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Daily Question, June 27

How might I change if I truly recognize the shared fate of life on Earth?

  • Ineke Bennink

    Gedeelde smart is halve smart. Wanneer je jouw verdriet deelt dan is het maar half zo erg

  • Malag

    I’m not sure how truly I currently recognise this. I certainly recognise it. Not sure what I’d change. For me the most important thing is to elect leaders who will take measures to mitigate climate change.

  • Paula

    As we are all in this wanderfull spaceship together, actions of clown governing in different countries are affecting us all, we should think well and vote them out

  • Hot Sauce

    If I truly recognized the shared fate of life on Earth, I would take more steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle; drive less; buy locally; live minimally; and, perhaps most importantly, learn how to work for systemic change so that we stop contributing to global warming and destruction of various habitats.

    • Jim

      Great reply! I think this about says it!

  • Melissa

    If I really embraced it and let myself know the truth I would feel immense compassion for myself and others. I would be kind to all ,no matter how difficult the situation.

  • Don Jones

    I would change profoundly. I strive to constantly increase my awareness, yet I am aware, there is much I am not aware of.

  • Christina

    I think many people are deeply frightened by the pandemic and its disruption. I don’t share that view (except for the disruption,) and I think there are others who don’t; but I could get COVID as easily as anyone else, so I suppose that is our “shared fate.” (I already almost died once.)

  • Mica
    I don’t know. I’m looking for ways to make some contribution to Black lives other than donations. I recently googled something like ‘raising children in climate change’ and love this:"...I need to teach her that all things die, even her and me and her mother and the world we know, but that coming to terms with this difficult truth is the beginning of wisdom.” and: “I can’t protect my daughter from the future and I can’t even promise her a better life. All I can do is teach her: t...

    I don’t know. I’m looking for ways to make some contribution to Black lives other than donations. I recently googled something like ‘raising children in climate change’ and love this:”…I need to teach her that all things die, even her and me and her mother and the world we know, but that coming to terms with this difficult truth is the beginning of wisdom.” and: “I can’t protect my daughter from the future and I can’t even promise her a better life. All I can do is teach her: teach her how to care, how
    to be kind and how to live within the limits of nature’s grace. I can teach her to be tough but resilient, adaptable and prudent, because she’s
    going to have to struggle for what she needs. But I also need to teach her to fight for what’s right, because none of us is in this alone. … “by Roy Scranton in the NYTimes.
    Thank you Carol for the link!! After that talk, I can listen to Sharon Salzberg’s LovingKindness meditation!

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  • Carol

    This talk by Sharon Salzberg from Lion’s Roar is only available free of charge today but it addresses today’s question with such wisdom. I hope you can access it. If not google “Reawakening Summit..”

    https://learn.lionsroar.com/courses/re-awaken-summit/lectures/17291819

  • Verena
    from the many levels that we can look at this question – political, economical, environmental etc – I think the most profound is spiritual. since all our actions come from our state of mind, to train in having a compassionate, stable, patient, generous mind is a spiritual task. for example – our economic system is based on dissatisfaction, competition and greed. that’s just the way it is. now there are a lot of people who care, and they build companies or design political agendas that lo...

    from the many levels that we can look at this question – political, economical, environmental etc – I think the most profound is spiritual. since all our actions come from our state of mind, to train in having a compassionate, stable, patient, generous mind is a spiritual task. for example – our economic system is based on dissatisfaction, competition and greed. that’s just the way it is. now there are a lot of people who care, and they build companies or design political agendas that look at the whole system, the whole of humanity, the whole of earth. so where does this come from: I guess they have looked deeply into the interconnectedness of life, and – moved by compassion – chose their way to serve the world. so the concepts and companies come from the mind and the heart of these people. and they inspire others and so a movement is created. one of my spiritual teachers spoke of the interconnectedness of life so much and slowly slowly I discover the deep truth of his teachings. he sat in stillness for many hours and years to discover and embody that….

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    • Ed Schulte

      Agreed!

      What you have outline was once refer to as “The Bitter Cup” . It was spoken by one who knew all his teaching and demonstrations of True Love and human potential would be taken and turned into tools of the suppression for the benefit of ego-ism. So he asked, “if it is possible please remove it from me”. But of course it could not be removed because

      This is the test of time.

  • Ed Schulte

    “As a present-day personality we humans live on this Planet.
    As Spirit-Soul-Selves the Planet lives in us.”

    DASKALOS

    Our so-called “fate” is to return back into our true nature with the experiences we have gained in the worlds of separation. And then continue on to new, higher realms of Being-ness.

  • Javier Visionquest
    These changes associated with perceiving self in others are already well underway and the awakening from the deep trance state of ego identification is happening at an exponential pace. Be patient. I‘m reminded of a math problem of lily pads that double everyday and will in the time of one month completely cover the surface of a large pond. On the first morning there’s one lily pad and no one notices, the next day there’s two and no one pays any attention, the next just four, and so on Tw...

    These changes associated with perceiving self in others are already well underway and the awakening from the deep trance state of ego identification is happening at an exponential pace. Be patient.

    I‘m reminded of a math problem of lily pads that double everyday and will in the time of one month completely cover the surface of a large pond. On the first morning there’s one lily pad and no one notices, the next day there’s two and no one pays any attention, the next just four, and so on Twenty nine days later only half of the surface of the pond is covered with lily pads. . . .

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  • Zenith

    This feels like a political question to me. And I feel like there is implied guilt to each person as an individual when I don’t believe that is true at all. My life has been simplified for years. I believe changes at the corporate level are needed in how society is set up. And frankly, I am not sure that is going to happen. We CAN survive but everyone, and I do mean everyone, needs to get on board.

  • devy
    It would need a whole and complete effort made by everybody who lives on this bright blue ball. Is this possible? Is this viable? The question I pose is would EVERYONE change their behaviours, Being a realist, I believe that the answer is no. It is human nature to look after SELF preservation . Wars, destruction of the environment and other destructed actions have been around since humans existed. I’m not trying to be a pessimist, but that is a fact. Myself I try to prevent further environment...

    It would need a whole and complete effort made by everybody who lives on this bright blue ball. Is this possible? Is this viable? The question I pose is would EVERYONE change their behaviours, Being a realist, I believe that the answer is no. It is human nature to look after SELF preservation . Wars, destruction of the environment and other destructed actions have been around since humans existed. I’m not trying to be a pessimist, but that is a fact. Myself I try to prevent further environmental damage, try to promote peace for example but the behaviours of the majority would have to change. The ideals of greed and power would have to cease. Are we willing to give up our things such as our technical advances, our computers, cell phones, and such which are destructive to the earth? Are we all willing to revert back to a more simpler life, are we going to slowdown the population growth so that we no longer need to rape the forests and trees to clear for food production? Is this possible? Perhaps.. I can hope and pray. And if we destroy ourselves and life as we know it here are earth, it is most likely that over time, the earth and Mother Nature will heal, new life will emerge and she will continue on when humans are long gone. Life is a circle……Personally, I live each day, am grateful for what I have. Yes I have hope and dreams that humanity will pull through. The hopes and dreams are what drive me to deal with these issues..

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  • Howie Geib
    I was reflecting on our (US) lifestyle and attitudes in relation to the controversy(!) surrounding wearing a mask which is largely done to protect OTHERS. And the deep resentment some people are having to being forced to act in ways that directly saves lives in their community. It's going to be that much harder for us to shift to making the hard decisions and correlations to our collective well-being in regards to climate impacts our daily choices make, I don't have a car. Haven't had one for...

    I was reflecting on our (US) lifestyle and attitudes in relation to the controversy(!) surrounding wearing a mask which is largely done to protect OTHERS. And the deep resentment some people are having to being forced to act in ways that directly saves lives in their community. It’s going to be that much harder for us to shift to making the hard decisions and correlations to our collective well-being in regards to climate impacts our daily choices make,

    I don’t have a car. Haven’t had one for years, and walk almost everywhere. This pandemic might allow folks to realize the benefits of village life even in a suburb, where a cluster of homes and communities around a central market place that is walkable is a desirable thing.

    I can be more of an advocate for change. Donate more time (as money is in short supply) and continually look at ways my life can be simplified.

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  • Michele

    We don’t know what the fate of life on earth is. Will the sun blow us up one day? Will there be a large meteor that devastates some areas? Will we have World War III? We just don’t know so in the meantime all we can do is try to preserve it the best we can. We need to constantly work towards loving one another, finding peace for all and hoping a pandemic ends.

  • Trish

    At our core we are not that different. We all want to be seen as a beautiful creature on this earth. The atrocities that some people experience, the injustice & degradation are things that I must continue to pay close attention to and engage in some level of action toward change. I strive for unity and there is work to be done.
    Chop Chop

  • Kevin
    Lately, I have noticed that the Daily Questions are being “keyed” to the daily “Word for the Day.” In my view, sometimes this works, but frequently, like today, it does not work well at all. By consistently keying the Daily Question to each Word for the Day, with “How might I”, or “How am I”, and “How is,” which are all pointing back to that day’s “Word for the Day” it, however unintentionally, assumes a correct or particular answer which immediately narrows our respons...

    Lately, I have noticed that the Daily Questions are being “keyed” to the daily “Word for the Day.” In my view, sometimes this works, but frequently, like today, it does not work well at all. By consistently keying the Daily Question to each Word for the Day, with “How might I”, or “How am I”, and “How is,” which are all pointing back to that day’s “Word for the Day” it, however unintentionally, assumes a correct or particular answer which immediately narrows our response as readers. I hope that the good folks at Gratefulness do not consider this as practice into the future.

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    • Serafina

      Thanks so much for your feedback, Kevin. We’ve been experimenting. Please know we are taking your comment, and everyone else’s feedback, to heart and will be checking in as a team before too long to discuss. 

      • Kevin
        Hello Serafina, I have enjoyed the variety of viewpoints on this, actually. But for now, I'm taking Malag's suggestion of answering the Daily Question before I read the Word for the Day so that my response is truly my own and not flavored by the angle, bent or philosophy of the Word of the Day's author. (And I say that as one who really appreciates all of the daily Words of the Day. (In fact, since 2015, I have kept hundreds of the Word for the Day, each categorized by genre, as I enjoy collecti...

        Hello Serafina, I have enjoyed the variety of viewpoints on this, actually. But for now, I’m taking Malag’s suggestion of answering the Daily Question before I read the Word for the Day so that my response is truly my own and not flavored by the angle, bent or philosophy of the Word of the Day’s author. (And I say that as one who really appreciates all of the daily Words of the Day. (In fact, since 2015, I have kept hundreds of the Word for the Day, each categorized by genre, as I enjoy collecting quotes and such which I use elsewhere or send to other people.) But it’s no big deal, either. I thought I would do this for a week or so and decide whether or not to continue with what I’m calling “Malag’s Method!”.

        Even still, as I have expressed to a couple of readers already, In my view the Daily question’s writer is, in effect, editorializing, as soon as it shapes the Daily Question directly from the day’s Word for the day. But for myself, I can live with that. And as one reader said to me, just go ahead and reply to the question any way you want! My “stop” on that approach is that I also enjoy the challenge of the question itself and try to answer it, for the most part, literally. Just the way I process, I guess!

        One side note that may explain my own idiosyncrasy, if you will, is that I save every every Daily Question and my response each day in a Word file, month by month, and have done so since 2015. Over time it becomes like a journal and reflects in part what was going on in my life on a given day and month throughout the year. Perhaps that explains my investment in this process, and perhaps something else I’ll leave to others to access! .

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    • Mica

      Thanks for your reply, Kevin, which gave me a chuckle and a big smile. I do look fwd to your answers when I go to gratefulness, which is most days.

    • Katrina

      I see the difficulty. One can’t make a connection where there is none. But I rather like the change. Maybe it is finding Words for the Day that better lend themselves to reflection.

      • Kevin
        Thanks for your view on this, Katrina, and I am sure others might feel the way you do. My struggle on this approach to crafting Daily Questions is this: I enjoy greatly the daily "Words for the Day", as I have for many years now. But I do so knowing that the daily quotes and phrases are philosophic in nature, and reflect the author's ideology, religion, or world view, which is fine and I value reading them. The Word of the Day are also phrases usually gleaned from longer tracts and statements, ...

        Thanks for your view on this, Katrina, and I am sure others might feel the way you do. My struggle on this approach to crafting Daily Questions is this: I enjoy greatly the daily “Words for the Day”, as I have for many years now. But I do so knowing that the daily quotes and phrases are philosophic in nature, and reflect the author’s ideology, religion, or world view, which is fine and I value reading them. The Word of the Day are also phrases usually gleaned from longer tracts and statements, which means that we run the risk of interpreting them out of context from their original and intended meaning. And if we’re just reading them as is, and take away whatever we can from them, that’s perfectly fine and and in my view beneficial. But when we craft a particular question using part of a philosophic phrase or statement, I argue that an opinion is being advanced in how the question is being constructed, which immediately plays a role in how we, the readers, respond. Crafting an occasional Daily Question from the Word of the Day is fine with me, but less so if it is done on a regular basis. All said, it is just an opinion I hold, and not as they say, a “hill worth dying on.”

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        • Malag

          I guess one way around that conundrum, Kevin, might be to respond to the question before reading the words for the day? I’m going to try that out next time.

          • Kevin

            This is a great idea, Malag! And the funny thing is that this morning, because I got up even earlier than usual, I went to the Gratefulness website and answered today’s question before the Word for the Day was emailed out to all of us, so I didn’t see it before I answered it for myself. Go figure? Moving forward, as it looks like they plan to continue keying the daily question to the word for the day, I think I will do just as you suggest. Thank you!

        • Mica

          Thank you Kevin for your interesting viewpoint, which seems strange to me. Many of the daily questions don’t strike any chord in me, and for the ones that do, I figure I can answer however I want. I’d enjoy reading your ‘incorrect’ answers to questions!

          • Kevin
            You’re very kind, Mica. My wife, who is correct, sometimes tells me I take things too literally! Generally, I do try to respond to each days question from the premise in which it was given. That said, I do sometimes alter or change completely how I interpret the daily question and answer it however I wish. And once in a while a daily question will get me thinking about something entirely different and I respond from that angle also. But all in all I like the challenge of trying the best I can...

            You’re very kind, Mica. My wife, who is correct, sometimes tells me I take things too literally! Generally, I do try to respond to each days question from the premise in which it was given. That said, I do sometimes alter or change completely how I interpret the daily question and answer it however I wish. And once in a while a daily question will get me thinking about something entirely different and I respond from that angle also. But all in all I like the challenge of trying the best I can to answer a question as it is given and probably that’s why I am balking at how they seem to be constructing questions lately. Your response to me makes me smile and has me thinking of a very good friend of mine who would say to me right now, “Kevin, shut up and just answer the #%!# question!”

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    • Pilgrim

      Agreed.

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