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Daily Question, May 3

How does it feel, and what opens up, when I bring reverence to a daily activity?

  • yourlady

    I have the impression that I am conversing with the universe. It brings out my true self. When I write down my thoughts, it reveals how deeply I feel.

  • dinaaq

    It brings my attention to the present moment, and all the worries and the stress that were lingering and causing overthinking seem to melt away. I feel like I open up to more expansive thoughts like feeling anything is possible and things are much more positive than I had previously been thinking.

  • Don Jones

    It becomes Wu Wei – a moment when I don’t need to do anything, yet everything is perfect.

  • Pilgrim

    I’m not sure that I bring the reverence exactly. When I am out walking among the many trees here or along the shore, I tend to slow down, breathe more deeply, and pay greater attention. I am moved to appreciation, joy, reverence and gratitude for the activity, the place, and the opportunity to be there at that moment.

  • Hermann-Josef

    It might be dangerous. I could fall in love with that daily activity

  • pkr

    A calmness, a quiet joy, peacefulness. Gratitude for the opportunity for the activity. As Kristi Nelson said (in a gratitude lesson, a while back), responsibility is a privilege. ( I am paraphrasing). Those words have stuck with me & many responsibilities, chores etc. have become lighter, when I remember those words.
    Thank you Kristi Nelson. 🙏❤️

    • dinaaq

      I love the “responsibility is a privilege” it’s such a great way to frame it. Making a note of it, thanks

  • Butterfly

    I am filled with an inner peace and joy whenever I take stock and really think about what I am doing or perhaps what I am eating. Although it is difficult to do that when I am feeling particularly ill.

  • Cathie

    For me, to consciously be reverent increases my awareness in the moment and hopefully opens me more fully to the graces that reverence brings.

  • Diane
    This is a very meaningful question for me.. Just thIs weekend I had an experience of being out in a spectacular, breathtaking nature setting. I purposefully closed my eyes and became fully present with tremendous gratitude for what I was experiencing. "Reverence" doesn't even begin to describe my feelings and state of being at this moment. But this was an "extra-ordinary" day. I feel inspired by this question to bring a little bit of that reverence into my daily "ordinary" activities........

    This is a very meaningful question for me.. Just thIs weekend I had an experience of being out in a spectacular, breathtaking nature setting. I purposefully closed my eyes and became fully present with tremendous gratitude for what I was experiencing. “Reverence” doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings and state of being at this moment. But this was an “extra-ordinary” day. I feel inspired by this question to bring a little bit of that reverence into my daily “ordinary” activities…..instead of my usual zoning out.

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  • carol

    a rare occurrence in experiencing daily activities– in pondering the question, I can see that I have more opportunities in a day to experience appreciation, wonder, awe… hmm– a reminder to give my attention more fully to my activities

  • Chester

    Invigorating and freeing – welcoming infinite possibility, per the daily word.

  • dragonfly

    The only activity I can think of that comes close to bringing reverence to a daily activity is my daily morning cuddle session with my cat Shadow. I feel love and joy and awe. And sometimes I feel sadness because with his 21 years he is old for a cat and I don’t know how long I will still have these cuddle sessions. All other activities I can bring mindfulness to…at best.

  • Barb C
    To be honest I wouldn't say I do this for daily activities. I bring attention, yes, awareness, mindfulness, focus, appreciation--although I'm with Kevin on not devoting too much of myself to the toilet-cleaning task. Get 'er done, that's what I say. But reverence... that's a bigger lift. Merriam-Webster definition says "profound adoring awed respect". I think I've been reserving that level for things in the natural world. (In that vein I'll share this poem link in part for the poem itself, in pa...

    To be honest I wouldn’t say I do this for daily activities. I bring attention, yes, awareness, mindfulness, focus, appreciation–although I’m with Kevin on not devoting too much of myself to the toilet-cleaning task. Get ‘er done, that’s what I say. But reverence… that’s a bigger lift. Merriam-Webster definition says “profound adoring awed respect”. I think I’ve been reserving that level for things in the natural world. (In that vein I’ll share this poem link in part for the poem itself, in part for the gorgeous time lapse video of plants growing at the top of the page https://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2015/05/sharron-crowson-prayer-for-another.html). Or for the labors of others that make it possible for me to drink my morning coffee and eat food I didn’t grow, as another category of moments when I might pause and think more deeply. I’m going to have to think about reverence.

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  • Carol
    It nurtures my ability to be fully present and I feel calm instead of rushed--present to the Presence. This question reminded me of an entry in my journal: I brewed some hot tea and began chopping veggies for the salad I would eat later in the day. All the while my mind was racing; my inner-world pacing from the past to the future. Then, something in me cried, “Halt,” and the carrot in my hand seemed to speak, “If you’re going to peel and shred me into little pieces, the least yo...

    It nurtures my ability to be fully present and I feel calm instead of rushed–present to the Presence.

    This question reminded me of an entry in my journal: I brewed some hot tea and began chopping veggies for the salad I would eat later in the day. All the while my mind was racing; my inner-world pacing from the past to the future. Then, something in me cried, “Halt,” and the carrot in my hand seemed to speak, “If you’re going to peel and shred me into little pieces, the least you can be is present. Soon I’ll grace your salad bowl and provide you with nourishment. Could we just have a moment of at-one-ment?” My mind snapped to attention. I was totally present to that carrot, aware of its gift to me. I felt my weary body relax. I said, “Thank you, Mr. Carrot.”

    Read More
    • Diane

      Thank you for sharing this Carol….I can so relate to this! Sigh…my monkey mind! I love the idea of speaking to inanimate objects to snap back in. Blessings ♥

  • Mary Pat

    It slows things down for me, and I am then aware of things I may have missed. It’s kind of like doing a small meditation during daily activities.

    • Cathie

      Yes! Mary Pat – that is what it does for me too! I couldn’t articulate it but you caught it!!!

  • devy

    Right now when I do my daily meditations, journaling, reading these questions and lighting the candle. And oh yes, sipping my coffee as I listen to the birds singing and watch daylight dissipating the darkness signaling a new day, new opportunities!

  • Antoinette

    Right now all I can do is pray 🙏

  • EJP

    Imense gratitude and understanding.

  • Michele

    peaceful.

  • Kevin

    It depends on what the particular activity is. Some activities are chore-like, and we get them done in order to move on to other activities that hold more potential for joy and sometimes reverence. For example, I have yet to experience feelings of reverence when I clean a toilet, but I enjoy with wonder each and every time that I see the sun come up.

    • Butterfly

      Haha, Kevin! I can actually feel reverence when cleaning the toilet as many years ago I was too ill to get to the bathroom and had to use a commode for over 4 years. Now I have a toilet and washbasin installed in my room I never take it for granted. The conveniences we have of a sewage system and running water at the turn of a tap are something I am truly grateful for on a daily basis.

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