Reflections

Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment.

  1. Robin Ann

    I really don’t take any parts of my body for granted. My Mother died of cancer at age 63 when I was 40. It was a huge eye opener
    to watch my health! A year ago I woke up in a lot of pain in my leg and it ended up a blood clot in a varicose vein. I ended up having 2 vein closures. Thankfully I am back to doing all of my activities I was before but sometimes I will wear support socks if I am on my feet a long time. Besides that I have been very healthy except some extra lbs.

    1 year ago
  2. Linda

    I love that at 68 my body still mostly works as it should. I don’t take it for granted. I fell 3 years ago while hiking and my femur broke in half! I had a great surgeon and was walking again within a couple of days of surgery (I know, can you believe that?) I am grateful for the skilled surgeon and my body’s quick healing. And I am much more aware that I need to pay attention when and where I am walking…

    1 year ago
  3. Carol

    At my age, I do not take any part of my body for granted but when I was younger, I most certainly did. I have no doubt that I would physically be in better shape if I had exercised more, was better at relaxing, and was more knowledgeable about a good diet. I give thanks daily that my legs are still strong and steady. I go to physical therapy two days a week and my therapist truly knows her craft. She has helped me strengthened my mid and upper body in what seemed like impossible odds considering the spinal issues I have. I’m that old gray mare that ain’t what she use to be but thankful for what I am! I have had to move closer to my son. I do miss many wonderful friends but he makes up for that. He is such a joy. Many of you are much younger than me and I urge you to take care of your body. Without it, where would you live?

    1 year ago
  4. Emmaleah

    Unfortunately, I generally take my entire body for granted! I am trying to be more mindful, and trying to de-program myself from years of thinking that my body wasn’t good enough unless it looked a certain way. I know that I am blessed to have good health, and a strong body that lets me do all the things I love; I just have to keep trying to remember to be grateful for it.

    1 year ago
    1. Carol

      EMMALEAH, I identify with that phrase “my body wasn’t good enough unless it looked a certain way.” Oh, those voices in our heads that try to lead us astray. I’m not sure the negative ones ever totally go away but the fact that you can recognize that negativity and name it, can help to take its power away.

      1 year ago
      1. Emmaleah

        Thank you, Carol ♥️

        1 year ago
  5. Barb C

    I don’t take anything for granted because I know how quickly it can change. I do rely on my various parts working most of the time but I tune in when I’m on a walk to be grateful for strong legs, the cataract surgery that gave me better eyesight, being able to taste and smell and hear when I get to the farmer’s market or a coffee shop. Today I guess I’ll be glad that I’ve never had any occasion to think about my appendix.

    1 year ago
    1. Carol

      Barb, AMEN!

      1 year ago
  6. sparrow

    My flip answer would be . . .
    at my age
    I take no part of my body for granted anymore,
    but thinking a little more,
    I actually feel a little differently.
    The truth probably is
    that I take most of my body for granted
    until something goes wrong with a particular part.
    Lately,
    I’ve been taking a little time
    to notice parts that are working smoothly
    and are usually ignored . . .
    like lungs and liver,
    because they work quietly
    and don[‘t demand attention . . .
    quiet little bits of flesh
    busy with what they do.
    Bub at my age
    I do notice and appreciate
    the wonder that my body is.

    1 year ago
    1. Dolores Kazanjian

      Yes, the body is truly a miraculous thing.

      1 year ago
  7. Yram

    As I get along in years, it seems my body doesn’t let me forget any part. I honor it by thanking its function and promise to take care of it.

    1 year ago
  8. Rabbit

    During the first six weeks after heart surgery, I was miserable and in so much pain. It felt like I wouldn’t be ever be well again. Now the pain is lessening and I can do more. I am grateful for my body’s ability to heal in body, mind, and spirit. I am also grateful for all the support that I received. ❤️

    1 year ago
    1. Robin Ann

      My friend had a heart attack (2014) not long after I met him. He had a stent put in. It was a very long journey but now
      he seems very back to normal except having to take certain meds. Hang in there!

      1 year ago
    2. pkr

      Dear Rabbit, praying for your steady recovery. Positive thoughts so important & empowering for your healing. But you probably already know that…..🙏🏻
      Stay strong.

      1 year ago
      1. Rabbit

        Thank you PKR. It has been a hard journey but I am getting back to normal. People on this site like you help.

        1 year ago
    3. Yram

      I am happy to hear of your healing. It takes a village!

      1 year ago
      1. Rabbit

        Thank you Yram. I was super grateful for all the food my neighbors brought.

        1 year ago
    4. Laura

      I needed to hear this, Rabbit. I’m 10 days out from a hip replacement and wondering this morning when I’m going to feel better. Your post reminded me that relief will come. I just need to hang in there.

      1 year ago
  9. Mary Pat

    My heart was something I used to take for granted until years ago, when I had to have a test, a cardio angiogram, because of some problems I was having. The doctor told me if we went out the door closest to my feet, we would be going back to recovery. If they wheeled me out to the door closest to my head, we were going to the OR for surgery.
    I was given a light sedative, but was awake. I was nervous, so the sedative didn’t do alot. I saw the whole thing. For the first time in my life, I saw my heart beating. I saw all the blood flowing, I saw it beating, I saw the exchanges happening, and I was in such awe of my heart I have never, ever, taken it for granted again. Ever. It was incredible to experience my heart in action.
    They found I had a congenital heart defeat-hypertrophic cardio myopathy-and no surgery at that time was required. I am so lucky and grateful to have experienced that miracle of the heart…in action.

    1 year ago
    1. Michele

      Working for a Tissue Bank I get to see first hand the importance of the heart in both organ (heart) and tissue (heart valves) transplants. In fact, all organs/tissues are important and reading the recipient thank you letters make it all worthwhile:)

      1 year ago
    2. Robin Ann

      Wow! yes thanks for sharing.

      1 year ago
    3. Carol

      Mary Pat, Your story reminds me of the saying, “The heart knows.” Thanks for sharing.

      1 year ago
    4. Yram

      Thank you for sharing!

      1 year ago
    5. Laura

      What a thrilling story, Mary Pat. Thank you for sharing.

      1 year ago
  10. Nannette

    I honestly try not to take any parts of my body for granted. Where I am volunteering now…many use walkers, a few use motorized wheelchairs, canes..and some hobble along. People complain of all sorts of pain, problems, etc. I realize how very Blessed I am to be in overall good health (I could lose a few pounds!!!)….but everything God gave me appears to be in working order. I can walk and run…I have a few aches and pains- but I am 70 years old…hard to believe. I am truly grateful to God for his Blessings. May you all have a day filled with peace and hope.

    1 year ago
  11. Antoinette

    I guess I take the health of my body for granted often and as soon as I get sick or for example, have a migraine attack I remember how fortunate I am.
    I think zen master Thay said once that we can be thankful for our teeth when we don’t have a tooth ache, because as soon as we do we notice the pain!
    Our whole lives are like that! As soon as something is taken away we see how we took it for granted!
    Today I get to swim and I’m so grateful for my breath and my arms and legs that are working to help me glide through the water!

    1 year ago
  12. Joseph McCann

    I have always taken care of the outside physical aspect of my body due to the fact that it has been the vehicle, so to speak, in which I have used to make my livelihood. A lifetime of agricultural work from picking fruit and flowers, irrigating, sheepherder, cowboy, potato harvest, ditch riding and and a multitude of implement operations. Not so much on my mental issues though until March 2022. I am still working daily on that and not taking my brain and psyche for granted now and doing the best that I can do to maintain some mental stability.

    1 year ago
    1. sparrow

      You’re doing great,
      dear Joseph,
      and by coming here
      you are nurturing your soul
      with love…

      1 year ago
  13. EJP

    Unintentionally I take my heart for granted…a part of my body which needs more self-care to benefit both my body and soul.

    1 year ago
  14. Michele

    My ears (sound)… right now my cat is in heat and as annoying as her yowling is at the moment, I am grateful I can hear.
    My eyes, grateful my glasses help me see.
    My nose and sense of smell, grateful Covid only affected that for a couple of days

    1 year ago
  15. Kevin

    I take no parts of my body for granted, actually. Some parts of my body either have or have had challenges, but as I write, God willing, all systems are functioning. Maybe not all at 100%, but I’ll take whatever percentage I can get.

    Many years ago an old Quaker woman who lived well into her nineties told me, “You get to a certain age and its snip, stitch, patch and go.” These days I can live by those words, body parts and all.

    1 year ago
    1. Carol

      Well said!

      1 year ago
    2. Yram

      When I first heard that saying I laughed and smiled. Now I can relate.

      1 year ago
      1. Kevin

        I hear you there, Yram! Be well my friend.

        1 year ago
1 2

Subscribe to Grateful Living

Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Customize your subscription