Reflections

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  1. O.Christina

    Every experience of receiving I would consider meaningful. What makes it stand out is to perceive the heart in it, of the giver, of nature, of life itself, so that even if it is about the very difficult ones, I felt loved. I had and still have to be aware to perceive this ever present gift, and for the ones who gave it and for this possibility and Love, I am deeply grateful.

    2 years ago
  2. Mica

    The incredible improbability!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    2 years ago
  3. Rabbit

    I am answering this with a recent event that brought joyful laughter. We went to dinner with friends recently. I brought a bag of dog treats and told them to give it to their dog Oakley. A few days later, we got a thank you card from Oakley. It is just how you would imagine a dog writing it if one could. The simpliest things can bring joy to someone. Will try to post a picture of it in the gratitute lounge.

    2 years ago
  4. Don Jones

    Like for the lobsters in the aquarium of the restaurant on the Titanic – there is always hope beyond our imagination.

    2 years ago
    1. Michele

      love this too.

      2 years ago
    2. Rabbit

      Love this! Thank you.

      2 years ago
  5. KC

    I received a phone call this morning from a long-time friend. It has been a difficult and painful friendship for some time, and I was in the painful process of severing ties. Through the voice communication (she only communicates by text), and her honesty about her situation and struggles, I was able to hear and understand a bit of what she is is struggling with. My heart was touched and remains open.

    2 years ago
    1. Rabbit

      Bless you. Causing me to think how much we might change our opinion about some people if we understood more about their journey.

      2 years ago
      1. KC

        Thanks Rabbit. Bless you as well.

        For some reason this is leading me to lyrics from the popular song from the 1960’s- Make me a channel of your peace. The stanza that stands out is – Oh Master grant that I may never seek, so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love with all my soul’.

        Not sure if it resonates for you. Sharing on the chance it does.

        Warmest wishes for your day …

        KC

        2 years ago
        1. Rabbit

          Oh, that is a wonderful song. I remember it too. I wish everyone would sing and believe it. May kindness visit you today.

          2 years ago
          1. KC

            … and what a wonderful world it would be! And you as well, Rabbit. Wishing you much kindness in your day …

            2 years ago
  6. Carol

    A dear friend took me in to her home when my marriage fell apart after 35 years and said, this is your home for as long as you need. After more than 25 years, it still warms my heart.

    2 years ago
  7. Linda

    Our grandson is a budding movie director. He was invited to a big event that showcased young directors like him and their movies. He had a perfect time until he tried to fly home, and of course the airlines were cancelling flights and he couldn’t get home. What happened was amazing–the festival directors comped him a room and he was able to spend the last night of the festival being recognized and saying goodbye to all the people he had met. A beautiful experience of receiving.

    2 years ago
  8. Hermann-Josef

    My mind is like a great receiver. It depends on how he is tuned to understand what he is receiving. He always was in need of guidance for many things. Like guidance of my parents , school teachers, guidance in arts, music and so on. When I was seventeen it was clear that he needs spiritual guidance not to get lost in ideas and concepts that would lead nowhere. Life always forced me to make a next step. That I have received the ability to receive and also to give it back or pass it on to my daughter is what makes me grateful , keeps me humble and is giving me the strength to go on.

    2 years ago
  9. Elaine

    I’m receiving a generous unbidden act of hospitality right now. We’re staying in the beautiful home of friends of friends who simply wanted to be generous. This impulse to share, to extend the webs of connection is just what humans do!

    2 years ago
  10. Chester

    About a week ago, while on a long, cross-country road trip with my wife and kids, I stopped by my elderly parents’ home in the morning to just say a brief hello. There was a moment when my increasingly frail father slowly walked through the kitchen to make me coffee, then proceeded to prepare a small serving of oatmeal. His lifetime of sacrificial giving to my family, and me personally, struck me in that moment as he continued to give from his increasingly limited supplies of energy. Powerful then and even now.

    2 years ago
    1. KC

      Chester,

      Thank you so much for sharing your reflection about being with your father, his ‘lifetime of sacrificial giving’ to yourself and your family, as he continues ‘to give from his increasingly limited supplies of energy’. I have a very similar experience when visiting my elderly father these days.

      Your reflection helps to deepen my understanding and appreciation of my own father and the tender, ever shifting balance of giving and receiving. So much to practice and learn every day!

      Warmly, KC

      2 years ago
  11. Barb C

    I’m with others–in trying to make this open-ended it became so abstract I’m having to dig to find something. Perhaps part of this will be taking away thoughts about how I could give to someone else in a way that would make *their* receiving memorable.

    The element of surprise is one thing that several occasions have in common: I received something delightful and unexpected, whether it was an award for my work or a chocolate bar from my husband. He had the very brilliant idea of working his way through all the varieties of chocolate bar carried at our local food co-op so we can try them all over time–no wonder I love him so much. The first chocolate bars were a total surprise–now the surprise is in which flavor varieties will come home.

    This week I’m making a surprise visit to my best friend in another city on her birthday. (I’m sure she’s not on here so I’m not spoiling the surprise.) Early in the pandemic I wrote letters to some family and friends; receiving a handwritten note or card in the mail is always meaningful because it embodies time, thought, and physical effort beyond the electronic.
    So that’s my list for now:
    – Surprise
    – Time
    – Thought
    – Effort

    2 years ago
  12. s
    stait

    I have recently joined a new internship position and the manager approached me and paired with a shyer girl. He had talked with me about how he had heard about how outgoing I was and said that if I do anything this summer, bring her out of her shell a little. It meant so much, especially as I don’t see myself as a friendly outgoing person. Someone else noticing it has brought me joy and comfort. (And I think that I have as well 🙂 )

    2 years ago
    1. Rabbit

      What a sensitive person your manager is and also you for giving it a try. What is the rest of the story? Is it working?

      2 years ago
  13. Charlie T

    The experiences that stand out, are the ones that came at the exact moment that I needed them. Even very small gestures loom large. A book, a smile, a phone call, a job offer, a healing touch, a sharing.

    2 years ago
    1. Rabbit

      Very much agree. Thanks.

      2 years ago
  14. Butterfly

    Well, the most meaningful experience I have received is this lifetime.
    What makes it stand out is having had three amazing, gorgeous children who have all stayed close and supportive to me. And I now have two beautiful granddaughters as well. My life has been, and still is, quite difficult, but these blessings make everything worthwhile.

    2 years ago
  15. Cathie

    During the covid rebound, or reopening, I received an invitation to cochair a program where the leader of many years retired! This stands out as I was new myself. It also stands out because of the amazing support received by the leader who extended the invitation. And the Grace that brought the program to fruition.

    2 years ago
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