5 more days of gratitude self portraits

This was a week of healing, spending time with loved ones and friends, and generally reclaiming my joy. My time in CA was wonderful, and now it's wonderful to be home too!











If you'd like to share how you see gratitude in the world, please write to smbryceart@yahoo.com and request to become a contributor

The first 4 of Nine Agreements

Amazing how silent this blog has been! I thought I would poke my head in and share some of my recent self portraits surrounding gratitude. Join in the wave of world gratitude at www.worldgratitude.com

Silence

I will be in silence today at 11 AM until Saturday at 11 AM.

No computers, no phone, no speaking

Activism

I am grateful for activists and all they do. Because without them we would not have many of the rights, protections and priveledges we have today

The Weather

As I sit outside of my doctor's office waiting for a ride home, I am grateful for the sun, and the cool breeze, and the fact that it's not snowing, nor any other kind of freezing winter weather here in January.

I am grateful for Abundance

I am grateful for the dharma

In life, many things are taught to us as the exhaulted truth. The one and only way. If you wonder how much is really true, the Buddha gave some advice that might help. He said that when you listen to what a monk says you should test the meaning, weigh or consider it, and depend on your own insides to know the truth of it. Then follow and practice what you know to be true.

America's First Black President

Although he is still president Elect, he is working hard to create bridges as he prepares his team for the upcoming year. I have hope he will continue on the path he set out on of listening to the people, and standing up for the little guy.

I am grateful for America's First Black President Elect, and looking forward to his innaugeration

By Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Thanks be to the God/dess of Creative Inspiration

SILENCE!!!!!

I am grateful for days of silence.

Happy 2009!

This year I will be ringing in the new year in silence. I will be in silence all day starting when I wake January first and continuing until I wake January 2nd.

This is a personal growth ritual that I have done before, and lately I've been feeling called to it.

During this time I will be focusing the energy and attention that normally goes into speaking on manifesting joy, love, peace and equality in my life and the world around me in 2009.

I will likely spend this day at home but if you happen to come across me, feel free to speak to me, hug me, or interact in whatever way you normally would, but please do not take offense when I do not speak to you. I'm not dissing you or ignoring anyone, I'm simply observing a day of silence.

I won't be answering emails, text or phone calls during this time, nor will I be surfing the net. I'll be responding to email etc. on the next day.

I’m really looking forward to this. It has always been an awesome experience when I have observed times of silence in the past be they 4 hours or 4 days.

May 2009 bring you all your hopes and find you feeling fulfilled and refreshed!

Hot cereal

Mmmmmmmmm hot cereal is great for a chilly moment. It does a body good.

Random Acts of Kindness

The other day a friend came over, and he brought with him a couple boxes of chocolate coverd cherries. Now normally I do not like chocolate covered cherries, but I appreciated that he thought of me, and what he could bring over that I might like, and then acted on it.

Something I strive to participate in are Random acts of Kindness. And that is what these boxes of chocolates reminded me of. As I bite into one, I have found that it is all the more delicous as I remember that. So today I am grateful for random acts of kindness...and chocolate.

I am grateful for fire pagodas

When I started Envision Gratitude, I intended for it to be a much more visual blog including drawings, sketches, paintings, and photographs. So I am returning this blog to it's roots, and will be uploading photographs of things I am grateful for. If you would like to contribute to this blog, please let me know!!

Last night we sat around the fire pagoda in our backyard. Nothing like a good time around the fire with friends and family. Today I am grateful for fire pagodas, fire pits, etc.

Grateful for my Smart Phone

It slices it dices...well no it doesn't! But I love my new smart phone.

And Today I am especially grateful to be able to take pictures on it, like the ones at humans4equality

Imagine

Today I am grateful for the picture this email painted for me. I am, therefor, passing it on to you:

Imagine
The year is 2016. You glance at the television one morning and see President Obama having another of his many press conferences. He has now been in office for almost 8 years. It has not been perfect, but things are much better than when he took office in January of 2009.
You notice that his hair has whitened and he still has that winning smile and that take charge/positive energy that he had when he was campaigning back in 2008.

You remember how concerned you were about whether or not he would win in 2008 and you feel deeply contented that he has been safely in office for such a long time. He and Congress have done much to address global warming, healthcare, development of alternative energy sources and a variety of other important matters to the country and the planet.
You feel deep gratitude for the past eight years and how things have unfolded.

See it...Feel it...breathe it...Pass it on. Let us...remember... all of the wonderful reasons we appreciate this reality.

THE CHALLENGE:
Take 30 seconds right now. Close your eyes and imagine exactly what our country will feel like.

Imagine how good it will feel.
Imagine whatever it is about that future that you desire.
Imagine successful diplomacy.
Imagine peace and restored prosperity.
Imagine the citizen groups, progressive populism, social justice, and the grassroots finding their voice.
Imagine windmills and clean cars.
Imagine the earth being healed and revitalized.
Imagine being very proud of your country and its leader. Imagine whatever it is that draws you to support change. Imagine what your life will look like.

Just 30 seconds. Do it several times a day. We can shift and change the vibration of this country with positive visions just like this.

Love

I am grateful for the love of my family. Family of birth, and those I've picked up along the way. For the love of my friends, be they near or far. And for the love of my service dog who is at my side through thick and thin. Love knows no boundaries, it simply is.

Friends

I am grateful for friends to talk to on the phone and via text messages

I am grateful for the weather

It was only 83 degrees yesterday! Here in Phoenix, AZ that is nice and cool.

I am so grateful for some days in the 80's so I can lay out on my back patio and enjoy my new backyard. It's not completed yet, but the landlord sent me a check to pay the landscaper, so it's started, and will be finished soon. Probably within the week! :) YAY it will be nice to have a beautiful yard to look at and it is wonderful to have lovely weather to lay out in.

I am grateful that it's warm enough to wear shorts almost all year long in Phoenix.

Mom

I'm grateful for my Mom who has stuck by me through whatever I've done or said in my life. Even if she doesn't agree with me, she loves me.

Pene

You were joy personified. A bouncy trouncy fun fun fun fun friend! And I miss you already. I ache inside knowing you are gone. I hope your journey from here on out is your every dream. Wherever you may be in the next life. And I hope for those you loved in this one, that your friends and their friends will watch over your beloved.

I am grateful for the joy you brought in my life and those around you. You will be missed.