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Gratefulness
When I am with a group, family or friend group, where I feel loved and appreciated for who I am. It is easy and joyful to just be with whatever is going on. Also when I help others I feel a sense of lightness.
Ha! I just started playing Pickleball for the first time a few weeks ago. Very fun and great exercise.
I have enough of everything…except maybe the ability – as of yet – to live each moment in the eternal! As humans we don’t need much. I can breath; I am not hungry or thirsty; I am clothed; I have shelter; I am healthy and ambulatory; I have others in my life; and feel I have a purpose. Beyond all this becomes want not need.
There was a teacher in HS. She was a bit different looking and quirky. Many kids loved her classes but still made fun of her. She knew, yet never really cared. She was comfortable in her own skin and didn’t try to change based on others’ reactions. In the way she was so self-assured, despite what others said or did, she taught me it was ok to be who you really are-no matter what.
In the AM my study group had my wholehearted attention for about an hour. My yoga practice most always gets my whole-hearted attention. And part of the day my 90 year old mother had my full attention. Spending time with her, listening to her, making dinner with her and eating with her. And my hubby got about 30 min. as we shared a drink on our swing. The rest of the day I was probably multi-tasking and not fully present to the moment with any one activity or person. As I ref...
In the AM my study group had my wholehearted attention for about an hour. My yoga practice most always gets my whole-hearted attention. And part of the day my 90 year old mother had my full attention. Spending time with her, listening to her, making dinner with her and eating with her. And my hubby got about 30 min. as we shared a drink on our swing. The rest of the day I was probably multi-tasking and not fully present to the moment with any one activity or person. As I reflect, I would like my entire day to be totally present with my full attention to whatever I am doing – so I journey forward toward another day and another chance to be fully present to each moment:)
The desire for learning – learning about the world, myself, Ultimate Reality, relationships, and so much more. I think when you stop wanting to learn, you stop being curious.
Who I am. Trying for the best version of myself – my true self, my authentic self.
Life in general has surpassed my expectations – as a child I was small and a late bloomer add this to family addiction issues and let’s just say life was tough and I had to get tough to survive. Then as a young adult my path began to get smoother, only for me to have mysterious health, pregnancy and pain issues – – well at 30 I thought this is it I will be like this the rest of my life. Childless and unable to move much if any at all! But then I was gifted wi...
Life in general has surpassed my expectations – as a child I was small and a late bloomer add this to family addiction issues and let’s just say life was tough and I had to get tough to survive. Then as a young adult my path began to get smoother, only for me to have mysterious health, pregnancy and pain issues – – well at 30 I thought this is it I will be like this the rest of my life. Childless and unable to move much if any at all! But then I was gifted with Tai chi, meditation through contemplative prayer, good doctors AND had a child and my life turned around! You just never know what to expect if you remain hopeful, grateful, and keep trying. At times I am so thankful for minor issues because that means I am functioning – LIVING!!! When I take the time to look back I realize I had never expected the life I am living – it has surpassed any hope I held during my dark times.
Always – Always, have I found that when we give – time, talent, or treasure – we have had unexpected returns or enrichment! *Inviting folks we don’t know to a holiday dinner wasn’t awkward but became a wonderful evening of sharing. *tutoring reading as a volunteer is amazingly gratifying * offering time and treasure to causes we believe in allows us to not only support those causes, but getting to know the folks is rewarding personally * when in a new city, v...
Always – Always, have I found that when we give – time, talent, or treasure – we have had unexpected returns or enrichment! *Inviting folks we don’t know to a holiday dinner wasn’t awkward but became a wonderful evening of sharing. *tutoring reading as a volunteer is amazingly gratifying * offering time and treasure to causes we believe in allows us to not only support those causes, but getting to know the folks is rewarding personally * when in a new city, volunteering my time has helped me meet new friends There is always some return or enrichment to self when one gives. You only need look.
I hope that is how I live my life – that all experiences offer us a chance to listen, sometimes respond, always learn and grow. At times though life gets clogged with the inconsequential “stuff” that appears to demand out time, and I don’t give the consequential the time needed for this learning and growth experience.
People smile and open up! It is like a sunbeam breaking through the clouds.
In the past several years, one of my evolving values has been to try to leave a smaller footprint – to take care of our earth. Though never seeing it as a value when I was younger the concern has moved more and more into my consciousness. That being said, I don’t feel I am doing enough. I need a shift for better execution! This question made me realize that I do not have a plan to move the value from thought to reality. So for greater alignment, I need a pl...
In the past several years, one of my evolving values has been to try to leave a smaller footprint – to take care of our earth. Though never seeing it as a value when I was younger the concern has moved more and more into my consciousness. That being said, I don’t feel I am doing enough. I need a shift for better execution! This question made me realize that I do not have a plan to move the value from thought to reality. So for greater alignment, I need a plan vs. just saying and doing things on the fly…like…I will buy less in plastic etc. Step 1 – realize and write down all the things I can do to better care for our earth! (this today:) Step 2 – determine how I can achieve these intentions Step 3 – execute and pivot where needed Step 4 – forgive myself when I fall short and start again
At times I suppose…but usually if so, it is due to the physical challenges encroaching on the experience. Though I cannot change the physical, becoming aware of the encroachment will help redirect my energy to be more fully present!
My life is neither – I look at life as a journey – a journey from which to grow and evolve, a journey where I can touch others and give back, a journey from which to draw close to the Ultimate Reality that gifted us this life, a journey to experience love, joy happiness, sorrow, pain: the fullness of life. My wish is to live a full life that leads me to my authentic/true self and to That which Is into eternity.
Though I believe this to be true, living that truth is sometimes difficult. I just read something that feels to fit if one believes that we are all from the same source… “I don’t have to agree with everything you say, but I should at least attempt to understand it – for the opposite of mutual understanding is quite simply war” – Ken Wilbur
Nature – when I pause to become aware of what is around me I am inspired.
Don, You might find this interesting. The Smithsonian’s arrival on how trees do communicate
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering-trees-180968084/
Thanks – with your note I just asked our local cafe if they would use a cup I brought for take out iced coffee and they said yes!!! Appreciate you thinking beyond:)
LOL – just went to a John Denver tribute last night and we all sang along with that song!
I have just discovered hildegard of bingen – what a multi-faceted warrior she was:)
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