Close
Close

Receive “Word for the Day” each day in your inbox

See our Privacy Policy

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Menu Gratefulness Donate
Daily Question, July 19

Where has community and generosity showed up unexpectedly in my life?

  • 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 suspe...

    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.

    Read More
  • Elaine

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

  • 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.

  • Anonymous
    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 ...

    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.

    Read More
  • 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.

  • 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 tha...

    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.

    Read More
  • 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….

  • 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 😊

  • 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...

    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. ♥

    Read More
  • 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 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.

    Read More
  • Yram

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

  • 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 mai...

    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! ❤

    Read More
  • 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 i...

    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.

    Read More
  • 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.

  • 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 "...

    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.

    Read More
    • 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.”

      • 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. ♥

      • 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.

        • Diane

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

  • Carla
    In 2018, I had a right knee replacement and stayed in a transitional care unit (TCU) for about a week. A core group of 7 women developed, creating a community at meal times. Our age ranges were 60 to 82. We nurtured each other with compassion, story telling, and so much more. When a distasteful meal was served, instead of complaining we played “How would you cook this?” Recipes abounded reflecting all our cultural flavors. My outside friends brought me winter oranges that became manna with ...

    In 2018, I had a right knee replacement and stayed in a transitional care unit (TCU) for about a week. A core group of 7 women developed, creating a community at meal times. Our age ranges were 60 to 82. We nurtured each other with compassion, story telling, and so much more. When a distasteful meal was served, instead of complaining we played “How would you cook this?” Recipes abounded reflecting all our cultural flavors. My outside friends brought me winter oranges that became manna with plenty of slices to go ‘round. Physically it was a challenging time, spiritually I never felt so full.

    Read More
    • Barb C

      Love this. What a great response to a bad meal! And what a wonderful spontaneous creation of a friendship circle you all really needed.

    • Yram

      Thank you for sharing! It reminded me of my rehab experience 5 years ago. I had a similar feeling with the many people who supported me with hope, visits, greetings, and medical support.

  • Mary Pat

    So many ways. When we had Covid last year, our friends from church came together and took care of us.
    I have had some health challenges these past few months, and I know if things get really dicey, I can call on this same group for help.

  • Ose
    It was a beautiful surprise when recently, I was invited to share the company and work with several other dear ones to serve a group of kindred people who were joining in to experience meditation in nature. And unexpectedly, letting go of guilt feelings due to failures of several kinds was no problem at all this time, we just looked after each other and we laughed at what we had missed, each one at one or another occasion, jumped in into the duty and there was no problem at all. I first was afra...

    It was a beautiful surprise when recently, I was invited to share the company and work with several other dear ones to serve a group of kindred people who were joining in to experience meditation in nature. And unexpectedly, letting go of guilt feelings due to failures of several kinds was no problem at all this time, we just looked after each other and we laughed at what we had missed, each one at one or another occasion, jumped in into the duty and there was no problem at all. I first was afraid that then, all formal rules, which would give guidance would fall apart, but this was not at all the case. We just had to be flexible to jump in for each other, and then it was a beautiful experience for all the group, as well because we just had a lot of fun! How often we laughed about the most silly mistakes we made! It was a warmhearted, happy joint venture, of which I guess we all hope to have another occasion to meeting again. And for me it was a so much relaxing experience in letting go of dealing with unnecessary guilt feelings. Happy Tuesday, dear friends!

    Read More
  • Kevin
    As I age and cope with the occasional physical setbacks that living a moderately active life brings about, such as chronic back pain, sciatic nerve flare-ups, back surgery (seven years ago), and eye issues, to name a few, we unceremoniously hobble our way off to the doctors, PTs, chiropractors, and the like. There, we find ourselves sitting, waiting, and chatting away with newfound comrades whose aging sack of bones have also given way to time and reality. Waiting for our turn for treatment, we ...

    As I age and cope with the occasional physical setbacks that living a moderately active life brings about, such as chronic back pain, sciatic nerve flare-ups, back surgery (seven years ago), and eye issues, to name a few, we unceremoniously hobble our way off to the doctors, PTs, chiropractors, and the like. There, we find ourselves sitting, waiting, and chatting away with newfound comrades whose aging sack of bones have also given way to time and reality. Waiting for our turn for treatment, we compare notes, shake our heads, laugh and absorb a previously unknown measure of mutual understanding, even comfort, with people we would otherwise never have known. A strangely shaped community for sure, but it is there.

    Read More
    • Mica

      Cool, Kevin! We sit masked distant and silent while we wait. But I’m grateful for the PTs and dr’s that I’m waiting for 🙂

    • Yram

      There is comfort in familiarity!

    • Rabbit

      So relatable. Thank you.

  • Michele

    When my mom passed away 5 yrs ago comes to mind…between family, friends, her co workers, all were generous in showing support and love for her.
    I also have to add my Irish dance family group too (Timoney Monday Nighters) – they are the most generous group of people I know.

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

© 2000 - 2022, A Network for Grateful Living

Website by Briteweb

0

Your Cart