What comes to my mind is giving back and trying to do the “right thing” in our day to day activities. Small or large acts of kindness can go a long way!
I am moved to sing, often with joy and sometimes with sadness for our broken world. I am inspired to express my gratitude to the people in my life who are such gifts. I am more likely to extend kindnesses. Alas, my “changing the world” on a larger scale is no longer possible for me, but that used to be my thing.
To be honest, I brought my values into this practice of gratitude and was already someone who takes action in the world. That’s rooted in the way my mother in particular raised me, to recognize how lucky I was and to feel a sense of responsibility to use what I’ve been given to make a difference. Maybe I’m reading into the question the idea that it’s the formal practice, whereas my gratitude has been here all along. The practice of starting each day with this site and other readings reminds me to reflect every morning on how much I have, how fortunate I am, and to feel grateful for those gifts.
When I am in touch with gratitude,
I am more likely to let others know
how grateful I am for their friendship.
I am also more likely to reach out to
others who may be suffering and I am
also more inclined to take better care
of myself. It’s really a cascading effect.
I tell myself, it’s a good thing when the question makes me feel a little hesitant to answer. Naturally, I want to say something lofty. However, I feel as though living gratefully—which to me is being consistent with my daily spiritual practices and personal commitments—I become fully conscious of my actions. Therefore, I am able to make my smallest actions from intentionality, love, and kindness. Ultimately, this provides kindling for bigger action. But, on a day to day it’s informing me to talk gently to the children, be patient with my husband, to let other drivers pull out, to savor moments with my mother, etc. I believe my awakened love spills out by encouraging those I engage with to also act skillfully. Then the actions vibrate upwards and outwards. So, in fact, are there really any “small” or “large” actions—or perhaps there are “skillful” and “unskillful”/ “asleep” and “awake”/ “fear” and “love”?
As Laura said, “Yes, Yes, Yes…” Our intention controls our attention. Today’s quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa “The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need to do is set our sails” is a reminder that how I set my sails matters. I’m so very grateful for your post, Avril.
I am a part of the world and the universe, any and every action I conduct is in and of this world in the exact moment that I conduct or take it. I must be present in the moment and be grateful for this present moment as the next is not guaranteed. I am inspired to exhibit good actions over selfish.
“Keep on – keeping on!” Observing the presence and agency of gratitude in my life doesn’t mean that I need to be doing more because of it. For me, what it means is that I am able to clear the clutter that obscures the wonder of ordinary moments to be fully present and grateful for each of them as they come throughout my day.
Living gratefully I am more aware of all the resources this planet offers and I am inspired to fully appreciate those resources and not waste them. I am also inspired to support those businesses and groups who honestly try to work with our planet instead of depleting it and sacrificing those resources for pure greed.
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What comes to my mind is giving back and trying to do the “right thing” in our day to day activities. Small or large acts of kindness can go a long way!
I am moved to sing, often with joy and sometimes with sadness for our broken world. I am inspired to express my gratitude to the people in my life who are such gifts. I am more likely to extend kindnesses. Alas, my “changing the world” on a larger scale is no longer possible for me, but that used to be my thing.
To be honest, I brought my values into this practice of gratitude and was already someone who takes action in the world. That’s rooted in the way my mother in particular raised me, to recognize how lucky I was and to feel a sense of responsibility to use what I’ve been given to make a difference. Maybe I’m reading into the question the idea that it’s the formal practice, whereas my gratitude has been here all along. The practice of starting each day with this site and other readings reminds me to reflect every morning on how much I have, how fortunate I am, and to feel grateful for those gifts.
When I am in touch with gratitude,
I am more likely to let others know
how grateful I am for their friendship.
I am also more likely to reach out to
others who may be suffering and I am
also more inclined to take better care
of myself. It’s really a cascading effect.
When living gratefully, I appreciate my life and all that is in it.
When I live gratefully, I am inspired to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, replace judging others with understanding them.
Does the quantity of the action matter? I am called to act kindly and responsibly.
If everyone acted with kindness and responsibility, what a world we would have!
I am inspired to always be kind and willing to grow.
Positive, loving energy and light.
Peace, the world really needs Peace.
So true dear Michele. Give Peace a Chance.
I tell myself, it’s a good thing when the question makes me feel a little hesitant to answer. Naturally, I want to say something lofty. However, I feel as though living gratefully—which to me is being consistent with my daily spiritual practices and personal commitments—I become fully conscious of my actions. Therefore, I am able to make my smallest actions from intentionality, love, and kindness. Ultimately, this provides kindling for bigger action. But, on a day to day it’s informing me to talk gently to the children, be patient with my husband, to let other drivers pull out, to savor moments with my mother, etc. I believe my awakened love spills out by encouraging those I engage with to also act skillfully. Then the actions vibrate upwards and outwards. So, in fact, are there really any “small” or “large” actions—or perhaps there are “skillful” and “unskillful”/ “asleep” and “awake”/ “fear” and “love”?
As Laura said, “Yes, Yes, Yes…” Our intention controls our attention. Today’s quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa “The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need to do is set our sails” is a reminder that how I set my sails matters. I’m so very grateful for your post, Avril.
Yes, yes and yes, Avril. Small, seemingly inconsequential actions matter a great deal. This is such an impactful response to the question.
I am a part of the world and the universe, any and every action I conduct is in and of this world in the exact moment that I conduct or take it. I must be present in the moment and be grateful for this present moment as the next is not guaranteed. I am inspired to exhibit good actions over selfish.
Amen!
We’re saying the same thing, lol.
“Keep on – keeping on!” Observing the presence and agency of gratitude in my life doesn’t mean that I need to be doing more because of it. For me, what it means is that I am able to clear the clutter that obscures the wonder of ordinary moments to be fully present and grateful for each of them as they come throughout my day.
I am inspired to live simply and give more.
Living gratefully I am more aware of all the resources this planet offers and I am inspired to fully appreciate those resources and not waste them. I am also inspired to support those businesses and groups who honestly try to work with our planet instead of depleting it and sacrificing those resources for pure greed.
I happened to read a poem about butterflies yesterday and thought of it when I saw your avatar, so I’ll share a link to it here.
“Butterflies” by Samuel Green
https://www.americanlifeinpoetry.org/columns/detail/704
Thank you, Barb. That’s a beautiful peom 🥰
I wish everyone felt the way you do, Butterfly. We need this ethos around the world to save the world.
Thank you butterfly, I’m gonna stick with your answer. It’s the best one ever for telling the truth about taking care of our resources and our mother!
A mindset for the masses Butterfly. Thank you.