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Gratefulness
The fact that we can transform ourselves, become new again, by learning how to rewire those neurons in our brains and emotions in our bodies which have kept us stuck in old patterns
I agree that it’s an excellent question and makes me wonder about what I ultimately believe in. Food for thought today. Thank you all for the posts below.
Thanks to all of you for these remarkable, uplifting, inspiring posts. They give me strength and hope as I face another day. I, too, have been to the bottom of the abyss and not able to make any “sense’ of my life and how I handled some difficulties which presented themselves a few years ago (still ongoing, although getting better). Not feeling alone, as I read what you write, is a huge help. I’m trying to find a way to forgive myself for my cowardice in the face of ch...
Thanks to all of you for these remarkable, uplifting, inspiring posts. They give me strength and hope as I face another day. I, too, have been to the bottom of the abyss and not able to make any “sense’ of my life and how I handled some difficulties which presented themselves a few years ago (still ongoing, although getting better). Not feeling alone, as I read what you write, is a huge help. I’m trying to find a way to forgive myself for my cowardice in the face of challenges–a surrender of my own personal power which makes me wonder how self-destructive I may have been. And yet I persevere. The strangest thing of all is that the creature who opens my heart and makes me feel safe is a neighbor’s cat that lives mostly in my home. He reminds me that I can be kind and not always on edge, depressed, (and even engaging in suicidal ideation) around the person who is most challenging in my life.
Releasing old stories and accepting new ones is fairly hard for me right now, although I have heard explanations of the neuroscience behind it: thoughts and emotions can be changed and I can begin to fire and rewire new neurons and connections which will serve me better. I am working each day on changing 4 thoughts throughout the day–it’s a practice suggested by a current writer (Joe Dispenza) who is essentially re-packaging Buddhist meditation with neuroscience and I think it...
Releasing old stories and accepting new ones is fairly hard for me right now, although I have heard explanations of the neuroscience behind it: thoughts and emotions can be changed and I can begin to fire and rewire new neurons and connections which will serve me better. I am working each day on changing 4 thoughts throughout the day–it’s a practice suggested by a current writer (Joe Dispenza) who is essentially re-packaging Buddhist meditation with neuroscience and I think it is helping. He also encourages living in a state of gratitude. That, for him, is the vital bedrock. But, boy, is it strange and hard to do after years and years of living my thoughts and emotions!
Dear Sage: This piece is so helpful and what I needed to read this morning. Thank you very much. I’m struggling to come to terms with all the mistakes I made over the past 4 years of my life. I had a relatively problem-free ride before then, so having to face the task of incorporating perceived “failure” into my awareness of who I really am has been an ordeal. Forgiving myself does not come easily. It is comforting to know that I am not alone in this, and that th...
Dear Sage: This piece is so helpful and what I needed to read this morning. Thank you very much. I’m struggling to come to terms with all the mistakes I made over the past 4 years of my life. I had a relatively problem-free ride before then, so having to face the task of incorporating perceived “failure” into my awareness of who I really am has been an ordeal. Forgiving myself does not come easily. It is comforting to know that I am not alone in this, and that there is a way to see “problems as opportunity for change.” So grateful to you for this and to all on this forum.
I appreciate all of these posts, and a couple in particular which really spoke to me.
Thank you for giving me a chance to slow down and watch this beautiful video.
This is a very evocative photograph. Thank you.
I identify with so many of the things mentioned below as worthy of remembrance. The first thing that came into my mind, however, when I read the question was my parents. The older one gets, I find, it becomes easier to let them slip out of memory, But I want to keep their memory, spirit and essential goodness with me. They were always grateful for what little they had.
Great, thought-provoking question! It feels like it’s been ages. I, too, have been uptight and serious. Not good. Must find a way to break from that mold. The closest I come is when I’m with a friend and am enjoying a good conversation. If we can laugh, all the better!
I am deeply touched by the support and encouraging and wise words from all who responded to my post. Thank you.
Has anyone ever had trouble “feeling” grateful? I’m going through a difficult time right now and am only able to enumerate the things that I know I should be (or am) grateful for, but I’m not feeling it. Trying to stick with it so that I can soften eventually. I’m also not used to sharing on a forum like this, so I suppose allowing myself to be open and vulnerable may be a start. ..
Trevor: This reminds me of Samuel Becket’s “fail, fail again and fail better.!” Pema Chodron reflects on this in one of her books.
Kathy: Your honesty about the things holding you back really speak to me, because I can relate. It’s a good starting point to know that I am not alone in being resistant. Yes. Lord, have mercy! Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for the reminder that even dormant or latent gratitude is working from “behind the scenes” in difficult times.
Thank you for making me feel welcome. I appreciated reading the list of things that you are thankful for, like going up the stairs with less pain: the little things that add up over time.
Your support and encouragement to stick with the practice really helps.
Thank you for this. A reminder that it is a daily practice and your encouragement.
Dear Mica: I found comfort in knowing that I’m not alone in having days when my heart is quite chilly. I liked your question about “heart-warming.”
Dear Ann: This is a wonderful suggestion. I will try it. Thank you.
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