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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!
I can attempt to live as fully as possible into the events and adventures of my life by remaining present, paying attention and taking care of my mind, heart and body to the best of my ability so that I’m ready to explore new things. And writing this was the easiest part of the process!
You know, if I didn’t see some good in the world at least daily, if not several times daily, I think I’d go nuts! Just being grateful for the good that unfolds all around me, and trying to make sure that I see it, too, is essential for my own emotional and spiritual well-being. It may be a small act of kindness noticed, or appreciating the first responders risking their own safety rescuing victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, or helping someone laden with groceries get to their car...
You know, if I didn’t see some good in the world at least daily, if not several times daily, I think I’d go nuts! Just being grateful for the good that unfolds all around me, and trying to make sure that I see it, too, is essential for my own emotional and spiritual well-being. It may be a small act of kindness noticed, or appreciating the first responders risking their own safety rescuing victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, or helping someone laden with groceries get to their car in a driving rain storm, it all matters, and helps to tamp-down the madness out in the world.
I love these what did you do, gain, realize or have an epiphany over today questions at four in the morning! Sorry all, having just risen, I’m staggering up alongside my first cup of coffee and that’s as far as I’ve gotten!
Hopefully, it has made a difference to each person whom I love.
Whenever I stop seeking something, more, better or different I usually find it!
The more turmoil there is in the world the more we need to find reasons for joy. We owe it to those who are struggling.
Thank you, Nada, for your courage and strength to share your story with us here. Like it or not, you are now an authority on surviving horror and have much to teach the world. Go gently, stay near to your faith and keep that light within alive. Thank you, again. > Kevin
Slowly. I would live this day slowly!
Thank you, Fabiana, for this tender and beautiful tribute.
Every year, two days after Thanksgiving, our entire family in a mini caravan of four vehicles takeoff to a tree farm to get our Christmas trees for each family. Over the years our numbers grew with grandkids, first in back-slings, strollers, then running all over the farm, playing “hide and seek,” tossing footballs, etc.
Today, our grandchildren number seven and seem ever growing. What started as a whim some forty years ago when I said to my wife, “let’s get our tree this year...
Today, our grandchildren number seven and seem ever growing. What started as a whim some forty years ago when I said to my wife, “let’s get our tree this year from a tree farm,” has turned into a family ritual that all of us “block out” as a must attend family event every single year since.
I am waiting for the effects of my English Breakfast tea to kick in! Once that happens, my stomach will be waiting for my legs to get busy helping to make breakfast. After that, I’ll be waiting for enthusiasm to arrive to clean the house before we leave for vacation. That’s more waiting than any of my friends at Gratefulness need to hear about!
That’s a good question! I’ll be sure to watch for it and step out of its way as it passes through!
But seriously, my own life has always been about the little things and staying true to them as they come. Whatever tiny ripple I make upon the world happens without fanfare or grand announcement.
I feel most humbled whenever I am rowing small craft on the ocean, which happens 2-3 times per week, year-round.
Cecilia, this is a touching, tender, and relevant story on life’s journey impacting us all. Thank you.
Thanks for this article, Donna. I worked for three decades as a youth advocate south of you in Dartmouth, MA. I am retired now, but I still meet for coffee with several young adults, all former clients when in grade school, and we talk about how it’s going for them as young adults now out in the world on their own. Many young adults are lucky to have the guidance of family still available, if not central in their lives, but some are out there virtually on their own with little input fro...
Thanks for this article, Donna. I worked for three decades as a youth advocate south of you in Dartmouth, MA. I am retired now, but I still meet for coffee with several young adults, all former clients when in grade school, and we talk about how it’s going for them as young adults now out in the world on their own. Many young adults are lucky to have the guidance of family still available, if not central in their lives, but some are out there virtually on their own with little input from more seasoned adults. These are the young adults I seem to be staying connected to. Sometimes if there’s a milestone to celebrate, like a new job, a raise, or another semester checked off, we’ll make it lunch instead. The time and minimal cost of these occasional gatherings, not to mention the joy I experience, I believe, are very helpful to these young people.
Yes, we seem to take the tree farm by storm and fill up half the hay wagon on the way out to the fields that hold all the Christmas trees!
Thank you, Pilgrim. We’re looking forward to it.
Thanks, Michele.
Thank you, my friend, for the kindness of your words.
Thank you, Is, I am honored that you read my piece.
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
