Reflections

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  1. O.Christina

    Any time when giving freely, it feels as joy vice versa. A happy shared moment and lightful.

    1 year ago
  2. Mary Pat

    I look at giving as a sacrament. It blesses everyone. The giver as well as the receiver and even those who see this action happening are blessed.

    1 year ago
  3. Robin Ann

    There have been dark times in my life where I appreciated receiving when I was in need. Especially going through a divorce with 2 small children. I believe in giving back and pay it forward. I have volunteered for making meals for the needy. Tonight however, I am extremely grateful for my family for stepping up and wanting to send my daughter care packages. She is now in a new rehab and will be there for at least another 30 days if not more. It is truly a gift to me also to know she will be getting new types of therapies at her new treatment center. The good Lord is watching over her : )

    1 year ago
  4. Don Jones

    I am grateful for what has been given to me. My daily practices are an unfolding of the extent of the gift.

    1 year ago
  5. Linda

    I try to live by the mantra “Leave people better off than you found them.” Whether it is a smile, a conversation, or help of some kind, it makes a difference to me and to them.

    1 year ago
  6. pkr

    Giving just makes me feel better. Giving takes the focus off of me & onto someone else. It is a gift to give. ❤️

    1 year ago
  7. Erich617

    Many years ago, my next door neighbor let me know that, every other week, he had a group of friends come over to make food and distribute it to people living on the street. I joined and gladly participated for several years. It was so enriching, the experiences I had, the friendships I made. I am truly glad that it was a part of my life.

    1 year ago
  8. Diane

    Enjoyed so much reading all of your responses….what a kind, loving and generous community this is.
    “Joy” is a word that has been visiting me lately and asking for my attention. And “coincidentally” it is the gift of JOY that enriches my life when I am giving….in whatever form it takes. Perhaps a material gift that I chose thoughtfully for a particular person, perhaps the gift of my prayers for someone who is hurting or struggling, perhaps the gift of my attentive listening…there are so many ways to give. And each time I am enriched by joy. Another “coincidence”….I just learned this morning that today is apparently “Colorado Gives Day”. It seems this is an annual event in our new home state and I am grateful for this new way of giving to the non-profits in our area.
    Wishing you all much joy this day 🙏

    ps. A warm greeting to my long-time dear friend Pilgrim on this our celebrated Prayer Tuesday. Blessings friend. ♥

    1 year ago
    1. Pilgrim

      Dear Diane,
      I am a day late, so you may not see this. I had some computer issues yesterday and didn’t figure out what was going on until this morning. So in case you circle back around, know that I have been thinking of you and your family. May you find JOY in each day, in ways that may seem big or small.
      Blessings my friend!

      1 year ago
      1. Diane

        Good morning Pilgrim…so glad I checked back and found you here. 😊 I have had wonky computer issues at times. Glad you were able to resolve them.
        JOY continues to seek my attention. Henri Nouwen has been a wonderful teacher.
        Blessings to you as well my friend 🙏

        1 year ago
    2. Michele

      Diane, as I read your reflection today is National Joy Day!
      https://nationaltoday.com/national-joy-day/

      1 year ago
      1. Diane

        “Joy” is such a beautiful word…and name! Delighted to see that it is celebrated!
        Our younger daughter’s middle name is “Hope” which is a faithful companion to joy it seems to me.
        Blessings on your day Michele 🙏

        1 year ago
  9. Elaine

    The illusion of separateness is countered and I feel connected, alive and happy.
    https://grateful.org/appreciation-is-generative/

    1 year ago
  10. John T

    Definitely. I really like what Brother D says about, “let the gratefulness overflow into blessing all around you”. Still work in progress for me but when I am generous with an open heart I have sometimes found “grace” in the result which is a rare and wonderful quality of life to see and experience. But open heart seems to be a requirement otherwise it becomes a transaction and probably indirectly does harm.

    1 year ago
  11. Barb C

    Oh, the returns! In friendship or laughter or love or energy or all of the above. That’s when I give TIME, not THINGS. Gifting a thing can certainly yield appreciation if it’s thoughtfully selected or has emotional resonance, but giving of myself is a far greater gift to all involved.
    I’ve been reading my way through the poetry collection on the site, and coincidentally had this poem open in a different tab: https://grateful.org/resource/when-giving-is-all-we-have/

    1 year ago
  12. Carol

    Today’s quote says it well. Life’s a gift that can be taken away at any time. When I finally realized this I knew that life is for giving not for getting. I realized that if Creation is One then I Am part of this one Life. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” comes to mind. For me giving is going with the flow. We are instruments of the One Life and that Life is trustworthy if we can LET IT BE. Thomas Merton said, We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living and fruitful contradictions and paradoxes of which true life is full.” As Merton points out, it is about respect for “the contradictions and paradoxes.” I find that enriching because it is about process not product. When we respect life as gift, we become tue givers.

    1 year ago
    1. John T

      Very well said. I really never fully understood “life as a gift” or “precious life” beyond a concept level until experiencing intense grief from losing my wife. Grief appears to be a doorway for some people into understanding what you speak so skillfully describe..

      1 year ago
      1. Michele

        Hi John – your comment made me think of my work, I work for a Tissue Bank. I can reverse your words to ‘gift of life’. Thank God for Organ and Tissue donors-because of them many people’s lives have been saved and/or helped by their last act of giving. My thoughts are still with you as you grieve your wife.

        1 year ago
  13. Avril

    I love the expression “give of your time, talent, and treasure”. It gives me permission to give in numerous ways. I enjoy active service–getting my boots on the ground. I am instantly aware of the benefit I experience. I feel more connected, loved, and loving.

    1 year ago
  14. Joseph McCann

    I have been fortunate in my life. It has rung true to me that giving is receiving.

    1 year ago
  15. Laura

    Giving says, “I see you,” and it is glorious to both see and be seen.

    1 year ago
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