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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!
Just late yesterday afternoon. Four grown men of a certain age, on a common task of hand-pumping water out of two 30 foot whaleboats, a parting gift of now Tropical Storm Ida. We were taking turns on the pump handle, which meant while three men stood around watching the fourth guy work, their job was to keep the chatter moving and lively.
I was under strict orders not to lift anything heavy while my back recovered from the latest chronic back injury, but near the end of the hour-long ...
I was under strict orders not to lift anything heavy while my back recovered from the latest chronic back injury, but near the end of the hour-long pump out, I got into one boat and climbed into the second to retrieve something very light still floating in the bilge when I heard three men yelling and gesturing for me to let them get it. One guy yells, “Jesus! Your wife will kill us if we have to carry you into the house.” Still determined to finish my little task, one of them says, “Get the hell out of the boat or we’re gonna call your wife!” To that, we all pause, all married, and knowing laugher erupts heartily as Kevin abruptly exits the boat. I hadn’t said a work, but my attempted actions, and a shared common knowledge of men in their late sixties and early seventies, set the stage for a moment that couldn’t be rehearsed or improved upon.
Drive less. Now there’s an easy and nearly meaningless answer if there ever was one! Sorry, but these kinds of questions just make me dizzy. I think I will check back later and hopefully get schooled by what others share as the day goes along.
For me, opportunities to serve, to be of use, and to be in service to others just seems to come to me. Intentionally pursuing ways to be of service seldom ever works for me, and I’m not sure why. It took years for me to finally learn this. But, once I did, with the help and guidance of spiritual elders, and prayer, meaningful work wrapped as ministry unlocked some heavy doors.
Oh gosh, I don’t think that my heart can hold any more wholeheartedness. I ache enough for the ills and hurts of the world already.
I am never comfortable rattling off my modest list of “gifts.” Not because I am afraid to reveal them, but because it feels like bragging. Besides, the most useful gifts under my care, that benefit others, come from a place not my own.
Working with children Being with our grandchildren Being on the water with my rowing team Being at the ocean Certain Music Seeing the Spirit at work in people Sunrise. Any sunrise Caffeine.
That depends on the challenge at hand and how much of my higher self (whatever that’s supposed to mean!) will be needed. I bring me, “myself” into in to whatever I do or whatever situation may be at hand at any given moment. Whether it’s my higher self, or something else, is not mine to judge.
I could write all day and only touch the surface of those spiritual moments and experiences that have shaped my world. However, it’s important for me to distinguish something here. My experiences have not shaped my spiritual life, but rather, my spiritual life has shaped my every experience.
Lasting, world peace.
Whenever the opportunity presents itself for me to pay a kindness forward, I do so, and gladly. But I don’t go out of my way looking for such opportunities because doing so, in my view, turns the act into “kindness performance,” meaning it’s contrived, artificial, and rises to the level of sport. True “paying kindness forward, I think, should be spontaneous, and results in our ability to pay attention to the given moment, with kindness expressed through whatever means are available ...
Whenever the opportunity presents itself for me to pay a kindness forward, I do so, and gladly. But I don’t go out of my way looking for such opportunities because doing so, in my view, turns the act into “kindness performance,” meaning it’s contrived, artificial, and rises to the level of sport. True “paying kindness forward, I think, should be spontaneous, and results in our ability to pay attention to the given moment, with kindness expressed through whatever means are available at a given point in time.
I contribute to a more just world by being in it, and working to elect leaders who are progressive, who care about the whole of our society and the well being of all people both at home and abroad. And I plan to continue supporting movements and organizations that work to assist those in need, be it at home or around the world.
Relief from chronic, debilitating back pain.
Grace manifests itself in many ways and forms; in certain people, in things and special places, and in situations of daily living that seem to appear without human planning or manipulation. Grace may also possess elements of the Divine, or God, and Spirit, which is felt, yet unseen, imbued in a one’s soul by a source not our own.
In short, grace is grease for the stickiness and everydayness of life.
Love this, Mary Pat! Because of my back issues I am on the floor several times throughout the day doing stretches and our dog, Gracie, always comes over and often decides that I need to be cleaned up by licking me! But she also, like your dog, frequently has an expression with her mouth that I swear is a smile for sure!
You are very kind, Holly. Thank you.
Wonderful and promising update, Dusty ! You have nothing more than an informal handshake and agreement verbally to stay for the length of time you stated, but there’s a social contract there also, meaning responsible adults should be civil and respectful of one another in their exchange whether in formal or informal agreements, in this case between landlord and tenant and it sure sounds to me like you have been subjected to verbal abuse on a ongoing basis, which is something you certainly ...
Wonderful and promising update, Dusty ! You have nothing more than an informal handshake and agreement verbally to stay for the length of time you stated, but there’s a social contract there also, meaning responsible adults should be civil and respectful of one another in their exchange whether in formal or informal agreements, in this case between landlord and tenant and it sure sounds to me like you have been subjected to verbal abuse on a ongoing basis, which is something you certainly did not sign up for. I say work the angles to remove your possessions as thoroughly as possible while unnoticed and make a final departure and leave a brief note as to why you left. That would seem to save you from further confrontation and likely verbal abuse. it is highly likely that this is a pattern with this particular landlord which is why the apartment was available to you in the first place. I would not be concerned about taking up space to share this challenge with those who post here. It only adds meaning and purpose to why this site exists and why we are here in the first place.
Holding you in prayer and thought through this action.
My fingers are crossed for a good, positive outcome that benefits you, Dusty Su! I know from your previous writings that you also have a powerful and present spirit about you, so are you sure to bring that also with you in your deliberations! Godspeed and blessings on your courage.
Dusty Su, I hope that you decide to get out of the apartment that you are in right now ASAP. Even aside from not having a contract and with no legal obligation to remain for four months, you obviously, are in constant emotional danger. In the US, if you had a contract, a judge would remove you from the contract if you had one upon hearing your words here. Good for you for knowing that your basic needs are not being met and you are moving to rectify that! My thoughts and my prayers are with y...
Dusty Su, I hope that you decide to get out of the apartment that you are in right now ASAP. Even aside from not having a contract and with no legal obligation to remain for four months, you obviously, are in constant emotional danger. In the US, if you had a contract, a judge would remove you from the contract if you had one upon hearing your words here. Good for you for knowing that your basic needs are not being met and you are moving to rectify that! My thoughts and my prayers are with you, my friend. (Do tell us the good news once you have moved!).
Yes indeed, Cathie, the pain I deal with causes routine fatigue and frequent exhaustion. I live in southeastern New England, near the ocean, and the high humidity and heat we’ve been having, combined with fluctuating atmospheric pressure and dampness, really does a number on me it terms of spiking up my pain levels.
To be honest, I didn’t want to answer today’s question the way that I did, because I’m pretty sure that that was not the type of answer that the Gr...
To be honest, I didn’t want to answer today’s question the way that I did, because I’m pretty sure that that was not the type of answer that the Gratefulness team had in mind. But my response was the most honest and accurate reply I could make at the moment…and still is hours later.
Hoping and praying too, Cathie, that you find some relief along the way as well.
I hear you there, Michele!
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