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Gratefulness
Retired from old mindsets, reactions, and labels in order to tumble about joyfully in a loving, laughter-filled, existence.
From the tiniest flower, bug, sparkle of light in a puddle, to the greatest mountains, canyons, or ocean’s fury, all of it moves me profoundly. In its majesty and perfection, I am humbled deeply. The deafening silences of nature often speak the loudest.
Compassion honors our experience; it allows us to be intimate with the life of this moment as it is. Compassion makes our acceptance wholehearted and complete. —Tara Brach
I am adding an addendum: I finally found the name of the photographer and can happily add it. Photo by Marius Kastečkas.
Morning coffee and reflection time when I pick up the love I sent myself the night before. My afternoon/early evening walks. Reading a wonderful book before sleep. And all the offerings of love, laughter, life-affirming deeds around those events.
“Thank God, it’s not always like this…” Something that passes my lips often.
I read this story of a conversation between an optimist and a pessimist. P. I swear you’d have something good to say even about the devil… O. “Well, you have to admire his persistence!”
So, there’s always a good in most things, even if only eventually, or it’s not always “like this…”
It can be as simple as a sunrise…and on it goes!
“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night—these are some of the rewards of the simple life.” —John Burroughs
I think because of COVID-19, its reach has affected us all, every one of us. The entire planet understands insecurity, loss, fear, overcoming, and the new descriptions of life that may come post pandemic. Each has recognized our fragility. We are more alike than different. Yet even in this arena we argue, take sides, polarize through our biases, which attract like to support them.
More of myself without self-censure…
To answer that, I start with what is not magical to me. War, man’s inhumanity to man, greed, exclusiveness…etc. Then I think how it is so wonderful, magic, miraculous even, when we do the exact opposite of those things. The illumination such beauties bring because of such dark backdrops. We have it within us to not only overcome, but to plant lasting beauty.
Those I’m not yet aware of.
Usually, I tell my truths. I was called the “Bushman’s Lawyer” at school by my form teacher. He put me in debating and on the student council to channel my fight for the underdog and for whatever was just.
The more I learn these many decades on, the more I know I do not know as I once thought I did. I am at peace with that. It’s hard work to be so certain of so much a lot of the time.
Being a grounded, calm, non-judgmental, attentive, and compassionate presence. On their terms, using their emotional currency.
Right now, it is through the division of to vax, not to vax, mask, not to mask, protests, riots, then political blame gaming here in Australia.
I have decided to not engage, but model what I feel is a helpful approach to COVID-19. I keep thinking of Karl Egan’s practices of positive regard, or non-judgemental acceptance. Not always easy, but when I proactive I send love, light, joy, openness starting with myself, then expand them out to those in my directs sphere, then those out...
I have decided to not engage, but model what I feel is a helpful approach to COVID-19. I keep thinking of Karl Egan’s practices of positive regard, or non-judgemental acceptance. Not always easy, but when I proactive I send love, light, joy, openness starting with myself, then expand them out to those in my directs sphere, then those outside of it, and on into the world. I pray for healing on so many levels. That we and our dear planet comes out of this pandemic with gains from our losses. I pray we can live in a space of inclusiveness for all sentient beings and nature.
Sad, tragic, true, and of course, out of the ashes…you have well said Anna.
What I love about this picture (again, not mine) is that it is so open to what we want to see in it. It holds space for whatever we need it to be. That is a good space holder.
I walk with people in end of life as a Deathwalker. I hold non-judgemental space for them on their terms. Together, we bridge the gulf between this life and the next. Often that means being open and raw in order for them to...
I walk with people in end of life as a Deathwalker. I hold non-judgemental space for them on their terms. Together, we bridge the gulf between this life and the next. Often that means being open and raw in order for them to reflect their light back to themselves so they can move forward. That can be the honest, tender, and opening of doors.
Thank you, Mica, that’s kind. I see this in the picture, because it is a learned experience…which seems to be upgraded rather often, ha!
I love it, Mica. I wish I could give credit to the photographer. I downloaded it from somewhere and I can’t remember where. But I love the metaphor of even in our brokenness, raw and open, we still reflect light on a dark night.
Thank you Holly, I thought so too.
Yes, learning others needs and helping eet hem.
Totally 🥰😍
Yes 🥰😍
Always a good starting place, isn’t it?
Great way expanding instead of shrinking, drawing a larger circle around a tightening one. Go you!
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
