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Gratefulness
Daily Journey by Grace to grow in Gratitude & pass it on
I start by opening the kitchen door as I begin my day & not turning the radio on. The chattering orchestral bird songs replace my public radio & BBC updates. And more conversations & times of silence with the Other weave into those moments.
Occasionally I still multi task when appearing to listen on the phone. I need to take action & focus just on my call-dishes & folding clothes & misc tasks CAN wait. The person before me IS the task at hand.
A nudge from the inner wisdom keeper that knows I have survived many sunrises & sunsets & personal tsunamis. Which leads to centering, doing the footwork & leaving the outcome to God.
I’ve found two things that have helped me cultivate serenity: one being the Serenity prayer, the other being the prayer of willingness to be willing.
In 2013 my path crossed with an acquaintance who had been recently widowed. We wished each other well. Fast forward to 2014, our paths collided & I experienced the most loving, nurturing relationship I have ever known. He helped to cast out the 50+ yr old message I wasn’t lovable. Alas we parted due to influences of his adult child. There was a very unexpected heart mending & healing from our time together. Pure Gift & Grace.
Sometimes I pray what’s called the willingness prayer. “Help me to be willing to be willing to be willing to take next step about ‘XYZ’ (whatever tasks is). I can add as many willingnesses as I need. My anxiousness dissipates. Creator also sends guides I can bounce issue off of. Grateful to be here on these pages today.
I’ve felt connected to trees since childhood. I enjoyed scampering up an apricot tree in my backyard like a squirrel & would then rest in her branches. I felt safe & protected from the terror in my house. Years later trees taught me vulnerability & resilience, as I watched them standing in their stark nakedness open to God’s trickle of love via faint sun beams, bending in winter’s harsh snow storms. Trees teach me to ground my taproot in the One who is Love. I don’t always...
I’ve felt connected to trees since childhood. I enjoyed scampering up an apricot tree in my backyard like a squirrel & would then rest in her branches. I felt safe & protected from the terror in my house. Years later trees taught me vulnerability & resilience, as I watched them standing in their stark nakedness open to God’s trickle of love via faint sun beams, bending in winter’s harsh snow storms. Trees teach me to ground my taproot in the One who is Love. I don’t always stand straight with good posture-but I stand. I stand
What might & does change when I pause, is my reaction followed by the response & inter-action of the other(s).
I’ve experienced forgiveness many times over in my life. It has taught me to strive to do the same; practicing compassion for others. My role is not to be judge & jury towards anyone.
Authors who’ve feed my spirit & soul & often challenged me include Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Mary Oliver, poetry by Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, & so many others. Diary of Anne Frank is most memorable. I too am grateful I can read. It brought relief from a challenging childhood. Reading still nurtures my creativity & imagination.
Happy Birthday Brother David. May God continue to Bless you abundantly!
I’m participating in a Soul Collage class this afternoon. I can share my current experiences with them: walking through the emotional trauma of the aftermath of the death of George Floyd & the carnage / destruction in my neighborhood.
I would add my now deceased, Uncle Ken. He never seemed to sweat the small stuff. He served as a rural priest in Nebraska. Mary Oliver & Maya Angelou also come to mind. Even when I heard or heard them speak of feisty times they exuded Grace.
I was quite ill yesterday from heat exhaustion. Today the humidity is nearly gone! I could hang clothes on the line for a fresh scent. Tonight there’s a gentle summer breeze & I’ve eaten my meal outside while waving to neighbors.
The ability to listen attentively is invaluable. Mutual investment in hearing out the other’s goals, dreams, hurts, deaths & spiritual resurrections. Willingness to journey with me for the long haul of many years; appreciation for humor & ability to challenge me to grow & see & do more. To be faithful & loving.
Your welcome Linda. My mother took in ironing as an income, back in the mid 60’s when men wore ironed long sleeves shirts every day. This & cleaning neighbor’s home put food on the table, as she was a single parent. On Sunday afternoon I’d read to her or work on spelling lists or tell her my heart’s secrets, sitting on a near by chair. I was in the 3rd grade. Years later as an adult my “lack of attentive listening” became a discussion in a couple’s counseling session. I woul...
Your welcome Linda. My mother took in ironing as an income, back in the mid 60’s when men wore ironed long sleeves shirts every day. This & cleaning neighbor’s home put food on the table, as she was a single parent. On Sunday afternoon I’d read to her or work on spelling lists or tell her my heart’s secrets, sitting on a near by chair. I was in the 3rd grade. Years later as an adult my “lack of attentive listening” became a discussion in a couple’s counseling session. I would constantly be involved in some household task while my partner wanted my rapt attention. I had to learn to “stop ironing” & fully listen.
Dear Ose, remembering you in my thoughts as you journey through this time of loosing your mom. Thank you for sharing the tender memory of your mother’s experience in the chair & seeing outside. May you & your family be comforted by the Spirit of Peace & consolation. Namaste
TGIF Michele! I needed the chuckle.
Welcome Deedee! This cyber community is world wide. I have found spiritual companions who journey with me in prayerful support. I don’t stop in as often as I used to, however, I can be “me” 100%.
Dearest Ose, I too walk with you. It is a sacred time to be with your family. I was gifted with 3 months of being with my mom as she let go to embrace her next journey. May the Spirit continue to wrap you in Love; guiding all your words & actions. I was told participating in birthing & dying with another is messy. Ah, it is…Grace helped me embrace “the mess”. It too is part of Life. Namaste
Michele, good luck in finding a new job that will use all of your talents & skills. TGIF
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We invite you to experience six blessings in this short, meditative video from Brother David:
