100 Day Gratitude Challenge -- Ask a Friend Five Things They Are Grateful For

Dear Readers,

We've reached day #7 in the Gratitude Challenge! So far, I've been able to bless co-workers with compliments, random acts of kindness and lots of laughter!

For strangers, it's a smile...holding a door for them, or compliment they never expected.

In doing these random acts, I can already feel the ripple effect of generosity. People around me seem lighter, more cordial, more engaged in connection. There are also those around me who've blessed me with nice compliments, treats or chocolate, and just showing up with a playful energy.
When you put yourself in the position of GIVING OUT, you somehow magically find yourself at the RECEIVING END also. Wonderful how that works, isn't it?

Even my horoscope for today --Sept 27th-- see below-- hints at the good vibes from these generous interactions.

You might ask, what are five things I am grateful for?

1. My daughter Rachel and her abundant love for me. I am blessed beyond measure to have her in my life!

2. My writing gifts, which I can share with the Universe

3. Friends who accept me for who I am, flaws and all.

4. Nature, autumn, everything pumpkin spice!

5.  Good food! I absolutely love food and not ashamed to say it!

So there you have it! Let's hear your five things of gratitude. I'd love to know your thoughts.

With much passion,

RR xo

100 Day Gratitude Challenge -- Day #3 -- Surround Yourself With Nature and be Grateful For The Sights

Dear Readers,

It's Day Number Three of this Gratitude Challenge which I will be posting about daily!

Today's mantra: "Surround Yourself With Nature and Be Grateful For The Sights."

What in your path today brings you joy when you are out walking or commuting?

I know for myself, it is my absolute FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR -- Autumn -- and incidentally, today is the Autumnal Equinox.

I can't resist those blue skies and fluffy white clouds that seem to float by without a care. The air is cooler and the earth has this wonderful scent of "Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall time." Trees that have been around for many decades are losing their leaves before the younger ones do in early to mid-October. Southern Ontario (GTA) has some really majestic scenery, depending where you are.

Farmer fields and rolling hills with magenta-tangerine sunsets have always been my favorite. The sunrise lately has been a lovely periwinkle-mauve-grey with splashes of hot pink across the canvas. Even if you're in the city, you can glimpse the trees shedding their leaves and some other older, quaint homes with fireplaces are burning logs, creating an atmosphere that is irresistible. I just love the scent of a wood-burning fireplace when I'm strolling past a storybook village or nice community.

I am sharing a poem that I just learned! It's beautiful:

Lord: it is time. The summer was immense.
Let thine shadows upon the sundials fall,
and unleash the winds upon the open fields.

Command the last fruits into fullness;
give them just two more ripe, southern days,
urge them into completion and press
the last bit of sweetness into the heavy wine.

He who has no house now, will no longer build.
He who is alone now, will stay alone,
will awake in the night, read, write long letters,
and will wander restlessly along the avenues,
back and forth, as the leaves begin to blow.

                         Rainer Maria Rilke
                               (tr. Cliff Crego)

http://picture-poems.com/week4/autumnday.html

What is YOUR favorite part about fall time and Nature? What are you grateful for this time of year, and what steals your breath away? A few of the pics in this blog post belong to my own past memories of Autumn - October 2013. Hope you enjoy!

Please do share! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Love,

RR xo