Reflections

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

  1. O.Christina

    Whenever caring eases the state of my fellow people or causes possible joy in another, may it be through listening, singing, giving some money or a hug, a kind word, being there. Or sometimes to send light their way when needed.

    1 year ago
  2. Robin Ann

    Spending time with close friends or loved ones where the connection is full of ease. I learned several years ago about the 5 love languages and mine is “quality time”. It is worth reading about it if you haven’t already.

    1 year ago
  3. Don Jones

    Care for my environment. Carefully tending the soil with my hands. Tending trees and the garden. Giving thanks each day to the rising sun, down by the water at daybreak.

    1 year ago
  4. Dolores Kazanjian

    A great question. The kind of care that makes me feel most at ease is the kind that stands by and communicates non-verbally “I’m here for you. I hear you. And I’m ready to catch you if you fall.” It also communicates “I know you can handle this. You’re strong.” The kind that gets annoying as I get older, although well-meant is infantilizing and disempowering. Regrettably, as I get older and suffer some loss of mobility, the latter kind is getting more frequent. I try to acknowledge the good intentions and subdue the annoyance.

    1 year ago
    1. c
      carol

      Thank you for posting, it is very helpful. 🙂

      1 year ago
  5. pkr

    The self care that makes me feel most at ease is spending time in nature. Walking amongst the glorious Redwoods. This is my medicine.
    Meditating also eases me, especially if I do it outdoors.

    1 year ago
  6. Diane

    Such a thought-provoking question! I read all the responses first and they all spoke to me. But what most resonated was what Nannette shared about being at ease when at home. “Home” has always had a special meaning for me, particularly because I was rarely at ease in our home when growing up. Since marriage at age 24 until now at 67 years old I have always strived to make our houses (or apartment when newly married) a true “home” where ease resided. I love that word “ease” . It perfectly describes what is the desire of my heart for wherever we have lived.
    Thank you all for your beautiful sharing.

    1 year ago
  7. c
    carol

    When I can see by the actions that I live in a caring society- as in caring enough to make healthy housing open to those who are precariously housed, voting for and instituting policies and programs and legislation that enable housing, food security, an honest work ethic, protection of whistle blowers, inclusion of people who have disabilities in every space, paying livable wages and benefit, etc.
    When those around me see no shame in poor and no pride in wealth.
    And when we can talk about inequities without guilt or shame or judgements as none of these have opportunity to grow.
    When in the company of those who value compassion and joy, and kindness and generosity as ‘Thích Nhất Hạnh: the left hand giving to the right hand’ and evolving beyond, and …
    When someone sees what needs to be done and does it or offers it.
    And then there is physical care– when I have the resources to support my physical care.
    And then there is Friendship. 🙂

    1 year ago
  8. Pilgrim

    Being listened to and heard. Kindness. Patience as I formulate a response … I am a high introvert, so this can take a beat. I appreciate those who are easily willing to deal with all of my dietary restrictions.

    1 year ago
    1. Diane

      Good morning Pilgrim….thank you for sharing. My husband takes a long beat before speaking or answering a question. After over 40 years married, this still is a challenge for me. I have not heard of the term “high introvert” before but it totally fits his nature. In honesty I actually admire this quality and try to practice it myself, but it doesn’t come naturally to me.
      I am encouraged to practice more patience going forward…I imagine that, like you, this will help him feel cared for and more at ease.
      Sending you blessings on this our Prayer Tuesday. Om Shanti friend 🙏

      1 year ago
      1. Pilgrim

        Dear Diane, Thank you for your response. I have lived alone for a long time, and in my ministry worked alone or in a quiet environment, also for a long time. So I guess it all fits together. Your marriage of 40 years is worth celebrating, for sure!
        Blessings to you and yours!

        1 year ago
  9. Charlie T

    Simple acts of kindness.
    The reaching out. The checking in.
    When others are relaxed and the
    care is mutual and people are being
    themselves, being real,
    I can feel at ease and absorb
    their kindness.

    1 year ago
  10. Sheila

    2 very simple things- eating healthy foods, drinking healthy beverages and respecting my body. Listening to sound healer Steven Halpern’s CD’s. I know if I do not take care of myself, I cannot take care of anyone else. Thank you to everyone who shares their beautiful reflections.🌷

    1 year ago
  11. Carol

    For me, the three most important words in the English language are not “I love you.” They are “I hear you.” I craved to be heard as a child and as a wife. It’s hard to find your own voice when you are not heard. It’s hard to trust yourself when you are not heard. That said, I do not think care means to coddle. I want to be given straight information in all relationships.

    1 year ago
  12. Yram

    Care that supports me with dignity! Care that allows me to do what I can do, the way I can do it, and in the time I need to get it accomplished.

    1 year ago
  13. Nannette

    Good Morning Everyone, I am blessed to have a bit of “service” and my first email to open is “Grateful Living”. We are in the National Florest in Florida – a place we have been several times before. Tall long pine trees, shrubs, birds, and quiet solitude (most of the time). I am so grateful for this…but I do miss having access to the internet- but soon I will be home and that will be somewhat better. We are on our journey home- in two weeks time this winter trip will be history. This site and all of you have become an important part of my day and when I cannot “visit”…I miss it.

    The form of care that makes me feel most at ease is the joy I feel when I am home . We live in the woods and the joy of the quiet, the birds singing in spring, the deer walking the land, seeing my dog run and our cats frolic freely and safely…that is my “home care”. The care that love brings- my hisband bringing my tea each morning. And when I get home, I am part of a weekly meditation group of 5-6 women who meet and do a meditative reading, meditate for 20 minutes and then have a discussion of our reading…that brings joy and health to me.
    Blessings and all good things to all of you on this wonderful day.

    1 year ago
  14. Maeve

    Getting a good night’s sleep in my cosy bed. And especially if it is a weekend when I wake up and I can savor the feeling of relaxation and ease before I get up.

    1 year ago
    1. Michele

      love this, totally can relate 🙂

      1 year ago
  15. Joseph McCann

    The care I give to my family, the livestock, our hay meadows, our pastures, our vegetable garden and the soil that nurtures it and last but not least the care I have been giving to myself since Feb 17, 2022.

    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