A beautiful, sunny, brisk day continues this unbelievable string of days which has made being outdoors a delight.  I cannot remember such a November, leading as it has into this, more of the same in December.  It is a gift.  It behooves us to find and accept every gift and blessing we receive.  If we cannot recognize the blessing which has come to our door, we are the losers.  It is as if we have not sight because we do not see what is in front of us.  Everything that affords something positive in our lives will enrich our lives BUT we must be aware of this sign of good news whatever it is.

            What do I have when I have a lovely day?  Well, first of all, I have sunshine which is good for the soul and the body.  Then I have fresh air which enlivens my whole system.  When I step forth the fresh air beckons to everything in me to take a walk which means my body is getting exercise, my cells are being fed oxygen, my mind is being stimulated by what I see.  I never have taken a walk without feeling better at the end. Always I am ahead of where I was when I started.  Don’t forget it and again - this is all part of the gift of a fine day.

            The message here is be grateful and be aware.  I will read my own From Inside Out to fortify this thought.  I shall now review a few of my blessings.

            Number one that pops into mind is what a swell place I’m living in.  What a grand apartment.  I could not have a better location.  How comfortable I am here.  And, of course, a super blessing is having daughter Lucia and husband Warren near, delightfully near.  We have, indeed, a lovely partnership in which the “winds of heaven” dance between us.  How important to keep that in mind so that I do not look upon them with envious eyes at their lives that is still in “team progress.”  I am reminded as I write that, of my greatest blessing of all, that Jurgen and I had 65 years of friendship and 57 years of marriage.  All of this reality lives within me and I would not change it for anything!  It is mine to cherish.  It is my greatest blessing.  I must not forget what has been.  I must consciously realize that what I have now is a wonderful opportunity to find a new path to follow; a path which will allow me to use whatever I have still in the service of those around me or in the creation of some new work of mine.  In other words, it’s not looking back that’s useful, it’s looking ahead from the present moment with full consciousness of what fullness has been mine and seeking a way to be useful.  Amen.BLESSINGS ALERT