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Gratefulness
Justice and respect for all of God’s creation — people as well as animals, plants, planet earth, the universe ….
That each being has everything it needs to flourish.
That every race and every faith is honoured.
That our beautiful planet is given a chance to heal.
I am relatively fortunate, but I have been on my own for most of my life. I cannot say there are any basic needs I have not been anxious about at one time or another …
Perhaps in accepting rather than reacting to the hardship or loss, the door is open to gratefulness for the many other gifts that God pours out on me ceaselessly …
Beneath the longing and regret for what was not … there is a deeper longing.
I am an introvert who lived a life full of (worthwhile) activity. But, being too busy to face my inner regrets and longings does not allow for a deeper awareness, openness and healing …
I am home in isolation with some COVID-19 symptoms. Was too weak to go for testing …
Whether it was my intention or not, there are many regrets, inner wounds, dragons, demons, and longings that...
Whether it was my intention or not, there are many regrets, inner wounds, dragons, demons, and longings that I can not run from right now.
The tempest in a teapot in which I lived my day to day life in the past is slowly settling and I clearly see I am missing nothing. The door is open.
There is nothing missing, nothing to regret.
Many have beauty and dignity in their very being; their presence is a blessing. They accept, they endure, they are present.
Their very being is love.
They do not have to “do” anything.
May I age in the beautiful way that they have!
“Air above me, Earth below me, Water around me, Fire within me, Forest before me.”
Love would change the world …
From 1 Corinthians 13 (NRSVCE) The Gift of Love
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends … And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of t...
Love never ends … And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
I think our current economic paradigm is largely greed based. Most want to pile up the good stuff as high as possible.
With gratitude, reverence for our beautiful creation and for each other, and common courtesy, our economic situation would become a blessing to all.
I think I might reflect some of what others have given me that has helped me heal.
Acceptance, warmth, appreciation, gentleness, understanding …
What a good question! Acceptance. Gratitude. Welcoming what is.
Ah! I might actually then be able to be present to the moment I am living!
Perhaps the world’s turmoil is a catalyst for gratitude and joy!
Recently, some worldly-minded associates severely criticized me with a list of faults and short-comings. As I had known this group for many years, over time I had become free and no longer felt crushed by their negativity. My regret is only for them — they are the ones who are trapped. And so it is in relation to all that is troubling in our world today. I feel gratitude and joy for all that God blesses me with, and t...
Recently, some worldly-minded associates severely criticized me with a list of faults and short-comings. As I had known this group for many years, over time I had become free and no longer felt crushed by their negativity. My regret is only for them — they are the ones who are trapped. And so it is in relation to all that is troubling in our world today. I feel gratitude and joy for all that God blesses me with, and the freedoms I have, and yet sorrow that many are lost and destructive — “they know not what they do” — and for the victims of this ignorance.
Bath rim centipede hides a few legs show …
Not that a centipede is one of the “major signifiers of our universe.” What is major is a change of heart in me. I thought centipedes bit, and so a centipede in the bath in the morning normally got swirled down the drain. But then I read that it is hard for a centipede to puncture your skin, and if it did, it would not be a danger to your health. And centipedes love to dine on ants, spiders, cockroaches and bedbug...
Not that a centipede is one of the “major signifiers of our universe.” What is major is a change of heart in me. I thought centipedes bit, and so a centipede in the bath in the morning normally got swirled down the drain. But then I read that it is hard for a centipede to puncture your skin, and if it did, it would not be a danger to your health. And centipedes love to dine on ants, spiders, cockroaches and bedbugs, which is not a bad thing. So, this morning, I scooped a centipede out of my bath onto the edge of the bath with a facial tissue. He tried to hide next to some Bic disposable razors, but some of his legs still showed. He was not as big as some of the past centipedes were. Made it also easier to accept him and let him live.
Early Spring, chilly – light through curtains suddenly luminous
Reflection on my experience:
It took being attentive and open to complete this haiku. “Early Spring, chilly” readily appeared. The “cars passing by on the road pitted by salt and sand” did not seem to work.
But indeed nature herself stepped in .. as I was beginning to write about the greyness of the day, pale sunlight shimmered and shone luminous through my thin curtains, lifting my spi...
But indeed nature herself stepped in .. as I was beginning to write about the greyness of the day, pale sunlight shimmered and shone luminous through my thin curtains, lifting my spirits.
On a branch floating downriver a cricket, singing.
Kobayashi Issa, translated by Jane Hirshfield
I am drawn to this haiku because it is by a Japanese master, about nature; moving water, a cricket, singing, and is a little unexpected in that you think something floating downstream might be doomed, but the cricket sings.
In this haiku I notice that I am attracted to it and delighted by it because it reminds me of some of my life challenges for which the best re...
In this haiku I notice that I am attracted to it and delighted by it because it reminds me of some of my life challenges for which the best response would be singing rather than stressing out and imagining the worst.
Reading this haiku I experience delight.
Mostly I would live my day exactly as I am, except, I would make an extra effort to connect with my family members and some loved friends to say goodbye. Today I am going to Mass, meeting with a small contemplative group I am in, and praying quite a bit — my focus is on Our Lord … no reason to change that on the last day of my life, I think … However, if I had a reprieve and was given another couple of years, I would de-clutter my place, getting rid of everything not essential. ...
Mostly I would live my day exactly as I am, except, I would make an extra effort to connect with my family members and some loved friends to say goodbye. Today I am going to Mass, meeting with a small contemplative group I am in, and praying quite a bit — my focus is on Our Lord … no reason to change that on the last day of my life, I think … However, if I had a reprieve and was given another couple of years, I would de-clutter my place, getting rid of everything not essential. And what is to stop me starting now?
May you heal promptly and well! You are courageous! <3
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
