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Gratefulness
I started reading Brother David in the ’80s. He was really my first spiritual teacher (“Gratefulness: The Heart of Prayer.”) All I can tell you is that when I contracted Stage 3 lymphoma in 1999 and “it didn’t look good,” according to my oncologist, I came through. I think it’s the spiritual life I’ve experienced (primarily) through 12-step that “caused” that really miraculous recovery. It began with reading Brother David. (My sister Chiara donated the bo...
I started reading Brother David in the ’80s. He was really my first spiritual teacher (“Gratefulness: The Heart of Prayer.”) All I can tell you is that when I contracted Stage 3 lymphoma in 1999 and “it didn’t look good,” according to my oncologist, I came through. I think it’s the spiritual life I’ve experienced (primarily) through 12-step that “caused” that really miraculous recovery. It began with reading Brother David. (My sister Chiara donated the bone marrow that-eventually– saved my life. Three of my sisters were tested, God bless them. The “sister-donator” and I were a perfect match–God abounds!!)
In a strange way, perhaps, the gift of distance. I have a sister who has always been “tough” for me in many ways. She has expressed a desire to not have contact with the family. Am I kidding myself about this relationship: is it simply better this way? Is she giving me a gift, perhaps a gift I have been too afraid to ask for? My dream of unity with her may be just that…a dream. Is less more here?
I pray and speak with my heart about once a day.
I have ordinary days. Friday, for example, I have cardio-dance-fusion with “my ladies.” Then I will get a coffee at Starbucks. Will walk the three miles around my complex. Oh, and vacuum and clean the refrigerator. How lucky am I! I newly cherish this site and Brother David and his emphasis on wonder and mystery. I had gotten away from it, to my disadvantage. But as he said once on a tape, “…That there is anything at all!….” C...
I have ordinary days. Friday, for example, I have cardio-dance-fusion with “my ladies.” Then I will get a coffee at Starbucks. Will walk the three miles around my complex. Oh, and vacuum and clean the refrigerator. How lucky am I! I newly cherish this site and Brother David and his emphasis on wonder and mystery. I had gotten away from it, to my disadvantage. But as he said once on a tape, “…That there is anything at all!….” Cause for celebration, an ordinary celebration!
The buoyancy, love and joy in “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder. Fills me with happiness whenever I hear it.
I think I would be as honest as I could be with others, not hiding my “failures” and “flaws.” An open book. I’ve heard tell the saints were this. I’m not/would not be a saint, but I could “graze” it. Just quietly share my truth and not hide (I’m a lifelong hider.)
To be truthful, just a kind of dogged personal perseverance and persistence. My hope is to simply “endure” less these days.
I guess firstly it’s by becoming a more equitable, peaceful person myself. I believe that this matters in the grand scheme of things; I really do. I think there is a collective energy in the world and that I can contribute by my own sense of peace and grace. Also, to financially support candidates and “institutions” which share my values. Finally, to be an activist for causes in which I believe; although, to tell you the truth, I’m a little disenchanted w...
I guess firstly it’s by becoming a more equitable, peaceful person myself. I believe that this matters in the grand scheme of things; I really do. I think there is a collective energy in the world and that I can contribute by my own sense of peace and grace. Also, to financially support candidates and “institutions” which share my values. Finally, to be an activist for causes in which I believe; although, to tell you the truth, I’m a little disenchanted with this last because I think in the US, we gotta start talking to each other rather than being further polarized!
Ohhh, I’m afraid I haven’t played. Would love to. Will work on it–correct wording?! (Maybe that’s precisely the problem?!) 🙂
I was in Paris in October. To me, Paris has a smell. It was hard to get used to; it’s rich, human. At first, I didn’t like it. Now, I’m so grateful because it’s “in” my clothes and bag.The smell of Paris!
FS…Frank Sinatra! (Currently, “Follow Me” with the Ellington band!)
Funny the team should say “energy”–always a challenge for me. I’ve never had a lot of it–not at 15, not at (now) 64. Learning (once again) through 12-step to monitor it and”manage” it. It’s now almost 1a on Sunday. Crazy, I’m wide awake at 1, 2, 3 am; but flag at those times in the afternoon. Oh, I could go on and on on this one; but I won’t. I choose to spend my energy firstly on my spiritual pursuits (recently returned to the Catholic faith of my upbringing and fin...
Funny the team should say “energy”–always a challenge for me. I’ve never had a lot of it–not at 15, not at (now) 64. Learning (once again) through 12-step to monitor it and”manage” it. It’s now almost 1a on Sunday. Crazy, I’m wide awake at 1, 2, 3 am; but flag at those times in the afternoon. Oh, I could go on and on on this one; but I won’t. I choose to spend my energy firstly on my spiritual pursuits (recently returned to the Catholic faith of my upbringing and finding it riveting and a new “land” of spiritual growth.) Oh and I have to vacuum too! (Not now!) 🙂 .
Oh wow! That’s a biggie. Effortless spirit?
Sadly, truly: anything and everything.
Oh God. My ego wants a lot of people at my funeral and general agreement on how great I was. I’m an oldest; and feel that responsibility deeply. I hope I’m some kind of a good model. That is my hope. Maybe an inscription on the tombstone: “She took up space.” In the best sense of that. Enough?
Have a good day, Sarah!
Thanks, Kevin!
Thanks, Sarah. I’ve been praying a prayer I received in my 12-step groups. Fervently, for her, in my heart. They say prayer works.
Thanks very much, will check it out.
He absolutely is.
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