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Gratefulness
I receive the gift of living in a (mostly) well-maintained city because of all the people (I don’t know) who take care in doing their jobs seemingly well. And, in doing my work well, I contribute to others I don’t know (As a volunteer braille transcriber for the past 15 years, I transcribe textbooks and kids’ novels into braille for blind children I don’t know. Although I recently met a young man for whom I transcribed a few of his textbooks when he was in 4th and 5th ...
I receive the gift of living in a (mostly) well-maintained city because of all the people (I don’t know) who take care in doing their jobs seemingly well. And, in doing my work well, I contribute to others I don’t know (As a volunteer braille transcriber for the past 15 years, I transcribe textbooks and kids’ novels into braille for blind children I don’t know. Although I recently met a young man for whom I transcribed a few of his textbooks when he was in 4th and 5th grade. That was cool!)
While I naturally enjoy being with those who are pleasantly and interestingly very different, I now remind myself that the unpleasant ones offer me the opportunities from which I may cultivate a deeper kind of soulful gratefulness..
Though not exactly “new”, I do experience greater clarity that the feeling I experience of living in gratefulness, resting in a sense of sweet calm, having ‘let go’ of ruminating on old “stories” that tangled me up in the past, I can more often experience what I think the ancients called “heaven on earth”, that what everyone is looking to find, really is “at hand” and that “getting there” is merely a shift in perspective into gratefulness.
The more alone-time I choose to have, the more I find that I am better able to strengthen my practice of living from gratefulness such that I can carry that feeling into my day of activities and interact with others who are not in such a place within themselves.
adjusting, as needed, to all the twists and turns along the way
If something appears AS IF it IS a conflict, I now (didn’t used to) know that FIRST I need to pause, take a breath (or 2 or 3 or more), possibly respectfully withdraw from the situation (bathrooms are good for that), and check in with myself to see if there is a “story” being triggered. If there is a “story,” then I will compassionately acknowledge it to myself, and lovingly let it go. Then, as I am clear about the situation, and access whether or not there is so...
If something appears AS IF it IS a conflict, I now (didn’t used to) know that FIRST I need to pause, take a breath (or 2 or 3 or more), possibly respectfully withdraw from the situation (bathrooms are good for that), and check in with myself to see if there is a “story” being triggered. If there is a “story,” then I will compassionately acknowledge it to myself, and lovingly let it go. Then, as I am clear about the situation, and access whether or not there is something to respond to that would be helpful, I may take action as needed, or just respectfully walk away.
In the past, staying open and attentive in a spontaneous way, has proven to allow creativity to unfold in the moment naturally, and I’ll let that unfold today, too. .
The fire of drive comes from recognizing, accepting, and diving into an opportunity to meet a meaningful need in myself and/or another. The fire of inspiration arises with suddenly seeing what was not clearly seen before. The fire of appreciation comes from dwelling in gratefulness..
I always thank everyone who has contributed to my well-being in some way, small or large–but only recently have I sent silent positive blessings and prayers to those who gave me, what I initially perceived to be, unwelcomed ‘opportunities’.
I find it relatively easy to be compassionate towards someone who is experiencing something difficult that I’ve similarly experienced; and towards those whose difficulties I don’t honestly relate to, I do my best to stay present, engaged in fully listening, whenever possible.
Looking out the eyes of gratefulness, I feel an ‘inner smile’.
In gratefulness (my main value these days) today, I displayed my flag thinking about honoring those who served, whether I knew them or not, and for those who now serve. In gratefulness and for maintaining valued connectedness with others, I texted a friend who is a veteran, thanking her for her service. She is also a yoga instructor. So I told her about Brian Cooke’s blog. She already knew about him and the Yoga Alliance.
When I am silent in every way possible, I am aware of all that is present. Sometimes that feels like a ball of clay, nearly palpable, to be formed, smoothly or chaotically, depending on what is moving through me as well as what I am independently generating.
Self-confidence based on previous experience–the trusting belief in my own ability to ‘come out the other end of the storm’ with some sense of ok-ness–even if the end result does not turn out to be exactly what I’d wanted or hoped for. With each experience of ‘making it through the storm’, and knowing, quite clearly, in the end, that I DID make it through that ‘storm,’ strengthens my confidence in my ability to ‘make it through̵...
Self-confidence based on previous experience–the trusting belief in my own ability to ‘come out the other end of the storm’ with some sense of ok-ness–even if the end result does not turn out to be exactly what I’d wanted or hoped for. With each experience of ‘making it through the storm’, and knowing, quite clearly, in the end, that I DID make it through that ‘storm,’ strengthens my confidence in my ability to ‘make it through’ whatever comes in the future.
Dear Colette: I am relatively new to this website and though you wrote this article years ago, as I begin my exploration of all that’s here, I chose tonight to read this blog of yours. And, to my delight, I totally related to it. I am SO thankful for your words. I began reading both “Living in Gratitude” and “Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer” this past week, and am listening to a set of audio CD’s of Arrien’s book “Gratitude” when I drive...
Dear Colette: I am relatively new to this website and though you wrote this article years ago, as I begin my exploration of all that’s here, I chose tonight to read this blog of yours. And, to my delight, I totally related to it. I am SO thankful for your words. I began reading both “Living in Gratitude” and “Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer” this past week, and am listening to a set of audio CD’s of Arrien’s book “Gratitude” when I drive instead of the talk that I find on the radio. With great-felt appreciation, Ann
Thank you. It’s actually my gift to myself that others get to benefit from. As a person who enjoys puzzles of many kinds, it’s something I truly enjoy doing, and it’s great that it’s meaningful to others.
Dear Debra: Sorry for your loss.
Me, too!
Thanks, Tom. Well said!
Thank you, Grateful Sea for saying what is also in my heart.
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
