Dear 333USA, We hear you on your preference to “not see anybody say anything of politics, unless there is a specific accomplishment for the people that you can point to.” In the interest of maintaining an inviting and trustworthy space for the cultivation of the core values of grateful living, we have created guidelines we invite you and others to review and take to heart. Here is a link to the guidelines: https://gratefulness.org/community-engagement-guidelines/ You can also find them if you scroll all the way down on the very bottom left of your screen. We appreciate that, on the whole, those of you who engage in these shared spaces tend to the space and each other with responsibility and care, which feels precious (in an online world where this is so frequently not the case), and for this we are grateful.

Thank you for sharing your heart and situation with us here, dear Creek. To be honest, the very fact that you were moved by Tim’s writing and can see the beauty and possibility in his story makes me think that you have indeed already stepped on to the “magical path” of gratefulness. And what a very difficult time you are going through, goodness me, no wonder you are feeling challenged in finding a way to shift your focus.

Your asking for concrete steps to take brought to mind some writing from Br. David (who also has experienced depression and hardship in his life). The first is his response to a site visitor in a Q&A https://gratefulness.org/resource/step-back-step-up-step-out and from there he directs the reader to his essay: Awake, Aware, and Alert which outlines steps one might take to open to gratefulness.

Another practice that may offer some support is one related to hard feelings: https://gratefulness.org/resource/healing-feelings/

This piece might prove helpful too: https://gratefulness.org/blog/cultivating-practice-grateful-living-as-a-way-of-life/

We will be publishing a book next year that will offer more “How do I do this?” support and suggestions too.

We hope some of the above will get you started. Please know we are so glad you are here and are grateful for your presence.

With kindness…

Hi Kathleen, Thank you for sharing this! I think there are many of us that can relate to what you are saying.
Here are a few articles that may fit what you are looking for: There’s a section of Br. David’s book “Essential writings” that focuses on purpose and meaning. Maria Popova excerpts the book here: https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/12/22/david-steindl-rast-leisure-gratefulness/

And there is this: https://gratefulness.org/resource/work-and-leisure/

Please feel free to take a look at our website’s ‘Areas or Interest’ here https://gratefulness.org/explore/interests/

You can also find more from Brother David here https://gratefulness.org/brother-david/about-brother-david/ scroll to the bottom and you will see our archive of Brother David’s work.
Have a lovely day Kathleen!