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Gratefulness
I have to be re-reminded about my principles: at least the ones that don’t come easily.
I find that being inspired by people who are living by their principles is often a wake- up call for me to return to who I want to be.
The natural world: both “turmoil and joy.” I am particularly aware of turmoil and catastrophe in our environment: destruction of the Amazon rainforest particularly on my mind after seeing a trailer for the documentary film “The Territory.” It’s horrifying what we are doing to the planet, and it’s distressing for me to even think about it.
And today I am experiencing joy in the gentle rain we are having– so needed this summer! And to my d...
And today I am experiencing joy in the gentle rain we are having– so needed this summer! And to my delight, a goldfinch is coming to harvest seeds from the sunflower I planted right outside my bedroom window. 🙂
My parents’ love for absolutely sure, in spite of their emotional and financial challenges and hardships raising me and my siblings. I never doubted their love and support of me, and in the past often took it for granted.
My friend, Diane, with whom I am spending a week of my summer vacation. We have know each other for 20 years, and she has been an example of real kindness and acceptance and non-judgement always.
As the start of the school year approaches, I carry endu...
As the start of the school year approaches, I carry enduring love and warmth in me for one of my young ESL students, Daniel, who alas, will no longer be attending my school this year. I will always remember his bright, curious face, his energy and enthusiasm for life and learning. May you be surrounded with love in life as you spread your joy to all around you.
This morning I am walking along the rail trail in New Egypt, NJ. The serious “thorns” in so much of our continent is drought. I see it in tulip and sycamore trees as the drop dried leaves, and in the brown lawns everywhere. We desperately need rain.
The roses are here as well: the cool breeze along the trail coming from the dense wooded areas along the trail. The summer cicadas are beginning their days’ buzzing. We just saw a beautiful green praying-mantis on the trail, and also ...
The roses are here as well: the cool breeze along the trail coming from the dense wooded areas along the trail. The summer cicadas are beginning their days’ buzzing. We just saw a beautiful green praying-mantis on the trail, and also to my delight, a young fox (a rose) looking at us from the under the aggressive, dense, controling cat brier vines (thorns!)
Thinking of an example of “meeting someone halfway…” Here is a recent experience. It’s a somewhat humorous experience, but one which could have caused a friendship rift. My friend J. and I were visiting our mutual friend in her apartment in New Hampshire. I always ended up sleeping on the living room couch, because J. automatically took the bedroom, without even checking in with me first! That did not sit well with me: why did she always get the bed, and I th...
Thinking of an example of “meeting someone halfway…” Here is a recent experience. It’s a somewhat humorous experience, but one which could have caused a friendship rift. My friend J. and I were visiting our mutual friend in her apartment in New Hampshire. I always ended up sleeping on the living room couch, because J. automatically took the bedroom, without even checking in with me first! That did not sit well with me: why did she always get the bed, and I the couch? Unfair!! Prior to our last recent visit we talked about it: she easily agreed to take turns with me in using the bedroom. This totally changed my grumpy attitude, and we had a harmonious visit, all three of us.
Moral of the story: Communicate if something is consistently rubbing me the wrong way, even if it does feel silly and insignificant. It isn’t insignificant if it adversely affects a friendship.
For texting my Sudanese student’s mother every evening, with reminders of her daughter’s homework. A small thing, but my doing it consistently matters.
As I get ready for my 3rd Grade “sometimes reluctant” student: to go outside and observe the wonders of nature right outside our school building by looking at the baby robin chicks through my binoculars on a ledge above the outside door.
Share my love for the natural world. Take my student outside the school for a walk around the block to look for robins with my binoculars! Tour the community garden across from the school with my Kindergartners, to observe the abundance of plants and flowers.
Sitting in my chair in the early morning before work with my cup of coffee. Doing my pre-work Yoga stretches, without listening to the radio. Listening to the robins calling outside.
I tend to take my health for granted. At least these days, when I notice that I have more energy and strength than people younger than me.
What can I do? Make sure I eat well. Be aware and thankful. Remember and support those in my life who have ailments, such as my brother with his bad back, and my sister with her thyroid condition. “There but for the grace of God go I” at some level.
This early spring morning, with yellow – green leaves, and tulips and blossoms everywhere. The call of a robin outside in the early dawn. The sweet smell of the lilac bush as I pass it on the sidewalk. Always and always nature, and especially the miracle of spring after a long New England winter.
Yes.
That’s impressive. So it’s never difficult? Not for me. I find that I get fuzzy and lax about my principles, and need to somehow get back on track, or in the right headspace.
All the very best to you , and hope you have the opportunity to advocate for yourself to get what you need .
Thank you for this poem.
Why?
Well okay, funny. But it is a good question for me, because it isn’t “Yay, terrific me”. It’s often something I have done matter of factly , without trying to be virtuous. The appreciation has often taken me by surprise.
There could not be a more important sharing time than this. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Thanks
And do you have your own daily practice during the day?
I attend Quaker Meeting. It’s carving out time in my busy work day that is the discipline.
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