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Gratefulness
Love is the endless ocean of God. ~ Rumi
When? Every time I’ve stopped and actually trusted it! Every single time 🙂
There’s a beautiful white and pink orchid on our kitchen table that I’m appreciating right now.
The most important of them all (and there are many) was when I learned to forgive myself. It was only a few years ago, and there are still some things that come up, but I do the work and do my best to move forward.
Being a surfer where the waves aren’t super consistent, I know all about the art of waiting! Waiting for the next wave has taught me great patience, and I’ve learned over the years to be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds me and for the opportunity to be sitting in the ocean, catching up with friends, talking a little smack and laughing, seeing a pod of dolphins swim by, noticing the diamonds on the water from the life-giving sun above… I’ve used those lessons ...
Being a surfer where the waves aren’t super consistent, I know all about the art of waiting! Waiting for the next wave has taught me great patience, and I’ve learned over the years to be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds me and for the opportunity to be sitting in the ocean, catching up with friends, talking a little smack and laughing, seeing a pod of dolphins swim by, noticing the diamonds on the water from the life-giving sun above… I’ve used those lessons in the rest of my life and think I’m pretty good at making waiting an art… most of the time! When I feel anxious from waiting, I lean into my breath. Focusing on my breath brings me back to me.
That I don’t have to wear a fancy title at work to be happy. I’m so grateful I stepped out of management. And also that despite how healed I feel from past situations, I still have work to do.
The beach or the mountains. The beach I think of is a place I visited in Costa Rica, and the mountains I love are the Appalachian, particularly in the Western NC and Eastern TN area. My mind calms just typing them out here! I must add that I can find peace anytime I need it, and it’s in my breath. Pranayama calms the mind and the nervous system very well.
Practicing gratitude helps me pause in situations that before would have caused me to react, get anxious, or upset. Now I know there is a lesson hidden in those things, and having come out of all other scenarios, I know that this, too, will pass. Plus, practicing gratitude feels good!
I think they would say that I am kind, positive, compassionate, and hard working. What can I learn from this? Perhaps that the work I’ve done on myself and the effort I put into what I do is all worth it. I just want us all to be happy, so I’m doing what I can to help 🙂
Later this morning, I am collaborating with a surf sister… we will be sharing waves (probably with lots of others) and enjoying the swell from Hurricane Fiona. Surfing with others, sharing that energy and joy, always makes things better. I can’t wait!
I write gratitude in my journal every morning after meditation, but I practice throughout the day as life happens. Thank you for letting me wake up. Thank you for letting me see a rainbow. Thank you for the nice people I get to interact with… there are so many opportunities to practice, for which I’m also grateful for!
When I leave for work, it’s still dark. Yesterday morning, I walked outside and looked up at the sky. The stars were so bright and beautiful. It made me feel so small yet reminded me that I’m part of something so big. The vastness of the sky always fills me with awe.
By trusting. Trusting the process. Trusting myself. Trusting the Universe/God/Source.
My husband, cat and dog. My parents, siblings, nieces and nephews and all the extended family. My friends at work. We lean on each other and make each other laugh when needed. So many along my path who helped me grow and be a better me, most of whom will never realize it.
Acceptance teaches us to go with the flow, to be here now, to release the grip on control. The possibilities are peace of mind, freedom, and a general wellness of being.
There was the time I was fired from what I thought I’d be doing perhaps forever. I was managing a small local holistic pet supply store and really loved it. The owners, however, were involved in a cult, led by a person who calls himself a life coach. I, too, saw that “coach” for a little while, but ended ties when I felt him trying to control my life. I never spoke of that to them because they loved him so much. Two days before a dream trip to Costa Rica (4 months after having ended a t...
There was the time I was fired from what I thought I’d be doing perhaps forever. I was managing a small local holistic pet supply store and really loved it. The owners, however, were involved in a cult, led by a person who calls himself a life coach. I, too, saw that “coach” for a little while, but ended ties when I felt him trying to control my life. I never spoke of that to them because they loved him so much. Two days before a dream trip to Costa Rica (4 months after having ended a toxic marriage), they fired me. First they thanked me for helping build their business (I’d been there 8 years), but then said we were on different paths and that if I would consider going back to Keith, I might be able to save my job. I laugh at that now. I trusted the process. If they wouldn’t have fired me, I may never have met my soulmate who I married a year and a half ago since we met at work where I’ve been 4 years now. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
I’m also grateful for the letter of apology and rekindled friendship with the main owner, who told me that they were influenced by Keith and that she and her husband had to leave the state to get away from him. Even better is that I’ve had people I know who were followers of his who’ve come to me to tell me they got out (easy to find me at a grocery store). Some of them hadn’t talked to their families in 14 years, some longer, but they had cut everyone out who wasn’t a “student” of Keith’s. They got their lives back! What a great blessing. And I heard Keith is leaving the area because all of his people found out the truth. Another blessing, although I hope wherever he goes he does not cause as much harm as he did here over the past twenty years.
I pray she’s okay and will be found soon.
I’m right up the coast from you, Avril! In lower Charleston County. Today is yard cleanup day for us, and I’m just praying that the storm surge doesn’t flood the area too bad. I feel safe at home but am supposed to work Friday which is not looking very good right now.
I’m glad she left and hope that everything will be okay for a safe return home.
I pray everything will be okay with that storm. We will be dealing with him later this week, although not to the same degree as Florida. Be safe and take care, Michele <3
Thank you for your kindness, Antionette! I hope you are feeling good today 🙂
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