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Gratefulness
That which I came with and every experience/person I have encountered.
Ok, this is on the level of a mother bird throwing her fledging out of the nest and my son is now in his 30s so here goes…. When my son was in 8th or 9th grade we were fishing in a small boat out on a Canadian lake as a family. My hubby had just bought me a new closed face reel…which to fisherman is an embarrassment… none the less I learned on a close faced reel and it is my comfort zone. So my hubby put it on my rod and away we go. On one of my casts, the ...
Ok, this is on the level of a mother bird throwing her fledging out of the nest and my son is now in his 30s so here goes…. When my son was in 8th or 9th grade we were fishing in a small boat out on a Canadian lake as a family. My hubby had just bought me a new closed face reel…which to fisherman is an embarrassment… none the less I learned on a close faced reel and it is my comfort zone. So my hubby put it on my rod and away we go. On one of my casts, the reel went flying off into the lake; it was very clear lake and I could see it shining down about 12 feet or so. I began to strip to my undies when my hubby said – WHAT ARE YOU DOING – I said – getting my new reel. He said no way (as there were other boats around – not close but around) So I decided my son could swim down to get it – to which I got an incredulous look. But he did strip to his skivvies and dove in. He came up to the side of the boat and said its too deep I can’t get it. To which the story goes, I placed my foot on his head, said…”you run cross country – you have enough breath go get my new reel”… and then proceeded to push him back into the water. Well he dives down and then comes up like the lady of the lake holding Excalibur with the reel in his hand, breaking the surface 1st. He gained a lot of confidence that day – I got my reel back, and my hubby just shook his head…and then confessed it was a 2nd-hand refurbished reel – After a moment, we all broke out laughing as my son climbed back into the boat. The story has been told to all family members who also find it funny, and very Cathie-like. I hope you find it a bit amusing too –
Home is this spiritual, sentient, intellectual shell that I call myself. I have been a Gypsy for so long, I have learned that home is wherever I am. So I carry home with me. I am never without home but may have no “home” as such. Not sure that makes sense but I can be at home anywhere, so home to me is not a place or community – it is where I am.
Better than yesterday, as yesterday I was so frustrated with the hospital at which my mom was admitted, that it was that itchy-unsettled feeling all day. I never shook it. Today I am back to a normal baseline and wanting some quiet meditation time:)
Recently – At times I work hard to avoid alone time, silent time, meditation time-even though I enjoy it. I am still trying to figure out why this new behavior has surfaced. And then maybe I can figure out what I can learn from this avoidance behavior:(
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
Carol, I can relate to your post- I too have travelled and moved too many times to count now. Maybe it is us who have moved all over who either feel home is not a place but something that goes with us – a place within us. Thanks for sharing the poem.
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:)
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