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Gratefulness
Kindness kindles.
Thank you, Colette. There is a place I go first thing every morning in the dark in the quiet. It is a spot just a few steps out the back door between my guardian trees, Spruce and Hemlock. I go there to thank and bless Mother Earth, to listen for what she asks of me. A place where I can sense her roundness rising to meet the arches of my feet and sometimes feel her energy expanding from there upward through my heart and beyond.
For me, this is helpful to consider. Feelings of gratefulness are lovely to experience, but fleeting. Looking back over the last few years, I see that even when I am not “feeling” grateful, “being” grateful has become an orientation — a way of life that keeps me practicing, questioning, and seeking even in the darkest of times. Thank you, dear Gratefulness Team for creating and maintaining this site, for holding this space. Blessings of continued opening to all...
For me, this is helpful to consider. Feelings of gratefulness are lovely to experience, but fleeting. Looking back over the last few years, I see that even when I am not “feeling” grateful, “being” grateful has become an orientation — a way of life that keeps me practicing, questioning, and seeking even in the darkest of times. Thank you, dear Gratefulness Team for creating and maintaining this site, for holding this space. Blessings of continued opening to all who visit here.
Thank you, Holly Wren Spaulding, for this life-affirming essay and for the ‘real work’ you do in the world. Thank you for pointing to Alan Dugan’s poem, a gem.
Happy Friday, all. I am going to take part in the global climate strike today. To connect with others (many others) of the same heart-mind on this is one way I might find/clarify how I can contribute. This is what matters most to me in this moment.
Abundance of encouragement and kinship — experienced in a free, online healing arts workshop offered today during World Childless Week. We were guided in a creative technique called “cosmic smashbooking.” Wow. First time I have opened my art journal since 2014. I am grateful for this gift.
Here’s one. That I missed out on the greatest joy and that my life will always be “less than” because I did not get to be a mother. How to move beyond this particular, very limiting belief — that has only seemed to gain power as I have aged — I do not know. Only to keep looking at it with an open heart, I suppose, since trying to dismiss it with self-talk such as “you should be over it by now” has not been helpful. Yesterday I received an email a...
Here’s one. That I missed out on the greatest joy and that my life will always be “less than” because I did not get to be a mother. How to move beyond this particular, very limiting belief — that has only seemed to gain power as I have aged — I do not know. Only to keep looking at it with an open heart, I suppose, since trying to dismiss it with self-talk such as “you should be over it by now” has not been helpful. Yesterday I received an email about World Childless Week and perhaps looking at some of the offerings online this week will help move me a few steps forward on this.
Dear Cailinrua, may you come into the warmth of this companionship you so miss once again and soon. May you take comfort in the Word for the Day, “I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being!” (Hafiz)
Hello DebbiMac. Thank you for reminding me that today is a gift. This awareness does kindle my fire. Sending you wishes for a most beautiful day.
Dear Ose, thank you for being here with us. You are a beautiful soul. May you stay connected in lovingkindness towards yourself as you do to all beings.
Dear Verena, I am delighted to find that our answers are so similar… though you are truly eloquent! I love how you express this… “when emotion and attitude meet, a glimpse of a reality beyond words flares up.” Beautiful. Thank you.
This made me smile, Kevin. You have been a constant on this site since (before) I joined and I am grateful that you are walking here with us.
Thank you for this, Mica. Om shanti.
I send my best wishes for your continued healing, Linda.
Beautiful, dear Butterfly. Thank you.
Dear Anna, I feel your warm embrace now and I look forward to ‘seeing’ you in the Lounge always. Sending love from grateful sea.
Dear Palm, thank you so much for your encouragement. I surprised myself by sharing this — hopefully a sign that I am ready to move forward. I am sorry for your exhaustion and hope all the support you need as a mother comes to you. I cherish what you have shared about your daughter over the months (the sweet details and the struggles) and always hold you together in the light. Sending love back over the ocean to you.
Dear Iwalkalone, it is worth a lot to me that you have shared this part of your story to help me feel less alone. Thank you. Blessings to you and your family.
Dear Ose, thank you for your your warmth and caring and the kindness of your words. I feel it a privilege getting to know you here and I am truly touched by this part of your story. As Palm has said, I so respect your conscious choice. To know that you are at peace with it and that you have found your way to contributing to the next generation gives me joy.
I join you in this prayer, Carla, and I light a candle in remembrance. May peace prevail on earth.
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
