Cookie-Shine ritual...Here's how it goes: I say something I noticed, a gift of some kind or something that happened that struck me some way...and I take a bite of a big cookie. Then, I pass the cookie to you and it's your turn. You say something about a gift you've received, a feeling you had or have, a thought or question on your mind -- and then bite and pass the cookie. And so we go around and around the table until the cookie is finished. Half the cookie is brown and half is white. Each chooses where to bite and how big of a bite, one of us taking great big bites of the chocolate side each time.

Mark Anthony began. He noticed how good it felt to have had a friend follow him around to play in the schoolyard; "It felt good to know I have friends"...A brief message from an old friend letting "big" Mark know about a mutual friend who had passed was bittersweet - sweet because of the thoughtfulness...I (Kathy) had received a heartfelt apology from a friend who had disappointed me in the past and felt closure...Mark Anthony said, "I'm thankful for the gift of my mom and my dad caring for me every day of my life;" (mom and dad are thankful to have raised a 'clever' child)...Mark was moved by someone who sought him out for advice...I (Kathy) felt that the encouragement of an artist friend was a gift...and that being awakened by a laughing child was a joy...Mark Anthony noticed feeling lighter now that he forgave Johnny for insulting him (something about "baby-ish" game rules.) He said, "We didn't really talk about it, but the next day we were just friends again"...Mark had been noticing the joy of making art and excitement about some of his photography being featured...When I paused to think on my last turn, Mark Anthony offered to help: "Can I smell your mind so I know?"

Just notice!