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Gratefulness
Even in “bad times” I can recognize and savor my everyday blessings beginning with the realization that I am alive. I can remember that I have faith, a faith community, a family, friends and associates. I can remember that I have food, water, housing, heat or cooling when needed, healthcare, dental care, transportation, books, music, TV, films and the internet to expand and enrich my world. I have interesting and satisfying activities to do. I have treasured memories of people, pets, ...
Even in “bad times” I can recognize and savor my everyday blessings beginning with the realization that I am alive. I can remember that I have faith, a faith community, a family, friends and associates. I can remember that I have food, water, housing, heat or cooling when needed, healthcare, dental care, transportation, books, music, TV, films and the internet to expand and enrich my world. I have interesting and satisfying activities to do. I have treasured memories of people, pets, places and experiences I’ve enjoyed. I also have ways to give my time, talent and treasure to causes I support. There are so many gifts I’ve been privileged to receive. Deo Gratias.
Today I can and do appreciate that I am alive and the recipient of abundant gifts. I am grateful for many people, places and experiences that have enriched and enlarged my life. I look forward to the future. Gratitude makes my life worth living despite its challenges.
This is a challenging question for me. I’ve been reflecting on it off and on for several hours. The best answer I can give from my perspective is that “feeling” grateful is an emotion. I might feel grateful or I might not. “Being” grateful is a state of being. I recognize my blessings or assets using my mind so, for me, it is an intellectual action. I can be grateful without feeling the emotion. That is helpful to recognize.
I don’t treasure my body as I should since it is a gift from God. Occasionally I do notice and give thanks for this gift. I use my five senses, brain and voice daily. I realize how important they are to me and how my life depends on them. I am consciously improving my physical self-care though I have much room for improvement. I pray often for increased consciousness and commitment to physical self-care. My recent emergency surgery made this need more apparent to me.
When I stop, look and then act in a conscious way, as Brother David recommends, I recognize how my choices lead me to facing the dark or the light. I am much healthier and more able to solve problems and improve my life situation when I face the dark rather than deny or avoid it. Using spiritual resources and honestly communicating with a few select individuals helps me develop the courage and commitment I need to take responsible action.
I get the most effective help from prayer, reflection, my faith tradition and the many opportunities it provides to gather in person or online. I use the resources it provides such as books, magazine articles and music. I also get help from remembering how my grandmother, parents and other people I admire handled their own darkness. When I remember that I am well supported and do these spiritual practices, I can experience darkness and move through it to the light.
I am grateful to be 4 weeks past emergency surgery and recovering very well. I am regaining strength, balance, motivation to act on rehabilitation recommendations from my healthcare providers and desire to complete some important projects. Today I will walk outside in the sunshine with my new walker and later use my new electric recliner for rehab. I am grateful for excellent healthcare, family support and new rehab equipment. I begin this summer with renewed appreciation for the gift of ...
I am grateful to be 4 weeks past emergency surgery and recovering very well. I am regaining strength, balance, motivation to act on rehabilitation recommendations from my healthcare providers and desire to complete some important projects. Today I will walk outside in the sunshine with my new walker and later use my new electric recliner for rehab. I am grateful for excellent healthcare, family support and new rehab equipment. I begin this summer with renewed appreciation for the gift of life and my responsibility to be a good steward of it – my own life, the life of family and friends and the life of this planet. Deo Gratias!
I have more than enough stuff – the acquisitions of a long life and living 34 years in the same home. At 78-years old, this stuff is a burden, not a blessing. However, when I sift through all the possessions, I find some hold great meaning and value for me. Among these are photos of family, friends, special experiences; books; music; objects from my childhood home or given as gifts to me by loved ones. I will be working on “pruning” the excess stuff for the remainder of this year in...
I have more than enough stuff – the acquisitions of a long life and living 34 years in the same home. At 78-years old, this stuff is a burden, not a blessing. However, when I sift through all the possessions, I find some hold great meaning and value for me. Among these are photos of family, friends, special experiences; books; music; objects from my childhood home or given as gifts to me by loved ones. I will be working on “pruning” the excess stuff for the remainder of this year in preparation for selling our home and moving to a new smaller one. This special time will be one of remembrance and gratitude. I thank God and others for their loving kindness, generosity and the abundant gifts they gave to me. Deo Gracias!
If I believed that every moment is a gift, I would be conscious of the abundant blessings I experience every day. I would stop – look – listen – rejoice – savor. I would be radically amazed by this unmerited grace.
I experience reverence and awe in nature, in sacred places like some cathedrals, churches and chapels, in great music and art, in contemplation, prayer and meditation. In these thin places, I sense the tangible presence of God and rejoice in our personal relationship.
The first stories I remembered were told by my paternal grandmother and father. They spoke of challenge, resilience, humor, adventure, the Old West and achievement. I loved the stories and the storytellers. I love remembering them today. I also heard stories of historical figures and saints in my Catholic schools – role models. I feel challenged and liberated by these stories, not limited. The stories I tell myself about me are similar to the ones I was told. I also tell stories abou...
The first stories I remembered were told by my paternal grandmother and father. They spoke of challenge, resilience, humor, adventure, the Old West and achievement. I loved the stories and the storytellers. I love remembering them today. I also heard stories of historical figures and saints in my Catholic schools – role models. I feel challenged and liberated by these stories, not limited. The stories I tell myself about me are similar to the ones I was told. I also tell stories about memorable and rewaring experiences I’ve had. They make me happy. I choose to remember the good, the true and the beautiful and to release or reframe stories that harm me. This conscious practice works well for me. I am grateful for it.
I was fired from a job because I did not do a very important project for the CEO even though I had ample time to do it. I was distracted by the plethora of responsibilities I had and did not prioritize this one at a high enough level. It was the first time I was fired and I felt ashamed. The job loss had very serious financial impacts for my family. I deeply regretted the situation. I was able to accept it because I recognized that the firing was just. I was angry at myself but not at o...
I was fired from a job because I did not do a very important project for the CEO even though I had ample time to do it. I was distracted by the plethora of responsibilities I had and did not prioritize this one at a high enough level. It was the first time I was fired and I felt ashamed. The job loss had very serious financial impacts for my family. I deeply regretted the situation. I was able to accept it because I recognized that the firing was just. I was angry at myself but not at others. I learned more about humility, accountability and the importance of focus. All in all, it was a growthful experience for me and one from which I recovered.
I am thankful to God and my parents for my life. I am thankful for my faith, family, friends, teachers and colleagues. I have been accompanied by so many wonderful people throughout my life – people I’ve known in person or virtually through books, media and the internet. They inspire, challenge and encourage me to be the best person I can be at this time in this place. I am thankful for the wonderful pets who shared my life – dogs, cats and horses. I am thankful for nature, the per...
I am thankful to God and my parents for my life. I am thankful for my faith, family, friends, teachers and colleagues. I have been accompanied by so many wonderful people throughout my life – people I’ve known in person or virtually through books, media and the internet. They inspire, challenge and encourage me to be the best person I can be at this time in this place. I am thankful for the wonderful pets who shared my life – dogs, cats and horses. I am thankful for nature, the performing arts, education and democracy. I am thankful for food, water, housing, heat and other comforts. I am thankful for my health. I am thankful to be a small part of this magnificent whole. Deo Gratias!
If I take time to become conscious of what I really think and feel about something and act courageously, I will have my whole heart behind my words. I want to be compassionate and skillful in speaking as well.
When I am being critical, I focus on the negative and miss the positive in people, animals, experiences, places and myself. This diminishes my curiosity, calm, confidence, compassion, creativity, courage, clarity, and sense of connectedness – components of interior wellness according to Richard Schwartz, PhD, developer of the Internal Family Systems Model of Psychotherapy. As a result, the possibility of joy is greatly decreased for me.
I admire many women and men who’ve taught me in formal and informal ways to be a better person and global citizen. They prepared me for my professional work and retirement. Lately I’ve been remembering my 1959 – 1960 high school World Affairs teacher and debate coach – Sister Virginia Mary of Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle. She was a great teacher who inspired me to care about what was happening in the world, read the newspaper, talk about articles that interested me and wh...
I admire many women and men who’ve taught me in formal and informal ways to be a better person and global citizen. They prepared me for my professional work and retirement. Lately I’ve been remembering my 1959 – 1960 high school World Affairs teacher and debate coach – Sister Virginia Mary of Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle. She was a great teacher who inspired me to care about what was happening in the world, read the newspaper, talk about articles that interested me and why they mattered to me. She coached me to become a skillful debater and public speaker so I could share my ideas with others. She told us “You are the intelligentsia and it is your responsibility to know (and care) about what is happening in the world. That mission has guided my life for the past 60 years. I hope she would be pleased with me. I regret I never directly told her how much she meant to me and how much she influenced my life. Thank you Sister Virginia Mary, you were an outstanding person and teacher who made a real difference in my life.
In the las 24 hours, I received forgiveness from a friend. I forgot a scheduled phone call with her because I was focused on solving a technology problem affecting a meeting I am leading tomorrow. When we finally connected, she was very gracious about my error. We are rescheduling the call. I am grateful she was not offended by my error nor did she take it personally. That was a relief and a gift.
I show others that I care about them by listening deeply to them and noticing what is happening in their lives. I show them I care by making relevant, appreciative comments about their journey and acting supportively. I show them I care about our relationship by being open and honest with them about my own journey as well.
Yes!
Yes, thorns are an inevitable part of life and can lead us to great life lessons. For me, the question is how long do I choose to dwell in the thorns and when is it time to move toward the roses. Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, taught and wrote about desolations (thorns) and consolations (roses). He valued both and believed they can equally lead us to inner peace and relationship with the Devine. I value thorns and roses in my life as they have made me a better person.
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