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Gratefulness
I have a great full heart for Br. David and the folks of gratefulness.org. Learning with them over the years has changed my life.
Finding wonder in waiting takes practice! I stop myself from pulling out my phone or leave it in the car when I go to appointments or wait for friends at restaurants or events. I think it allows me to more fully love by being present to my fellow “waiters”-esp at doctor’s offices and also to the staff at restaurants and events. I love the idea of saying “wow” “thank you”! I look forward to using it today!
Preparing Sunday dinner the details of the textures and aromas and sounds were a gift.
Many years ago a professor replied to my complaint about the weather with “I never worry too much about it. I can’t control it.” It was a great lesson. Many years after that, we experienced one of the rainiest springs on record. We “got through” this experience by noticing with awe the myriad shades of green which were more prominent in- and fed by- the rain! With our dog (and the help of the right clothing) all weather is going out weather for us and a sou...
Many years ago a professor replied to my complaint about the weather with “I never worry too much about it. I can’t control it.” It was a great lesson. Many years after that, we experienced one of the rainiest springs on record. We “got through” this experience by noticing with awe the myriad shades of green which were more prominent in- and fed by- the rain! With our dog (and the help of the right clothing) all weather is going out weather for us and a source of joy and wonder.
I appreciate the suggestion to notice how saying this first thing in the morning feels in my body. I plan to focus especially on my heart and tune in to my aliveness, but also to feel into any blocks or “yeah buts” -in my body-not my head.
Yes. “We belong together!” I belong to Life. You belong to Life. We BELONG to LIFE.
At the start of the symposium, the first thing that came to me was the “chicken and the egg” question. I was wondering what comes first – participating in a movement for social change and justice or deepening into Love, Life, God. My answer was that each can be a catalyst for the other. I thought of “angry” activists (counting my younger self among ...
At the start of the symposium, the first thing that came to me was the “chicken and the egg” question. I was wondering what comes first – participating in a movement for social change and justice or deepening into Love, Life, God. My answer was that each can be a catalyst for the other. I thought of “angry” activists (counting my younger self among them) and contrasted with the folks on the stage. (Also the sharing about the decision in the 60s to lovingly “hold a mirror” was profound to me). For me the Belonging Br. David spoke of is the key. It is a beautiful cycle. As I deepen my faith – remind myself and practice feeling MY belonging to Life, I extend it to others. And/or as I practice extending Belonging, through kindness and hospitality to another, I come to recognize my Belonging-to them and to Life. The more I practice, the more “active” I become. The more active I become the more willing I am to practice with people radically “different” than I. This is where the work of the presenters encourages and inspires me. Helping me be mindful and creative and free (belong to Life and mySelf) and giving me opportunities to interact with (belong to) “an other”. The symposium was a much welcomed opportunity to hear Br David and see him “live”!! It gave me knowledge and a feeling of belonging but also called me to more consistent, persistent action. I was so grateful to attend. I am so grateful for the invitation to share about it.
Sampson and I play daily chase and tug o’ war minding our hour-Lauds
Downward dog, tail wag my invitation issued I accept with glee!
“Anon” is interesting…. The paradox of sight/insight and “my” sight/insight. Of a peak experience being an experience of presence and the retelling with haiku a sharing of that present in which it become’s the reader’s…thus “anon”… Very cool.
Heavy snow Silence Hot tub steam rises… I KNOW! I laugh. … then I cry
Muddy paws again! winter’s frosty feet melted by April’s warm breath
Tulip shoots grow green – straight through the lacy brown leaves Spring creeps forcefully
I love this! Haiku, to me, is putting words to the “Stop. Look. Go. practice. Red bird fights himself Beak strikes the bright window pane Rap! Rap! Rap! in vain
the lake is lost in the rain which is lost in the lake I am drawn to this haiku because it is at once clever and evocative. I notice its conciseness and imagery and can see the rain/lake and also feel an otherworldliness in that moment.
If I thought today might be my last I would sweep the remaining cobwebs of fear from my heart’s chambers and disappear in a snap! of gratefulness and joy, face to the sky, arms flung wide. Now… to try this while I’m alive…
We host Sunday and holiday dinners for all sides of our families and then some. When I was a child, after one of us said Grace, every dinner, my Dad would say, “rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub” and we would all reply “yea God” and that’s what we do at our table now.
! a question I pondered just this morning… I may have been waiting to stop being afraid of trying, of change. Or maybe for the perfect thing to come to me or to “know” the right move. Or, really, all of those. I am done waiting.
This has been my new year pondering! Love and connection, creativity and joy-in SPECIFIC action/s.
I feel the most humbled in the garden. Each and every time a seed sprouts to feed me or share w me a beautiful flower or even a persistent weed, I am in awe of the creation process, -of Life and its insistence. Seed, water, sun, soil and I am fed on every level -humbling-and awesome.
Subsidiarity… I learn something new everyday (well, when I pay attention)! Thoughts of the application of this Principle in the secular are also intrguing to me. Thank you, Brother David. Prayers for Pope Francis forthcoming. 🙂 xo
I recently left a career in which I , too, was exhausted and rotting on the vine :(. I couldn’t name it as that at the time and not many people could understand what I was doing, but I knew I needed to. Session 1 soooooo resonates. I am excited to pursue this inquiry into wholeheartedness and very glad to have fellow Pilgrims to do it with. Wholeheartedness to me is showing up 100%. It is being present to the moment, the situation, and who I am and how I feel in it. It invo...
I recently left a career in which I , too, was exhausted and rotting on the vine :(. I couldn’t name it as that at the time and not many people could understand what I was doing, but I knew I needed to. Session 1 soooooo resonates. I am excited to pursue this inquiry into wholeheartedness and very glad to have fellow Pilgrims to do it with. Wholeheartedness to me is showing up 100%. It is being present to the moment, the situation, and who I am and how I feel in it. It involves all of my senses as well as a certain vulnerability and honesty to myself, about myself and for me it is also to have the courage to find (remember?) and live into (allow, seek out) the things that make only my heart sing. Thank you.
ps I was exhausted and ignored what I “knew” for about 4 years…
I was thinking today that I wished an opportunity to do just that was closer to me, Michele! Enjoy!!
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
