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Gratefulness
Today I am grateful to be alive, to feel, see and know the grace and power of something we call Spirit. That alone is joy and gift enough!
Sorry. I need to be honest here. I’m having difficulty contemplating questions that serve me, that make me feel better, when so many people are suffering from, coping with, or working amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Of course, it’s important to nurture a sense of place and “home” in order to withstand stressful events, but it just feels like a time to be giving outward, not inward right now.
I have no idea. I do know, however, that the color purple rises up within me for all the properties and power this color can carry for the benefit of humanity, especially right now…
Thank you, Friend, for your helpful, spirit-filled words here in this piece. Greetings from Westport Friends Meeting, as well! Kevin Lee
By focusing on the immediate, checking on my neighbors who may have needs unmet, by continuing to care for my spiritual community of Quakers (we have moved our weekly worship to online format), and by being patient and accepting of the many necessary changes swirling all about in the midst of Covid-19.
Here’s hoping and praying that my friends here are staying safe, too!
So many people have inspired me in my work. Some still living, and many not. There have been the adult mentors along the way, but over the years I’ve worked with many, many children who at the time were living under unhealthy and sometimes horrific circumstances. Some of these young people as children and as teens inspired me and taught me greatly on how they managed to persevere, survive and sometimes even thrive under conditions that would cripple most adults. They were, and remain, my tr...
So many people have inspired me in my work. Some still living, and many not. There have been the adult mentors along the way, but over the years I’ve worked with many, many children who at the time were living under unhealthy and sometimes horrific circumstances. Some of these young people as children and as teens inspired me and taught me greatly on how they managed to persevere, survive and sometimes even thrive under conditions that would cripple most adults. They were, and remain, my true heroes. I have a box of notes, drawings, art, old photos and little hand-made gifts that came my way over 40 years. Now and then I go through it, remembering, and wondering how they’re doing today.
I just want to live, and to live peacefully, and I wish this more than anything else in the world for the millions of people who are forced to live out their lives never knowing true peace at all.
I don’t need to “love bigger.” What I would like to do, is to find ways to love what feels like the “unlovable,” those whose rhetoric, actions and very person-hood, spew hatred and racism out to the world. It is easy to love what is lovable, but honestly holding in love what feels unlovable is where my work really is.
The exact time escapes me, but my wife, who now and then notices that I am struggling with something, even when I don’t realize it myself, comes along and says, “Can I help you with that?” And guess what? She’s right. I know…shock! 🙂
That people and governments around the world will one day realize that war, in all its forms, does not lead to peace.
Isn’t that the point of giving, to give of what we have in order to help others? And if we give wisely, it should make a difference.
I try to give and be supportive of people in need by addressing basic needs for food, shelter and clothing. Beyond that, I focus on compassion and kindness in ways that I can.
Oh, let’s just say that I know who these people are, who have helped to shape the person that I am, and that I carry them with me throughout my day in my heart and spirit. Dear Jim, Ruth, and Frank, I’m talking about you. And that amazing, tall, dark and powerful woman who took both my hands while “passing the peace” when I visited her church, who stood wordless staring into my eyes, my hands still in hers, wordless, who did not let go, for what felt like minutes, as the congregation ...
Oh, let’s just say that I know who these people are, who have helped to shape the person that I am, and that I carry them with me throughout my day in my heart and spirit. Dear Jim, Ruth, and Frank, I’m talking about you. And that amazing, tall, dark and powerful woman who took both my hands while “passing the peace” when I visited her church, who stood wordless staring into my eyes, my hands still in hers, wordless, who did not let go, for what felt like minutes, as the congregation turned our way and began clapping and praising into that moment, who left me shaken and full and spiritually directed, I am writing of you here, also, with life-long gratitude.
Do I really need this? That’s the question that I try to remember to ask myself when standing before some item that I have the ability to acquire. If I can ask myself this question, honestly, I stand a better chance of passing that thing up and moving on. Immediate satisfaction is such a powerful drug!
(Wonderful question!) For me, the one “voice,” that came to me, literally, as a voice speaking directly to me and through me, was a call of the Spirit while standing in the shower, to be present to a life of ministry. It was clear, it reverberated throughout my being, and frankly, it scared the hell out of me. It took me three weeks to even share the experience with my wife, and it happened at about the same time that I became a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). I am ...
(Wonderful question!) For me, the one “voice,” that came to me, literally, as a voice speaking directly to me and through me, was a call of the Spirit while standing in the shower, to be present to a life of ministry. It was clear, it reverberated throughout my being, and frankly, it scared the hell out of me. It took me three weeks to even share the experience with my wife, and it happened at about the same time that I became a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). I am still holding on and the ride continues.
That the grace and presence of the Holy Spirit glides nearby too.
Amen to that, Samuel. In a few minutes I will take a drive to check on the property of our Quaker Meeting, buildings which of course is now locked up with no activities due to Covid-19. The only “good news” is I’ll be the only person there.
Love the way you approach work, Bob. I loved my work of 31 years working directly as a social worker with kids of all ages. It was my dream job and I loved it until the day I retired. Had I not developed serious back issues, I would have worked even longer.
Love this, Antoinette. Thank you.
Yes, no, so true…but do I want to hear it and abide by it? Now there’s a question!
Thank you, Diane.
Amen, sister!!
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