My parents introduced us to different cultures growing up & we had 2 exchange students stay with us.
They also adopted my youngest brother from S Korea when he was 9 years old after I was married.
My other motivation is to learn more about my heritage of mostly Irish. Love the music and now
I am in love with the country. It was a dream of mine to some day visit and I did in 2015 & 2018.
I have to say I agree so much with Kevin! I usually write what I like and then read. This time I felt a bit out off by the question and I see why.
I’m grateful for life and gratitude makes me happy.
Thank you brother David and thanks to meditation for helping me let go.
The thrilling bottom line is that I (I don’t mean Don, I mean the real I) is absolutely hidden from itself. I know myself as unknowable. I’m rooted and grounded in complete mystery, unknowability, ineffability, unawareness. That is what motivates me the most – to unfold that awareness.
Pilgrim’s post says it all. Please read it. It inspired me to visit youtube to listen to a hymn I dearly love. Here’s the link. Hope it comes through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCXLbQ6ClA
Curiosity and care for others makes me want to expand my experience of the world. I want to meet other people, interact with animals, enjoy what the world has to offer…and think about all of these things. Can I make anything better? Can I add to someone’s life. The world has a lot of good to offer…we have to remember that. I am in Texas now- and it is a windy morning- but I am so grateful to be able to see the prairie and experience another part of the United States.
I lack compassion and understanding and have habits of mind that are not conducive to practicing Loving Kindness in all circumstances. Expanding my capacities would make for a happier, peaceful, joyful life experience.
And why not. Since I am still participating in this physical life, I want to be engaged and , for me, that means expanding and growing. I do not want to congeal.
I am motivated by the knowledge that
I have some agency in this life.
I can be closed off and isolate myself
or I can be open, reach out, and
be part of the world.
I am choosing the later.
I expand my experience of the world in so many ways. By speaking with my students from other countries, and by watching documentaries. Last week I watched a beautiful one “An Act of Worship” about being a Muslim in America. Both interesting and humbling to learn about.
And I do still want to travel and drink in the wonders of the natural world and of people whose lives are amazingly different and similar from mine. May I always keep a sense of wonder and appreciation of this world, in spite of all that us also dismaying and troubling.
I’m part of the world. How can I remove myself from it? Learning, traveling, and my practices make my heart expand. This is in amazing home, it’d be like having a house with a room you never go in. I try to spend time in every inch of my home.
“Start close in …” These words, this poem by David Whyte came to me right away when I read the question. (His work often comes to me when reading the daily question.)
I have long been on this planet, and have made my way to the place I want to be. To “expand my experience of the world” is to live here, now, within the gifts given already for this day/week/year. My “influencers” are curiosity, opportunity to get outside if weather allows, the book I am currently reading, the daily chores before me, the passage of darkness and light throughout the day. “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” (Abraham Joshua Heschel … another longtime influencer in my life)
Pilgrim, Thanks for the inspiring and wisdom laden quotes…It is my thought that you answered the question for all of us who are committed to being here now and being grateful for it all.
Thank you, Pilgrim…Your quotes are beautiful…your words give me a view of how you see the world- and it is beautiful. I learn from you everyday. Thank you. God Bless.
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Curiosity and my opening up to where I withdrew, which was quite a bit.
Being curious & wanting to learn.
My parents introduced us to different cultures growing up & we had 2 exchange students stay with us.
They also adopted my youngest brother from S Korea when he was 9 years old after I was married.
My other motivation is to learn more about my heritage of mostly Irish. Love the music and now
I am in love with the country. It was a dream of mine to some day visit and I did in 2015 & 2018.
I have to say I agree so much with Kevin! I usually write what I like and then read. This time I felt a bit out off by the question and I see why.
I’m grateful for life and gratitude makes me happy.
Thank you brother David and thanks to meditation for helping me let go.
The thrilling bottom line is that I (I don’t mean Don, I mean the real I) is absolutely hidden from itself. I know myself as unknowable. I’m rooted and grounded in complete mystery, unknowability, ineffability, unawareness. That is what motivates me the most – to unfold that awareness.
Pilgrim’s post says it all. Please read it. It inspired me to visit youtube to listen to a hymn I dearly love. Here’s the link. Hope it comes through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCXLbQ6ClA
Thank you so much, Carol. It is deeply touching. Yes, it is.
Curiosity and care for others makes me want to expand my experience of the world. I want to meet other people, interact with animals, enjoy what the world has to offer…and think about all of these things. Can I make anything better? Can I add to someone’s life. The world has a lot of good to offer…we have to remember that. I am in Texas now- and it is a windy morning- but I am so grateful to be able to see the prairie and experience another part of the United States.
I lack compassion and understanding and have habits of mind that are not conducive to practicing Loving Kindness in all circumstances. Expanding my capacities would make for a happier, peaceful, joyful life experience.
And why not. Since I am still participating in this physical life, I want to be engaged and , for me, that means expanding and growing. I do not want to congeal.
I am motivated by the knowledge that
I have some agency in this life.
I can be closed off and isolate myself
or I can be open, reach out, and
be part of the world.
I am choosing the later.
I expand my experience of the world in so many ways. By speaking with my students from other countries, and by watching documentaries. Last week I watched a beautiful one “An Act of Worship” about being a Muslim in America. Both interesting and humbling to learn about.
And I do still want to travel and drink in the wonders of the natural world and of people whose lives are amazingly different and similar from mine. May I always keep a sense of wonder and appreciation of this world, in spite of all that us also dismaying and troubling.
I’m part of the world. How can I remove myself from it? Learning, traveling, and my practices make my heart expand. This is in amazing home, it’d be like having a house with a room you never go in. I try to spend time in every inch of my home.
Waking up to a new day. Appreciating connecting to others and to nature and wanting more of that, in whatever way life opens up for me.
Life in the present and gratitude for the beauty of the world and all of it’s inhabitants.
“Start close in …” These words, this poem by David Whyte came to me right away when I read the question. (His work often comes to me when reading the daily question.)
I have long been on this planet, and have made my way to the place I want to be. To “expand my experience of the world” is to live here, now, within the gifts given already for this day/week/year. My “influencers” are curiosity, opportunity to get outside if weather allows, the book I am currently reading, the daily chores before me, the passage of darkness and light throughout the day. “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” (Abraham Joshua Heschel … another longtime influencer in my life)
Pilgrim, Thanks for the inspiring and wisdom laden quotes…It is my thought that you answered the question for all of us who are committed to being here now and being grateful for it all.
Thank you, Pilgrim…Your quotes are beautiful…your words give me a view of how you see the world- and it is beautiful. I learn from you everyday. Thank you. God Bless.
I like this, Pilgrim. Expanding your experience of the world from your home.
This is beautiful, Pilgrim. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
As an overthinker, I see peace in Gratitude. 😀
Thank you Brother David. 🙏