Daily Question, August 15 Where has community and generosity showed up unexpectedly in my life? 29 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Arleen6 months agoArleenThirty-nine years ago, I got married and moved to another state. I had been in my church’s choir for several years. They sang at my wedding and then gave me an address book with all their contact information already in it. And a photo album with pictures of the members. It was a very thoughtful gift for someone who was moving out of state to the unknown. I was touched by their gift and remember it still. 2 Reply Malag6 months agoMalagThis community 4 Reply Don Jones6 months agoDon JonesI feel it is always there. It becomes more apparent in times of need, but I feel it is constant and closer than we realise. To find it is to go back to the place we never left. 3 Reply Chester6 months agoChesterWherever and whenever I have come across shared hardship – seems to be where and when the conditions become ripe for the type of connection and mutual reliance that supports community and generosity. 3 Reply Samuel6 months agoSamuelIn late 2013, I moved into my new home but was unable to immediately move the contents and machinery from my old workshop to the new one. Then, early in 2014, I was hospitalized for heart surgery, before I could get the shop-to-shop moves accomplished. A few weeks after I was released to home to recouperate, I heard several vehicles crunching the rock driveway in front of the house. To my amazement, the men of my Bryson City United Methodist Church had gone to my old shop, loaded up its entire...In late 2013, I moved into my new home but was unable to immediately move the contents and machinery from my old workshop to the new one. Then, early in 2014, I was hospitalized for heart surgery, before I could get the shop-to-shop moves accomplished. A few weeks after I was released to home to recouperate, I heard several vehicles crunching the rock driveway in front of the house. To my amazement, the men of my Bryson City United Methodist Church had gone to my old shop, loaded up its entire contents, and hauled it all back to my new shop! As I watched, feeling both amazed and humbled, they unloaded everything and set it all up in the new shop for me! I was so grateful to them all. What a blessing a loving community is in one’s time of need! Read More8 Reply pkr6 months agopkrSamuel, what a beautiful story. You are blessed. ❤️ 1 Reply Mica6 months agoMica-more friendliness of neighbors in my condo community, as we walk our path and sit on the benches and visit with each other -the wonderful checker at my Safeway, Carol, who also makes masks -so many zoom events – yesterday a ‘social’ with a quilt guild I belong to but seldom interact with; such a surprisingly cheery group of ‘zoomers’ 2 Reply Michele6 months agoMicheleI’m having a hard time with this one …. at first I thought of the LGBT community and going to a Pride parade but that is not unexpected. I know communities come together after tragedies such as hurricanes/earthquakes/murder. There are generous and kind people in this world – thank God:) 3 Reply Patricia6 months agoPatriciaPrayers and cards from friends after my mother’s recent death… calls and messages of support and kindness. Knowing people care and that they have taken the time to reach out…. 4 Reply Katrina6 months agoKatrinaFor my answer I am going to assume a definition of community that is supportive, generous, and welcoming - although have not always experienced every community of which I have been a part to be so. Because of my experience, then, I am somewhat surprised when communities actually live into their true definition of generous, welcoming support. Like churches, of which I have been a part all of my life - when they actually do show up at people's hospital beds to pray; bring food to families they don...For my answer I am going to assume a definition of community that is supportive, generous, and welcoming – although have not always experienced every community of which I have been a part to be so. Because of my experience, then, I am somewhat surprised when communities actually live into their true definition of generous, welcoming support. Like churches, of which I have been a part all of my life – when they actually do show up at people’s hospital beds to pray; bring food to families they don’t know who are not part of their community, travel miles to build homes for the underserved, or those living in the midst of disaster, or host a wedding or funeral for someone who is outside their homogeneous make-up. Sometimes our choses communities fail us, but they are made up of people like us. I give thanks for the times mine have shown up for me and for the times I can show up for others – and I give thanks for those in this particular community. You represent a diversity of background and gratitude that enlarges my own every day. Read More4 Reply Zenith6 months agoZenithHere for starters. Other online communities. A Redditgifts rematching Santa. The universe handed me $20.00 one morning this week. Literally. Just the realization of how wealthy I am and I’m not even rich in the world’s eyes. I am a lucky woman. 5 Reply Javier Visionquest6 months agoJavier VisionquestNever. For years I’ve searched in vain for new worlds to discover through others, taking positions with companies that I hoped might meet me ½ way in shared values, countless unsatisfying visits with churches, sang has, and other faith groups. The population of Washington, DC comes and goes with the change in administrations. So many people come into my life and then leave What’s left, anymore. . .social media? – which is anything but social or civil. I strive to create such community. I ...Never. For years I’ve searched in vain for new worlds to discover through others, taking positions with companies that I hoped might meet me ½ way in shared values, countless unsatisfying visits with churches, sang has, and other faith groups. The population of Washington, DC comes and goes with the change in administrations. So many people come into my life and then leave What’s left, anymore. . .social media? – which is anything but social or civil. I strive to create such community. I mean, street gangs are organized. Why shouldn’t average citizens be organized, as well; especially in times when instability and emergencies are becoming increasingly frequent. https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/affinitygroups Read More2 Reply Mica6 months agoMicaNice website, Javier – I love the little dandelion seeds – congrats! 2 Reply Javier Visionquest6 months agoJavier VisionquestI realize I’ve probably rubbed some folks the wrong way, here, by downplaying the role of this forum as authentic community. We certainly do share ideas and inspiration with each other and still more of us are active on the Gratitude Lounge. For some, a virtual community is as community as community gets and that’s perfect. There are folks here that I would love to meet in real-space but understand how unlikely that is to ever happen and I have to consider how little I actually know about t...I realize I’ve probably rubbed some folks the wrong way, here, by downplaying the role of this forum as authentic community. We certainly do share ideas and inspiration with each other and still more of us are active on the Gratitude Lounge. For some, a virtual community is as community as community gets and that’s perfect. There are folks here that I would love to meet in real-space but understand how unlikely that is to ever happen and I have to consider how little I actually know about them. There is a saying that goes, “you never truly know a man until you’ve eaten a pound of salt with him”. How many would even ask after me if suddenly I stopped posting here? Read More2 Reply Mica6 months agoMicaThanks, Javier - I'm continuing our conversation up here. You're ahead of me with this: "... and relationship with others throughout the day." I think of this as only a few minutes of my day. Regarding salt, I figure it's not bad luck to spill salt now, because it's plentiful, not a rare and valuable item. ;-] The 'pound of salt' is funny these days when salt is 'bad.' I like this: "We barely know ourselves until we’ve walked a mile without shoes." I've been wearing shoes indoors ...Thanks, Javier – I’m continuing our conversation up here. You’re ahead of me with this: “… and relationship with others throughout the day.” I think of this as only a few minutes of my day. Regarding salt, I figure it’s not bad luck to spill salt now, because it’s plentiful, not a rare and valuable item. ;-] The ‘pound of salt’ is funny these days when salt is ‘bad.’ I like this: “We barely know ourselves until we’ve walked a mile without shoes.” I’ve been wearing shoes indoors for several years on account of foot problems, but I was starting to trip over the toes of the shoes sometimes, so now I go barefoot. When I’m in a situation where I start asking myself, e.g., ‘How long will it be before I fall when I trip, in my shoes?” – I eventually decide to fix the problem. No shoes! Warm wishes to you, Javier! Sigh – I deleted my previous post. Read More2 Reply Javier Visionquest6 months agoJavier Visionquesta pound of salt!, Yes, Mica; it took me some time to understand this phrase, myself. It refers to a length of time and not a measure of volume or weight. Imagine the length of time it would take you to eat a ½ lb of salt. We barely know ourselves until we’ve walked a mile without shoes. Please don’t misunderstand, I love and value this site. I visit everyday, even when the prompt doesn’t move me to respond in writing, still the entries of others give me a guiding framework for considerati...a pound of salt!, Yes, Mica; it took me some time to understand this phrase, myself. It refers to a length of time and not a measure of volume or weight. Imagine the length of time it would take you to eat a ½ lb of salt. We barely know ourselves until we’ve walked a mile without shoes. Please don’t misunderstand, I love and value this site. I visit everyday, even when the prompt doesn’t move me to respond in writing, still the entries of others give me a guiding framework for consideration of my role and relationship with others throughout the day. Looky here! We’re having a conversation! ♥ Read More2 Reply Michele6 months agoMicheleI would:) 3 Reply Patricia6 months agoPatriciaI hope you will find some sense of community… even this one, small and distant from one another physically as we may be, helps me open my eyes to people whose values and gratitude for life are things I share… and I find it to be a gift. 6 Reply Javier Visionquest6 months agoJavier VisionquestThank you, Patricia. Here I certainly find inspiration in the writing prompts and the entries we share but do we sit in front of screens all day trading platitudes? The group of drummers that I irregularly host is slowly knitting into an affinity group as much as pandemic fear will allow, branching out into education (sharing our hobbies) and public advocacy and protest and they have a saying among them – “If I can’t smell you, I can’t trust you” 2 Reply eliza6 months agoelizaI live in a small community at a retreat house so day by day the community’s generosity is there -through all the niggles and tears and all the beautiful moments of growth and joy 4 Reply devy6 months agodevyAs someone who is a loner and introvert, I prefer not to be I large gatherings. Being so doesn’t mean that I do did not ever get involved myself in community. I have volunteered for various groups such as special olympics, and organization who find work for people with disabilities. I was also a member of a search and rescue team. I’ve contributed to community to help others but the help has never been reciprocated. Yes individuals have stepped up to the plate to help me through difficult ti...As someone who is a loner and introvert, I prefer not to be I large gatherings. Being so doesn’t mean that I do did not ever get involved myself in community. I have volunteered for various groups such as special olympics, and organization who find work for people with disabilities. I was also a member of a search and rescue team. I’ve contributed to community to help others but the help has never been reciprocated. Yes individuals have stepped up to the plate to help me through difficult times. An example is one time when I was on strike for about 4 months and only was getting strike pay. I was living alone, owned a house and still had to make child support payments. Besides having a full time job, I had picked up part time weekend work at a local retail store to help make ends meet. The owner of the store was gracious to give me full time hours at the store during the strike which helped tremendously., Read More5 Reply Howie Geib6 months agoHowie GeibThe occasion that comes to mind demands telling a little background. There was a time when I was in a leadership position of a resort property and was accused by a staff person of racism stemming from a decision I had made about a promotion being denied. The staff of about 40 was residential and lived at the property, so they called for a staff meeting and invited me to come and answer the accusation in a public setting. I was pretty nervous about this to say the least, and of course attended. ...The occasion that comes to mind demands telling a little background. There was a time when I was in a leadership position of a resort property and was accused by a staff person of racism stemming from a decision I had made about a promotion being denied. The staff of about 40 was residential and lived at the property, so they called for a staff meeting and invited me to come and answer the accusation in a public setting. I was pretty nervous about this to say the least, and of course attended. I was placed in the front and there was a loose structure of people that ‘led’ the procedure. And the accuser was in amongst the others and the accusation once again leveled at me. I simply told my side of the story. I gave details about my interactions with the individual that the person had never before revealed that led to my making the decision. At some moment, in the dynamic of the room, it all shifted and became clear that I had not only done nothing remotely approaching the behavior I was accused of, but that the accuser had been untruthful about the previous interactions with me. I was vindicated. The effect was deeply engrained in my psyche. I was vulnerable, and in the moment as honest as I could be, open to the fact that perhaps, what I had done, was unconsciously racist in some way. And the fact that the community, my staff, saw me as I was, and in that light was able to be generous to listen and consider. It was a teachable moment for all of us. And that community was stronger for the exercise. I was stronger as well, having gone into that meeting unsure of the outcome, yet trusting the community. This took place in Hawaii, and the process was a traditional one called Hoʻoponopono. Read More7 Reply Cathy6 months agoCathyI had this experience just two days ago, and it remains a fresh, happy place within so that I have joy every time I think of it. I’d reached out for some advice to an online group and was flooded with unexpected replies full of helpful information, generous offers, and such kindness that I was astounded! Now, I want to remember how good that sense of community laced with action felt to me, and be sure to honor others in the same way when a similar situation presents itself. 7 Reply Kevin6 months agoKevinBecause community, and being a part of several communities, is vitally important to me, I cannot recall a time when I suddenly realized that I was in a community. Being in a community requires engagement, giving, receiving, and give and take, so I am always aware of the community I am in and a part of. Generosity, on the other hand, “happens” to me quite frequently. I suspect this is because I value being generous with others in various ways. Generosity for me is reciprocal in nature. 7 Reply Dusty Su6 months agoDusty SuI am a recipient of endless kindness from so many unexpected sources. I feel that heaven tips its hat at me so often. Maybe because I have so many challenges, this is the balance to keep me going. It is the kindness, love, and serendipitous care I get that sticks with me rather than the problems, though. I think it’s great. 7 Reply Antoinette6 months agoAntoinetteCommunity and generosity show up all the time. I’m very grateful for the safe, clean, and compassionate place county I live in. “There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” H. H. THE 14TH DALAI LAMA The philosophy of kindness is mindfulness in practice. I vow to do my best today to show up with kindness in the present moment. Have a Peaceful and joyful Saturday everyone! 8 Reply Butterfly6 months agoButterflyNamaste, Antoinette ? ? 2 Reply Judith6 months agoJudithYou, too, Antoinette. 3 Reply Dusty Su6 months agoDusty SuBless, that is beautiful. 4 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. DONATE https://gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png Community Engagement Guidelines Privacy Policy [email protected] Connect with us on Social Media: © 2000 - 2021, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb