#003 Snow

This is our first snow since arriving in Missouri. Meet "Dewey" as in Huey, Dewey and Louie, one of six bulls in the pasture next to our house. The photo was taken in color but it was a black-and-white day.

We only got 1/2 inch but it covers the blah-ness with a sparkly white blanket. Floating snowflakes are soothing, especially if I'm not stranded, unprepared and cold.

I'm am thankful for snow, winter eye candy.

#002 Purring

Purring - cat's contribution to world peace and serenity. Did you know that purring lowers human blood pressure? Did you know that cats purr not only when content but when sick or injured?

I feel especially privileged when The Orange One snuggles into my lap and purrs. I bury my hands in his fur and am soothed by the low "motor" sound. I am being blessed, whether he means to or not. The big cat, Simon, "sings" in his sleep. His purring is varied, a combination of snore, song, and sigh. Sooo cute. I'm grateful to God/evolution/big bang for purring and the cats who do it.

#001 Blogging

Blogging. What a wonderful concept! Throwing one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors into cyberspace. Maybe 1,000 or more will read the words, maybe no one. It's still a way to offer what one has to those who want to look for it. It may even be helpful in some way.

This is my second blog. The first (blog.dunnsroom.com) is also new. I'm having difficulty getting the setup to suit me so it's a work in progress. The software is more complex than I need right now. However, I'm having fun with it.

So, who do I have to thank for this intriguing technology? Whoever you are, I appreciate your work and the opportunity to share my thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Introduction

Depression is a more common malady than we realize. Seemingly fully functional people with well-paying careers, long-term marriages, no substance addictions and healthy families may still suffer from depression.

Two practices of mentally healthy people are forgiveness and gratefulness. Accepting life as a gift, in spite of the horror, trauma, unfairness, pain and sadness is truly a miracle. That doesn't mean we need to be grateful for the fore-mentioned dark experiences. We do need to remind ourselves of the good things, the gifts that often become overshadowed by the painful times. Otherwise we live in the darkness and allow the anger to take over our lives.

Forgiveness is a topic for another time. This blog is to remind myself (and maybe you?) of God's blessings - people, places, things, happenings for which I am grateful - all year long. My goal is to practice the spiritual discipline of gratitude daily for a year. Should be a terrific journey!