Ithink that loss is something common to all and yet how we process it is so very different. I have felt grateful for the outpouring of support and compassion from so many around me since my dear old aunt died. She was 92 and had lived an amazing life and will be missed so much. There seems a never ending supply of meals, notes,kindness, hugs,memories, calls, it is so nice and feels so healing.

Common ground? Love, laughter, light, kids who we adore yet challege. GIRLFRIENDS who GET US!, desire for peace and calm, savoring, nature's beautiful palette, music like the crashing waves I hear below me this moment, winning and losing and sharing and caring. An attitude of gratitude. Good health. Life's glistening gems of learning. Appreciating and admiring and accepting our likes and differences. Wow, humanity rocks and so do our pets.

As the saying goes, "music is the universal language." Yet there is a lot of disagreement about what constitutes "good" music. My parent railed against the type of rock and roll I grew up with, even as I railed against the punk and hip hop of my children. Yet each generation seems to "come of age" with their own anthems of freedom.
In my travels, I have seen music unite people in the far corners of the earth. They are as disparate as the gamelan orchestras of Indonesia, the sitars and tublas of India, the plaintive flutes and drums of Peru--everywhere in the world music unites us. Of course, wonderfully innovative styles of dancing usually accompany the music all over the world.

I am also grateful for the incredible technology that makes it possible (in a tiny inch square i pod, for example) that brings music from all over the world "up close and personal!"

Without them we would have trouble with communication, education, balance, dancing, humor, upholding eyeglasses and the economy (for instance, keeping Q-tips from bankruptcy).

Standing true to yourself and others is a quality I see as necessary for a inner happiness and a serene coexistence with others.

No matter what language spoken or culture lived in, we all share an expression of pleasure through smiling. A smile can brighten worlds of sadness and pain. It conveys empathy, joy and appreciation to receivers of all nations. Whoever is smiling, for whatever reason, is also allowing joyful feelings to fill his or her spirits. It is a precious gift from The Great Mystery. So smile, and our world will smile with yout! :-)

I think the places where I've met more diverse people was in the workplace. Working at a university in two locations, Ann Arbor and Flint, brought many people of different nationalities into my life and as I always was interested in their lives, much knowledge about them. I'm thankful for the oppportunity I had to befriend many of them, even if it was only for a short time.

Somebody once suggested to me, sort of joking, that the sweet cuteness of kittens could heal the world - lol. Pets, pets, pets! Not everyone is a dog person or cat person or horse person or whatever, but there is a sort of kindred spirit among pet owners and animal lovers. And while our pets are just as different as the owners, there is still something similar in the experience of having them in our lives and the incredible love we all can feel for them and from them, and the immense sense of loss when they are gone. I don't believe my home will ever be without a pet :)

I am a big believer kindness goes a long way. It could be kind words, a kind gesture, or even a smile. If all people greeted and treated one another the way we should, wow--what a wonderful world we would live in!

Wherever I am around the world I see people working, looking after their families, and being with their friends. We are all living and doing the best that we can with what we know, what skills we have and with what opportunities show up. And that's a wonderful thing. Instead of judging other people as coming short I am happy to sit in the knowledge that everyone is doing the best that they can. And that's all any of us can ever do!

I am so grateful to see that we all have the same ups and downs and share the same goals in life. We all struggle to acheive what we want in our life to make it better but sometimes we face the difficlties and we learn from it. The life is a mixer of joys and sorrows if we didn't have any sorrows then we will not appriciate the joys as much.

I think pain is an attribute that brings people together. You can see it in the thousands of volunteers that flock to help people after natural disasters and human-caused disasters. It is human pain that brings empathy and understanding. Whenever I have been brave enough to share my pain, I have received empathy and guidance which strengthen my faith that God will lead me in the right path of his will, not mine.

i think a lot of people are worried about nature and the way we are predating it. But at the same time many, many people are joining to make something, even taking small actions like planting a tree, teaching children to love our planet, is the only we have, and practicing many actions in order to disminish the dramatic effects of irrational practices to earth and animals.

I am grateful that kindness and love are universal attributes. It connects us across continents and languages, and it reminds us how great life can be we we practice these daily.

I so love the fact that so many people that I have met on my journey over the last few years are really wanting to make a difference in the world in their own unique way. Everyone seems to be fulfilling their purpose and passion more than I have ever been aware of and it is beautiful to watch people shine in their juice and their passion. The common theme here is that everyone is growing and developing and wanting to take their gifts out into the world to make a difference for other people, to enhance and aid other people’s lives in a positive and profound way. The other common factor amongst a lot of people I notice is that there is much more love and understanding these days and people are becoming more and more aware of raising the energy and vibration of the planet and themselves through conscious awareness. This is where the magic starts to happen, the more people who can connect consciously into themselves and raise their own vibration the more it will radiate out to the rest of society and the planet. I really do feel blessed to be alive and living each day with passion and purpose to take my message out to the world, which is to connect to self, love yourself, then you have the ability to connect and love with others in your life more fully!

A simple smile

I am grateful for an amazing bunch of nurses who work in our Labor and delivery unit. They are the glue that makes it all work, even in the craziest, most hectic of nights. Reading today's description makes me think of them. Smiles and empathy, the basis of connection, appreciation, etc etc etc

A smile is the same in any language in any country, as is a tear. I appreciate the people who try to see how we are all more alike than different. Getting to know people from different cities, states and countries has been a blessing to me. I learn something from everyone I met.

Now that I have kids, I understand that although they are truly gifts, they are also an amazing challenge. Both my husband and I work full time and are so aware of our limitations. There aren't enough hours in the day or books to read to make me feel prepared. This is why I am so grateful for my mom. She raised my brother and me by herself, albeit not without a good network of friends and family. Before I had kids, I just took it for granted (AND her). I am amazed that she was able to hold herself together and do so much for us. As I gain more experience as a parent, I am beginning to understand more about from where she was coming and the great sacrifices she made for us (emotionally, financially and even psychologically ). I still may not agree with everything she said or did, but I have a real appreciation for the job she had in keeping us fed and housed as well as all she did to be a great mom. The older I get, the more I realize how much I had and how much I appreciate and miss her.

I agree with so many others who posted that a smile can change the world!

I am grateful to and for the divine.

I can keep this one short, I appreciate a genuine smile. A smile can be contagious, brighten some of the darkest days, and melt a cold heart. I get caught up in smiles and how they light up a persons face, can convey "I'm with you", or "I understand" A smile is the beginning of making a new friend. (sorry I am late posting these, my computer was messed up)

My attitude has always been "treat everyone as you would like to be treated". I have always gone out of my way to treat everyone from the "lowest" person on the hierachy with the dignity and respect I would treat a CEO. he janitor to the CEO. Respect, kindness and a smile go a long way to making everyone's day!

Respect - starting with self respect - is the most common and binding of human attributes. It transcends all cultural and communication borders and is instinctiveley recognised by all who practice it. All the most genuine people, past and present, had been trained in self respect from childhood and learned how to respect others. They have an innate warmth and the right degree of humility. Plus they usually have a great sense of humour!

I appreciate simple kindnesses from people when out in the world every day. A smile, a kind word, a courtesy -- this can do so much to make my day. It shows me how we are all connected by love.

I try to make someone smile each and every day. My dad is in a retirement home and there are so many people hanging out in the halls and community places when I go visit him. I smile and say hi to everyone I pass and they light up. Showing that you care with a smile, acknowledging each other and trying to bring happiness as often as you can keeps us on common ground.

I'm a little late posting for Day 7. I totally agree with all the prior posts about smiles being contagious and how they can change someone's day. I also agree with trying to say something kind to someone or complimenting them on something simple or a job well done. Whenever someone goes out of their way to help me on their job, I try to send an email or letter to their boss.

I appreciate that common among us is to care for and look after all living things

I have realized in the past 18 mths that many things bring people together but I've learned that grief and loss knows no borders, no race, no status, we all feel it, go through it, and need people to help us. I always knew this, but now I understand it in a way that will forever change the way I handle others' grief and loss. I'm grateful for the gifts I found in this loss and the people that stood by me, showed me who they really were and what they were about.