I noticed a squirrel sitting on a rock across the pool in the morning sun. I like how the sunlight highlights his fur.
Count Your Blessings was how our weekly zoom call ended. Every Thursday, I have a zoom call with about a dozen other people where we discuss the world’s geopolitical problems, religion, local politics and news. We were on a dour note talking about how the world has changed from when we were young whippersnappers and how on earth our country is going to survive with 38 trillion dollars in debt.
Then one member of the group, who is a former history teacher and Jewish, said some insightful things, like there’s nothing new under the sun. If we think things are bad now, remember our country survived the Great Depression, World Wars and people of his faith faced the Holocaust.
He said to count our blessings. He said he looks forward to every Thursday morning to have an in depth discussion with a group of intelligent people who want to make a difference. He reminded us that none of us are homeless, we’re in good health, we have our families and our homes. He said in the Jewish faith they say blessings all day long. His favorite blessings are for bodily functions. He gives blessings that God has given him a miraculous body that still works!
I googled blessings because this was something new to me. I learned that people of Jewish faith aim to say 100 blessings a day.
We left the zoom call with positive feelings and gratitude for the important things in our lives.
A squirrel on a bench in our backyard.
I’m grateful for my family, my home and the wild creatures around me.
I spotted a Gila Woodpecker feeding somebody in the Saguaro Cactus nest.
He’s been going in and out the past few days. Maybe he’s preparing the nest, or there’s already babies in there.
I scared him away with my camera.
What are you grateful for today? What do you think of counting your blessings?
I do think it’s good, and a helpful reminder, to think about the positive things that are happening in our lives. Doom and gloom weighs on us both physically and mentally. It’s not a good way to live at all.
You are so correct. I left my zoom call yesterday in such a good mood that lasted all day thinking about the blessings in my life.
I know one blessing that I can count. I’m blessed that I don’t have to count 100 blessings a day. That seems rather daunting. I think I’d get tired of that real fast, and start to kvetch about it.
I love the shot of the woodpecker in the Saguaro cactus. I didn’t know they made nests in those tall, prickly plants. And nice shot of him, mid-air, flying away.
Wouldn’t that be something to have to keep track of 100 blessings a day? Plus they have separate prayers to say over each blessing.
The woodpeckers make these holes in the saguaro. Other birds move into the nests through the years. Our saguaro is more than 20 feet tall and has several nests in it. From year to year I see Gila Woodpeckers using the nests.
That’s a pretty tall Saguaro.
It’s our tallest one. We’ve lost three in five years which is sad. We had two with a disease. One fell over. I think it was over watered. I saw it fall and am glad I was inside the house!
Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be next to one when it falls. They look very heavy.
Heavy with spikes!
Regarding, national debt, the U.S. currently has one of the highest debt‑to‑GDP ratios ever seen for a large, still‑stable advanced economy that hasn’t yet had a full‑blown fiscal/monetary collapse; the only thing propping us up is the constant printing of unbacked money, which depreciates the value of the current supply… so some concern is warranted there.
That said, life is indeed full of blessings!! Having once been in a position where I couldn’t walk, grip a pen, chew, socialize, etc., every day I notice and celebrate the abilities, connections, beauty, and hopes that were once out-of-reach. I wish it didn’t take a tragedy for me to learn, but I am grateful I’ve adopt the practice.
The national debt is an issue and we discussed. If everything is fine in your own life, there’s not much concern about it.
It took me a bad accident in college to appreciate the tiny things in life, like walking. I’ve tried to keep that attitude with me all these years later.
Great photos.
Thanks! I’m glad you like them.
Sounds like your Thursday zoom call is a blessing!! And now a blessing too for your readers. Love how the flow of gratitude works!🤣😎😎😎😎😎🙏🏼
You’re so right. Everything has a ripple effect. Both the good and the bad. Hopefully, the blessings can reach outward to everyone reading this.
Your posts and sweet nature pics are blessings, Elizabeth…thank you for being you! 💝😊💝
I’m so glad you enjoy them! 💕
I sure do…I sure do! And you were right about the light around the squirrel. Light is magic, isn’t it? 💝💝💝
The morning light is so special. It makes me think it’s a blessing! 🥰
Totally! And you captured it! 😉💝😉
Thanks! My last post was quite the opposite!
What a beautiful practice to name 100 blessings a day. I can imagine how powerful that was on the call.
Your pictures are stunning. The woodpecker in flight- wow! I’m counting this post with your pictures and words as one of my blessings today!
Thank you for saying my post is a blessing. It was a very uplifting call after we went into depressing topics. Perfect way to end it and I learned something new about the Jewish faith.
I’m grateful to the wonderful docs and nurses and staff at the Tampa VA who go beyond and above their job and make us comfortable despite sickness. I’m grateful for the little black pug, Rasputin, who welcomed me home after a long day.
Those are very nice blessings to have in your lives.
A few people complain about the VA health services, but I think they just whine. Sometimes the front desk at some of the clinics like dermatology could be nicer but itis only one or 2. The Docs and nurses and staff are really outstanding.
It sounds like you have good healthcare at the VA. It’s been hard for us to find doctors we like in Arizona. When we moved here it seemed like there was a huge influx of people moving here. But we are finally happy with doctors we’ve found.
Well, it also changes frequently for my husband’s cancer treatment and for dermatology as fellows are rotated but they pull from the best all over. It’s been interesting.
My DIL has had excellent healthcare for her cancer at UCSF. It’s the best hospital in SF. She was fortunate to get in and be there.
We should all focus more on our blessings.
👍
Yes, I agree. It can change our outlook and attitude.
But then again, you need someone outside of your family to voice your concerns to. And there just might be someone in blogosphere who has been there. Because people and events tend not to change the tune. If it happens to one, you can bet it happened to others.
👍🏼
Thanks for this post. A great reminder and perfect timing! 🥰
Cool about the woodpecker’s home in the cactus. 🙂I like the pics!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed my post and photos. I enjoy learning about other faiths in my zoom group and reminders to have gratitude.
💕 I wouldn’t make it through this crazy world without my faith!
That is so true!
I’m amazed how animals and birds find ways to survive and thrive.
You’re right that we should always be thankful.
I am thankful for the wildlife around me. I enjoy sitting quietly outside and observing the birds and creatures. I think its restorative to be thankful.
Yes I agree that it is restful and also fires up our imagination.
Grateful for home delivery of cat litter. I try to check in with gratitude every day…some days it’s harder than others
That’s so true. Some days are harder than others. But it’s important to look for our blessings, no matter how small they are.
My husband and I can get a bit negative about what’s happening in our country and the world (especially after we’ve read the morning news), and then we look around us and remind each other of how lucky we are. I think maintaining an attitude of gratitude can go a long way to supporting good mental health. Your Zoom group sounds like a good one!
It is a good group. We have a leader who is a retired neurosurgeon. He keeps us in line and asks all of us good questions to keep the discussion moving.
I, too, have a Thursday Zoom call, though it is just with my brother. It means a lot to me that we have a pretty good relationship.
I recently quit my (mostly) daily diary, because it was either a tedious recitation of my day, or complaining about something. Now I have a lovely notebook that I jot two gratitude/wonder items in every evening. It’s much more positive and leaves me feeling better. Though I do sometimes want to gripe, still! Working on it, though.
I need to write down three blessings like Martin Seligman suggests in his book “Flourish.” He said it was as effective as antidepressants.
I love that you have this weekly zoom, that uplifts and keeps things in perspective. The world hasn’t changed that much, but what people expect of it has. At least, that is how I feel.
I am so thankful for all my blessings, on the daily. My health. My family. My sense of humor! My friends. XO
The woodpecker is busy doing something important….
This Thursday should be an interesting week. I’m looking forward to everyone’s thoughts and opinions. We do have many blessings and need to focus on them.
Yes, that woodpecker has something going on!
that sounds like a good group! I have to say, back then we did not have this much debt though. I don’t talk politics because everyone has their own viewpoint but I am telling everyone to remember to vote!
It is a good group. We’re able to discuss politics even though we have many differing opinions. I’m learning a lot about world history from others.