Gratitude Feather

What is a Gratitude Feather?  This one, in fact.  And for you, who ever that may be, the next feather you find or stumble upon will be your Gratitude Feather.  When you find it (and you will) keep it with you so you will be reminded of this ancient wisdom I am about to share with you...

Regardless of what is going on in your life, find a way to be grateful for it and everything you experience.  Be especially grateful for the good but also be grateful for the bad. For without the bad, you would never know what good truly is.

My Nana was famous for saying "Praise the Lord."  In good times and in bad times, no matter what was going on, "Praise the Lord!"

Wayne Dyer in The Power of Intention talks about finding a penny, picking it up and thanking God for this small token of abundance.

"Develop an attitude of gratitude for all that manifests into your life.  Be thankful and filled with awe and appreciation, even if what you desire hasn't arrived yet.  Even the darkest days of your life are to be looked on with gratitude.  Everything coming from Source is on purpose.  Be thankful while empowering your reconnection to that from which you and everything else originated."

That right there is some powerful wisdom.

If you've read Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsh, the first part of that book is spent on understanding who we, as humans, really are.  It challenges us to look at ourselves as first a spiritual being then a human being.  Wayne Dyer also touches on that saying we are spiritual beings having a human experience.  In Conversations with God, it goes a step further saying that much of what we go through in life, the human experience, is in part mostly our choice.  That we are infinite beings experiencing what life is like in this 3D world in order to better appreciate and fully grasp and appreciate the wonder and beauty of the spiritual plane that we originated from and will eventually return to.

Eastern Philosophy like the Tao will teach us about Yin and Yang.  Positive cannot exist without negative.  It is your decision to appreciate everything that comes your way and relish in your time spent here.  It is happening for a greater purpose and all of life is a lesson, an experience and part of your path.  Your journey is not only of your design but it is something you co-create.  When things don't seem to go your way, this is your opportunity to pause and regroup.  Where and how have you fallen off course and is this negative experience a reminder from the Universe to get back on course?

We will examine true and intense suffering in another blog, but for now let's look at the day to day events in our "ordinary" lives and make sure to recognize as Dan Millman puts it, "there are no ordinary moments" and let us be grateful for everything that moves through our lives.

Keep in mind, the next feather you stumble upon is your unique Gratitude Feather.  When you find it, pick it up, thank the Universe for it and put it somewhere you will see it often as a reminder to "Praise the Lord" through the good and bad.

Thoughts of the other Mrs. Bradley

Thinking about my sweet girl and how lucky I am and have been. That's when I found this feather, thinking about my wife...  clearly Mom approves and is cheering us on.

Coffee with Mom - Monday 8/16/10

This little dynamic duo showed up early Monday morning while camping up in the mountains near Shaver Lake.  Near our campsite were these huge slabs of granite.  I awoke just before sunrise and made me some "cowboy coffee"  Strong and a bit bitter in an old school percolator.  When I'm at home, I'm sort of a coffee diva.  I prefer the "gourmet" stuff.  My wife is Costa Rican.  Some might even go so far as to say I married her for the coffee...  But when you're camping, nothing is better then Chock Full of Nuts brewed in an old school percolator outside in the crisp morning mountain air.

So with cowboy coffee in hand, the sun peaking it's head through the trees and the morning chill, I make my way to the top of one of these big rocks to sit and just be.  Be in the morning.  Be on the rock.  Be with God and Spirit...  and myself.  I found a nice spot with a great view and squatted down to sit.  My knees up toward my chest, arms resting on my knees, coffee in hand, taking in the view. 

I must of sat there watching the sun creep up into the morning sky for about 15 minutes.  It was one of those rare moments when I stumbled upon an empty and quiet mind.  Usually my head swirls with thoughts o' plenty and ideas galore.  Quiet time for the old cabeza is a rare treat.  Perhaps I need more time in the cool mountain air.

My mind drifted to thoughts of mom after I looked down at some point to see two fair little feathers entwined and somehow attached to the big rock.  They were dancing in the gentle morning breeze.  Set perfectly between my legs as I sat.  Were they there when I sat down?  Did they float unnoticed while I sat there empty minded?  Who knows.  Who cares for that matter.  Either way another happy accident that says Mom is here.

So I continued to sit, mind in neutral, enjoying the morning and enjoying the feeling of my mother's presence.  In my late teens and early 20's while I lived at home, my morning consisted of coffee and cigarettes on the back porch.  I remember my mother going about her morning as well and how nice it was to just feel your mom close by.  Sometimes we'd chat, other times we'd hardly speak at all.  One time she comforted her heart broken son after he got dumped the night before.  Regardless of the situation, it was always nice to have mom around.

It is now a feeling that comes and goes.  On this Monday morning though, I had coffee with mom again.  It was very nice.

Pre-camping feather... on Friday the 13th!

Pre-camping feather conveniently placed on the Byers doormat

After Work Feather

I wasn't sure if all the stuff I did at work had any real value but apparently somebody liked it...

Sunday Night Feather

Today's feather come courtesy of Mrs. Bradley and will soon find itself hanging from the rear view mirror...