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Gratefulness
Everything I need lies within me. The only moment is now. Heretic Everything is as it should be.
I think I’ve been changing my attitude and perspective in general, especially when it comes to blaming and being critical or to thinking about how things “could” have been or “should” have been and just accepting them. In January, my dad died of COVID. Without my new perspective, it would have been a lot harder. I just accepted everything for what it was, without blaming the facility he was living in or the family members who didn’t pay attention to me when I said I thought the fa...
I think I’ve been changing my attitude and perspective in general, especially when it comes to blaming and being critical or to thinking about how things “could” have been or “should” have been and just accepting them. In January, my dad died of COVID. Without my new perspective, it would have been a lot harder. I just accepted everything for what it was, without blaming the facility he was living in or the family members who didn’t pay attention to me when I said I thought the facility seemed a little lax on COVID precautions.Instead, we made the decision to take him off oxygen. I went to visit him in the hospital the day before he passed. I talked to him and sang to him and prayed with him, even though he was not responsive.The following day, the hospital called to tell us he had passed. I was at peace. I accepted it for what it was and didn’t let myself think about how things could have been. Thinking about changing the past would have only made me anger and bitter. Instead, I felt enveloped in love and a deep sense of peacefulness.
Being mindful of thoughts that don’t serve me well – judgments, ruminating about the past, imagining a future negative event – and letting them go, replacing them with encouraging, validating thoughts. Letting go of blaming, of the “if onlys”, of the “what ifs?” and trying to remain in the moment. Taking a step back and mindfully responding instead of impulsively reacting. Making more space for friendships and relationships; establishing a spiritual practice.
Approaching something with curiosity rather than as a problem changes everything. A curious mind is an open mind, one willing to explore and learn about the situation without judgment. A curious mind might ask, “What is the root cause(s)?”, “What are all the acceptable outcomes?”, and “What can I learn from this / what is it trying to teach me?” Curiosity can turn a problem into an opportunity. Curiosity leads to more information and different ways of looking at a situation, expan...
Approaching something with curiosity rather than as a problem changes everything. A curious mind is an open mind, one willing to explore and learn about the situation without judgment. A curious mind might ask, “What is the root cause(s)?”, “What are all the acceptable outcomes?”, and “What can I learn from this / what is it trying to teach me?” Curiosity can turn a problem into an opportunity. Curiosity leads to more information and different ways of looking at a situation, expanding the possibilities for resolving the situation.
No. I am astonished.
I am awed because it has not unfolded, nor is it unfolding.
It is always now.
I would regret – the times I could have been kinder – the times I failed to love – the times I spent doing mundane tasks when I could have been connecting with friends. – the books, hobbies, places I never got to because, “I have to ______ first.” – the times I went through life on autopilot. – the times I wasn’t happy with what I had.
I feel content when: I’ve eaten a satisfying meal I’m cuddling and playing with my dogs My house is clean I bring in flowers from the yard and arrange them. I sneakily give flower arrangements away It’s a warm day and I’m sitting in the garden swing enjoying my yard. I remember my dad. I’m hiking I’m reading something interesting or entertaining.
Yes, intuition. I was just reading about it before I came here to post. Intuition, inner wisdom – parts of our true Essence, the Essence which lies in each of us and which joins us all. The Alice Walker quote speaks to me. The Kingdom of God is within you. Oops – the early church slipped when they neglected to edit that out of Luke. By no accident were those ancient, esoteric manuscripts lost. If adherents knew the Kingdom was within them, there would be no need for the ch...
Yes, intuition. I was just reading about it before I came here to post. Intuition, inner wisdom – parts of our true Essence, the Essence which lies in each of us and which joins us all. The Alice Walker quote speaks to me. The Kingdom of God is within you. Oops – the early church slipped when they neglected to edit that out of Luke. By no accident were those ancient, esoteric manuscripts lost. If adherents knew the Kingdom was within them, there would be no need for the church. Its very existence was at stake.
I got my second shot about a month ago. It’s a relief, but it hasn’t changed my behavior.
Mike – Agreed. The Buddha taught that acceptance alleviates suffering. Resisting or denying that you are in pain brings only more pain. Suppressing those strong emotions causes more suffering. Accepting and even befriending suffering, inviting it in for a cup of tea, decreases its intensity, moment by moment.
A couple of days ago you mentioned Sufi. I just picked up a copy of Rumi’s “Treasury of Wisdom” and have been reading a little each morning.
This sounds very similar to Gnosticism?
{{Hugs}}, DeVonna. I’m in the same situation, except there aren’t grandchildren. I try to be better myself and be happy with who I am. Regardless of if she comes back, I’ll still have that.
It requires skill. Skills can be learned, more easily in a class or with a therapist; barring that, they can be learned through observation, but that is more difficult. Some are born with a more innate ability, but that doesn’t means skills can’t be learned by the others. Been there.
That’s amazing. I go to a Unitarian Universalist church. One Sunday we did an exercise where we all laughed, at first for no reason, but then everything became funny and we laughed for about 15 minutes.
Love this. I like “deep” stuff and epiphanies, too.
Hi Dusty, what is a loving laughter session?
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