Thank you for your kind words, Sheila. I too find meaning and inspiration in thinking about how resilient my elders were and have been over the course of their long lives. May we honor their example!

So true, Craig! I love how you note that thriving comes in the form of helping out our community, even in seemingly small ways.

Glad this resonates with you, Tom! I think the quote Sheila references in her comment affirms that appreciation and prayer go hand-in-hand.

Thank you for sharing your experience and appreciation, Sheila! Grateful for you.

Much to live indeed! I appreciate your acknowledgment, Thomas. Thank you for sharing your experience with the piece.

YES to dance, dance, dance. Happy to hear you were open to the spark. And thanks for those yummy adjectives….life takes on such a different tone when I live according to food metaphors. 😀

Thank you, Betsy! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂

Thank you, Miguelie! Wonderful to hear that the connection between openness and acceptance resonates. May it offer inspiration through your days. Peace to you as well.

And your words of appreciation mean so much to me. Thank you for receiving my offering with wonder. Love to you as well!

Virtual hugs to you, Sieger des Friedens! Your kind note fills my heart. I’m sorry to hear that your curiosity was stifled growing up. Here’s to needing no permission to go deep, stretching into the lifeforce that wants to live through you!

I’m grateful to hear more about your experience, Anna–thank you for sharing! I have a long path to walk too…and our current situation begs for lots of compassion toward ourselves and the world. I hope you continue to find wisdom in the meaningful reflection you seem to already have so supportively interwoven in your life.

Thank you for your affirmation! I am glad to know I’m not alone…how wonderful to hear how liberating embracing imperfection has felt for you!

And I am grateful for your voice, Betsy! The word “tenderness” guides me often. Thank you for your reflection.

Thank you for the kind words, Chuck! And thank you for all you do as well to walk the talk!

I love Alanis, Allan! Thank you for reminding me of this song…

Thank you as well, Nancy, for listening and sharing! I’m grateful that you felt inspired enough by the blog to both revisit it and share it with others. I don’t know how wise I feel, but I can say that viewing it all as practice feels nourishing for me, as I hope it does for you. Heartfelt thanks for your gracious and encouraging comment.

I’m not familiar with this book – I look forward to exploring it. Thank you for the recommendation!

I’m feeling moved by your comment, Missy. It brings me to joy to hear that this reflection might serve, particularly in this moment of time for you. May you find yourself in touch with other treasured forms of inspiration as well. Wishing you gentleness and care of heart in all of your exploration.

Thank you for your kind words, Ed! I’m resonating with your reference to Rumi’s “The Guest House” — it seems a poem perfectly suited to any conversation about acceptance and grateful living as a whole. And Br. David’s invitation to deep presence through Stop. Look. Go. is a gift indeed, one that provides helpful support as we explore acceptance in our day-to-day lives. I’m grateful for your well wishes.