Reflections

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  1. dragonfly

    It is as “little” as offering to carry full shopping bags to the car when I walk with a cane, opening doors for me when I carry a parcel that requires me to use both hands/arms or offering a bottle of water or a piece of cold fruit when it is hot. There are also “big” things like shoveling away mountains of snow on walks and driveway, a huge box full of plants for my garden by my door (still don’t know who put them there), tree pruned at no cost (and the branches taken away), lawn mowed (I suspect my lovely neighbour) or car pulled out of afore mentioned mountain of snow. I have experienced so many acts of unexpected kindness and generosity, often from people I did not know, it would fill a book.

    2 years ago
  2. Elaine

    Being involved in election campaigns – fabulous experiences of collaboration, common purpose, diversity of people,.

    2 years ago
  3. Don Jones

    I have never been much of a “joiner”. But there are a couple of communities of practice – like this one, which is a wellspring of daily delight.

    2 years ago
  4. d
    db82258

    I have heard it said that a prayer can be as simple as the yearning of a heart. In my deepest despair, my battered and anguished soul did not even know what to ask for. My pain so deep that I could not find words.

    That longing, my silent prayer, was for that energy of love and happiness to be returned, that desire was buried so deep that it surprised me. Trying to survive, I didn’t know when it had gone missing.

    That silent yearning, that prayer for what I did not know I needed, started my healing and I WAS HEARD, my path became apparent.

    I will forever be grateful to those people carrying the message forward, not knowing if they are heard or not. Someone might just be listening.

    2 years ago
  5. Hermann-Josef

    Every day things happen in my life unexpectedly. When I look back it was always for the best. It is the generosity of life itself , of which we all are part of.

    2 years ago
  6. Barb C

    My neighborhood’s Buy Nothing group exemplifies this question. The words community and generosity really are the founding ethos of Buy Nothing. We moved to a new town fall of 2020. I have friends and coworkers so we weren’t totally alone, and I had no idea how much I’d enjoy the BN group, which is on Facebook. People post supportive comments and cheer on each other’s projects. Someone might get materials for a project, then come back to post a picture and thank the people who gave them items that went into it, whether it’s an art piece or a new fence. Our group administrator explicitly allows people who may not have a fixed address to participate and we’ve helped people who are in a rough spot. Lots of expressions of gratitude (which feels like the right word rather than gratefulness) and I’ve chatted with people dropping off or picking up, had coffee with one woman, discovered another who was picking up something I had posted to give away was my actual neighbor around the corner. All good all the time.

    2 years ago
  7. Marnie Jackson

    Community and generosity have shown up frequently lately with people helping us in unexpected ways: invitations to gatherings, hand me down cloths, opportunities to be involved, listening….

    2 years ago
  8. Antoinette

    The other day when I spoke about suffering I was not expecting anyone to help, but someone here wrote to me and it was helpful. Thank you 😊

    2 years ago
  9. Diane

    So grateful to be here with you on another Tuesday. All of your responses have touched my heart. ♥

    I will say that the gratefulness.org community showed up in my life at a time when I needed it most. Unexpectedly and miraculously I was led here, bruised and broken from painful experiences in 2 different church communities. This site was a soft and safe place to land for my weary self. I found unconditional love and acceptance and a place where I could express the deepest desires of my heart, and give voice to my wounded self.

    Generosity has shown up expectedly numerous times and in a variety of ways in my life, but this is what I most wanted to share.
    Om Shanti friends. ♥

    2 years ago
  10. Charlie T

    When I was going through a divorce and having a generally rough time in my life, friends made sure to include me in gatherings and keep me in their lives. Also, at a residential treatment facility, a group of about ten of us became close friends and are still in touch every day, in a text group, three years latter. We support each other unconditionally and occasionally get together. They really are family to me. I love them all so much. We all met when our lives were in crisis and we clung on to each other wile we put our lives back together. I am so grateful to have them in my life.

    2 years ago
  11. Yram

    Thank you all for the hope these stories bring up in my ❤️.

    2 years ago
  12. Holly in Ohio

    I don’t know why I thought of something so far back, but I still remember fondly when my family emigrated. Two things happened. First, my knitting students and neighbors helped me furnish my house! I needed beds for the kids and was given two nice trundle beds! I needed dressers and was given several, one of which was lovingly restored for us and is gorgeous! Then also, two days before I left the country to pick them up, my hot water heater broke. The plumber came the next morning and the main water cut off crumbled in his hand so he couldn’t replace the water heater right away and the city had to be called to turn the water off at the street. A friend was looking after my cat while I was gone for a month and he had to bring water for the cat. The day we arrived home, there were gallons and gallons of water, food, and other gifts on the porch. Some water was labeled “for drinking” and some “for toilet.” The city arrived without our calling. The plumber arrived. By the end of the day, after our extremely long journey, we could shower! It was a heart-warming group effort of support and very inspiring! ❤

    2 years ago
  13. GR8FULL

    I am in recovery and have participated in AA for 7 years now. This is the first and only true community I have participated in throughout my life. I’m sure it’s benefits are not unique but, in the deepest and darkest moments of my life, riddled with shame, remorse and regret, strangers that somehow understood me when no one else could, joined together to support and serve me without judgement. It’s the most powerful thing I have ever been a part of and I am blessed to know it, and pay it forward every chance I get.

    2 years ago
    1. Barb C

      Thank you for sharing your story.

      2 years ago
  14. Rabbit

    My neighbor Jeff brought me three peonies and neighbor Lauren and her little daughter brought me a bunch of Annabelle hydrangeas. I love the people, the visit, and the flowers. Very grateful.

    2 years ago
  15. Pilgrim

    When I moved late last fall, I was blessed by those who came to help me. Living alone, living on 3 floors, and having my share of physical limitations, this was such a gift. I researched and made calls to 3 different sources. Each of them showed up on time, carried items away, gave many items to those in need, cleaned up spaces, were abundantly kind and understanding. Then my family came, one couple from across the country, and shined up the place as it never had been. No questions asked, just “we’re here.” Music played, photos sorted and shared, and when we walked out the door, the place was shining. Icing on the cake, wonderful and hard working movers, young men brought my items across the state, timely, respectful, more kindness. Blessings all around … and I am still so very grateful.

    2 years ago
    1. Pilgrim

      Dear Diane, Blessings on this Tuesday Day of Prayer, my friend. I hope that you and your family are well and enjoying your own new home area of the country. From C.S. Lewis: “Friendship is born at the moment one person says to another, “What? You too? I thought I was the only one.”

      2 years ago
      1. Diane

        Dear Pilgrim…..a blessing to see you here on this our shared Prayer Tuesday. And what a perfect quote from C.S. Lewis to describe our miraculous gratefulness friendship. So unique and such a gift in my life these many years.
        The gratefulness journey continues in earnest in our new surroundings…and I am ever grateful that we are traveling together. . Knowing “I am not the only one” is everything..

        ~Om Shanti ….peace, peace to you and your family. my friend. ♥

        2 years ago
      2. Rabbit

        C. S. Lewis also said, “We read so we are not alone.” It seems that fits too as we share our experiences together on this site.

        2 years ago
        1. Diane

          Yes, yes Rabbit…it is a miracle of sorts, isn’t it? ♥

          2 years ago
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