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Gratefulness
I think that my traumatic childhood shaped who I am and not all in a bad way. I was an only child and I had to process things on my own. I learned to be very aware of my surroundings, which now I see the beauty in the littlest of things, my intuition sees through peoples protective walls helps me be a better friend and my gratitude for all the shelter and joy that nature and animals has always provided me is endless. The lessons I shouldn’t of had to learn so young moved me to quickly learn...
I think that my traumatic childhood shaped who I am and not all in a bad way. I was an only child and I had to process things on my own. I learned to be very aware of my surroundings, which now I see the beauty in the littlest of things, my intuition sees through peoples protective walls helps me be a better friend and my gratitude for all the shelter and joy that nature and animals has always provided me is endless. The lessons I shouldn’t of had to learn so young moved me to quickly learn to be thankful for the beautiful life I’ve had the chance to live.
I don’t know that it’s a fun fact for those around me but I have the curiosity of a four year old. I’m forever either asking or looking up the why’s and what fors of new things I come across.
I’m in the midst of flipping an old house and it can feel overwhelming and frustrating and itchy, old insulation is a nightmare 🙂 But in each room I picture what a beautiful new beginning it will be for a new family. The grass I planted is just sprouting and I can see future children playing out there. My toil is going to be a new start for someone I’ll never know and myself as I look move forward with my own new start.
I was born curious and at 53 I can drive my husband nuts like a 4 year old with all the why’s on a project we’re currently working on. For me the best thing the internet has given me is google. And really is there anything better than a great documentary? But being out there experiencing new things, places, meeting people can’t be beat. I recently went to Costa Rica and was so overwhelmed by the wildness of it that I think it’s going to be my next home. I could spend the rest of my li...
I was born curious and at 53 I can drive my husband nuts like a 4 year old with all the why’s on a project we’re currently working on. For me the best thing the internet has given me is google. And really is there anything better than a great documentary? But being out there experiencing new things, places, meeting people can’t be beat. I recently went to Costa Rica and was so overwhelmed by the wildness of it that I think it’s going to be my next home. I could spend the rest of my life exploring it. How incredibly exciting!
I choose to be more centered than reactive today. I will do what I can for those in need (I run my local soup kitchen tonight) but I will not let my empathy overwhelm me and leave me feeling helpless and depressed for these beautiful souls. I’m doing what I can, I welcome everyone with love and respect and I’ll stay open for possibilities where I can make more of difference than just a full belly.
My first instinct was to say plain laziness but I’m not by far, lazy. That’s just an cruel echo from the past. Then I settled on not prioritizing what’s important but no the real crux of it is not living fully in the moment. When I can be fully present in whatever I’m engaged in whether it be my relationships, work, spiritual practices it brings such peace and satisfaction. Also one thing that has dramatically helped was getting off the news and social media and replacing it with beau...
My first instinct was to say plain laziness but I’m not by far, lazy. That’s just an cruel echo from the past. Then I settled on not prioritizing what’s important but no the real crux of it is not living fully in the moment. When I can be fully present in whatever I’m engaged in whether it be my relationships, work, spiritual practices it brings such peace and satisfaction. Also one thing that has dramatically helped was getting off the news and social media and replacing it with beautiful uplifting spaces such as this and also a lot more of silence from everything but nature. I realized I always had some distraction now I feel more relaxed and less anxious.
Gratitude puts my life in to perspective to how fortunate I am and helps lift me out of the what if doomsday scenarios I can get running in my mind. When I can keep gratitude foremost in my mind I exude peace, joy and I feel it spread around to those around me.
My chaotic childhood has prepared me to take things as it comes. I never knew what I would come home to. So anxiety and fear has always been prevalent but so hasn’t resilience. I know that I can face and handle whatever happens. When my beautiful husband of 28 years passed suddenly, I knew I had a responsibility to our employees and their families. So I steeled myself and just put one foot in front of the other and saw the business through til I was able responsibly let it go. I’m your g...
My chaotic childhood has prepared me to take things as it comes. I never knew what I would come home to. So anxiety and fear has always been prevalent but so hasn’t resilience. I know that I can face and handle whatever happens. When my beautiful husband of 28 years passed suddenly, I knew I had a responsibility to our employees and their families. So I steeled myself and just put one foot in front of the other and saw the business through til I was able responsibly let it go. I’m your girl in the midst of emergency it’s the in between that has me anxious about the next shoe to drop. But I’m a work in progress and I’m really trying to embrace just being present and grateful for my incalculable blessings.
I feel called to be fully present in the moment, which is my greatest challenge. When I am present I’m filled with gratitude for all that is in my life. Just turning on the faucet, throwing clothes in the washer, flushing a toilet. These are things that are an incredible luxury. I grew up with no running water so it will never leave me the incredible struggle it was to just wash your clothes, bathe with the least amount of water possible. It matters because I am aware that this struggle for...
I feel called to be fully present in the moment, which is my greatest challenge. When I am present I’m filled with gratitude for all that is in my life. Just turning on the faucet, throwing clothes in the washer, flushing a toilet. These are things that are an incredible luxury. I grew up with no running water so it will never leave me the incredible struggle it was to just wash your clothes, bathe with the least amount of water possible. It matters because I am aware that this struggle for clean drinking water goes on unnecessarily for millions. This propels me to give towards changing this hardship. I am full of gratitude for all the beauty in my life if I just remember to pay attention.
I can only hope that my love for my family, friends and my myriad of animals throughout the years has let them know that without expectations, I am always there for them no matter what. I know I feel that with them. Yes, this even includes my silly chickens 🙂
I think my openness about myself allows people to let their guard down so that we can have real connection. My years of working the soup kitchen and homeless shelter has given me the opportunity to break down the barriers of the us and them when I share my truths.
I’ve had to admit to myself that I have been using alcohol (again) to numb my fears about the decision to sell everything and move now that it’s actually happening. I’m excited about the new adventure but it’s hard to hold onto the knowing that it will be all be ok.
I’ve felt been so isolated this past year that I made a conscious decision to be open for opportunities to interact with people. I’m an introvert so it’s a little scary. I look for ways I can serve. Maybe a compliment, helping someone reach something at the grocery store, just little things here and there but I have had so many meaningful connections that life doesn’t feel so lonely now.
Hi Howie, I thought you’d kick out my encyclopedia story. We had very little growing up but my grandpa knew education was very important so he bought my prized Funk & Wagonalls ( couldn’t get that fancy encyclopedia Británica 🙂 from the grocery store that let you purchase one a month. I would read that volume like I was handed the keys to the kingdom. Great memories and good lesson on patience.
I am so very sorry for what you are going through. I can’t imagine the pain and worry that must be ever present. Please know there is nothing that you and your husband could have done. Mental illness, which she’s probably self medicating through her addiction is such a vicious cycle. I pray she has a moment of clarity and that she does what’s best for Sophia. They are both blessed that you will be there for them to help with the healing when that happens. Please be gentle with yourselve...
I am so very sorry for what you are going through. I can’t imagine the pain and worry that must be ever present. Please know there is nothing that you and your husband could have done. Mental illness, which she’s probably self medicating through her addiction is such a vicious cycle. I pray she has a moment of clarity and that she does what’s best for Sophia. They are both blessed that you will be there for them to help with the healing when that happens. Please be gentle with yourselves. You are beautiful loving parents who are doing everything you can. This is Claire and Sophia’s path as heartbreaking as it is. I pray that you are all reunited soon.
I would have to say that you surely are in service to the world through any number of the things you mentioned and I thank you for that 🙂
Thank you Mike for your kind response. It has been a blessing to have this time to reflect and work towards leading a more spiritual life that I crave.
I pray you find relief and healing Kevin.
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