Three Thanks A Week

cc image courtesy flickr.com/photos/uaeincredible

If you’ve ever been backpacking or camping, you know the anticipation of getting a fire started.  Whether it be to shake off a morning chill or light up the night, the first dancing flames are a welcome guest.

If you’ve ever been the one leaning over small nest of kindling striking a flint hopefully, you know that the true magic is the spark.   That tiny bit of energy that leaps from one place to another makes all the difference – the spark.

Today I’m thankful for ….

1. The tiny bits of spark that find the tender bits and light them afire.
2. A sideways grin that says “it’s okay”
3. Safe travel and happy returns.

For what are you thankful?

image courtesy NASA

I remember the first time I uttered the words “I want to be an astronaut“.   My Grandfather took his eyes off the fishing lure, cracked his half smile grin and although I thought knew what he must be thinking, he replied “If there’s one I thing I know, it’s that you can be anything you want to be; you just have to work hard.  Now hand me those pliers.”

Dreams propel us past our real and perceived limitations.  Don’t forget to dream.

Today I am thankful for the stuff of dreams:

1. waking from a dream at 3AM with an answer I’ve needed.
2. for my Grandfather’s gentle but firm hand on my shoulder, even now.
3. for those that inspire HOPE at a time when I feel helpless.

For what are you thankful?

cc image courtesy flickr.com/photos/42614915@N00

Whatever it is that pulls the pin, that hurls you past the boundaries of your own life into a brief and total beauty, even for a moment, it is enough.   – Jeanette Winterson, Gut Symetries, p. 219

Symmetries intrigue me, but it’s the tiny perturbations from perfect symmetry that keep me interested, engaged, and leaning forward.

Today I’m thankful for symmetries, and modest perturbations.

1. I’m thankful that this site has become important enough to me that I didn’t let it become Tuesday without posting.
2. I’m thankful for that pang when I’m missing someone, a gentle reminder of what’s important.
3. And for making me laugh when I just wanted to scream today, thank you.

For what are you thankful?

cc image courtesy flickr.com/photos/tomvu

I’m one to think that it’s those things we take for granted that we should be most thankful.   I’m also acutely aware that for me, that’s a very long list.

Today I am thankful for my freedoms from

1. hunger that plagues  1 of 6 people in the world.
2. loneliness; this weekend I laughed with friends until my cheeks hurt and my eyes watered.
3. debt; I have what I need when I need it, and for that I am humbly grateful.

For what are you thankful?