Hi Kevin – I read your reflection with appreciation (as always) and I want you to know that we will talk about making this change in this DQ going forward. Thank you. The nuance of which you speak is important. If people are more moved to answer the question as Kevin lays it out here, by all means do. Both forms of the question get to the same heart of the inquiry we are intending to pose. Thank you!

Thanks for this essential savoring, Drew

Alina – Your words have moved me and it is clear that you “got” the heart of my message. Thank you so much.

Thanks Terry for being open to being touched!

Blessings upon blessings to you Sheila – you and your massive heart. I love being grateful for the flowers and the fertilizer! Thank you.

This is such a moving reflection and you are sharing such profound perspective. Thank you for your wisdom.

Good Morning Pamela – Thank you for this lovely offer. If you want to send the wonderful sounding book to me at our office address, I will be happy to forward it to Br. David wherever he is. He will likely either be in Austria or Argentina. We are 245 Russell Street, 21B, Hadley, MA 01035

Thank YOU Lauren. What beautiful support and praise you have offered here. It does my heart such good to know that – at times – I am able to speak into the felt-longings and felt-truth of others. What a blessing. I am grateful for your sharing the article with your community. New Year Blessings to you.

See my reply below…

Thank you so much Elaine. The practice is meant to help you touch the places where your appreciation of connection lives and may want to be acknowledged and/or nurtured. Be gentle with yourself, please, and go at your own pace.

Thank you Neil. What beautiful self-awareness you share! Recognizing that we all basically need the same things but in very different forms and ways helps us relate with curiosity and compassion rather than our opinions! A much better formula for forging strong and interesting relationships!

Thanks for your insightful reflection Jody. I love what you say about a relationship not being a leaky faucet or squeaky hinge. How wonderful to recognize that asking, listening and responding takes the guesswork and missed opportunities out of showing people our care! And then it does not force others in our lives to be chronically leaky or squeaky to try to get their needs met – a fixer’s dream!

Thank you so much Carol. It is true that so much that is “real” comes alive in relationship. I am not sure if I agree that there is absolutely nothing more real, but there is certainly almost no place where whatever is real is more revealed to us than in relationship!! And relationship is also where we are honored to glimpse the “real” in another. What a gift to have the container of relationships to learn to love, and continue to grow in love.

Deep thanks to you Mike for sharing that “Wake Up Grateful” is proving to be a powerful guide for you. I am so deeply gratified and grateful to know this. It means the world to me. It was my heartfelt hope that this would be true, and you have given me the gift that my hope has been fulfilled in you. Blessings upon blessings you have given me and I return them to you.

Josita – Your reflection is so very beautiful to read. Thank you for sharing the “call” that you hear and heed which guides you toward possibility. Listening to this call of your guiding principles, and seeking what is there for you to find is a sure way toward joy and peace. Thank you for being on this gratefulness journey with us.

PKR – Thanks for sharing the blessings of this shift in perspective for you! I love it too…seeing my responsibilities as privileges helps me so much to find needed perspective whenever I am feeling beleaguered by life. Enjoy! And thanks for being part of our community. .

Thank you Victoria Rose for sharing this gorgeous reflection. Your commitment to deepening your capacity for this inner and outer listening will bring you many gifts and much peace. It is something from which we can all find needed inspiration.

Beautiful Liz. I am so glad you have found this practice inspiring. And all power to you in seeing the people and circumstances in your life as your teachers. You will never stop growing and deepening with this perspective…Thanks for your inspiration.