My daughter was very close to death and I have experienced 2 co-workers deaths in the past year as well as a few friends and my Mother during my life time so far. So YES, to me life is a very precious gift. Practicing grateful living allows me to try to focus on what is good and to try to to share some of that wisdom to others in my path. Funny that when I hear someone complaining lately about something trivial I immediately try to redirect their thought now lol! The mind wants to go to negative thoughts so we want to train it otherwise!!
Reaching almost-90 certainly makes me appreciate every moment of life, every breath I take. I went from a driven overachiever to someone who is more mellow, kinder, and more spiritual.
When I remember each moment is a gift, it helps me stay grounded and the world outside of me just is, and I am. I am here. I am present. I am alive. I am!
It has shifted my perspective from “one day at a time” to “one moment at a time.” What is a day if not a series of moments? This has helped me stay in the fight, go another mile, and take another swing after you strikeout the first at bat. Moments have helped me keep going. Moments have helped me learn. Moments are opportunities to practice stillness or move into action. The day is never waisted for me when viewing moments as gifts.
I donāt, or I am not able, to view every
moment as a gift. I understand the
concept, but reality and cynicism
creeps in. In retrospect, or even when
preparing for future challenges, I can view
most moments as an opportunity to
put into use some if the things that I am
practicing. And yes, indeed, many things
and situations have been a gift. But in the
moment, itās easy to see positive things as
gifts, but not so much when tragedy
strikes or things are extremely difficult.
This morning, this ordinary morning, I
definitely consider a gift. Itās easy.
Upon reflection, I donāt think this was
always available to me. I mean, Iām up
early to go to work. This used to be viewed
as pure drudgery. Now, Iām grateful for
this, not so ordinary, morning.
When I pause and remind myself of this, I experience a physical reaction. I take a deep breath and my shoulder relax and drop. My crazy thoughts stop, and: there is peace and softness. Sometimes I even feel lighter.
I will let you know when I have mastered the ability to view every moment as a gift. I am a work in progress. But in those moments when I pause and be grateful I realize there is beauty all around and always something to be be grateful for; a person, a sound, a thought or beauty around me. Itās the constant notice I struggle with but there are pauses throughout the day that change my perspective to feeling blessed and content.
I have been traveling for several weeks now and overall, it has been a good ride. However, I have not created the opportunity/s for solo time. We have been visiting a lot of my husbandās family and they have been wonderful hosts. However, I am not at my best when there is a constant flow of interacting with others, no matter how wonderful they are. So it is becoming an effort at times to appreciate the moment because I find myself wanting to have space. I find myself thinking of home. So I have accepted the challenge, and at times it has been a challenge, to be where I am. Good practice. Thanks for Ā«Ā listeningĀ Ā». Good to get it out of my head and into the air.
Mary, I often find myself challenged when interacting with others, especially in crowded environments. I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well right now and accepting this experience as a practice. Regardless of how it went, well done!
I try to view the present moment as a gift whenever I remember to (although most of the time, I don’t). I often find myself appreciating a moment only after it has passed. This teaches me not to delay enjoying present moments as gifts, as I cannot reclaim them once they’re gone. Therefore, I am practicing to accept unexpected moments as gifts of life lessons, and joyful moments as gifts of gratitude. Thank you for the reminder provided by this question.
I wish I could say I was an expert at this, but clearly that is not always the case. Just the other day I fell flat on my face due to drowning in overwhelming emotions.
Sometimes I wonder how this can still happen to me !
I feel like I have been meditating so long now that I should know way better! lol !
I guess we live and learn from whatever comes up and seeing it as an opportunity to learn more how to let go.
Itās a gift to see where I still fall into thoughts and emotions and see where exactly I bite the hook still.
Paying close attention to my relationship with when I bite the hook is important because it shows me when Iām still living in my human mind world and not Truth .
We all have human minds overlapping the Truth and when we are awake enough to discard the human mind Truth lives. The question is who will win ?
Thank you for this question to help remind me to wake up to whatever the present moment is showing me so that I am able to surrender and repent my opinions, my feelings, my greed, my wants, my expectations and opinions about everything. I must keep letting go.
I am not able to view every moment as a gift. I do view each new day that my eyes open as a gift. I strive to have presence with the present of today, the day I have been given to see the earth for what it is, marvelous, beautiful, sometimes stormy or full of foul weather, life giving and life taking. Observing the day and appreciating the fact that all life is fickle, impermanent and I have been gifted one more day to enjoy.
Remembering to stay focused on the Present is helpful.
We do not know how much time we have so viewing every moment as a gift is a good perspective to have.
Happy National Haiku Day
Happy International Bat Appreciation Day š¦
Happy National Medical Laboratory Week
and April is National Donate Life Month! Organs and Tissues are the Gift of Life that help others š
I had no idea that bats have an international appreciation day. A few years ago a bat somehow entered our home. My wife woke up in the middle of the nights rest and told me something was flying around her head. I groggily told her it was just a moth and go back to sleep. Two minutes later she woke me again and said, “It is not a freaking moth!” I got up, turned on a light, lo and behold a bat was flying around our bedroom. I went to the bathroom, grabbed a towel, spun it around to make a rat tail and snapped that creature of so many horror movies right out of the art. I tossed the towel over the bat, scooped it up, tossed it out the door. Pure luck but I proudly came back to bed, told my wife no need to worry, I can still spring into action! Thanks for the memory that you brought back Michele. I am still smiling.
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My daughter was very close to death and I have experienced 2 co-workers deaths in the past year as well as a few friends and my Mother during my life time so far. So YES, to me life is a very precious gift. Practicing grateful living allows me to try to focus on what is good and to try to to share some of that wisdom to others in my path. Funny that when I hear someone complaining lately about something trivial I immediately try to redirect their thought now lol! The mind wants to go to negative thoughts so we want to train it otherwise!!
It makes me more grateful for the moments I get to experience. They are also learning experiences for me to grow as a person.
Reaching almost-90 certainly makes me appreciate every moment of life, every breath I take. I went from a driven overachiever to someone who is more mellow, kinder, and more spiritual.
When I remember each moment is a gift, it helps me stay grounded and the world outside of me just is, and I am. I am here. I am present. I am alive. I am!
It gives me eyes willing to see and ears willing to hear.
It has shifted my perspective from “one day at a time” to “one moment at a time.” What is a day if not a series of moments? This has helped me stay in the fight, go another mile, and take another swing after you strikeout the first at bat. Moments have helped me keep going. Moments have helped me learn. Moments are opportunities to practice stillness or move into action. The day is never waisted for me when viewing moments as gifts.
Very motivating, Adrian.
This is so wise, Adrian.
I donāt, or I am not able, to view every
moment as a gift. I understand the
concept, but reality and cynicism
creeps in. In retrospect, or even when
preparing for future challenges, I can view
most moments as an opportunity to
put into use some if the things that I am
practicing. And yes, indeed, many things
and situations have been a gift. But in the
moment, itās easy to see positive things as
gifts, but not so much when tragedy
strikes or things are extremely difficult.
This morning, this ordinary morning, I
definitely consider a gift. Itās easy.
Upon reflection, I donāt think this was
always available to me. I mean, Iām up
early to go to work. This used to be viewed
as pure drudgery. Now, Iām grateful for
this, not so ordinary, morning.
Your honesty is so refreshing, Charlie T. I wish you well on your journey.
When I pause and remind myself of this, I experience a physical reaction. I take a deep breath and my shoulder relax and drop. My crazy thoughts stop, and: there is peace and softness. Sometimes I even feel lighter.
I will let you know when I have mastered the ability to view every moment as a gift. I am a work in progress. But in those moments when I pause and be grateful I realize there is beauty all around and always something to be be grateful for; a person, a sound, a thought or beauty around me. Itās the constant notice I struggle with but there are pauses throughout the day that change my perspective to feeling blessed and content.
A work in progress – one moment at a time.
Agreed. It is a goal to work toward.
I have been traveling for several weeks now and overall, it has been a good ride. However, I have not created the opportunity/s for solo time. We have been visiting a lot of my husbandās family and they have been wonderful hosts. However, I am not at my best when there is a constant flow of interacting with others, no matter how wonderful they are. So it is becoming an effort at times to appreciate the moment because I find myself wanting to have space. I find myself thinking of home. So I have accepted the challenge, and at times it has been a challenge, to be where I am. Good practice. Thanks for Ā«Ā listeningĀ Ā». Good to get it out of my head and into the air.
I can relate. I call it “peopled out.” That’s when it’s time to retreat and take some :me time.”
Mary, I often find myself challenged when interacting with others, especially in crowded environments. I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well right now and accepting this experience as a practice. Regardless of how it went, well done!
I try to view the present moment as a gift whenever I remember to (although most of the time, I don’t). I often find myself appreciating a moment only after it has passed. This teaches me not to delay enjoying present moments as gifts, as I cannot reclaim them once they’re gone. Therefore, I am practicing to accept unexpected moments as gifts of life lessons, and joyful moments as gifts of gratitude. Thank you for the reminder provided by this question.
I wish I could say I was an expert at this, but clearly that is not always the case. Just the other day I fell flat on my face due to drowning in overwhelming emotions.
Sometimes I wonder how this can still happen to me !
I feel like I have been meditating so long now that I should know way better! lol !
I guess we live and learn from whatever comes up and seeing it as an opportunity to learn more how to let go.
Itās a gift to see where I still fall into thoughts and emotions and see where exactly I bite the hook still.
Paying close attention to my relationship with when I bite the hook is important because it shows me when Iām still living in my human mind world and not Truth .
We all have human minds overlapping the Truth and when we are awake enough to discard the human mind Truth lives. The question is who will win ?
Thank you for this question to help remind me to wake up to whatever the present moment is showing me so that I am able to surrender and repent my opinions, my feelings, my greed, my wants, my expectations and opinions about everything. I must keep letting go.
Antoinette, well said. It takes practice. This takes a lifetime to master.
I am not able to view every moment as a gift. I do view each new day that my eyes open as a gift. I strive to have presence with the present of today, the day I have been given to see the earth for what it is, marvelous, beautiful, sometimes stormy or full of foul weather, life giving and life taking. Observing the day and appreciating the fact that all life is fickle, impermanent and I have been gifted one more day to enjoy.
Very thought provoking and I do agree!!
Remembering to stay focused on the Present is helpful.
We do not know how much time we have so viewing every moment as a gift is a good perspective to have.
Happy National Haiku Day
Happy International Bat Appreciation Day š¦
Happy National Medical Laboratory Week
and April is National Donate Life Month! Organs and Tissues are the Gift of Life that help others š
Michele, well said. Tomorrow isn’t garenteed.
I had no idea that bats have an international appreciation day. A few years ago a bat somehow entered our home. My wife woke up in the middle of the nights rest and told me something was flying around her head. I groggily told her it was just a moth and go back to sleep. Two minutes later she woke me again and said, “It is not a freaking moth!” I got up, turned on a light, lo and behold a bat was flying around our bedroom. I went to the bathroom, grabbed a towel, spun it around to make a rat tail and snapped that creature of so many horror movies right out of the art. I tossed the towel over the bat, scooped it up, tossed it out the door. Pure luck but I proudly came back to bed, told my wife no need to worry, I can still spring into action! Thanks for the memory that you brought back Michele. I am still smiling.
Bravo!!
I already know in my head that each moment is a gift. Iām guaranteed nothing. I need more practice, more reminders, to live and embody that reality.