Gratitude Journal

Holding hands in a dimly bar...listening to the rustling of the leaves...and hoping that a taco place is open on a holiday.  In search of 'moments'? Matthew reflects on these things.  Can we find them, or do they just happen?

In this episode, Matthew tries to find the meaning and the correlation of where the 'beginning' meets the 'end', where they overlap, and how one might take the place of the other.

A West Highland Terrier by the name of 'Izzy' decides that he's had enough.  And Matthew shares his story in this episode about love, loss, and a dog's fixation with cheese.

When is the last time you really 'drilled down' in to your gratitude list? I mean, REALLY drilled down? Who needs bacon when you have cheese Pringles! More about 'gratitude lists', on this episode of 'The Gratitude Journal' podcast!

'Needs vs Wants'. 'Wants vs Needs'.  In this latest episode, Matthew reflects on whether one is more important than the other. And if so, which? The 'need to want', or the 'want to need'?

New Year's resolution? Not today. Not ANY day.  In this first episode of the new year, Matthews proposes experimenting with small ways to 'build back better' by shooting for longer-term smaller changes or alterations that might have longer-term effect and positive outcomes. (and who knows...you might STILL lose some weight!)

Is 'preparation' even possible for defending ourselves against 'the big ones'? In this episode, Matthew tries to investigate finding purpose and meaning within the construct of those enormous, life-changing events...and can we make ourselves 'ready' for them?

Happy Thanksgiving! Try to keep up with Matthew as he does his annual Thanksgiving morning sojourn, talking gluttony, gratitude, and hopefully not stepping in doggie-doo-doo!

We pack up some equipment and hit the road this time around, venturing a whole 10 minutes away to the First Congregational Church of Akron, Ohio. The delightful and insightful Senior Minister Rev. Nanette Pitt joins the podcast!  While totally masked and practicing safe social-distancing, Matthew and Reverend Nanette discuss why the 'spiritual discipline of waiting' is something to be grateful for, her journey to the U.S, from South Africa, and why she chose a path 'on the side of God and on the side of love in this life'.

What are you doing for YOU?  Does it sound trite? Maybe it isn't, as Matthew takes a peek behind the the 'things of illusion.  Are we processing those things as 'beautiful' or 'painful'? And what does it all have to with being grateful for treating ourselves well?