All of the responses are so inspiring!
I will echo what Laura shared: “Liveliness is behavior. Aliveness is a state of being.”

The first thing that popped into my mind when I read this question is that in my younger days, I was a very lively person. Others saw me as an extrovert because of my behavior. On my (long) journey I think I have morphed into a person whose state of being is more “alive” than “lively”. Along the way I’ve discovered that I am an “introverted extrovert”. (I may have made that up…but it rings true to me)
Have a blessed day friends ♥

What an interesting question…I enjoyed so much reading everyone’s reflections. Although I may not be answering this directly…here is what came to mind to share. For a few years now I have been offering a simple praryer each morning to start my meditations:
“Dearest Abba Father, thank you for this miracle of another day of life”. Recently I have added “here in this place that you have brought us”. We have been in our new home and surroundings for a year now.. A big change from where I spent the first 65 years of my life and it has been an adjustment, as most big changes are I suppose. An evolution of sorts. I am grateful for the awareness that this new and different ground beneath my feet is exactly where I am meant to be for such a time as this. Om Shanti friends ♥

This question has led me to reflect on my journey thus far. I can see clearly that the people who have come and gone, and those who have stayed, have all been gifts along the way. They each appeared at just the right time and graced my life with a unique purpose at various stages in my journey.. What a blessing, at 67 years, to be able to look back with gratitude for how each has touched my life. Grateful for this question…and for the unexpected blessing of this lovely community. ♥

Once again, a very timely question for me. Pondering it brings joy.

We have been in our new home state for a year now. At first, all I could “see” is what was missing from our previous environment. Where are the Northern Cardinals that abounded at our feeders? The old growth trees? The bats that flew overhead at night as we looked out over the farmland? The cows and horses that greeted me on my walks?
I am so grateful now to see my new environment with different eyes. No cardinals here, but just recently we saw a brilliant blue Mountain Bluebird! We are not living on farmland, but the Rocky Mountains are our backdrop now! A recent camping excursion took us to the beauty of the Arkansas River flowing through the Royal Gorge…no cows but bighorn sheep! Our sister, Mother Earth never fails to delight if only we have eyes to see.
Om Shanti friends ♥

I love this…the lines cannot be undone but they can lead to something beautiful and healing. It reminds me of a line from Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem”. “There is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in”. And I would add “and how it gets out”.

These videos never fail to touch me deeply and have enriched my journey immeasurably. Thank you Green Renaissance for this gift. I am happy to support you in some small way.

As it always seems to be with me, it is my sense of hearing that I feel most gifted by. Ironic since I suffer with tinnitus. But over the years I have been habituated to the ringing and on some very blessed days all is quiet. I always give thanks for the quiet days! Regardless, the meditative music that I have playing in the background during my morning devotions, along with the lovely sound of my bubbling Buddha fountain provide relief. This morning I am also enjoying the sound of the birds that have come to visit our feeders…spring has arrived here in the western U.S. 🌳🌼🌻🌺🐦

This is a very meaningful question for me.. Just thIs weekend I had an experience of being out in a spectacular, breathtaking nature setting. I purposefully closed my eyes and became fully present with tremendous gratitude for what I was experiencing. “Reverence” doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings and state of being at this moment. But this was an “extra-ordinary” day. I feel inspired by this question to bring a little bit of that reverence into my daily “ordinary” activities…..instead of my usual zoning out.

Dear Mary…..I’m so glad I dropped in for a visit. You have had your surgery and my prayers are with you for healing and recovery. Thank you for sharing so genuinely and generously about your faith journey. My wish for you is that you will continue to have an awarness of this gift as a true companion…whether you “feel it” or not. Yes…letting go and letting God…He gazes upon you with unconditional Love.

T
Please take good care of yourself and know that we are with you in prayer. May you be aware of the light that surrounds you.
~Om Shanti dear friend ♥