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Gratefulness
In places of awe – some I remember: the redwood forests, a deserted beach standing in front of the waves, a dark night looking at the sky, on some hiking paths, in some buildings or places that are spiritual centers, in cemeteries, and when participating in some rituals/ceremonies with others.
When I recall all the gifts that I have and have been given, gratitude bubbles up, the wants and desires that I may have had pale, there is a shift in focus – and at that moment I am humbled and grateful in an authentic way. However, it is trying to perpetually live in that gratitude disposition that is a challenge for me. Yet those humbling moments reground me and I start again.
Our new neighbors, folks from our spiritual community, and dog lovers we have met who have welcomed, taken time to talk with us and invited us to events! We moved into our last home (probably:) in a new city where we knew no one, and have been welcomed by all we meet! Folks kindness has been heart-warming!I thought it would be harder to make friends sans kids – as they are grown, but we have felt very welcomed.
Anywhere and with anyone of like disposition – the challenge for me is the discipline to do so.
Do grocery shopping for someone who does not want to go out due to covid. Visit a neighbor who has no one. Help with chores so it lightens a friends load!
Most nature experiences – standing in outside in the dark in utter silence, looking at a starry night, standing by the ocean – hearing the waves, paddling through a quiet lake or river, hiking through a forest, seeing rays of light come through tree branches and the particles dancing in the sunlight, a sunrise and sunset, moon and moonbeams, storms – thunder and lightning, seeing couples newly in love, sometimes rituals, others that I cannot recall right now.
Several times in my life I have been faced with unrest in my soul. I feel I need to make a decision, whether to stay in a relationship, job, or city. A wise person shared with me during one of these times, that if I do not have clear direction or clear voice of decision – do not do anything – just let go and be – be where I was until clarity arises. Do not “crowbar” a change because you are unhappy, or at unease. So I did and have been following that ...
Several times in my life I have been faced with unrest in my soul. I feel I need to make a decision, whether to stay in a relationship, job, or city. A wise person shared with me during one of these times, that if I do not have clear direction or clear voice of decision – do not do anything – just let go and be – be where I was until clarity arises. Do not “crowbar” a change because you are unhappy, or at unease. So I did and have been following that advice, and the result is that staying put until clarity or clear voice of decision arose – to stay or move, allowed me the opportunity to build something, solid and larger than myself. Letting go of the “I” and just being allowed for change – sometimes change in me, and sometimes change in direction.
Talk less; listen more.
I heard the other day that the inconsequential will demand our time but the consequential/the significant l will not place demands on us. It seems pertinent to this question. I am trying to determine in my life now what is consequential – what could I be doing more of – and what is inconsequential – what could I be doing less of. My struggle is – what may be inconsequential to me, my presence or act may be consequential to another – ex. Is...
I heard the other day that the inconsequential will demand our time but the consequential/the significant l will not place demands on us. It seems pertinent to this question. I am trying to determine in my life now what is consequential – what could I be doing more of – and what is inconsequential – what could I be doing less of. My struggle is – what may be inconsequential to me, my presence or act may be consequential to another – ex. Is my presence to sit with my family as they watch TV significant to me – NO – and yet is it significant or consequential to the others that we have this share experience – are they feeling a family connection during that time? I do not know… At this point the tension of this question in my decisions on what I can do more or less of, is cause for discernment and as of now – I have no answer – there no clarity! So, at present I am repeating the same “flight patterns” until I have some clarity.
How to love the broken.
I value relationships – of all kinds – with people, with nature, with animals, with the Divine. When I invest of myself in a relationship, it becomes richer, deeper and usually more satisfying. I also learn more about the other enabling a deeper connection. It is those connections I value.
The saying by Abraham Joshua Heschel: Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. Just to be….
Breathing A pet A smile A dance A sharing The sun – then moon – the clouds – the stars The ocean A friend – a loved one – feeling loved A taste – a sight – a touch – a sound- a scent My feet hitting the floor each AM
I learned that I may have blind spots when it comes to this shift in culture.
I would like to grow into the divine self – the true self – the transformed self, whatever words used, it points to the same growth and transformation. Doing the work, though, that is the question. I am not sure how to do it while in this reality that is my life. Yet, the support networks are there. In my journey I have found that there are all sorts of support out there from this website, to contemplative Christian groups, to jewish wisdom teachers, to Sufi sages, to ...
I would like to grow into the divine self – the true self – the transformed self, whatever words used, it points to the same growth and transformation. Doing the work, though, that is the question. I am not sure how to do it while in this reality that is my life. Yet, the support networks are there. In my journey I have found that there are all sorts of support out there from this website, to contemplative Christian groups, to jewish wisdom teachers, to Sufi sages, to networks like Shift, to local communities. At times, for me though, it is a matter of will.
Long walks in secluded nature, listening to nature, allowing time to read a book of choice, discussions with varying points of view, a wisdom teaching, dancing – when no one is watching.
I have been pondering this question for some time now, thanks to the raised awareness, as I do not live in a very diverse area. I celebrate the notion without any action, if that makes any sense. So I am pondering how to take thought and put it into action.
yes seeing someone being brave in the face of danger moves something deep inside me too!
LOL – this made me giggle – thank you!!!
OMGosh – I have always talked to trees, and my family, though they love me, they think I am crazy – well a good crazy maybe. Anyway it will be nice to read this and share with them:) Thank you!!!
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