New York’s Mayor Bloomberg is leading a movement that’s going to make it illegal to sell giant sugary drinks in lots of public places. Regardless of how you feel about the politics of this move, it does give us an opportunity to reflect on the activity of making a conscious choice to go smaller rather than bigger.

Is there something in your life that you have purposely chosen to downsize that you are grateful for or about?

Or is there something else you’re thankful for today?

Will you tell us about it in the comments?

(photo borrowed from the NYT. taken by Chang W. Lee)

It’s the last day of the beautiful month of May.

What are you thankful for about May – either this May specifically, or May as a month in general?

Or, feel free to tell us about anything you’re thankful for today.

We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

We’re keeping it simple this morning…

What is something that begins with the letter “s” for which you feel grateful?

Or if that doesn’t work, what is something else you’re feeling thankful for today?

Talk to us in the comments, please.

So we’d like to change it up just for one day and instead of asking you to reflect on something you’re grateful for, we want you to go out into the world and try to actively find some gratitude in a moment that would usually feel boring or hectic or annoying. And then hold onto it and bring it back home and tell us about it.

So – for instance – if you’re standing in line at the grocery store and you feel frustrated that the line is taking too long – see if there is something in that moment you can find to be grateful for. Or if you’re sitting in your backyard pulling weeds and it’s hot and your kids are whiny and you’re getting bit, see if there’s a granule of golden gratitude in that moment.

Then – will you tell us about it?

Or – if you have something going on in your head today that you’re really grateful for and you just want to share that, we would be thankful to hear it.

Talk to us in the comments.

Can this man find something to be grateful for in this moment?

: )

Memorial Day is officially a day to remember people who died in America’s wars, and to honor, more generally, those who have gone before us. This aspect of the holiday feels solemn.

On the other hand, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. It is often celebrated with barbecues, pool parties, and picnics. This aspect of the holiday feels joyful.

Is there something specific to Memorial Day for which you feel grateful? Or is there somebody you love who fought in a war who you feel thankful for? Or are you really grateful for grilling?

Or is there something else you’re grateful for today?

Will you tell us about it in the comments?

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, so we thought that today – as a warm-up for tomorrow’s holiday – would be a good day to think about memorials.

Is there a big, famous memorial, or is there a small, personal memorial in your life for which you feel grateful?

Or is there something else you feel grateful for today?

Will you tell us about it in the comments?

The classic vampire tale, Dracula, by Bram Stoker, was first offered for sale in London on this day in 1897.

Also on this day, in 1907, the American actor John Wayne was born. He is best known for his prolific career acting in movies about the American West.

Is there something about the literary or film culture of vampires or westerns for which you feel grateful? Or maybe even both?

Or is there something else you feel grateful for today?

Will you share with us in the comments?

Is there a sound that you get to hear, either all of the time or just some of the time, when you’re falling asleep or waking up or both, for which you feel grateful?

Or is there something else you’re grateful for today?

Will you tell us about it in the comments?

On this day in 1883 the Brooklyn Bridge was opened, connecting the great cities of New York and Brooklyn for the first time in history.

There are all kinds of bridges, both literal and metaphorical. Is there a bridge that you’re grateful for?

Or is there something else today you’re feeling thankful about?

Tell us about it in the comments.

As soon as I finish this post I am headed to an early morning round of Candy Land. It’s not my favorite game, but I am grateful that it’s easy to play while I’m still getting the coffee in me.

Is there a board game, or some variation of a board game, for which you feel grateful?

Or maybe you’re in the mood to think bigger (or smaller) today. If that’s the case please feel free to tell us about any thing in the world you feel thankful for today.

Won’t you please talk to us in the comments?