It seems to me that gratitude should not just be a season, but a lifestyle.  ~ Amanda Baker

Truer words were never spoken! My years in Second Life have been spent in ever-increasing gratitude for the learning and support so freely given by others.

Having loved Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash, I came to Second Life because of the “coolness factor.” What I discovered instead was many enthusiastic groups engaged in creative, constructive, imaginative, and educational activities. I also discovered the sheer beauty of many lands, and even diverse opportunities to create beauty. A whole world of both the mind and heart suddenly became available.   

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

On my first day, I was so anxious to get to a particular UU meeting that I did not take time to learn how to navigate well.  Members of the group, particularly Virgilio Dagostino and Hyacinth Greymoon, patiently taught me how to get around and what to expect. They did this for many avatars, and later it became my turn to help others in the same way. Today Zyzzy Zarf generously maintains space for us on the islands of UUtopia. Darcy Cedarbridge, Joan Ixito, Freda Frostbite and others prepare and give weekly talks and coordinate special literary and festive events for our delight and learning.

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  ~W.T. Purkiser

I had always wished to be a librarian, but my real life took a different turn. On UUtopia, I have the opportunity to run my own library, the Library of World Religions. I am also involved in a small community library at Amatsu Shima. It is a joy to create different sorts of books.

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.  ~Chinese Proverb   

I studied at Amatsu Shima Okiya, where Suzanne Logan patiently educated her pupils in the art, history, and customs of Japan with emphasis on the art of the Geisha. She gave us space to live and work and endless hours of her time in tutoring and classes, as well as a detailed and comprehensive educational website. We were not so much preparing to be Geisha as learning  about Japanese historical life. I would never have thought to read about these subjects on my own.

I maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.  ~G.K. Chesterton  

The literary world of Second Life is truly amazing. I never dreamed of being able to write Haiku and other forms of poetry.  Attending  the Short Poetry Workshops taught by DanteOsaka Deschanel, Sunnie Beaumont, and Ngagpa Writer has been an enduring gift.  They teach facts and writing techniques for as many short poetry forms as can be discovered.  We then have an opportunity to write our own – and even publish if we wish.

I have a desire to do something in return. So gratitude becomes the gift, creating a cycle of giving and receiving, the endless waterfall. Filling up and spilling over… perhaps not even to the giver but to someone else, to whoever crosses one’s path. It is the simple passing on of the gift. ~ Elizabeth Bartlett

In gratitude, I wish you all the happiness and joy of this Season of Light.   

Love, Pomona

Pomona Writer was born into Second Life April 9, 2007, is a Librarian, retired Geisha, Miko of the Eastrose Shinto Shrine, and Proprietor of the Imaginary Press.