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Gratefulness
It opens my eyes spiritually… a two-step process of awakening: 1) open eyelids; 2) open heart.
This one: I’m awake, breathing, grateful to be in the same room with a man and a dog I love, snow outlining the pine and birch branches outside my window, suet feeders hung waiting for the woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches who will visit shortly.
Breathe. Accept. Love. Give thanks.
It always helps the state of my own spirit and soul. When I let those resentments go, they don’t define my life any longer. That’s not to say that they are always completely gone – they rear their resentful heads now and again. So I breathe and let them pass and go on with my life.
“My grace is sufficient for you….” That’s not meant as an easy, go-to answer; it’s just true. Finally, that makes everything in my life sufficient.
Paradoxically, that God is teaching me to hold two opposed things in my heart and mind at the same time and it’ll be okay.
It is a gift to be increasingly willing to be self-reflective and not defensive, willing to confess, willing to change … I can best be these things when I feel fundamentally safe and loved – both by God, certainly, and also by my husband…. This isn’t so much “skillful” on my part as it is a gift of relationships both human and spiritual.
One response is “myself” – the mysteries of the personality and spirit and how God’s Spirit resides within me. Another response (right now) is more about Native American spirituality, particularly (again, right now) the Navajo and seeking harmony with the path of what is in nature and around me. There are so many individuals/artists/regular folks whose lives and ways of being intrigue me… and I find myself wanting to know more about them and what they have to...
One response is “myself” – the mysteries of the personality and spirit and how God’s Spirit resides within me. Another response (right now) is more about Native American spirituality, particularly (again, right now) the Navajo and seeking harmony with the path of what is in nature and around me. There are so many individuals/artists/regular folks whose lives and ways of being intrigue me… and I find myself wanting to know more about them and what they have to teach me.
I will make my gratitude to others known, expressing appreciation and building up, lifting up others.
Howie said it already: “Wear a mask.” And then, beyond that, stay home as much as possible and model caution through my own behavior. And then, beyond that, a phone call to Doreen who is in a nursing facility…. And then, beyond that …. I’ve got a list.
The ones not easily answered… the ones I have to ponder and hold…
Many…. but the response which immediately came to mind was “Poets – especially Mary Oliver … ” I think she can turn me back to the solace of God’s wild and beautiful creation, and help me ground my soul.
Gratefulness, because it is a mindful practice, encourages me to be more mindful about life overall: my relationships, the Creation, and all my human (and other sentient) companions on this journey.
Resigning from a position which in many ways I loved, but the toxic atmosphere with certain people was leading me to become a person I didn’t like. A radical shift – one of those “being true to my soul” decisions – has led to a more satisfying, faithful and rooted life. Amen.
Live in hope, be gentle, love, call out my best self — the self God knows I am and can be — as I meet this day…
Kevin, I get what you mean and some days I just want to go “meh”…. or something. Some days I don’t write anything but I’ll think about the question but there’s nothing I want to commit to writing. ( Personally, I’m glad I’m not in charge of thinking up these questions, though. Thank you to whoever’s job it is – we know it must be irksome some days to you, too!) But I was thinking that for the regulars on this thread, we ought to h...
Kevin, I get what you mean and some days I just want to go “meh”…. or something. Some days I don’t write anything but I’ll think about the question but there’s nothing I want to commit to writing. ( Personally, I’m glad I’m not in charge of thinking up these questions, though. Thank you to whoever’s job it is – we know it must be irksome some days to you, too!) But I was thinking that for the regulars on this thread, we ought to have a code word for “this just didn’t hit me today” or “I’m thinking, I’m thinking….” Something that tells the others “I was here and read your stuff; thanks for being part of my day….” Ideas, anyone?
I am right there with you, Kevin. The first response I had to this question was related to particular people who have turned out to be manipulative and conniving in my own life – and while I am also trying to pray with compassion for the broken soul within the one you mentioned, I cannot forgive the damage he’s done and continues to do. I’m glad God is God and that part isn’t up to me.
Blessings to you, Lioness.
Be safe! You and so many will be in our thoughts today.
Happy Birthday to your wife, and enjoy the loving distractions and commotion made by grandkids. Lovely!
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