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!
This man has said it better than I ever could:
“It is a strange and wonderful fact to be here, walking around in a body, to have a whole world within you and a world at your fingertips outside you.” – John O’Donohue
I am grateful for my life, my family, my health, body, friends, dog and my bed!
Are you kidding? If the world could see the list of “doctors” and their specialties that I have in my phone’s contact list, there’s proof that I’ve covered nearly every part of my body from the inside out and back again! As I age, keeping up with the revolving needs of each demanding, cranky little part is like working a part-time job. I think that it’s fair to say that I take no part for granted. I can’t afford to.
And this reminds me…..You know what they call a g...
And this reminds me…..You know what they call a group of people standing around discussing their ailments? An “Organ Recital!”
Being mindful of approaching life with gratitude and being grateful for the circumstances of my life creates its own subtle, yet sustained energy. That energy, combined with knowledge and will, join forces that can, if applied, affect the need for social change around me.
By the way today’s question is structured it seems to imply that what I am holding on to is something negative, which may not be the case. I hold on to a number of things, such as hope, faith, love, and determination, which are life-giving and positive.
That said, I do try to let go of things that are negative, especially if they are injurious to the heart and soul. And there are always a few things that I cannot control or change for the better, and the sooner I let go of them the b...
That said, I do try to let go of things that are negative, especially if they are injurious to the heart and soul. And there are always a few things that I cannot control or change for the better, and the sooner I let go of them the better.
What has surprised me lately? Not much.
I have been blessed with many, and various kinds of influencers in my life over the years. And looking back I distinguish them first by the kinds of roles that they played in my life, too. Some were teachers, and others were coaches, tutors or advisors. But it has been the mentors, persons who by example and action, have guided me the most to become the person I am today.
One man taught me how to run a wheelbarrow full of manure up a narrow plank and dump it without falling in myself.<...
One man taught me how to run a wheelbarrow full of manure up a narrow plank and dump it without falling in myself. Another showed me how to determine when freshly mowed alfalfa was ready to bail and take to the barn. A woman, by example, showed me what the power of compassion and care of another can and cannot do. A cleric proved that hubris, arrogance and self-aggrandizement do not belong in ministry. A person showed me, through grace and deep humility, what the face and hands of God look like. One child, fresh in the world, showed me yet again what love will do. One man has shown me how to gainfully release and die, complete.
I am grateful to have woken up today and for my life overall. Presently, I and others are attending to the final hours of dear person and hospice patient whose remaining time with us is measured in hours, not days or years. Providing pastoral care to another person who is near the end of his life tends to “sober” one’s thinking about what really matters.
Everything!
It’s not what I learn, it’s what I experience. During moments of “awe” I experience joy and hope for humanity.
I have enough, and know that I have enough, of everything!
I think that a better question would be, “what do I have more than enough of, and how can I give it to others who have less?”
A good weekend to you, Also, Anna.
So true, Cheryl! Or as that other saying goes, “I complained because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.”
So true, Pilgrim, so true!
The operate word here was “lately.” Ask me another day or even another hour and my response might be otherwise!
I don’t have flowers for you, Carla, but I do have good wishes and a prayer for your continued recovery. My best to you.
Gosh Samuel, your note here is beautiful. Thank you. The type of presence you referred to and the way I describe it to others who ask is that I experience it as a “ministry of presence.” In fact, I serve as the pastoral counselor to our large conference of Quakers each year and basically my entire job description is described in those four words, A ministry of presence. It pretty much says it all. Thank you, again.
Thank you, Serafina. I appreciate your words here Which I have just conveyed to the person I am sitting with.
Thank you, Beata.
Thank you for your kind and generous comments, Debra.
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 - 2019, A Network for Grateful Living
Website by Briteweb
