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Gratefulness
By looking around and being grateful for what I have, even in the midst of anxiety and “all-I-need-to-do”-ness. Like going down to the trail along the Charles River this morning, and seeing and delighting in the exotic migrating ocean ducks that are there right now.
by acknowledging and asking for what I want: putting it out, and trusting that I will receive what I need.
“Letting go” has been more of moving on. Accepting what is right now in the moment, whether I like it or not, is a practice. Such as the house where I am living with 6 other housemates. Not always fun, but that’s the way it is.
And “letting go” is possible for me mostly when I have voiced and requested what I need and want. Often, that is when I can move through the unrest and unease: when I have expressed myself even when it is and was difficult. That wa...
And “letting go” is possible for me mostly when I have voiced and requested what I need and want. Often, that is when I can move through the unrest and unease: when I have expressed myself even when it is and was difficult. That way I can be more calm and wait for what comes next.
express thanks to my housematies, instead of complaining
Signing up for a 12:00 pm “restorative yoga” class. I have not done an online yoga or exercise class during the pandemic. Just on my own, so far.
Taking a walk along the river before doing my work now, after the snowfall of last night.
My ESL students at school. They are delightful and exasperating, and ask me to show up to the fullest.
More fun, laughter and humor. Spend time with people with whom there is mutual delight and joy. Minimize time with gloomy people or situations where I am chronically irritated.
More exploring and enjoying the outdoors, in all kinds of weather. Practicing thankfulness.
Have a morning time to be still before the day’s work.
When I experience generosity from someone else, it opens me to be able to express thanks. And when I am in a place of being thankful and open and “filled”, it allows me to see others with generosity.
As I grow older, I know my life is getting shorter. It feels more precious, and more urgent to live a life I delight in, with love and adventure and joy. And a reminder to look at where I am holding back and staying in old patterns and old ways of being. I want to deepen my enjoyment of the people in my life. I want to always drink in the tremendous gift of the natural world around us and love and care for Mother Earth.
This past week, every evening, I listened to and participa...
This past week, every evening, I listened to and participated in “The People’s Inauguration” Zoom sessions this week. It ends tonight. What an amazing, inspirational series of talks and discussions!. I was introduced to people who live their lives with love and joy in spite of enormous challenges. Just listening to that every evening for a week, has been for me a way of stretching and growing in my mind and body.
Most nights when the talks start at 8:00 pm, I am tired after my day’s work. Even if I can only take in some of the wealth of what is being shared, I think it is affecting me in my whole being at some level.
I enjoyed reading everyone’s reflections. I think I could not imagine life without ritual and ceremony. I grew up in a religious community where the Christian festivals were celebrated extensively. Singing was a big “ritual”: singing before a meal, singing at weddings, singing at birthdays. Singing before bed. My life growing up was full of singing for every occasion. I have a memory of hearing my mother singing German lullabies in the kitchen as I lay in my be...
I enjoyed reading everyone’s reflections. I think I could not imagine life without ritual and ceremony. I grew up in a religious community where the Christian festivals were celebrated extensively. Singing was a big “ritual”: singing before a meal, singing at weddings, singing at birthdays. Singing before bed. My life growing up was full of singing for every occasion. I have a memory of hearing my mother singing German lullabies in the kitchen as I lay in my bed.
Lighting candles is an everyday ritual for me. It centers and focuses me, and reminds me to go within, and be still, if just for a moment. I light a candle for every meal, whether I am with others or by myself.
Less angst and desperation than 10 years ago. Loving being a great-aunt. More mellow interactions with my brother and sister which is so valuable to me. As we age, I think we all realize the importance of having a loving family relationship.
Deepening love for and enjoyment of taking walks and being nurtured by the natural world.
Deepened confidence in listening to myself and what I need and think.
Looking forward to adventure and exploring new places, the natural world and being delighted in what I am doing and who I am meeting.
Creating and making beauty by taking care of the plants in the house. Everyone is enjoying the paper-white narcissus that are growing and about to bloom. Designing and making paper snowflakes to hang up. Give to my housemate Donna to cheer her up, ( hopefully) Creating order and beauty by clearing up the clutter in the pantry and dining room. All that stuff lying around. Order can be beauty!
Creating lessons for my young school students that are fun, creative and...
Creating lessons for my young school students that are fun, creative and involve making things!
To myself. Especially today, as I feel annoyed about sharing space with my 6 housemates, and particularly our very small kitchen! And to ask for support from my teaching colleagues, as the Christmas / New Year’s break ends, and I take a deep breath and plunge back into teaching tomorrow, remotely. I want to connect with other teachers, and have us support each other organically and easily every week. That’s what I am putting out for this new year. A year of mutual support ...
To myself. Especially today, as I feel annoyed about sharing space with my 6 housemates, and particularly our very small kitchen! And to ask for support from my teaching colleagues, as the Christmas / New Year’s break ends, and I take a deep breath and plunge back into teaching tomorrow, remotely. I want to connect with other teachers, and have us support each other organically and easily every week. That’s what I am putting out for this new year. A year of mutual support and connection.
Being thankful for my living-space and my sunny room. Being thankful for my health, for having access to the outdoors, and especially thankful for nature. By planting bulbs today and taking a bike ride in Concord. By talking to people I want to be in touch with, with whom there is mutual respect, affection and encouragement.
Go to the beach on this warm, November day, with Lisa and Judith. Walk and watch and listen to the waves.
Cleaning out the basement where I live, with my housemates. Gave me an unexpected feeling of energy and hope. Getting rid of crap.
By getting off my computer, my Zoom calls, my stressful assignments, and biking out to a “north shore” beach near Boston.
By planting in my garden before the frost.
By working on reducing the clutter in my house. And in myself.
Can’t answer this. So many of you are posting wise and enlightened stuff. I have my desires and wishes. How life should be? Well, there are many things in the world, our country that not the way they “should” be. And many parts of my life that are not the way I want them to be. I don’t like this question.
Very agitated early this morning. Breathe, and stop. And when I did I heard the mockingbird sing and sing. So comforting.
Go outside and bike and get sun and green-ness.
Yes, to going outside, noticing and slowing down
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
