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Gratefulness
I try not to exclude anyone in my life. So for me, maybe it would be how to create opportunities specifically for folks whose gifts we don’t often call on….for example, I have relatives who use beautiful language when speaking – not my gift, – maybe I could ask them to assist me with a letter or email I will write instead of struggling with how to make it say what I mean???
I need to think of ways to create opportunities to allow folks to use their gifts.
Life, is magical to me, especially when I take to time to explore the wonder – not only in nature, though often that is when I experience the magic and the wonder – but in the way my life has evolved. It is when I look back and then forward through my life that everything becomes mystical, magical.
I realize in the true sense of the words they may mean different things but I am using them synonymously with that which transcends my understanding or logical explanation. Lif...
I realize in the true sense of the words they may mean different things but I am using them synonymously with that which transcends my understanding or logical explanation. Life is beautifully magical.
The morning sun waking me up, spending time with friends with whom I am comfortable, entire family get-together as we don’t live close to each other, riding a horse in the wilderness, a wagging tail, really noticing nature…
Everyone I meet.
Seeing need and suffering are impetuses for me to serve. Also folks or agencies asking for assistance will inspire me to action. Though I help where I can, I am truly inspired when I sense my gifts strongly support the ask. I have also wondered why sometimes I am not moved to serve when I see pain or suffering or have been asked. What is the difference…discernment – or Spirit – or being self-serving or self-preservation? These are ideas that go through my mind bu...
Seeing need and suffering are impetuses for me to serve. Also folks or agencies asking for assistance will inspire me to action. Though I help where I can, I am truly inspired when I sense my gifts strongly support the ask. I have also wondered why sometimes I am not moved to serve when I see pain or suffering or have been asked. What is the difference…discernment – or Spirit – or being self-serving or self-preservation? These are ideas that go through my mind but to which I have no good answer.
Because I am near the middle for extrovert and introvert, opposite ends of the spectrum often energize me: – hiking/taking a quiet walk in nature – reading a good book – centering – being with people at celebrations or having a chat with a friend – playing with animals or children – playing sports – a nap in midday – reading a letter from a friend – journaling – a sound nigh...
Because I am near the middle for extrovert and introvert, opposite ends of the spectrum often energize me: – hiking/taking a quiet walk in nature – reading a good book – centering – being with people at celebrations or having a chat with a friend – playing with animals or children – playing sports – a nap in midday – reading a letter from a friend – journaling – a sound nights sleep
Peace.
Look outside myself and offer a kindness to another – even a smile can encourage, or taking in our elderly neighbors garbage cans, volunteering where help is needed, or a thousand other options that greet me each day. I only need to act.
And the beauty of paying kindness forward – for me it is gratifying, it always “feels” good:)
To contribute to a more just world, I can begin to gently note my own hypocrisies. For example: If I care about the enviornment, what are some things I am doing that contribute to the harming of the enviornment and how can I change my behaviors. If I care about the homeless, am I even acknowledging them on the street, let alone offering them some comfort. Noting my own discrepancies between feelings and actions and then working to change those behavior to align with my...
To contribute to a more just world, I can begin to gently note my own hypocrisies. For example: If I care about the enviornment, what are some things I am doing that contribute to the harming of the enviornment and how can I change my behaviors. If I care about the homeless, am I even acknowledging them on the street, let alone offering them some comfort. Noting my own discrepancies between feelings and actions and then working to change those behavior to align with my desire for a more just world will contribute in some small ways.
My body is asking that I figure out what is causing it’s back pain these past few weeks. I am doing my tried and true physical remedies and anti-inflamatories but if it does not resolve, I suppose I will need to get a medical opinion.
Gads! Words are inadequate to describe it. This is not “the” definition but from my experience:) It is that gift that allows you to be more than just human. It allows Divine love to flow through you activating your gift of “divinity” and with the consent of your will, allows you to go beyond yourself in experience, thought or action. It can also create a peace in the “soul” when there is turmoil or fear. It is a gift – a form of Divine Love. PS – My...
Gads! Words are inadequate to describe it. This is not “the” definition but from my experience:) It is that gift that allows you to be more than just human. It allows Divine love to flow through you activating your gift of “divinity” and with the consent of your will, allows you to go beyond yourself in experience, thought or action. It can also create a peace in the “soul” when there is turmoil or fear. It is a gift – a form of Divine Love. PS – My hubby walked in and I told him I was answering my Gratitude question about what is Grace, and he said “Its me – I AM your Grace” – though trying to be funny I saw some truth in that:)
I try to find areas that both interest and “bother” me about society and then plug in to help. This help can be hands-on volunteer work or donating resources. So when involved in a cause I care about, I perceive it not only helps society but helps me have a purpose – extending me outside of my being. And going beyond myself, assists me in my feeling well. “Just to be is a blessing, to live is holy” – Abraham Joshua Heschel
Besides the family and friends that have loved me through this life – people I don’t even know! Thanking family is easy – to thank those unknown who have paved the way – maybe I can thank them by living the best and most authentic life I can…
Respect is freely given, yet trust is earned: that is how it was explained to me. To show respect is to acknowledge a person’s existence by greeting them, listening without always jumping in, giving up seats to elderly or folks who need them more than you, offering to help when you see the need. You respect their humanity – not your perception of them. Respect for a persons humanness is mutually fulfilling because when someone demonstrates their respect for me, it makes ...
Respect is freely given, yet trust is earned: that is how it was explained to me. To show respect is to acknowledge a person’s existence by greeting them, listening without always jumping in, giving up seats to elderly or folks who need them more than you, offering to help when you see the need. You respect their humanity – not your perception of them. Respect for a persons humanness is mutually fulfilling because when someone demonstrates their respect for me, it makes me feel alive.
I only tend to see the paradoxes when looking backward over the outcomes. And often times I huff a laugh. So I don’t know if I embrace the contradictions in life as they arise. But if I embrace the idea of inevitable life paradoxes, then I see the mystery, humor and amazingness of life. And I acknowledge that logic and experience can only take me so far -sometimes the unexpected, the unfounded, the unimagined arises and delights me…saying often, I never could hav...
I only tend to see the paradoxes when looking backward over the outcomes. And often times I huff a laugh. So I don’t know if I embrace the contradictions in life as they arise. But if I embrace the idea of inevitable life paradoxes, then I see the mystery, humor and amazingness of life. And I acknowledge that logic and experience can only take me so far -sometimes the unexpected, the unfounded, the unimagined arises and delights me…saying often, I never could have expected that!
Faith – that I will pass through this perceived darkness, stronger for it. That fear is not holy, that life is messy, that there will be a light – I just may not see it at present. And remembering the words of Julian of Norwich – “All shall be well…for there is a force of love moving through the universe that holds us fast and will never let us go!”
Years ago, one of my Tai Chi teachers was so beautifully joyful that it was contagious. No matter the day or time her love of life and joy oozed from her. It was then that I became cognizant of the wake we left, the ripples that emanated from interactions with others and it was then I consciously decided I wanted to radiate lightness, love and joy. So that is how I would like to be remembered, no matter the situation.
Yes, that word spontaneous struck a chord with me!
Ed, thanks for the reply! I am by no means an expert but try to affect what I can affect in my sphere.
Kevin, does your pain cause exhaustion – these few weeks my pain has made me very sluggish and exhausted. May you find some moments of relief!
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