Gratitude Lounge Welcome to our community space to support and celebrate Grateful Living. Please consider reflecting on questions such as these: What am I grateful for? How does gratefulness enrich my life, my community, the world? What is grateful living inspiring me to do? You are welcome to include images and videos to illustrate your reflections… Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Ani3 weeks agoAniFeeling much gratitude for this exquisite time of autumn’s early entry in New England, replete with these beautiful creations in whose faces is exuberant celebration. 8 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaWonderful photo, Ani, I hope you feel welcome here, and that you will keep on sharing with us your enlightening experiences. 1 Reply Pilgrim2 weeks agoPilgrimLovely, Ani! Thank you! 1 Reply Ose3 weeks agoOseDear Carla, all the best for your surgery today. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and for the operation. Faith and strength be with you! … So even if it is a day in advance, as unfortunately I confused the date, I will keep my fingers crossed tomorrow also! 5 Reply Carla2 weeks agoCarlaOse, my dear brother across the sea….your prayers helped relieve some of my anxiousness on (US) Sunday. Surgery went very well! Divine Physician guided everyone. I’ve been up walking already w a walker this pm. I feel carried by many on these pages, those known & unknown to me. I’m grateful for kindred spirits & I find them here. Nomads on our own paths seeking the One. Namaste 🌻🎆 2 Reply Anna2 weeks agoAnnaSo happy for you Dear Carla! I am proud to be a Nomad seeking the One, with you and other friends in this sacred community! 1 Reply Ose2 weeks agoOseSo good to hear that surgery went well and you are already up and start moving around. May all heal in it´s course of time, with no damages left and may you fully recover to complete health and complete blossoming. I am happy to share here with you as a Nomad on our paths seeking the One, dear Carla. BTW, just to let you know I am a female. Blessings to you, dear friend. 1 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrCan someone tell me what NAN means when tapping the heart icon in response to a post. I only know of it in the science of mathematics. Thanks for your time. 2 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaYou get NAN, too, Alicia? I’ve always figured it was some bug unique to my system. Googling ‘NAN math’ I get that NaN means ‘not a number’ – what do you know NAN as? Thanks for your question! 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimAlicia, I always thought it was a way of knowing I had added a heart, and maybe prevented me from adding another to the same post. Just a guess. 1 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrThis is a Morning Glory. I had huge vines but no flowers until I researched I’d overwatered and did not provide phosphorous. The vines were taking over my sensor security light. I regretfully had to cut some vines down. I took a chance a bud would blossom in my kitchen window. My surprise ! It did. I’d dreamed of having Morning Glories since a child. At last…simple pleasures. 5 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaHooray, Alicia! That reminds me of my one-time nasturtiums – hearing that poor soil gave more flowers, I grew them in soil such that I got only about 2 leaves and 3 flowers.. Congrats on finding the phosphorous problem. I’m impressed 1 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr2 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrMy nasturtiums only provided leaves all summer…so, I tossed in some greater phosphorous ratio to nitrogen . I’m now getting flowers orange and yellow…and hoping the first frost holds off. 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaCool, Alicia – I picture morning glories being blue. Thank you, Anna, for reminding me of the beauty of the name ‘morning glories’ 2 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr2 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrI guess that’s it as far as my research went. Of course, I then ran into nickname for NANCY and what one class a grandmother…..I’ll go with “ not a number”. 2 Reply Mica2 weeks agoMicaMy son it’s an error message [not a number] for dividing by zero, for example. hugs 1 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr2 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann Parr!!! He’s right. 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaI love these flowers Alicia!!!what a beautiful name : “Morning Glories”!!! I picture your garden, enriched by flowers… 2 Reply Ani3 weeks agoAniI am new to this “Gratitude Lounge,” whose name I love! I just made my first entry into my new online gratitude journal. (I often write of my gratitudes pen in hand nightly or first thing in the morning; fun to do it here now.)I had the deep privilege of being at the Radical Aliveness event yesterday with Brother David and the other beautiful souls on the stage and in the audience. Rachel Bagby’s and Kristi’s welcomes served from the beginning to make us one holy circle of listeners—...I am new to this “Gratitude Lounge,” whose name I love! I just made my first entry into my new online gratitude journal. (I often write of my gratitudes pen in hand nightly or first thing in the morning; fun to do it here now.)I had the deep privilege of being at the Radical Aliveness event yesterday with Brother David and the other beautiful souls on the stage and in the audience. Rachel Bagby’s and Kristi’s welcomes served from the beginning to make us one holy circle of listeners—and grateful lovers of life. There was so much in the symposium that touched, opened and filled my heart. (I want to write more specifically about the experience; when I do, I may share those reflections here.) For now, I want to express my immense gratitude for the Network for Grateful Living and Kristi for such beautiful offering to our world and to Brother David for his radiant radiant heart. Wow, my eyes filled with tears as I just thought of his presence yesterday, so open and receptive, so wise and honest and humble. I am glad to be here now and will return! With love, Ani Read More5 Reply Serafina3 weeks agoSerafinaDear Ani, Welcome to the Gratitude Lounge…thank you so much for joining us and for your sweet feedback about the Symposium; it is so meaningful to hear that it touched, opened and filled your heart. We all felt the same. I’ll be sharing your message with the team. I know they will appreciate your radiant heart’s words as much as I have. Cheers to joy, love and connections. ❤ 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaWelcome Ani, I imagine that yesterday was a beautiful day at the symposium. I thought about it during the day, and also with a little excitement because sharing here makes me feel close to the staff, to Kristi, to Brother David. Yet I am so far, speaking of distance😉 Good Sunday, Ani. 2 Reply Mica3 weeks agoMicaYes! Brother David is such a treasure – it’s wonderful that you got to see him. Welcome, Ani! 4 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrWell…. I have not been consistent coming here… I read the posts from many of you to Ursula and her to you. I am deeply in grief. I did not know of her death. I am grateful you all were there for her. I found her husband’s post to be courageous while he and children and her extended family are in grieving. It will take me awhile to absorb the reality of her death. I feel shock. You all are incredible. 4 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaOh dear Alicia, I feel your shock, I am so sorry ... yet, even in this shock, you give us words of such wisdom. Such tenderness ... I didn't know you worked with cancer patients. They were lucky to have you. Throughout the summer I thought of Ursula, to the point that when I was on vacation and saw unknown people, I imagined seeing her, her smile. In July, I published words of encouragement for her here in the Lounge, reminding her that Saint Mart's day, to whom she was devoted, was at the door...Oh dear Alicia, I feel your shock, I am so sorry … yet, even in this shock, you give us words of such wisdom. Such tenderness … I didn’t know you worked with cancer patients. They were lucky to have you. Throughout the summer I thought of Ursula, to the point that when I was on vacation and saw unknown people, I imagined seeing her, her smile. In July, I published words of encouragement for her here in the Lounge, reminding her that Saint Mart’s day, to whom she was devoted, was at the door…at the and would surely help her, and she replied, she found inner strength for an answer. He died the day before that celebration. Alicia, this community is a balm, we support each other and even when we can’t write the community it’s here, and reading other people’s posts gives us a lot of comfort. Feel embraced. warmly, Anna. Read More1 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrI have just left my friend’s celebration of retirement. Additional celebration is that she is a cancer survivor. I saw another childhood friend and also made new ones. I have had a lump in my throat thinking of Ursula and all who loved her. I saw 4 generations of my friend’s family. I am acutely aware it is a gift I am able to witness all of this. I am most , most grateful. And I wonder how did I and my friends get chosen to be with one another so many years later. And how did I not ...I have just left my friend’s celebration of retirement. Additional celebration is that she is a cancer survivor. I saw another childhood friend and also made new ones. I have had a lump in my throat thinking of Ursula and all who loved her. I saw 4 generations of my friend’s family. I am acutely aware it is a gift I am able to witness all of this. I am most , most grateful. And I wonder how did I and my friends get chosen to be with one another so many years later. And how did I not know I was so loved. And I will be aware that every day does not have to be pushed through, but rather embraced- the beautiful and the bad. My bio family is not my family. My friends are my family. I thank you, Anna. I do feel embraced. Read More2 Reply Pilgrim2 weeks agoPilgrimA beautiful reflection, dear Alicia. Thank you for sharing this. May you find brightness in your today, my friend. 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimOh no, Alicia! We were writing as if everybody knew. I am sorry for your shock of finding out this way. You must have wondered what we were talking about. We are with you as you begin to process and grieve in your own way. Holding you in prayer, my friend. 3 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrLove you, Pilgrim. I knew the loss would come. This is the proof that no matter if one knows death is inevitable , it still produces shock. I believe she’s embraced in love and peace. I believe she was welcomed HOME. I have to add I am relieved she no longer feels discouragement, fear, fatigue, pain. It was, in deed , an arduous journey for her and her family. My heart aches for the children. The loss will be felt for the rest of their lives . 3 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear, dear Alicia. We are with you. I am sorry for the shock you are now feeling on learning of Ursula’s passing. It was a shock for all of us. And I was just thinking this morning how grateful we were for Werner to let us know, yes, how courageous. Dear Alicia, I send a big hug now, I hope you can feel it. Sent with love from grateful sea. 3 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 days agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrGrateful sea, please , when you can, let us know how you are, I searched how long it has been since seeing you here. I hope most fervently you are ok. 0 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrI feel your love and affection. As the day progresses, the sting will decrease. Other than dedicating my life to critical care and trauma, there are other areas I had the privilege to be a part of. One of the areas was oncology. 5 years of my younger life was spent there. My beloved patients taught me more than I could have expected. Many taught me how to be and how NOT to be in the face of difficulties. I never hardened to the loss of life. I find now that I’m retired from my field...I feel your love and affection. As the day progresses, the sting will decrease. Other than dedicating my life to critical care and trauma, there are other areas I had the privilege to be a part of. One of the areas was oncology. 5 years of my younger life was spent there. My beloved patients taught me more than I could have expected. Many taught me how to be and how NOT to be in the face of difficulties. I never hardened to the loss of life. I find now that I’m retired from my field, I am just as moved by loss as I was when practicing, and maybe more so. There is no distraction from the loss or potential loss as I had when preparing meds, IV’s, comforting or teaching family or patients…or the pressure of having to prepare for another trauma after one had just arrived…. I can tell you to this day the names, diagnoses of the many I cared for in my early years. The relief of living honestly and sharing the journeys of these people remain with me. When I have hardships, the recollection of my people’s courage and wisdom carries me a lot. I will see a beloved friend today whom I knew as a teen. We ended up choosing the same profession, and I had the exquisite privilege of working with her. We walked together through our patients’ trials, failures , and successes in combating illness. When I see her and as I think of my friend, I will be even more grateful because she is being celebrated by her family and friends for her years of selfless dedication in medicine. Believe me, we were no angels, but somehow we flew when we worked together. I will think of Ursula, Werner, her mother, sister( s), children as I go to this celebration of my friend. You can be sure the medical community felt grief at Ursula’s leaving. Read More3 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Mary, I miss you. 3 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaMe too. I have also been thinking of and missing Mary. 3 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmYes Anna, I have been thinking of Mary too 3 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmRemembering dear Ursula today in the second month of her passing. Sending special thoughts and prayers ❤️🙏🏻 4 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaThank you, Palm, for this remembrance of our dear Ursula. I join you in this, lighting a candle today for Werner, Elias, Emmanuel, sweet Sunny, her Mum and sisters and all who love her and grieve her passing. 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaYes Palm, I join you, I often think of our dear Ursula ans of her family. ❤ 2 Reply Carla3 weeks agoCarlaI’m in the final days of preparing for a L total knee replacement (9/30 10 am Central time). Trusting that the current loose ends will fit into seams, like the threads needed to hold a grandmother’s quilt together. In this hectic ness I pause to be among you here, This site is a healing balm, one of many gifts of the Divine Physician & Healer. Blessings to you all this crisp autumn morning🍁🌻 5 Reply Palm2 weeks agoPalmDear Carla, today at this time your op must have already been performed, I continue holding you and the medical practitioners in the Light. 0 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrCarla, I wish you well. I am holding you in prayer. I look to the future where you will find less pain and better mobility, I am saying prayers for those who will be performing surgery, the OR staff, and those who will provide your care post surgery. 3 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr2 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrCarla, I’m thinking of you and held you in prayer yesterday , today, and days to come. 1 Reply Serafina3 weeks agoSerafinaHolding you in light and love Carla…I will be sending prayers of comfort and strength your way. 2 Reply Ose3 weeks agoOseWishing all the best for your upcoming surgery, you will be in my prayers, dear Carla. Blessings be with you for healing. 2 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear Carla, I will be thinking of you in the next few days, and under the care of the Divine Healer, all will be well.. blessings to you friend 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaMany blessings to you dear Carla! I will pray for you. I love the when you say “Divine Phisician and Healer” !! My autumn is still.warm…..that is about climate changes…..! 2 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Carla, thank you for being here with us. Please know that I hold you in the Light in these days around your surgery. I am grateful for a beautiful autumn day here, too, with a few summer lingerers — gray catbirds, ruby-throated hummingbirds — friends whom I will miss. 2 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimBlessings to you in your upcoming surgery, dear Carla! I will hold you in prayer. We have a crisp autumn morning today, too – such a gift. 3 Reply Brooke3 weeks agoBrookeHello all, I’m new here, and I’ve been browsing a little on everyone’s reflections. I’m just grateful to be able to access something incredible like this. I’ve been struggling a lot with having a positive outlook on life and really letting my heavy heart be free again. I am in the process of focusing on myself and rebuilding my self love and confidence. I’m making progress but still have a long way to go! 8 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmWelcome Brook and Sarah, may you feel supported here… 1 Reply Carla3 weeks agoCarlaBrooke, May you know you are welcomed by an encompassing Circle of Love here. We’re Seekers & Nomads together on a broad spiritual path. 1 Reply Ose3 weeks agoOseWelcome, Brooke. Thank you for being here with us. 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimWelcome, Brooke. We are glad you have joined us here! 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaWelcome Brooke, a new friend is always a feast! 1 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeWelcome Brooke….many of us can relate to the things you are working on in your life journey. And it is definitely a journey! We are so happy you are here and hope that you will continue to visit this sacred community. ~Blessings ♥ 1 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaWelcome, Brooke. So nice to see a new friend here. I am touched by your heart’s desire to be free. Blessings to you, friend. 1 Reply Sarah3 weeks agoSarahBrooke so nice to hear from you. I’m new as well and it is a pleasure to meet you 🙂 2 Reply Carla3 weeks agoCarlaSarah, welcome! May you find you’re among kindred friends. We’re spiritual Seekers & Nomads together. 1 Reply Ose3 weeks agoOseWelcome, Sarah! Thanks for joining. 1 Reply Pilgrim3 weeks agoPilgrimWelcome, Sarah! Thank you for posting. 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaWelcome Sarah! This is a good place!!! 1 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaWelcome, Sarah! 1 Reply Alicia Mary Ann Parr3 weeks agoAlicia Mary Ann ParrBrooke, welcome. This is a loving community. I’ve been blessed to have had the courage to sign on. Very best to you and hoping you’ll have people and events in your journey lighten your heart. 1 Reply Serafina3 weeks agoSerafinaHi Brooke… Welcome to our community! We are so glad you found us! 1 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeGood morning friends I am grateful for this slow paced day. Really this entire week is a much needed time of ease and solitude. I seem to be having a bit of "writers block" however. I've noticed this since coming back from our family time in Colorado. Most of my energies since then have been directed towards my youngest daughter as she is navigating her way through this new and different time and place in her young life. She has needed much reassurance and encouragement...along with wh...Good morning friends I am grateful for this slow paced day. Really this entire week is a much needed time of ease and solitude. I seem to be having a bit of “writers block” however. I’ve noticed this since coming back from our family time in Colorado. Most of my energies since then have been directed towards my youngest daughter as she is navigating her way through this new and different time and place in her young life. She has needed much reassurance and encouragement…along with what wisdom I have to give her during this time of transition. It’s exciting and scary at the same time! And she is homesick after living with us in our little farmhouse this past year. She is looking for direction in the form of a “neon sign”…..and I want that for her too! But this morning, I found myself drawing comfort from Psalm 23 about our Great Shepherd. A shepherd uses his “rod and staff” to gently direct his sheep in the way they need to go. The poet says: “Your rod and Your staff they comfort me”. (Psalm 23:4) Here is an opportunity to let go and trust that she will be guided, gently and with loving care, by the rod and staff of her Creator. And for this I am so grateful. I’ve shared more than I thought I would! The words did finally come…..thank you for being here with me. ~With grateful love ♥ Read More5 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear Diane, my mother’s heart is with yours, the special relationship you have with your daughter is a model for me to follow. I am certain that with God’s and your guidance, she will be fine. I relate your experience with my sister’s, she had to leave her daughter in Italy last year. My niece had an uncomfortable year, with change and adaptation, but she is blessed to be amongst family too, and just yesterday she started university in a very contented state.. You mention writers block, a...Dear Diane, my mother’s heart is with yours, the special relationship you have with your daughter is a model for me to follow. I am certain that with God’s and your guidance, she will be fine. I relate your experience with my sister’s, she had to leave her daughter in Italy last year. My niece had an uncomfortable year, with change and adaptation, but she is blessed to be amongst family too, and just yesterday she started university in a very contented state.. You mention writers block, and I have been wanting to tell you about a writer I admire who says that there is a time to live a story, and a time to tell the story, you are following your instincts and being gentle to yourself. Diane, thank you so much for your support, and the prayer you sent for our tutor, I feel your understanding, as a teacher. Such beautiful words from Mother Teresa. It is true that small acts of kindness count in a big way, especially in community. Wishing you Peace too, dear friend ❤️ Read More3 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Palm, is your niece studying in an Italian University? Do I understand correctly? With love🌸🌸🌸 1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmYes Anna, she started her studies of Education (another teacher!) at the University of L’Aquila yesterday Much love to you 🌼💕 2 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeThank you Palm for your assurances and encouragement. I know in the deepest part of my being that God is always working for our highest good. Still, that knowledge somehow doesn’t take away all of my mother’s worry! But I am so very grateful for all the ways in which I am being held and hugged by the Divine…..including this sacred community. What a gift you, and everyone here, is to me. ♥ ~Blessings friend 3 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalm❤️ 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Diane, I hope the best for your daughter and I'm sure she'll find her way. Your tenderness with her is an example. I'm not always patient and tender with my sons and I often take their jokes seriously, misunderstanding their sincere love. Perhaps the boys are different from the girls, they love to joke, they don't like to enter deeply into their souls and manifest them in front of their parents, so it seems that they love to stay on the surface, while this is not true. However, as a mother...Dear Diane, I hope the best for your daughter and I’m sure she’ll find her way. Your tenderness with her is an example. I’m not always patient and tender with my sons and I often take their jokes seriously, misunderstanding their sincere love. Perhaps the boys are different from the girls, they love to joke, they don’t like to enter deeply into their souls and manifest them in front of their parents, so it seems that they love to stay on the surface, while this is not true. However, as a mother I often have to understand without proof, waiting for some eloquent signs! As for the words of Psalm 23 that you quote here, in Italian we say “il tuo bastone e il tuo vincastro mi danno sicurezza”. Do you like the sound of these words, dear Diane? Read More2 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeCara Anna......yes, I believe that there are considerable differences in raising boys and girls! 😉 But I believe that God designs each of our families according to His goodness and our highest good. I am living proof that God has a sense of humor when it comes to designing families! After I had my first daughter at age 28, we were unable to have any more children...until 11 years later! I was almost 40 years old when we had our 2nd daughter....she was a total surprise! Anna......t...Cara Anna……yes, I believe that there are considerable differences in raising boys and girls! 😉 But I believe that God designs each of our families according to His goodness and our highest good. I am living proof that God has a sense of humor when it comes to designing families! After I had my first daughter at age 28, we were unable to have any more children…until 11 years later! I was almost 40 years old when we had our 2nd daughter….she was a total surprise! Anna……the words of Psalm 23 in Italian are so beautiful….I do love the sound of these words! I just now read them out loud to my husband who is sitting next to me, working from home today. I enjoyed saying them and he smiled at my speaking Italian! So thank you for giving us this sweet moment ♥ ~Have a blessed day my dear friend ♥ Read More2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaDear Diane! Thanks! It is wonderful to imagine that you and your husband are reading what I wrote, it makes me feel so close to you, as if I were at home, as if I pronounced the words of Psalm 23 in my language and yours !!! ❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ 1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalm❤️ 1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmGood morning dear friends, I am grateful for my daughter’s tutor, an old lady who’s done an incredible job teaching her, in spite of being partly disable due to a car accident years ago. I don’t know how I would have done this homeschooling without her. I am praying for her today because she is under stress about a holiday trip she was persuaded into, although she could not afford. She is still deciding (under pressure), on what to do. This morning I talked to her and she’d fallen, a min...Good morning dear friends, I am grateful for my daughter’s tutor, an old lady who’s done an incredible job teaching her, in spite of being partly disable due to a car accident years ago. I don’t know how I would have done this homeschooling without her. I am praying for her today because she is under stress about a holiday trip she was persuaded into, although she could not afford. She is still deciding (under pressure), on what to do. This morning I talked to her and she’d fallen, a minor fall fortunately. But I can sense her stress, so I am sending calming energy, and praying that she can know what the right thing to do is, and if you could join me shortly on this I would be grateful. There is no need to reply to me, I know that you will be there, thank you my dear community. Love and blessings Read More8 Reply Ose3 weeks agoOseJoining you in praying for your daughter´s teacher. I am happy for you and your daughter that she was supporting you both. A lovely person. Wishing for her to heal quickly from the fall and to find the decision concerning her holiday trip. May you all be guided by His love and light. Blessings to you, dear Palm, to your daughter and your teacher friend. 2 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmYes, dear Ose, yes a lovely person, her motherly support is a blessing, I often think about your chosen mother, it is such an important figure to count with… thank you so much for your soothing words, I feel a deep understanding, and this as a gift to me… blessings to you on this day friend 2 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaPalm, I’m so happy for your daughter, and I’m just taking a breath (I’m translating a typical idiomatic phrase we use to tell when we’re happy for a friend who has found a good solution) thinking of you! Feel embraced dear sweet Palm, our sharing here is always a blessing. 2 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear Anna, thank you so much my friend! I feel your relief, and I wish I’d shared this before, I had been wanting to… You would have known that we were ok… Feel a big embrace from my side! 1 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeDear Palm….I just now sent a prayer across the ocean for you and your daughter’s tutor. How kind and generous of you to offer her your support, gratefulness and prayers. This morning in my meditations I was reminded of the power of kindness and how we are all called to small acts of kindness each day. I thought of Mother Teresa…she said “Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love”. ~Wishing you peace my friend. Om Shanti ♥ 3 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Palm, the sudden grace of knowing what to do in the midst of ongoing confliction is such a gift, and I do wish this for your daughter's tutor. I have been wondering how the homeschooling is going and I am so glad to know that you have some help with it. I was thinking of you yesterday especially as I celebrated the autumnal equinox... knowing for you it was the vernal equinox and how you must welcome the coming light, warmth, and flowers. Also because I counted ten monarch butterflies on...Dear Palm, the sudden grace of knowing what to do in the midst of ongoing confliction is such a gift, and I do wish this for your daughter’s tutor. I have been wondering how the homeschooling is going and I am so glad to know that you have some help with it. I was thinking of you yesterday especially as I celebrated the autumnal equinox… knowing for you it was the vernal equinox and how you must welcome the coming light, warmth, and flowers. Also because I counted ten monarch butterflies on my walk yesterday and I know how your daughter loves them too. Also because of our mutual admiration for Greta Thunberg, who gave a strong speech at the United Nations yesterday. Love and blessings to you, my friend. Read More2 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear grateful sea, thank you, I don’t know how to express how special the connection with this sacred community feels to me. Thank you for your wishes for Judi, our tutor, I can relate to her state of indecision, and agree with you that when clarity comes, it is pure grace... she has been a great support to us, teaching my daughter the academics, but also as a wise guidance in our family, a grandmother figure. It is inspiring to hear about your equinox celebration and other ceremonies that ...Dear grateful sea, thank you, I don’t know how to express how special the connection with this sacred community feels to me. Thank you for your wishes for Judi, our tutor, I can relate to her state of indecision, and agree with you that when clarity comes, it is pure grace… she has been a great support to us, teaching my daughter the academics, but also as a wise guidance in our family, a grandmother figure. It is inspiring to hear about your equinox celebration and other ceremonies that you practice, I feel touched that you thought about me on this side of the world. I do feel more at ease with the coming warmth and light, the flowers and the brown grass that will be greening again when the rains come… I felt joy reading about the monarchs you saw and counted, it gives me hope at this time when insects are endangered… I also remembered “your” butterflies, my! It’s been a year already… Día de los Muertos is round the corner again, and they must be heading there to Mexico.. So good to hear you also watched the strong speech of Greta Thunberg, for me she answers the question of the day about somebody who is a model of success that comes from sincerity. She has channeled aspects of autism that can normally be perceived as negative, such as social inconformity and “telling it like it is”, and turned them in assets at a moment in time when they are needed the most … I admire you for taking part in the strikes, and was delighted to read that the pleasure of vintage theatre in your little town is helping you overcome sensory overwhelm.. so happy for you my friend! Sending so much love from the other side of the ocean Read More3 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Palm, I wanted to tell you that I had also thought of Greta in answer to that question of the day, but felt too tired to try to write something about it. What you wrote of her above explains it so beautifully, as your understanding comes from your deep experience. Bless you, my friend. Rest well. Sending love across from this side 🙂 1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalm☺️❤️ 1 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaOh, Palm, thank you for your wonderful reply. I have the sense of a true conversation that I wish could just keep flowing. (Put the kettle back on the stove and let's have another pot of tea) But I have found myself exhausted physically and mentally since yesterday. I guess it has been a big week for me with more emotional processing and getting out in the world than I am used to. I'll rest now but just wanted you to know how your thoughtfulness has touched me. Sending love from grateful s...Oh, Palm, thank you for your wonderful reply. I have the sense of a true conversation that I wish could just keep flowing. (Put the kettle back on the stove and let’s have another pot of tea) But I have found myself exhausted physically and mentally since yesterday. I guess it has been a big week for me with more emotional processing and getting out in the world than I am used to. I’ll rest now but just wanted you to know how your thoughtfulness has touched me. Sending love from grateful sea. Read More1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear grateful sea, I feel the same, a sense of a conversation that could go on… I smiled at the thought of putting the kettle on again… wouldn’t it be wonderful? Thank you my friend, resting sounds like a good idea, and I wish for you that on this weekend. I also had an emotionally charged week, and have some reflection to do about work, but rest is a good start. Sending love your way from this side, from Palm 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnnaI am the third one who feels admiration for Greta Thunberg, dear Grateful Sea and dear Palm, even if I am not so good in saving our earth….I have a lot to learn, and especially a lot to put into practice… Bye bye sweet friends! 3 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaThank you, dear Anna, yes we are all learning together and every small step put into practice helps. What matters is an open mind and heart. It brings into such clear focus for me how we are not separate but are all connected on this our planet home. 1 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmAnna, I feel the same, a lot to learn and put into practice, the problem seems so big… but learning is a step 1 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeGood morning dear friends: I have just read through the posts from the last few days and, once again, I am in awe of the wisdom, compassion and generosity of this community. Dearest Ose and Alicia...your pain is our pain. Just as your joys are our joys. Thank you for being so open and vulnerable with the words that come from the deepest part of your heart. It is true, as many have said, we are walking this life journey together....truly a miracle. I thought of responding to each of yo...Good morning dear friends: I have just read through the posts from the last few days and, once again, I am in awe of the wisdom, compassion and generosity of this community. Dearest Ose and Alicia…your pain is our pain. Just as your joys are our joys. Thank you for being so open and vulnerable with the words that come from the deepest part of your heart. It is true, as many have said, we are walking this life journey together….truly a miracle. I thought of responding to each of your posts because they all touched me so profoundly…..but alas, I do not have the words today. Instead, I will share from my readings this morning. It is from my lovely little book “A Mystic Garden” by Gunilla Norris. On this first day of autumn….this is what she offered: “Now the leaves are turning tawny or burning red and bright with gold. The joy of completion blazes in every direction. Fulfillment demands that we let go. We must fall into unknowing again, open to expectation without intention. Then non-attachment can be felt as the greatest fruit, that divine freedom that lets life live us.” This brought me to tears…it is the desire of my heart. Be well my friends and know that you are so very dear to me…and I bow in gratitude to each one of you. ~Om Shanti ♥☮🕊 Read More6 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaDear Diane, thank you for sharing this beautiful reading, which also brought me to tears. I will copy this in my journal. Om shanti. ps I have been wanting to tell you something. Sometimes we post something and might never know what a positive effect it had on someone who reads it. I want you to know how one of your posts helped me. You took the time during your vacation to write to me about how your husband and sister-in-law went to an old theater see the film about Ursula K. LeGuin's l...Dear Diane, thank you for sharing this beautiful reading, which also brought me to tears. I will copy this in my journal. Om shanti. ps I have been wanting to tell you something. Sometimes we post something and might never know what a positive effect it had on someone who reads it. I want you to know how one of your posts helped me. You took the time during your vacation to write to me about how your husband and sister-in-law went to an old theater see the film about Ursula K. LeGuin’s life after I mentioned her translation of the Tao te Ching. And I guess my subconscious worked on this and several days later I had a sort of memory flood of how much I used to love going to vintage movie theaters… seeking them out in whatever town I lived or traveled through. And how it’s been a long time (seven years?) since I saw any movie in a theater, due to sensory issues (that overwhelm) associated with neurologic disease. But I really wanted to reconnect with that old love. And I remembered that there is an old movie theater in the town where I now live, and I found that they have Monday matinees. And I did it, I went! When I walked in, they were playing pipe organ music like in a cathedral and it felt like a benediction. There was no crowd, only a few people, and there was a balcony I could sit in quite far from the screen. And though there were some difficult moments with the noise level, I sat through the whole film, a sweet story called The Peanut Butter Falcon, that I am still smiling about. And to do this was a small, personal triumph, a step in my healing journey. Sorry for how long this post is, but I just wanted you to know. To see how we really are “walking each other home.” I am so grateful. Thank you, my friend. Read More3 Reply Diane3 weeks agoDianeDear grateful sea.....thank you so much for telling me about your visit to your local theater. It sounds so delightful...and as you said, provided a step in your healing journey. This makes my heart happy to know that 🥰 It is true that sometimes in our sharing we don't know how we may be helping someone else. Indeed, it is a part of what can only be described as the mystical, mysterious and miraculous space this community is. I am eternally grateful to be here. ~Have a blessed day de...Dear grateful sea…..thank you so much for telling me about your visit to your local theater. It sounds so delightful…and as you said, provided a step in your healing journey. This makes my heart happy to know that 🥰 It is true that sometimes in our sharing we don’t know how we may be helping someone else. Indeed, it is a part of what can only be described as the mystical, mysterious and miraculous space this community is. I am eternally grateful to be here. ~Have a blessed day dear friend. With grateful love ♥ Read More1 Reply grateful sea3 weeks agograteful seaYes mystical, mysterious, miraculous. Blessings to you and your family this day, dear Diane. 0 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalm🌺 1 Reply Anna3 weeks agoAnna🌸 1 Reply Ose4 weeks agoOseDear Alicia, I would like to express that I have been thinking of you, too, and that we miss you here, like we miss Michele. I feel so sorry for your wounded, hurting state of being. You did not mention the origin of your concussion. Still, it triggered something which I would like to share with you (all) here, if I may. When I read your recent post, somehow I was reminded in my unresolved anger, which was the reason for deciding not to have own children and which could come over me like "Jac...Dear Alicia, I would like to express that I have been thinking of you, too, and that we miss you here, like we miss Michele. I feel so sorry for your wounded, hurting state of being. You did not mention the origin of your concussion. Still, it triggered something which I would like to share with you (all) here, if I may. When I read your recent post, somehow I was reminded in my unresolved anger, which was the reason for deciding not to have own children and which could come over me like “Jack in the box”, hurting others. I am afraid of this strong anger, as of course, I do not want to hurt others. It does not happen in reality, probably mainly because I keep distance to people, may be even in order not to hurt others. Recently, I only imagined someone was just curious and came too close without asking and instantly, I was imagining of becoming aggressive far over the line and completely out of proportion. If it would have been you (or someone else) whom I imagined I had punched, I would not know how to make it good again. To apologize would not do it, and this energy in me I am afraid could come up any time when I would feel provoked. May be speaking about this can help? I don´t know. I feel awful about it, and it keeps me distant and alone in a way. What I wanted to say to you is that I would like to thank you for sharing, for showing up with this, as through this, you opened a door, allowing to speak about this deep seated pain inside of me and the difficulty respectively my inability to deal with it. May you soon be well again and healed,.May Peace be with you. Please stay with us. You are so welcome, dear friend. Read More6 Reply Palm3 weeks agoPalmDear Ose, I first want to thank you for opening your heart to us. As it often happens, it helps me too, by learning from the reflections, and by making me reflect as well.. I was prompted to go back and read a post by Elizabeth Gilbert called Tribal Shaming, about the work of psychiatrist Dr. Mario Martinez, who speaks about righteous anger, like the one mothers feel towards somebody who is threatening their children, for example... This post had a big impact on me, and I needed to revisit it a...Dear Ose, I first want to thank you for opening your heart to us. As it often happens, it helps me too, by learning from the reflections, and by making me reflect as well.. I was prompted to go back and read a post by Elizabeth Gilbert called Tribal Shaming, about the work of psychiatrist Dr. Mario Martinez, who speaks about righteous anger, like the one mothers feel towards somebody who is threatening their children, for example… This post had a big impact on me, and I needed to revisit it at this moment, when I have anxieties about my coming family visit, so I thank you again dear friend. One of the things that helped me the most at the time, was to re-learn that anger can be right, and that we can honour what it has to say, as I think dear Anna suggests… If I remember correctly, Dr Martinez goes to the extent to observing that expressing and honouring righteous anger is beneficial to our inmune system. I find that when anger visits me, there is a reflection that needs to happen, then an action that needs to be taken, for it to subside. Stop, look, and go.. May we all have the compassion to listen to our anger, and the wisdom to do the next right thing. With blessings to you, dear Ose, and to all of us 💕🙏🏻 Read More4 Reply Anna4 weeks agoAnnaDear Ose, I had a troubled weekend and I didn't have time to formulate my answer ... I'm with you Ose, and now I'll explain why. Sometimes I feel anger like you. when I feel it, I always feel that it is too much, that something is wrong. Imagine that anger is the manifestation of our instinct as well as eros, from a rather different side. Both are part of our lives, but we can ask ourselves to whom we have to survive, what is the danger for us, what is our deep desire and if other people are...Dear Ose, I had a troubled weekend and I didn’t have time to formulate my answer … I’m with you Ose, and now I’ll explain why. Sometimes I feel anger like you. when I feel it, I always feel that it is too much, that something is wrong. Imagine that anger is the manifestation of our instinct as well as eros, from a rather different side. Both are part of our lives, but we can ask ourselves to whom we have to survive, what is the danger for us, what is our deep desire and if other people are so different from us that they cannot have the same fears, the same desires. Oh, Ose, I know, this is a philosophical and reasonable subject, but I’m trying to find a path. Once, a dear psychologist told me these words, when I felt overwhelmed with anger towards some relatives and my boss. this is a truth, anger makes us feel bad but i think this is a salvation: we can only release anger by understanding where it comes from. you are such a courageous woman that I am sure you know yourself, your deepest part and your anger certainly has a reasonable root. Just like mine. Now it is better for me, but when I was young this caused me many pains, all lived inside, without sharing. let we walk together, with the strong conviction of being able to find a quiet place for our hearts. We can Ose. Forgive my long post. I hope it’s clear, because it’s hard for me to say these things, I’m afraid I made a mess … feel embraced dear, dear Ose. Read More5 Reply Anna4 weeks agoAnnaOse, I surely made a mess, because when I checked my post with Google, the translate was changed and I did not realize, so I posted this: “Imagine that anger is the manifestation of our instinct as well as eros, from a rather different side.” while I meant “Imagine that anger is the manifestation of our “survival” instinct as well as eros, from a rather different side. So double forgiveness, for the long post and for the confusion… 🌺🌺🌺 4 Reply grateful sea4 weeks agograteful seaDear Ose, I said too much and not in the right way in my reply to you last night, so I erased it. Please forgive me if I offended you in any way. I should not write at night when I am tired but I wanted you to know you are not alone. I lit a candle for you here on this site and send so much love, from grateful sea.
