Here in the States we are about to sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal with family, friends and sometimes even strangers. Oftentimes, the day is more about food than about gratitude, but right now I’d like to focus on gratitude.
I’ve posted a list of 100 Things I’m Grateful For in the past (check it out here). Since I do this as an exercise of spontaneity, this gratitude list is not arranged in order of importance, and I rarely edit what flows from my fingertips. So, here goes.
Gratitude List: 100 Things
1) my mate, my daughters, my friends
2) my 4-legged family
3) walks by the river
4) mountains
5) paths
6) movement
7) flow
8) creativity
9) bluebirds
10) blueberries
11) poetry
12) depth
13) courage
14) good stories
15) films
16) nourishing images
17) tea with a friend
18) talks about creative process
19) coffee shops
20) time to write
21) hearing from readers
23) secrets
24) ease
25) integrity
26) metaphor
27) intuition
28) music with a muse
29) healing
30) authenticity
31) art
32) bookstores
33) honesty
34) ancestors
35) gratitude
36) connection
37) breakfast for dinner
38) organic Assam tea
39) small towns
40) community
41) trees
42) bridges
43) symbols
44) dreams
45) book sales
46) imagination
47) dancing
48) passion
49) fires in the fireplace
50) warm clothes
51) white squirrels
52) flying squirrels
53) squirrel-proof birdfeeders
54) Chickadees
55) hummingbirds
56) empty nests
57) southern fiction
58) art paper
59) books
60) naps
61) working hard
62) results
63) intelligence
64) discernment
65) people that take responsibility
66) real people
67) knowledge
68) compassion
69) the color red
70) spring
71) fall
72) summer
73) winter
74) moments of certainty
75) laughter
76) ingenuity
77) a genuine smile
78) a sense of humor
79) conviction
80) hope
81) perseverance
82) rest
83) no pain
84) vision
85) hearing
86) sensation
87) words
88) images
89) tree roots above the ground
90) mountain laurel
91) river rock
92) readers
93) reviewers
94) the ability to inspire
95) real food
96) book clubs
97) word processing
98) oceans
99) curiosity
100) kindness
AS ALWAYS, I’d love to hear from you and welcome any additions you might offer. What are you grateful for?
I’m on lovely Bald Head Island right now, the location of my second daughter’s upcoming wedding in June, so I’ll pick things nautical and beachy. The sun on the water, the blues and greens, sand that can be turned into castles, the breeze, when it’s gentle, the moon, huge and orange, and folks willing to share the adventure with me. Happy Thanksgiving!
And from our lovely email subscribers:
Hi Susan, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
I am grateful for:
l. laughter
2. love
3. card shops
4. my oatmeal breakfast
5. flowers
6. home
7. my daughter and grandson
8. the daily newspaper
9. books and magazines
10coffee
11. animals, of all kinds
12. a friendly smile
13.my computer
14.good neighbors
15.California weather
This list could go on and on but I think making this list is a way of being thankful for everyday pleasures, not just big stuff like trips to Europe or graduations from college. Thank you for making us see the light.”
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And another one:
You left out Twinkies. Oh, wait, damn….. –John
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And another:
Fabulous list!!! Thanks for sharing. Hope your Thanksgiving is special and shared with those you love.
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