GratitudeLog

"It’s essential to remember that you get what you focus on, so if you think constantly about what you don’t have, you’ll continue not to have that thing. Conversely, when you acknowledge all that you… read more

I'm grateful to my elementary school students who are so open to learning and so willing to listen to my lessons. There's nothing like seeing the smile of accomplishment on the face of a 6-year old on… read more

I'm grateful for the good press and nice reviews people are giving my new book, "Rap-Notes: Shakespeare's Greatest Hits." Here's a one-minute video on youtube I'd love you to take a look at: : htt… read more

I'm grateful I'm an elementary school teacher and can influence young people for the better every day-- I make sure every child I teach or see in the halls knows he or she is special. I try to find th… read more

I'm grateful for this quote from Persian poet, Rumi, which I try to remember when I'm criticized by someone:
"The unbeliever supposes he has hurt me; but no, he has wiped the dust from my mirror."

I'm grateful for my incredible daughter, who in a relatively short time as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa, has made a huge impact on the health and well-being of the people in her village. I'm… read more

I'm grateful to my students, who allow me to contribute to them each day, and in so doing, I feel happy and filled with purpose.

I'm grateful for my friends, who always seem to come through for me the same way I'd come through for them.

I'm grateful for all the people I made smile today...with a word or a glance or a gesture. I couldn't have contributed sitting in my home all day. Even a trip to the supermarket is a chance to make so… read more

I'm grateful for one of my kindergarten students who knows how much I love it when she smiles. Today, as I was packing up to leave her class, she tapped me gently and said, "Mr. Z..." I turned around,… read more

I'm grateful for my Nike Fuel Band.
It's the best piece of sports equipment I own because it tracks my steps, my Calories burned and my "Nike fuel points" which is a way to calculate how much you ex… read more

I'm grateful for this gorgeous day in January where I can walk around with my coat unbuttoned. I'm grateful for the taste of hummus on a whole-wheat-pumpkin-seed cracker. And I'm grateful I can turn u… read more

I just read a short article on love by Rabbi Harold Kushner that I wanted to share with you. Here is my favorite section about love and gratitude:

I recognize that I need love in the same way that… read more

I'm grateful for having so many friends who wished me a happy new year.

I'm grateful for having lived fully for another year! I feel so fortunate to have a job I love (teaching), a talent I love (writing) and a family I love. When I think about it, that's really what's im… read more

I'm grateful for the wisdom of Don Miguel Ruiz. In his glorious book, based on the philosophy of the Toltecs, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, Mr. Ruiz so clearly states for anyone to understand, a powerful code… read more

I'm grateful for my health. Yesterday, I paid a visit to a 93-year old man who was confined to a chair and could barely move without help. It made me realize how lucky I am to have a body that support… read more

I'm grateful for my talented rappers who did an extraordinary job in the recording studio Friday night recording "Hip-Hop Hamlet" and "Rappin Romeo and Juliet."

I'm grateful for my wonderful writers' group, Westchester Collaborative Theatre, who always give me such well-thought-out critiques of my work.

I'm grateful for all the young students in my school who smiled at me today and said, "Hi Mr. Z!"

I'm grateful for the poetry of Rumi. I recommend you read this glorious philosopher who wrote nearly 800 years ago. His ideas are often shared in the work of many great contemporary thinkers, includi… read more

I'm grateful to be trusted by my community to be selected by my county for the panel that decides which arts projects get funded and how much.

I'm grateful for this extraordinary day in New York!

I'm grateful for the great poet, Rumi (1207-1273), whose work I'm reading now. What an incredible mind! I've learned so much from his sensibility, his words having not lost one iota of truth in more t… read more

I wanted to share this heart-warming and eye-opening email I got this morning. It's all about GRATITUDE. And it will make your day!



Dear Bob,

Here is your Friday story,

Gratitude Napkins… read more

I'm grateful for my health club. Since I pay monthly dues whether I use it or not, I'm more motivated to work out every day.

I'm grateful for Mike's emails to make being grateful a habit.
I'm also grateful for the book I'm currently reading, "Buddha's Brain," by Rick Hanson. He and his co-authors discuss the sometimes per… read more

I'm grateful for some really awesome reviews readers have given my book, Rap-Notes-- Shakespeare's Greatest Hits...on amazon.com.