Gratitude Journal

Moments and Tacos

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?

The End of the Beginning of the End

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.

Cheese Balls

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.

Six Degrees of Cheese Pringles

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!

I Want To Know If I Need These Wants

'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'?

Build Back Betterer

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!)

Stop the Mic Drop

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?

Gobble Gobble Walk Not Hobble

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!

Yes, Yes, Nanette

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'.

The Beauty Behind the Beauty

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?