In the context of yesterday’s question about nature and gratitude.
Here I am in Vermont, visiting my friend who lives in a clearing in the woods.
There are situations in my life that are frustrating and disheartening. I woke up to them on my mind.

And then there are the bird calls outside my open window. And now, sitting on the large wrap-around deck, I am surrounded by tall trees in different shades of light green. And the sunlight is spreading over different parts of the trees.
I will get a chance to walk, to jump into the cold refreshing brook; to eat a meal cooked by me and my friend; to sit down together to eat it.
And though I have to leave to return to the city and my busy life tonight, I get to drive across Route 2, the tree-lined green Mohawk Trail.
So I am lucky.

All my many, many residential moves in the Boston area in the past 30 years certainly have strengthened my capacity to adapt to different places for sure! Although this adaptation has made me feel rootless.

“Growing in the face of challenges”? I immediately think of my students and young people I have taught over the years. They are the ones who challenge me to grow in a way I can take in and accept much more readily than being challenged by adults. That brings out my resistance! But then I think of the teachers and staff I work with, especially now during the past year of the pandemic. Their determination, cheerfulness and let’s-get-on-with-it attitude has pulled me along to grow. Not the least in being able to teach little kids via Zoom!

I am appreciating the personal responses. I need to hear specifics, not abstract generalities for the questions we are asked here.

Yes, being vulnerable calls for wisdom and judgement. I can very easily hide my hurt in stoicism or anger. But sometimes my sadness has comes out spontaneously, in a way that I could not control, and in a way that was necessary. Last year, during the early months of the pandemic, I was on a Zoom staff meeting, and during the routine “check-in” period, I ended up in tears during my share, which I had not planned to do!. The rest of the staff did not say much, but I felt their warm, understanding and support.

I remember years ago, feeling distraught and beside myself one Sunday, and not knowing how to deal with my strong feelings. A woman from my Quaker Meeting who did not know me, approached me, and commented that I looked so sad. She sat with me for the next hour, and listened to me, just listened to my grief and upset. I will never forget being listened to so deeply. It was deeply comforting to be heard with compassion.

When I am in difficult relationships and conflict, I often so much need to hear the person I am in conflict with show me their hurt and pain. It’s not easy because it makes one vulnerable and “weak” in a way. But then I have the opportunity to respond with compassion and understanding.