south Texas

How Gratitude Can Heal: Lessons from Nature and Poetry

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In this inspiring episode, we explore the profound power of gratitude and how it can transform our lives. Set on a beautiful September day in South Texas, we reflect on the everyday gifts that surround us—like a gentle breeze, a gecko changing color, or a delicious cup of coffee. These small, often overlooked moments hold immense value.

Through the wisdom of poets like Mary Oliver and Rumi, we dive deep into how gratitude helps us heal from grief. We’ll discuss how moving toward gratitude brings peace and helps us see the loved ones we’ve lost as eternal gifts that remain with us always. We also explore how gratitude fosters humility, strengthens our relationships, and allows love to flow freely into and out of our lives.

Join us as we navigate the journey from grief to healing, uncovering the beauty in the everyday and embracing love as the greatest gift of all.

Keywords: gratitude, healing, gifts, grief, love, Mary Oliver, Rumi, humility, peace, spiritual growth, South Texas, poetry

Today’s Thought: Take Time to Kick Back

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It’s another hot day in south Texas. The cactus don’t seem to mind. That’s the way it is in August around here. One hot day after another. It might be the reason the iced tea glasses are big, I mean really big. If I take trip to the River Walk I’ll smell fajitas sizzling well before I walk down the steps to the River Walk. I’m getting hungry now. August is a good time to lay back and take it easy for a few days. We all need to let all the busy stuff go every once in a while, enjoy the day regardless of the weather, and catch up with the people we love and who love us.

Today’s Thought: A Refreshing Rain

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I woke up around one in the morning. There was a flash of lightening and crack of thunder, then the rain came. When you live in south Texas, the sound of rain at any time of day is welcomed. I especially like a thunderstorm and rain at night. I was off to dream world within minutes. The storm was over when my alarm sounded. When I walked outside, there was a fresh smell to earth. Rain during a hot summer’s night and the fresh smell of the earth, things to be grateful for.

Today’s Thought: It’s Time to Release Your Inner Chil

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Triple digits are expected in south Texas this week. School is over until August. Some people will complain about the heat. The kids won’t. I’ll see them playing soccer, football, and basketball. I’ll hear their screams from the pool and nearby playground. Kids adapt so much better than adults. It might be because they know they are powerless (for the most part) and instead of fighting the weather, they go along with it and enjoy it. If we’re lucky enough to get an afternoon rain, I’ll see some kids running in the rain. As adults, we think we are powerful. That’s an illusion. We get angry when we can’t change things we don’t like (check out the news if you don’t believe me). I think children have a healthier attitude. I’m going to get outside today and release my inner child (Yes, Mom, I’ll put on sunscreen and carry a bottle of water). LOL.

Today’s Thought: Three Cheers for Rainy Days

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I’m writing this post as a thunderstorm is rolling through. Rain is welcomed whenever it shows up in south Texas. The hot season will settle in soon and it will be dry for a while. It’s not something we give much thought to, but where would we be without rain? Life would be impossible. I’ve always liked rain. As a kid I’d run outside and splash in the puddles. I think I was more than a handful for my mom. Later in life I enjoyed running in the rain, I preferred a warm rain, but what are you going to do when you are living in a cold climate. Rain makes my grass green, my shishito pepper plants look healthy, and my flowering plants are showing off. Three cheers for rain. I think I’ll schedule this post and go outside and stand in the rain for a few minutes.

Today’s Thought: Roll With It

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I live in south Texas. The weather is usually hot and dry. When we get storms, they tend to be doozies. Last night around 12:30 a hail storm woke me up. This one was a doozie. It lasted for 30 minutes. My yard was covered with hailstones. By daybreak the hailstones had melted but the storm left plenty of leaves and branches to clean up. Got to roll with it. That’s how it is with a lot of things. We may not like them, but we got to roll with them if we want to get through.

Feel Good Tip of the Day

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Feeling Good Doesn’t Have to Cost

Living in south Texas I am well aware of the potential of too much sun. Yet, at times, it’s as if my body is screaming at me, “Ray, get your butt out in the sun, I need the sunshine.” Yesterday was one of those days. I waited until the day cooled down to a cool 95 F (35 C) LOL before I headed out for a walk. The sun, heat and gentle southerly breeze felt good. When I returned home I was sweating and had to shower. My cool shower felt great as well. I didn’t need to spend a single dollar to feel good. All I had to do was get out of the house and start walking.  Here’s hoping you discover the good things in life that surround you.

Power Thought of the Day ~ Take an Emotional Shower and Wash the Stress Away

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It’s a windy day in south Texas. It feels good. The air is clean. A light spring jacket is all I need for the morning. I can shed the jacket this afternoon. I like to stand facing the wind. I close my eyes and visualize myself being cleansed of any stress that accumulated in me. In a few minutes I feel as if I’ve taken an emotional shower. I feel great. Try it the next time you have a windy day.

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