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Gratefulness
Br. David seems to offer a ritual as suggested in Discovering the Sacred in Everyday Life. Another way to think of Stop, look and go. Thank you as always for the Guiding Light.
Being an extroverted introvert, I am aware, especially after a relatively quiet cold inside winter, that going into a group, sometimes the sounds are like a cacophony and it takes some time to shift and not feel somewhat overwhelmed. I like the idea of a ritual, perhaps taking three conscious breaths to help me shift.
So full of wisdom and how to, dear Kristi.
The challenge is that what is defined as Simple in words is often the most utterly challenging. What helps is that the simplicity can be a go-to reference. No long worded treatise is needed because that might only enter the mind. It is the awareness that it is the heart and the body that makes it our own. Full Presence.
How can words and thoughts, familiar Rumi lines sound so refreshingly new and insightful, full of new opportunities to ponder and contemplate only a few at a time! Magical and messy, grace and grief, often at the same time. Grounding in these confusing and sometimes disturbing times. A real gift, Kristi.
Kristi, The day before election day, which is like no other that I can remember, you have given a whole new context to this time. Voting is Love. A most helpful prism to BE right now. Missy
How much more I appreciate a beautiful day than one that is gray and overcast.But, as Kathleen writes so beautifully, it is the contrast which makes a life. Even though I know in my mind and my heart and memories that the box of darkness, when my mood or thoughts are at the moment living inside the dark box, is a gift. It is an observation, a lesson that bears reminding. It is uncomfortable. So, if in each moment or remembering daily and maybe even sharing the gratitude with someone, I can re...
How much more I appreciate a beautiful day than one that is gray and overcast.But, as Kathleen writes so beautifully, it is the contrast which makes a life. Even though I know in my mind and my heart and memories that the box of darkness, when my mood or thoughts are at the moment living inside the dark box, is a gift. It is an observation, a lesson that bears reminding. It is uncomfortable. So, if in each moment or remembering daily and maybe even sharing the gratitude with someone, I can remember that I am growing more comfortable with my uncomfortableness. The lesson of each day!
Dear Kristi, It is a wonderful gift to write and share the swirl of thoughts and emotions we all are experiencing these days in one form or another. Kindred spirits give me strength when personal and societal concerns can cloud over the Lights. Your honesty is especially helpful. I printed out your offering about how to live a grateful life, always but especially at this time! I have read and re-read often. It is noticing those “shooting stars” and being grateful that is so ...
Dear Kristi, It is a wonderful gift to write and share the swirl of thoughts and emotions we all are experiencing these days in one form or another. Kindred spirits give me strength when personal and societal concerns can cloud over the Lights. Your honesty is especially helpful. I printed out your offering about how to live a grateful life, always but especially at this time! I have read and re-read often. It is noticing those “shooting stars” and being grateful that is so important to make a practice
Thank you for your gift. It is a shooting star that can fill the darkness. A wise friend uses familiar words that give whole new meanings. De-Light.
Missy
There is so much wisdom in your story, Tesa. My mother died two days after my daughter’s wedding 22 years ago. I felt she was holding on and often heard her words to me, never actually spoken, oh Missy, I never would have done this to you at such a beautiful time when Chrissy is getting married. The day after the wedding, my husband and I took some wedding cake and flowers to her in the nursing home. She had a soft smile, no words. The next day, I went to see her and she was no...
There is so much wisdom in your story, Tesa. My mother died two days after my daughter’s wedding 22 years ago. I felt she was holding on and often heard her words to me, never actually spoken, oh Missy, I never would have done this to you at such a beautiful time when Chrissy is getting married. The day after the wedding, my husband and I took some wedding cake and flowers to her in the nursing home. She had a soft smile, no words. The next day, I went to see her and she was not awake and her breathing was different. I sat for awhile. Then the fire alarm went off. As I walked down the hall to the nurses, the heavy fire doors closed behind me. Those who had cared for her, were waiting to see whether it was a false alarm. They were in a loose circle and I joined them. False alarm. I looked at each of them and thanked them and said I was going to leave and didn’t think I would be back. An hour later, I received the call that she had slipped away.For years, I felt uncomfortable, not guilty but the feeling lingered. Years later, a professional told me that it was not uncommon for a parent to want a beloved child to not be there at the moment of death. So your experience and that of others who respond to that part of your story, have had similar experiences. I think it is so important that others hear that. For me, learning that helped to soften my mourning.
Thank you Tesa for your kind words and sharing another waiting and how you used modern technology to bridge the goodbye.
As palliative care is becoming more open and ways to “listen” to what the dying want and the loved ones too, Gratefulness is offering an opportunity to have these conversations.
When I think I may be going from transition into transformation, those may be glimpses but quickly reminded that the transition continues.If I can see one step in front of me, it is followed by what I cannot see. Patience calls out. Perhaps if I stop thinking about achieving transformation and accept that life is one transition after another. Practicing accepting that, may be the best I can do.
Names, yes. Some may stay but what they mean changes.Within these names is the perceptions that I need to let go of what I thought I was “doing”right.Not resting on my efforts or even laurels. New ways to be. That trying hard to do the right thing, say the right thing, is the past. To pilgrimage is to quiet and listen more. Be in this moment. Really hear what those I love are saying and feeling. I have no answers for myself, how can I know their real needs.
I cannot see wha...
I cannot see what is around the corner, what joys and sorrows will come.Whatever protective shields grew may fall away on this pilgrimage. I have managed through many very difficult times and situations and with those I love. I feel courage traveling with all of you on your pilgrimages. Thank you for being with me. I am with you.
Thank you for your words. So well described and helping to crystalizing the invitation to be in this way.
Friends have traveled Camino. I am so grateful for this way to pilgrimage. Contemplation, retreat has been my daily practice. The ideas of pilgrimage is a gift on my journey. So many thoughts, questions which can give me perspective in a way that brings energy and hope.
I have been aware that I am moving through thresholds which invite me to let go of the defenses I have built over a long lifetime. Illnesses of close family members have given me more to expose where I can learn to live more wholeheartedly. The timing of these guides is an answer to prayers. I pray to be open to the two David’s and the internal guides who come to accompany me on this journey. Knowing that so many others are united at the same time, gives me hope for myself and for the w...
I have been aware that I am moving through thresholds which invite me to let go of the defenses I have built over a long lifetime. Illnesses of close family members have given me more to expose where I can learn to live more wholeheartedly. The timing of these guides is an answer to prayers. I pray to be open to the two David’s and the internal guides who come to accompany me on this journey. Knowing that so many others are united at the same time, gives me hope for myself and for the world.
So I will listen to what is me and what is not me.
Loss really does happen in layers. The healing isn’t a scab that covers over wounds that are very deep. It can be very painful to be patient. There isn’t a thermometer or other measuring tool to assess. Becoming aware with gratefulness helps me not to fight the problem or difficult times.
Thank you for the utube explanation of the Kingfisher poem. It came alive and I will look at it over and over.
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