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Daily Question, August 30

How have I experienced gratefulness amidst periods of hardship or loss?

  • Ose

    To let gratefulness lead allows to listen with an open heart where pain has drawn me down into the deep dark, bringing light and possible awareness and change. Deeply grateful for this deep experience. Breathing in, breathing out, sending blessings to all of you.

  • Malag

    I have learnt over the years that there will always be something good, interesting, different, or transformational that comes out of the hard times. And I become more confident of this with each rough patch that hits. And I am grateful for this.

  • Dusty Su
    Presently, amidst significant loss, I am endeavoring to find a grateful focus for what is left, what I have to work with, and then how to reinvent a meaningful life using those bits. Having lost my independence, freedom, support base, a large part of my way of being, and swaths of my identity, I search through the rubble of the remains. Initially, it appears to be a disaster, not much to work with, but when digging deeper, I am surprised by the discovery of significant gems—the types a crisis ...

    Presently, amidst significant loss, I am endeavoring to find a grateful focus for what is left, what I have to work with, and then how to reinvent a meaningful life using those bits. Having lost my independence, freedom, support base, a large part of my way of being, and swaths of my identity, I search through the rubble of the remains. Initially, it appears to be a disaster, not much to work with, but when digging deeper, I am surprised by the discovery of significant gems—the types a crisis cannot destroy. Such treasures spur me on to find more and create a starter kit to build another way of being—possibly an even better one.

    All of this goes along wonderfully with today’s quote: “It is not a question of whether you ‘have what it takes,’ but of whether you take the gifts you have — they are plenteous — and share them with all the world.” – Neale Donald Walsch

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  • Don Jones

    When I walk at dawn down by the water. Watching the sun rise, the realisation that the essential nature of life is all inclusive. The sun shines on all of us whether I am a big human being or a crawling worm. This is the Truth. As I sit and watch, I sit in Truth and there can be no suffering in Truth. It is a wellspring of Grace and Love.

  • Hot Sauce
    Usually when I have episodes of existential OCD or trauma triggers, I go through periods of major anxiety and depression. Even so, however, I try to keep it in perspective by remembering that, in the past, I have had such episodes and thought I would never get through them. When I did, however, not only was I relieved not to be suffering anymore; I was also joyful to have deeper insights about reality and to see how far such struggles took me on my spiritual and intellectual journey. So now when...

    Usually when I have episodes of existential OCD or trauma triggers, I go through periods of major anxiety and depression. Even so, however, I try to keep it in perspective by remembering that, in the past, I have had such episodes and thought I would never get through them. When I did, however, not only was I relieved not to be suffering anymore; I was also joyful to have deeper insights about reality and to see how far such struggles took me on my spiritual and intellectual journey. So now when I suffer, I remember that the suffering is temporary and is most likely going to become a means of experiencing more joy and spiritual insights.

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  • Mark Featherstone
    In difficult times I’ve experienced gratefulness by going for a walk… daylight… slow breathing… thinking more clearly… Thinking “at least” and not “if only” e.g. at least I’m here and not in a refuge camp, at least my loved one lived as long as they did… Byron Katie’s four questions are useful (She teaches a simple way to question our reaction to difficult experiences)… there is an ambiguity in life… Brother David’s stop, look, go, builds strength for the difficult...

    In difficult times I’ve experienced gratefulness by going for a walk… daylight… slow breathing… thinking more clearly… Thinking “at least” and not “if only” e.g. at least I’m here and not in a refuge camp, at least my loved one lived as long as they did… Byron Katie’s four questions are useful (She teaches a simple way to question our reaction to difficult experiences)… there is an ambiguity in life… Brother David’s stop, look, go, builds strength for the difficult times… the book ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway’ Susan Jeffers has helped me greatly… I do sometimes fall into a gloomy ungrateful way of thinking, when I do I just have to live through it, and thats ok. Best wishes to all.

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  • Michele

    I have experienced gratefulness during the period of when my mom was in hospice care. My brother offered up his home and she was surrounded by loving family. I will always be grateful that this is how her end of life was handled. I’m grateful for my brother and his wife.

  • Zenith
    To be honest, the last few months are the first time in my life I have been mature enough to realize how much I do have. Though I have always felt I deserve more than what was at hand. I have always felt 'trapped' by something. This time however, I stumbled on the Law of Attraction aspect of gratefulness and have been blessed to practice it throughout. I have had a few people say I have changed. Although lack of social activities is challenging, focus on the gift that time alone has been, has re...

    To be honest, the last few months are the first time in my life I have been mature enough to realize how much I do have. Though I have always felt I deserve more than what was at hand. I have always felt ‘trapped’ by something. This time however, I stumbled on the Law of Attraction aspect of gratefulness and have been blessed to practice it throughout. I have had a few people say I have changed. Although lack of social activities is challenging, focus on the gift that time alone has been, has really helped. I pray I will continue to be grateful as I move through my remaining years because I am growing older. Life is about suffering but inside the suffering there is joy. Ying and yang. Don’t understand but it’s true.

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  • Judith

    A couple of weeks ago I had a bad fall and left the emergency room with a broken left elbow, badly broken right wrist, and damaged right leg. The next day the orthopedic surgeon looked at the xrays and said he did not think the elbow was broken. Off came the splint. I could extend the arm! A wash of gratefulness swept over me. I am still hobbling and have a plate and screws in my wrist, but I am so grateful to be able to peck this in with my left hand. So much to be grateful for always!

  • Patricia

    I focus on what WAS, and the blessing of having had that person or experience in my life. That leads me to a feeling of gratitude….

  • Howie Geib
    After one particularly demanding and damaging experience years ago I was fortunate to discover the connection I seem to make between resentment and gratitude. It is hard for one to exist in the presence of the other. And so, as it was so overwhelmingly apparent that I could not afford to hold onto the resentment without risking damage to my psyche and character I simply had to let it go. The cost was too high despite the overwhelming justification. So it set up a pattern of sorts, and loss an...

    After one particularly demanding and damaging experience years ago I was fortunate to discover the connection I seem to make between resentment and gratitude. It is hard for one to exist in the presence of the other. And so, as it was so overwhelmingly apparent that I could not afford to hold onto the resentment without risking damage to my psyche and character I simply had to let it go. The cost was too high despite the overwhelming justification.

    So it set up a pattern of sorts, and loss and difficulty tend to bring at least the seeds of resentment, and when I recognize them I banish them, replacing them with seeds of gratitude.

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  • devy
    During times of trouble i have been able reach out to others or others have come to me. In the present situation, being isolated not physically being with others, not going into stores and seeing the suffering and turmoil others are experiencing can be difficult. Everyday I take time to appreciate everything that we have. I am financially well off still, have a roof over my head, food on the table a wife to keep me company. By means of technology i can still keep in touch with others.i reach ou...

    During times of trouble i have been able reach out to others or others have come to me. In the present situation, being isolated not physically being with others, not going into stores and seeing the suffering and turmoil others are experiencing can be difficult. Everyday I take time to appreciate everything that we have. I am financially well off still, have a roof over my head, food on the table a wife to keep me company. By means of technology i can still keep in touch with others.i reach out to others who are finding it. Difficult by offering love, support and assistance if needed knowing that this spreads gratitude to them. My actions let them know that someone is there who is kind and considerate to them

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  • Anneclaire

    Perhaps in accepting rather than reacting to the hardship or loss, the door is open to gratefulness for the many other gifts that God pours out on me ceaselessly …

    • amacord

      Yes. When I stop fighting and resisting hardships, disappointments and move into acceptance my suffering is reduced. We are living in historic times, for better or worse. It’s imperative that we adjust our reactions to get through these tough times with full hearts and joy. Sending my support outward as we each struggle with the questions.

  • Melissa

    I believe there is always something to be grateful for. Knowing God loves me and all the good experiences I’ve had helped me to feel grateful.

  • Kevin

    In my own life during periods of hardship and loss, the gratefulness I always felt was when people reached out to me, and when called for, to my family, as they expressed their love and care of me, and most especially, when they asked, “How may I help?”

  • sunnypatti
    I have learned to look for the silver lining. It's not always easy, and not always fun, but it is always worth it. I, like every other human out there, have been thru some really hard times. I used to wallow in my suffering, asking God WHY and allowing my ego to keep me down. I still ask why sometimes when things get tough, but I also ask WHAT. What am I supposed to learn from this situation? And HOW. How can I get thru this and remain in the light? This is where the gratitude comes in. If I'm l...

    I have learned to look for the silver lining. It’s not always easy, and not always fun, but it is always worth it. I, like every other human out there, have been thru some really hard times. I used to wallow in my suffering, asking God WHY and allowing my ego to keep me down. I still ask why sometimes when things get tough, but I also ask WHAT. What am I supposed to learn from this situation? And HOW. How can I get thru this and remain in the light? This is where the gratitude comes in. If I’m looking for ways to not go to the dark side of a situation, I’m at the same time finding something to be thankful for in it. The silver lining is always there. God is that silver lining – the glimmer in the dark, wanting us to see it no matter what’s happening.

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  • Antoinette

    I experience gratefulness whenever I’m aware of the present moment with an open heart free from notions of whether it should be, or shouldn’t be, of whether it should be different or whatever. When My mind is free from grasping and trying to tweak everything so it’s just so I am able to appreciate the now just as it is.
    Someone once said , “Do not find fault with the present.” This helps me to have unconditional hope from desire.
    Let go or be dragged right?
    Happy Sunday !

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