The Challenge continues

Peyton Conway March once said,

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"There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life - happiness, freedom and peace of mind - are always attained by giving them to someone else."

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It never ceases to amaze me how true this statement is. Take yesterday, for example. I posted the Grateful Challenge in the hopes of giving other's the opportunity to feel gratitude in their hearts, to take a minute and realize that no matter what your circumstances, you can always find something to be grateful for.

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What I didn't expect was how heartwarming it would be to see the answers. One girl wrote 100 things, right off the bat. And she's just 22 years old. Imagine at that age being able to have the ability to REALLY look beyond yourself and be happy for what you have received. I don't know at 22 if I could have done that... unfortunately, I was probably more concerned with what I didn't have :( than all the riches that I did have. Thank goodness God is forgiving. Anyway, here's some of the answers I've received:

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1. my breath2. my family3. my friends4. red wine5. chai6. yoga7. the Earth’s bounty8. a heart that somehow manages to remain open9. moving beyond the pain10. meditation (I’m thankful for it, but it doesn’t mean I love it - it’s excruciating sometimes.)11. the healing arts12. organic dark chocolate13. my path14. lessons learned the hard way15. learning hard lessons the easy way16. sushi places that use brown rice17. heart to heart conversations that lead to “aha” moments18. turning points19. reduced cynicism20. openness to see the world through different lenses21. folks who have the courage to put themselves in harms way for the greater good22. the shift I believe is happening in the Collective Consciousness23. America growing into her potential greatness24. the rhythms of nature25. clothes that fit a little looser this year1 Family2 friend3 freedom4 choice5 being able to trust in people6love8 laughter9 chinese food10 my bedroom11 good boots12 the snooze button14 warm blanket15 church16being able to learn17 bullet proof glass18 being able to call home19 cheezits20 dvd's21my sense of humor22 the internet so i can talk to those i love23 people who will send cookies to a random soldier24 honor25 the ability to love1 My husband Bruce2 My 3 wonderful daughters3 My friends4 My home5 My work6 My homeschool group TLCI7 Our cat Princess8 My family in The Netherlands9 Barely being affected by the economic slump10 Getting a new President (yeah!)11 Church choir12 Running, even when the weather is below freezing13 Nice meals to cook14 A glass of wine in the evening15 Making real wood fires in the fireplace16 Volunteering at the food bank17 Taking long walks (like Volksmarches if you know what they are)18 my PT Cruiser19 Stamping cards20 Playing Bananagrams21 Watching Becca perform in the Nutcracker22 the many blessings I receive every day24 God's amazing presence 25 inner peace 26. blogs27. blog buddies28. my "daughter"29. finding balance30. hassle free hair31. the holiday spirit32. synchronicity33. books34. internet access35. my Blackberry (what would I do without it?)36. flex time37. my body surprising me in yoga class38. 4 day weekends39. ginger peach candles40. knowing the value of "elbow grease"41. not having to use it42. Whole Foods43. Trader Joe's44. My Organic Market45. the surprise of finding favorite products at Safeway46. not having to do Black Friday this year47. Linda (wow! sorry it took so long)48. laughter49. Tonya (my holistic health counselor and mentor)50. Phoenix Rising1. Matt2. My parents3. other assorted family4. the whole Miller family5. my puppy6. my cats7. a warm house8. cell phone9. a working car10. laughter11. knitting needles12. yarn13. my imagination14. renn fest15. tissues16. snowball17. technology18. my brain19. doctors20. being able to have a choice21. healthy food options22. not so healthy food options23. warm sweaters24. long walks25. a misty weathered day26. twilight (the time of day and the book series)27. yoga28. cozy blankets to snuggle in29. inside jokes30. theatre31. dance32. text messaging33. freedom of expression34. farmers markets35. downtown annapolis36. christmas trees & hanukkah bushes37. hugs38. family values39. a strong belief in what's right40. a voice41. being loved42. small children43. intelligent conversations44. cameras45. picture frames46. sales (on anything)47. the media48. recordable cds49. movies50. mostly clean air51. gwynne and kyle52. those overseas who should be home 53. health of my family (especially my father)54. tears 55. reiki56. medication to heal ailments57. a good massage58. books59. vegetables (but not peas or beans) (or brussel sprouts)60. italian food61. homecooked food62. being able to smile63. swimming pools64. hairbrushes65. campfires66. moving body parts67. motivation68. teachers69. knowledge70. learning new things71. cookies72. artists73. disney princesses74. leaves75. mentors76. greenmen77. faeries78. airplanes79. police officers80. nutcrackers81. ramen soup82. warm summer night83. fresh picked flowers84. daisies85. getting my back scratched86. life87. the possiblity of giving life88. the air we breathe89. multiple choices for the clothing on my back90. linda's margaritas91. kisses92. acorns93. firefighters94. ice cream95. The Helfers96. The Connolly's97. The Thorpes98. being able to love99. friendship100. All of my friends and loved ones1. my husband2. my beautiful boys3. my big sister4. family and friends5. God6. a nice warm home to come to7. a job8. Love9. food on the table10. medications that work11. the warmth of my fireplace12. my dog13. my car14. laughter15. snow16. quiet17. movies18. my computer19. the ability to taste, smell, feel, see, etc.20. flowers21. red wine22. seafood23. beaches24. mountains25. Heaven

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Wow. Sorry for the way Blogger copies and pastes but it sort of seems right somehow.

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Wow. By giving I have received so much. How heartwarming and delightful people are.