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Gratefulness
It allows me to show up for others and opens me to the gifts of care from them as well … it roots me … gives me purpose …
Thank you to the Gratefulness Team, to Brother David and (on another site…) Richard Rohr for their writings and thoughts which are giving me spiritual guidance, insight and direction these days. And thank you to the group of spiritual comrades who check in here on the Daily Question. Even if I don’t always post, I find your thoughts helpful and I appreciate you, whoever and wherever you are. Blessings to you this day.
Right now, in this moment? My husband, taking out and then feeding our dog in the pre-dawn. But also I give my whole-hearted thanks to one of my brothers who has taken on lots of additional work and responsibility for our extended family.
I had a basically happy childhood in which I was loved and affirmed…and rooted. I loved reading, music, nature, learning new skills, being a tomboy in the woods… all things I still enjoy. I had grandparents who loved me and I am blessed to pass along that love as a grandma myself now. I am so grateful.
The first image that came to me with the phrase “spread my wings” wasn’t so much in the sense of a nestling who is spreading its wings to fly, but rather the mother bird or hen who spreads her wings over her chicks in protection (image in scripture, Luke 13:34) . So I may be being invited to be protective of others and provide a safe, sheltering place …
Yes, I commit to this! I almost didn’t post any kind of reply at all – because I simply wanted to affirm my commitment and that didn’t seem “post-worthy”. Then I realized that even my wee YES posted here might have an impact on the world in encouraging more simple YES responses!
Playing with my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter and 10 month old grandson… playing tennis …. hiking … and someone also said “cracking jokes” in one of the comments. I love a good pun or seeing the funny side of things. There’s nothing better than a playful and agile mind!
Today, specifically, I’ll write an email to a friend who had knee replacement and ask when I can drop by for coffee and a visit outside or on her breezeway.
In the past three days, I dug out a short row of beets which I’d grown from seed and planted; I roasted them, I peeled them and yesterday I made some beet soup – 4 quarts, of which I froze 3 for the future. I want to be aware of these kinds of simple acts as participation in the “great fullness.”
When we again believe in and act upon the principle of “The Common Good.”
Today, I will nurture the people I treasure by making a delicious and healthy dinner… the time it takes and the healthful ingredients I will use will represent my love and nurture.
I’ve noticed myself being able to just let something go – and not dwell on it. It’s regretful that something happened, but “oh well, I’m moving on…” and I’m not letting something eat at me and continue to infect my life.
Right here, right now – pre-dawn with the gradually lightening sky in the east… the dark silhouettes of the trees and leaves gently waving a ‘good morning’ to me in the breeze. A hot cup of coffee, the quiet, reflecting on gratefulness, setting the tone for the day… praying… centering … knowing: God. Is. Taking that first conscious breath, aware of the Spirit in me, sustaining my life …
Clearing out a townhouse for an elderly father and recently deceased mother the past week, I committed to letting go of a lot of “stuff” of my own – as well as not taking on the care of many of theirs. So I left many of their beloved possessions behind for a small ‘estate’ sale rather than hauling them home. My mother loved these things, but I need to let them go to some other home now and not my own. And it will help me to put my own stuff in perspective and ...
Clearing out a townhouse for an elderly father and recently deceased mother the past week, I committed to letting go of a lot of “stuff” of my own – as well as not taking on the care of many of theirs. So I left many of their beloved possessions behind for a small ‘estate’ sale rather than hauling them home. My mother loved these things, but I need to let them go to some other home now and not my own. And it will help me to put my own stuff in perspective and not devote my life to maintaining the storage of them!
Of course, there’s a whole other dimension of letting go of some emotional baggage too – but right now the physical baggage is what’s getting my attention. 🙂
There’s “different” and then there’s “different”, isn’t there? Someone who is morally and ethically at the opposite end of the values spectrum from me? Or hateful and angry? I experience these folks as toxic to my own spirit. While I will not disparage or hate them, and will also feel some compassion for them as children of God, I also don’t feel I am obligated to welcome them.
……”not all the “stories” we tell about our past are useful or necessary anymore. I believe the grace of letting go of these thoughts of repetitive stories of the past is a useful and necessary way to put path to liberation…..”
Thank you for those words this morning.
I love the image of the “no-judgment zone” and being perfectly at peace. Thank you!
Some years ago, I read about “toxic people” in one’s life… but I also realized I wanted to balance the forgiveness (70 x 7 ?) that Jesus speaks of. So regarding one particular toxic person in my life, I have forgiven them but no longer assume any responsibility for maintaining a relationship with them because it really is too poisonous to my spirit. I don’t know if that perspective helps, but I think sometimes we Christians take unhealthy punishment from a toxi...
Some years ago, I read about “toxic people” in one’s life… but I also realized I wanted to balance the forgiveness (70 x 7 ?) that Jesus speaks of. So regarding one particular toxic person in my life, I have forgiven them but no longer assume any responsibility for maintaining a relationship with them because it really is too poisonous to my spirit. I don’t know if that perspective helps, but I think sometimes we Christians take unhealthy punishment from a toxic person because we think it’s “faith-mandated” somehow. I believe there is another way to protect one’s own spirit and heart, but no longer expose oneself to the pain. Blessings, Antoinette.
Yes, prayers for you, EJP – and for all of us who are in various stages of trying to cope with these challenges.
Good point about “can” and “will” — I think I’ll ponder both today and make a commitment to the “will”.
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