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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.
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.
Yes!
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