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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!
Peace. World peace. What could be better than that?
I nurture “things” in very different ways than I do people or other living creatures. I’ll focus on people in my response today.
I nurture people by paying attention to them, by making eye contact, addressing them by name, and when appropriate, touching them with reverence and respect, and responding in their hour of need.
A while ago, I grew in age. I turned 70. And as I continue to cope with the pandemic, somehow my waistline has grown, also. But something tells me that this was not the kind of growth we were encouraged to share.
However, it’s a privilege to be able to arrive at any new birthday. And how lucky am I, thus far, to be able to nibble my way through this pandemic? Far too many have not. And this fact is, important.
While my family had very, very little money when I was young I never was in want for any basic needs of life. And this remains the case to the present day, and for that, I am indeed grateful and feel fortunate.
I not only treasure art in all its varied forms, but I need it, and seek it out in ways that are available to me. Whether viewing a fifth-grade art exhibit, or the less frequent opportunities of visiting a world class art museum, it’s basically the same experience; a rush that fills the senses and quenches something deep within my own humanity.
As a dedicated (hobbyist) photographer, I see myself as someone who captures micro and macro moments in time, and I leave it to others to dec...
As a dedicated (hobbyist) photographer, I see myself as someone who captures micro and macro moments in time, and I leave it to others to decide whether it is art or not. With cameras in hand, I don’t set out to “create,” but rather, to see and capture that which is fleeting.
Early morning, between 4-6 AM, is the most peaceful time of day for me. It started back in my farming days as a teenager. There was something about the aroma of the pre-dawn air, the quiet, and night giving way to day that for me was both peaceful and even spiritual. As my career changed over the years, from farming to social work and ministry, through raising a family, attending graduate school, and now retired and 70 years old, I still rise each day at four, without an alarm clock. On the v...
Early morning, between 4-6 AM, is the most peaceful time of day for me. It started back in my farming days as a teenager. There was something about the aroma of the pre-dawn air, the quiet, and night giving way to day that for me was both peaceful and even spiritual. As my career changed over the years, from farming to social work and ministry, through raising a family, attending graduate school, and now retired and 70 years old, I still rise each day at four, without an alarm clock. On the very rare day that finds me “sleeping in” until 5:30, I wake up and feel that I have missed the best part of the day.
What can I let go of? Plenty! There. That was easy!
The word “can” lets me off the hook. I can do a lot of things, but will I? A better sentence, that boxes me in, would be: What will you let go of, and when will you make that happen?
Life has taught me not to take ANYONE for granted. Life is just too darn short and unpredictable.
I express gratitude in the manner of how I attend to, and care for, others who are within my care at any particular time.
I also express gratitude with what I strive to be loving and good stewardship of properties, programs and entities that are under my care.
PRAY
I can best love the world by paying attention to where it is hurting and where it needs our help and to commit to whatever form of action is available to me to help it.
Amen to that!
How would I live this day if I thought it might be my last? I would live it SLOWLY!
Sorry, I struggle to take these kinds of questions seriously. I think that they’re silly. Besides, we wake up every day with no guarantee that a tomorrow will come for us.
I suggest we reframe the question:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” (From “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver)
In my own life during periods of hardship and loss, the gratefulness I always felt was when people reached out to me, and when called for, to my family, as they expressed their love and care of me, and most especially, when they asked, “How may I help?”
My fellow travelers, it seems I have had little trouble embracing my imperfection down through the years. In fact, I have been reassured, on good authority, that I have honed my imperfection to a whole new level!
Good for you, Lioness! Though my “dance card” seems full enough these days, I am pondering a few similar things like this for myself. Very best of luck to you!
This is beautiful, Cathy. Good morning to you!
And I pray, EJP, that this will happen for you. These are difficult times that we live in, and your expressed feelings here about the unseen challenges that this pandemic has revealed for so many are wide and varied in scope. A therapist friend of mine told me awhile ago that a quarter of all her clients these days are presenting issues connected to the virus. Sometimes it helps to know that you’re not alone here, and that help is also available. > Take care my friend.
Thanks, Antoinette. And enjoy your weekend, too!
Love this, and having done just that yesterday celebrating a family birthday on the beach, I’m with you 100%!
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