of the Golden Mean by B. Xolotl*

On this day in my life, the 37th day of my 42 days with Gratitude, I know that from this point forward I will always live my life in gratitude. This journey will continue, and it’s time for me to write to all the people in my life that I am thankful for and to tell them how much they mean to me. I am going to write letters to so many people. Many of them will be private but some I may publish on my blog. We will see. I do not know when my life as I know it will end but when it does, I will hopefully leave nothing undone and no stone unturned. What better gift than to love and to be loved?

A few days ago an online friend, who had a yahoo group, contacted me to tell me “thank you” for mentioning Astara while I was a member of his group. He had become a member of Astara and was now enrolled in their mystery school completing their Book of Life Degree Lessons. I am so happy that something I had written helped to change his path. Strange isn’t it? Something that seems small to me might just make a big difference to someone else! But perhaps it was not a coincidence maybe we were destined to meet in an online group?

I first found Astara when my kids were little, but I wasn’t ready to hear their message. It was not until many years later after I had an o.b.e. that I found them again. I signed up to be a member and started studying their Book of Life Degree Lessons. I have been studying their degree lessons ever since. I love Astara and I am so thankful not only that I found them but that I helped another find them as well. I believe that an “Astarian never walks alone!” This has comforted me so much in my times of darkness.

I have some very painful memories that I want to work on, but I don’t have the courage to share them yet. I will write them but I must do so as someone else. I must step out of myself and use the persona of another, perhaps Katherine Black. She is much stronger and more confident than I am. No, I do not have a second personality, I am simply writing with a pen name. And hopefully one day I will have enough courage and be strong enough to be and to accept myself.

Yesterday, I received an email saying that my comments to Walter Green at This is the Moment published part of my Day 27 blog on his web site along with the link to my Marsha’s Musings blog. Wooo hooo! I’m psyched. As I share my path of gratitude I can begin to see how the ripples of gratitude are expanding out slowly but ever so surely. Amazing to think how much difference one person can make in the world. My sincere thanks to Stacey Robyn! Go Gratitude!

Sharing the light with gratitude, I am Marsha.

Day 37 - RIPPLING SPHERES OF GRATITUDE