I went to a Campfire Stories by the African Community of Darebin at the Preston Library last night. Inevitably someone asked the big R question, what about racism. Both panellists say, yes it did exist, but it was worthwhile putting up with as the gratitude they had for our country in basically saving their lives made it inconsequential. That’s what I have chosen to write about today, Gratitude.

My friends Debbie and Shanti set up a Facebook group a few years ago called Daily Gratitude Space, it has grown to close to 1,500 members. As the name suggests, it is a space where you can express what you are grateful for on a daily basis. You don’t have to do it every day, just when it supports you to do it. Join Us.

I have used it in moments of both despair and joy, but I know every time I do it I feel closer to my soul.

So what does our human race, with all of its foibles, have to say about gratitude? Here are a few of my favourite things:

1. “Zig” Ziglar was born in Coffee County in southeastern Alabama, to John Silas Ziglar and Lila Wescott Ziglar. He was the tenth of 12 children. He went on to become one of the world’s most prominent motivational speakers.

2. What acts of gratitude have you done today: Love Is Action.

3. A wonderful insight from one of my Sheroes, Alice Walker.

4. I have been guilty of this many a time, getting better at it: Kind and Generous.

5. Back to the 18th Century, when quotes did not include women for this fine practice.

6. This quote could be directly from God: Hero.

7. Aesop c. 620 – 564 BCE) was a Greek fabulist and storyteller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop’s Fables. Although his existence remains unclear and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. Many of the tales are characterized by animals and inanimate objects that speak, solve problems and generally have human characteristics.

8. I love the heart space: There is so Much Magnificence.

9. I love the name of the creator of this, Live purposefully now.

10. The first half marathon I ran in my long distant marathoning career was organised by the Shri Chinmoy organisation, they fully believe in health: I’ll Never Find Another You.

11. It’s the Black Friday Sale today, your job is to buy nothing, just appreciate what you already have.

12. Gratitude, the new vision board: High Hopes.

13. A quiet Joy, Yummy!!!

14. How else could you, really: I Want It All.

15. For our final lesson, the expression Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs came up, google it.

Gratitude versus judgement, choose!!!

Today’s playlist is tres positive, as you would expect. A new to me Tauren Wells leads off, Two fine songstresses follow in the form of Natalie Merchant and Mariah Carey. Deva and Miten deliver a lengthy version of one of their classics which will have you singing along by the end. The Australian section of the list is from The Seekers. Something more modern with Panic at the Disco before we finish with Queen, I recently read Freddie died 29 years ago, OMG: God Gave You a Gift of $6400 Seconds Today!!!

My ethos for the world of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included counts on more and more gratitude happening across the planet. Remember you can get the blog in your inbox by signing up on the right-hand side of the main page, until we meet again, my dear friends.