"An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." Henry David Thoreau - (1817–62), US essayist and poet. A key proponent of transcendentalism, he is best known for Walden, or Life in the Woods (1854), an account of a two-year experiment in self-sufficiency. His essay on civil disobedience (1849) influenced Mahatma Gandhi's policy of passive resistance.

"For a split second, he blanked, then came to. He steadied himself, thinking his heart could actually, though not probably, explode and he would be toast right here in front of everybody." Book character Dooley Kavanagh's thoughts while his marriage ceremony was beginning as described in Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon

"It is not doing the things we like to do, but liking the thing we have to do that makes life blessed." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - (1749–1832), German poet, playwright, novelist, philosopher, and scientist. Involved at first with the Sturm und Drang movement, he changed to a more classical style, as in the “Wilhelm Meister” novels 1796–1829. Notable dramas: Götz von Berlichingen (1773), Tasso (1790), and Faust (1808–32).

" . . . know the joy, feel the warmth, share the sweetness, and celebrate the gift!" Douglas Pagels (Information needed about Douglas Pagels)

"Little things mean a lot, people! It doesn't have to be all sparkle and shine." Anonymous, taken from Somewhere Safe with Someone Good by Jan Karon

A prayer - "Lord, make me a blessing to someone today." Father Tim's thoughts - Father Tim is a character in These High Green Hills by Jan Karon

A prayer - "Lord, may my life be so pleasing to You that You are pleased to have Your face shine on me. And as You graciously smile on my life may I find someone today with whom can share Your love through a smile." Shared by ODS Zippy, Laurie, on June 18, 2014, out of her Our Daily Bread.

"May your walls know joy; may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility." Mary Ann Radmacher, author, artist & professional speaker

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." W.T. Purkiser, (1910–1992) was a preacher, scholar, and author in the Church of the Nazarene.

"Most gracious host," said Frodo, "it was said to me by . . . that I should find friendship upon the way, secret and unlooked for. Certainly I looked for no such friendship as you have shown." Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, (3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor

"Oh, what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world contented I shall be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't. To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot - and I won't!" Fanny Crosby, (March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915) was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. A member of the Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, she wrote many hymns together with her pastor, Robert Lowry. She was one of the most prolific hymnists in history, writing over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, with over 100 million copies printed, despite being blind from shortly after birth

"Spring is really coming now. You will have plenty to do in the garden. I hope that Renate's wedding preparations are going well. Here in the prison yard there is a thrush which sings beautifully in the morning, and now in the evening too. One is grateful for little things, and that is surely a gain. Good-bye for now." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 4 February 1906 – 9 April 1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident, and key founding member of the Confessing Church. This quote is from Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas".(Bonhoeffer wrote this while imprisoned in a 7 X 10 feet cell. He wrote this to his fiancé.)

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." Eric Hoffer reflections on the Human Condition - Eric Hoffer (July 25, 1902 – May 21, 1983)[1] was an American philosopher and social critic. A conservative moderate with an atypical working-class background, Hoffer authored ten books over his career and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February 1983. The Eric Hoffer Book Award is an international literary prize established in his honor.

"The LORD bless you and keep you.
the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

"The real issue in life is not how many blessings we have,
but what we do with our blessings.
Some people have many blessings and hoard them.
Some have few and give everything away."
Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) - Fred McFeely Rogers (March 20, 1928 – February 27, 2003) was an American television personality, musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and Presbyterian minister. He was known as the creator, composer, producer, head writer, showrunner, and host of the preschool television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001). The program was marked by its slow pace and its host's calm manner.

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