Reflections

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  1. c
    carol

    The other day I happened to be mindful: I observed behaviour in myself that I had pondered when I saw it in others. This mindfulness and informed thought gave me the opportunity to see it, feel it, watch it , understand it as it manifested within my own personality, conditioning and wants and likes and dislikes. Also in reading others contributions I am better informed on being the receiver and awe and as Iamme wisely stated ‘ celebrating what is learned ‘.

    1 year ago
  2. Robin Ann

    When things trouble me I do look for ways to grow and learn. I took a class in “invitation to Change” for families dealing with addiction. It really hit home with me because I have never felt like a “Let go, let God” type of person. I have learned that I need to have a bit of balance between both though.
    Someone recently posted a podcast on “Awe” here and a friend of mine found this also on NPR (https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2023/02/03/everyday-awe-sciences-answer-your-search-happiness-dacher-keltner) . I just love this concept and feel it hits home for me in a lot of ways (Nature and music). In the spirit of “Awe” my good friend and I just book our flight to “The isle of Sky” in Scotland in October today : ). Looking forward to some “Awe” moments!

    1 year ago
  3. luv-1-nutter

    Karma, just do everything in gratefulness, as an offering. Animals are NOT responsible for karma. I see two legged animals – no more than animals, no concern for future consciousness. The people who SHOULD be concerned with self-help but are NOT👌 the sociopaths/criminals. am a criminal- and owe a huge debt to my forefathers, teachers and the
    sun/moon/sky/air/light

    1 year ago
  4. G
    Glenn Laundre

    Like yesterday’s answer is almost like yesterday. My life is a slow exit ride with slow loss of mind, severe confusion at times. I also have Parkinson’s.
    I had a strong contemplative practice through which I found the faith and strength to be positive and to learn through the ecperience. Now I no longer meditate and other daily rituals. My behavior is often out of my hands. I do and say things without knowing. I walk up to strangers and babel.
    But I am finding strength again in new ways. Guided meditation, gratefulness practice. I try to be grateful when I am clear. I a

    I also have found an increase in feeling the oneness of life, that suffering is life and we all suffer. I pray for my self and others to live with love. I feel so much involved . I actually feel gratefulness for my life and the treasures which surround me. I am particularly grateful for being able to type this.

    Peace and all Good

    1 year ago
    1. c
      carol

      I too am grateful you were able to type your reflections here.

      1 year ago
  5. Barb C

    This is another one of those questions with a baked-in assumption: That I don’t already believe this. I do. I appreciate others answering the question as written and also the implicit question, “How do I benefit by recognizing that whatever is happening offers me an opportunity to learn and grow?” I may not like the lesson while it’s under way, may not fully acknowledge it, but it’s there for later review. The opportunity is always there even if we don’t take advantage of it in the moment.
    I appreciate iamme’s response about not ruminating. Taking what I can learn and moving on with it, rather than chewing on old dry bones, has served me well ever since I realized that I’d been keeping old resentments alive by revisiting them over and over. You might say I was stuck in learning and NOT growing.

    1 year ago
  6. Carol

    How might my life change if I believed that whatever is happening offers me an opportunity to learn and grow? As all who visit this site regularly know, I often say, “What is Is.” I also say stop seeking and start seeing. Seeking craves answers. Seeing lives the question.

    I learned many years ago, the importance of living my questions and these days when life is challenging, my prayer is always “Give me wisdom in this situation. What can I learn from what is happening?” Life changes when one lives this way because it promotes willingness and in my way of thinking, WILLINGNESS is my job. I wish I could say that I always thought this way but it took the school of hard knocks and the counseling of many to bring me to this self awareness and it has been life changing and enriching.

    Today’s quote by Joe Primo is a keeper. “The contentment found in gratefulness is not about “standing still” but showing up to your life and being present, always aware of the invitations before you; a receiving rather than a seeking.” His quote reminds me to “Be still” or as my Bible translates that line from the Psalms, to “Desist and know that I Am God.” I am Life and Life is trustworthy so I do my best not to resist and to go with the flow.

    1 year ago
  7. Nannette

    How good it would be to remember that whatever experience is happening either good or bad…or just is…that we could learn from it…But…I have to say my mind does not approach the daily happenings of my day as ppportunities for growth. Perhaps, I am getting tired and also aging. I just want to be…I want to be happy, I want to make others happy…and I want life to be peaceful. Perhaps I have become passive at learning and growth opportunities. I really hope not- and I will try to remember this question and go from there.

    1 year ago
    1. pkr

      Yes Nannette, I too want to just be.
      I hope your today is joyful, peaceful & filled with quite moments for you to “just be”.✨

      1 year ago
  8. Charlie T

    I’m attempting to treat challenges
    and life circumstances, as another
    opportunity to practice.
    To practice compassion or gratitude
    or non attachment or any of the other
    perspectives that I’m attempting to
    nourish.
    This has helped make my life calmer
    and less fraught.

    1 year ago
  9. J
    James

    I might not want to fight it which would spare them and I from more stress… the way this modern society was designed economically…smh

    1 year ago
  10. Josie

    My reflection today is an intersection between this question & today’s quote from Joe Primo, especially
    his words “showing up to your life and being present, always aware of the invitations before you; a receiving rather than a seeking.” This sets me on a path to a good day ahead. May it be so.

    1 year ago
  11. Avril

    If I receive everything as a gift, there are no adversaries. This is a profound idea, there’s no need for my nervous system to go on overdrive. I can be pronoid and remember everything is for me. If I do that for a whole day, it’ll be a good day.

    1 year ago
  12. Joseph McCann

    Instead of looking at circumstances, acknowledge capabilities. This past year of no alcohol consumption along with a mindset of gratitude, acceptance, living in the present and doing my best not to future trip has afforded me this chance at learning and growing internally. I am better able to express it externally through my behaviors.

    1 year ago
    1. J
      James

      That is wonderful Joseph I admire your efforts…going on over two months no alcohol myself hope to make it through the year…by the grace of God they tell me…

      1 year ago
      1. A
        Ana Maria

        Blessings to you on your journey, yes, by the grace of God with you on your daily living. I admire you!

        1 year ago
  13. Laura

    Everything does offer an opportunity for learning and growth, but sometimes I just want to BE, without considering whether I’m growing or not, or where I am on a spiritual growth chart.
    Maybe I’m just feeling like a curmudgeon this morning. I’m reminded of a sentiment from Winston Churchill (paraphrased), I like to learn but I do not always like to be taught.
    Happy Monday, all!

    1 year ago
    1. pkr

      Yes Laura, I too just want to be. Some days I am overwhelmed with all the deep introspection of whether or not I am growing , am I learning, am I doing all this “growth” thing good enuf etc. etc.
      I hope your day is filled with peaceful moments of just being.✨

      1 year ago
  14. EJP

    I believe that this new day (every day) brings endless possibilities and opportunities….all of which I am truly grateful for.

    1 year ago
  15. Kevin

    It’s been my life-long experience that everything that has come my way, the good, the challenges, and the hardships, all continue to help me learn and grow

    1 year ago
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