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Gratefulness
Thank you for being here. You have made a difference in my life, and I am grateful!
Yesterday my neighbor helped me lay soaker hoses in our community garden bed, as well as in our two small planter boxes in our back yard. Then he helped me set up soaker hoses around a new tree we had planted. My husband put together a potting table for me while I was out volunteering at the local garden sale.
I was so busy these past few days, tonight I finally got around to reading the daily question. And for right this moment, that is the most important thing. And to hear those birds sing, first right before dawn, then again throughout the day, and when sunset starts their song is a different one, but just as soothing for me…it puts joy in my heart….sleep well everyone!
That is why I get up early, to enjoy the gift of silence. It is like that now, with the birds singing periodically, waking up to another day filled with sunshine. Silence is a real gift in our world. I enjoy it as often as I can.
I plan on finishing mixing the container garden soil I started making a few days ago. And transplanting more veggies I started in April. We are going to honor a good friend later today, who managed to visit 100 countries in her 80 years on earth, a personal victory for her. It is something she has wanted to do for many years, and she has achieved this dream of hers. Many of the countries she had worked in years ago. An interesting path, and bucket list….
First, to the birds that woke me this morning with their beautiful songs. Then to those that grew the beans, processed the coffee I am now drinking, and to my body for being able to move into another day. To those who made the dishes I dearly love and bring me joy every day to use….to the earth, for your loving support of us all. To my physical therapists, for helping me and my body to heal. And to this website, to help remind me what I am grateful for today….thank you!
First, I let it in. I let whatever has happened into my mind and soul and acknowledge it. Only after doing that can I move on. At that point, I can look at it, hold it, and respond. Sometimes I have to do something physical, other times I need to journal it. Only after doing these things can I be in a grateful state, usually remembering I am not alone, and that there are people who care about me and others that can help me.
My eyes are seeing the coffee beans in the grinder, waiting for me to turn the knob., then pouring the freshly ground beans into the coffee machine, and seeing that deep, dark liquid pour into the coffee pot. Wonderful sight!
Covid and the isolation that happened to all of us had a surprising affect on me. It made me comfortable. I am an introvert-high functioning-but still I need my time alone more than some people. After the lockdown stopped, it was hard for me to go out. I had to relearn ways of dealing with life again, and it has taken some time to get my “alone time” back again, A good balance between the two is needed, and I continue to work on that. There was another area as we...
Covid and the isolation that happened to all of us had a surprising affect on me. It made me comfortable. I am an introvert-high functioning-but still I need my time alone more than some people. After the lockdown stopped, it was hard for me to go out. I had to relearn ways of dealing with life again, and it has taken some time to get my “alone time” back again, A good balance between the two is needed, and I continue to work on that. There was another area as well, and that was going out in public at all. I am now able to drive to a small town not far away which in the beginning brought about anxiety that was overpowering. It has been very important for me to “grow back” to this area in my life, and embrace expanding my horizons. I am so grateful for this question, because it shows me how far I have come! Thank you.
Last week, when I went to the pool to swim, all was well. Until I tried to take a shower. No hot water. At all. There was one shower head that had some lukewarm water, but that soon ended. After dressing I went to the front and told the office staff. Sometimes, for reasons they could not explain, there just is no hot water. In a modern building! Now, someone must know why this happens, but the front desk has no idea. So that got me to thinking…how many other things do I take for grant...
Last week, when I went to the pool to swim, all was well. Until I tried to take a shower. No hot water. At all. There was one shower head that had some lukewarm water, but that soon ended. After dressing I went to the front and told the office staff. Sometimes, for reasons they could not explain, there just is no hot water. In a modern building! Now, someone must know why this happens, but the front desk has no idea. So that got me to thinking…how many other things do I take for granted? A whole. bunch! And I like being able to take those things for granted. So I guess I am grateful for living where I CAN take these things for granted. I don’t think we can change this human behavior. And I don’t see a thing wrong with this. Perhaps thinking about places where hot water is a luxury and being grateful because I live where it is expected is enough.
With children, especially my grandchildren. And our dog, Joy. These are the beings that bring out the best in me!
Wow! I had forgotten all about this movie, but years ago I watched Cookie’s Fortune. It changed my perspective completely. To Kill a Mockingbird is another one. Kinky Boots is another. I watched the DVD before it became a hit. Dead Poets Society as well. Star Wars was another one. So many! It’s a Wonderful Life. Up. Quite a few! I could go on and on, but will stop for now….good memories-thanks!
Anxiety has alot to do with my insomnia. I have a set of meditations I have gathered that help me to relax, as well as some affirmations that I now keep in a binder next to my chair. If I have a bad night, I open that binder to a page that seems to speak to me at that time. I read it, meditate on it, and most times I can go back to sleep. I have other tools I use as well, but that right now seems to help me the most. I do listen to others who mention anxiety, and offer a quiet, peaceful voic...
Anxiety has alot to do with my insomnia. I have a set of meditations I have gathered that help me to relax, as well as some affirmations that I now keep in a binder next to my chair. If I have a bad night, I open that binder to a page that seems to speak to me at that time. I read it, meditate on it, and most times I can go back to sleep. I have other tools I use as well, but that right now seems to help me the most. I do listen to others who mention anxiety, and offer a quiet, peaceful voice in their time of need.
It slows things down for me, and I am then aware of things I may have missed. It’s kind of like doing a small meditation during daily activities.
So many! I was raised to believe we needed to stay exactly a certain way, and not change one iota. Do certain things at certain times. That if I did that, all would be fine and life would be wonderful. As it should be. Much later I found out differently, And that was freedom!
Memories are just one of the things…like this memory that happened today…. I received a text from my daughter this morning…it said, “Happy May Day” and had an image of dancing around a May Pole. When she was young, I would go to the local paint store and get several wallpaper samples that had been discontinued. On May Day, we would shape them into a cone, and fill them with goodies like cookie bars, sweet treats of some kind, and if it hadn’t snowed, flowers that were ...
Memories are just one of the things…like this memory that happened today…. I received a text from my daughter this morning…it said, “Happy May Day” and had an image of dancing around a May Pole. When she was young, I would go to the local paint store and get several wallpaper samples that had been discontinued. On May Day, we would shape them into a cone, and fill them with goodies like cookie bars, sweet treats of some kind, and if it hadn’t snowed, flowers that were blooming….and then my daughter would take these to all the neighbors and say “Happy May Day!” This still feeds my soul….good memories do that! Happy May Day to you all and may your soul be feed well today!
Sounds like heaven to me! Thanks for sharing this……
I think you are making a great decision! Congratulations and much success.
Congratulations to you! I am sure it was a tough decision, but am glad you are at. peace with it…sounds like you are starting a different journey, which is always refreshing….am sure you will be a wise yoga teacher.
I am truly sorry for your loss. May those good, loving memories give you some comfort….
I agree. You put into words what I was struggling with-thank you!
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