See our Privacy Policy
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!
From my wife, and too frequently to count. An unspoken requirement of fifty years of marriage.
I can laze around and “chill out” with the best of them, but admit readily that I don’t like waiting, especially when it can, or could, be avoided. I don’t know about turning waiting into an art, but what usually works for me is one of three things: >Settle in, shut my eyes and snooze. >Listen to one of my favorite podcasts. >If the surroundings are interesting, take pictures.
That I have been given the privilege to say, “I’ve gotten a year older.”
I have several spots along the ocean near me that I can hold in my heart and mind that bring me immediate calm. Another spot that I always “carry” with me is the look and feel of our old Quaker meetinghouse in Westport, Massachusetts.
I get where today’s question is attempting to take me, but I’m not buying it in its entirety. While I do believe I am grateful for the many things in my life, and say so aloud frequently, being “transformed” isn’t always my experience, nor do I feel that it needs to be.
It’s probably just me, but why does today’s question feel like a form of self-adulation? Hoping that other responses will give me a different perspective.
Today’s question has me thinking about the line, “Giraffes are what you get when you build something by committee.” (Apologies to Giraffes!) Still, I suggest that there’s something at work in our gene pool as a species that has us choosing to tackle projects in groups and committees. We love it, even though we know that it frequently adds time and effort to complete the task or project at hand. For myself, I enjoy collaborating with others not because the outcome will usually be bette...
Today’s question has me thinking about the line, “Giraffes are what you get when you build something by committee.” (Apologies to Giraffes!) Still, I suggest that there’s something at work in our gene pool as a species that has us choosing to tackle projects in groups and committees. We love it, even though we know that it frequently adds time and effort to complete the task or project at hand. For myself, I enjoy collaborating with others not because the outcome will usually be better, but because I enjoy being with and working with people.
In reality, I could be practicing gratitude every moment of every day with every mundane thing that I do. But who really does that? What I do find helpful is to also practice gratitude in the quiet moments that happen randomly throughout my day. Just now, for example, I’m feeling grateful for the wonder of my computer, the car I’ll drive shortly, the hot coffee I’ll consume, and the cemetery I’ll drive past on my way to the gym.
Lucky me, at the moment, I have no current conflicts in my life. But I do know how to create some! And that’s the key…avoiding them in the first place. There are two questions that I try to ask myself before “stepping in” to a brouhaha: The first is, “Who owns this problem?” The second question is, “Is this a hill I want to die on today?” Those two questions have spared me many conflicts over the years.
Watching our grandchildren grow…all seven of them! Every day, every week, they change in some noticeable way. And along with that sense of wonder and awe, is a desire to slow it all down, too.
I have but one vision for the world: peace, lasting world peace. And I pray, I vote, and support organizations that work to bring about a more peaceful world.
How do I live according to my principles? One day at a time!
Thank you for these wise words, Mary Pat.
That spot sounds beautiful, Christine.
Thanks for your thoughtful words here, Mica. Now I want to hear the full story of leopard spots!
Today’s Daily Question, “ How have I experienced the transformative power of grateful living?,” strikes me in another way that I wasn’t clear to set into words earlier this morning because I didn’t want the good people at Gratefulness to feel offended. . Today’s question suggests, by its very construction, has a predetermined feel to it, that if I experience gratefulness, that...
Today’s Daily Question, “ How have I experienced the transformative power of grateful living?,” strikes me in another way that I wasn’t clear to set into words earlier this morning because I didn’t want the good people at Gratefulness to feel offended. . Today’s question suggests, by its very construction, has a predetermined feel to it, that if I experience gratefulness, that I must be transformed. And that sets off alarm bells in me, that for me, smacks of conscription, and cult-like group talk and behavior. And that was the deeper reasoning behind my initial response.
I hear you, Ana Maria. And for sure, trauma response is real and is not joke. Oftentimes receiving support from a trusted person helps tremendously. And while retirement is wonderful on one hand, it is a life transition and being aware of its impact on the heart and mind is important, especially when trauma that’s been “parked” for some time sudden rears its head in the midst of life’s changes. Good luck….keep breathing my friend. Wishing you joy and peace-filled...
I hear you, Ana Maria. And for sure, trauma response is real and is not joke. Oftentimes receiving support from a trusted person helps tremendously. And while retirement is wonderful on one hand, it is a life transition and being aware of its impact on the heart and mind is important, especially when trauma that’s been “parked” for some time sudden rears its head in the midst of life’s changes. Good luck….keep breathing my friend. Wishing you joy and peace-filled days ahead.
“understanding, kind, supporter, welcoming, passionate, giver, great listener and dependable,” My goodness, Racel, pretty cool indeed! I say, go with that and not labor on what you’ve learned. Just keep being you!
Love your response, Avril. Thank you!
Here you go my friend: . American Friends Service Committee . Southern Poverty Law Center . Doctors Without Borders .
And yours too, my friend.
Stay connected to the community by adding people to your list.
This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A.
© 2000 - 2022, A Network for Grateful Living
Website by Briteweb
