Daily Question, December 29 Who has rekindled my inner light during dark days? How might I express my gratitude? 39 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. Linda1 year agoLindaThe election of President Biden has given me new hope for our country. 0 Reply TofuLove1 year agoTofuLoveHeroes for justice and helping others that could have gone the easy route and chose the hard road of helping. Suniti Solomon who is the first person to discover HIV in India and worked to stop the spread through education and treatment. She was willing to help those that her very conservative society initially and even now viewed as deserving of their dying, prostitutes, gay people, those considered morally wrong. Not only did she help them in terms of medical care, she tried to create places fo...Heroes for justice and helping others that could have gone the easy route and chose the hard road of helping. Suniti Solomon who is the first person to discover HIV in India and worked to stop the spread through education and treatment. She was willing to help those that her very conservative society initially and even now viewed as deserving of their dying, prostitutes, gay people, those considered morally wrong. Not only did she help them in terms of medical care, she tried to create places for them they could feel dignity as human beings. She helped to bring comfort and a quality of life to people who could have very easily been treated as complete pariahs by even the Indian government. Her clinic is a place people receive medication, mental health help and even a program to help match HIV positive people in romantic partnerships so they don’t have to be alone. I think about Maximilian Kolbe who was throw into a concentration camp for his efforts to protect Jewish people during the Holocaust, who died giving up his life to protect the life of a man who called out for mercy. This man and about 12 others were singled out to be starved to death as retribution for a prisoner trying to escape, so Kolbe offered to take the man’s place, it took two weeks for them to die slowly and throughout that Kolbe was giving solace and administering care to the other prisoners. I think about political prisoners who are being tortured right now who refused to be quiet about the injustices happening around them. I think about Gino Strada who has now saved so many lives by setting up world class cardiac hospitals in the most economically depressed and war torn countries, saying human beings have an intrinsic value and a four year old in Sudan has as much right to heart surgery as a white rich male in the Western world. I think about anyone anywhere throughout all of history who stood against the oppressors and said, no you can’t do this, humans have value — life has value. I remind myself all the time of every single person like this and when I feel like giving up, I remind myself they didn’t give up and however small and tired I feel … I won’t give up. I express my gratitude for them by taking the lessons they were offering to all of us about what courage, compassion and human decency look like and trying to live them. Read More0 Reply Ose1 year agoOseFriends and loved ones who are with me together walking the path, and who, despite my flaws and inhibitions, are willing to be there with kindness and an open heart. You here sharing are contributing so much to rekindle the inner light. I am deeply grateful for all of you. Prayer for the world´s needs and for my fellow people is one way I express my gratitude. Being there for someone in need in every way possible. Being there in silence also, just with an open heart. Wishing you all a lovely da...Friends and loved ones who are with me together walking the path, and who, despite my flaws and inhibitions, are willing to be there with kindness and an open heart. You here sharing are contributing so much to rekindle the inner light. I am deeply grateful for all of you. Prayer for the world´s needs and for my fellow people is one way I express my gratitude. Being there for someone in need in every way possible. Being there in silence also, just with an open heart. Wishing you all a lovely day out there! Read More2 Reply Malag1 year agoMalagMy dog. Repaid with pets. 2 Reply Cheryle1 year agoCheryleI will always be profoundly grateful to a very elderly lady who used to mind me sometimes when I was a quite a young child. I was traumatised by an incident and she told me I was beautiful and when I grew up I would be a blessing to many others. This took root in my psyche and soothed my spirit. As a retired teacher I still have ex-students who stay in touch with me. One even writes old fashioned letters to me and we continue to enjoy times together during the holidays. I cherish “Nanna Nagelâ...I will always be profoundly grateful to a very elderly lady who used to mind me sometimes when I was a quite a young child. I was traumatised by an incident and she told me I was beautiful and when I grew up I would be a blessing to many others. This took root in my psyche and soothed my spirit. As a retired teacher I still have ex-students who stay in touch with me. One even writes old fashioned letters to me and we continue to enjoy times together during the holidays. I cherish “Nanna Nagel’s†( no relative) blessing over me. She was simply a neighbourhood woman who chose to by speaking life and healing into my pain keep my inner light glowing! Read More8 Reply Pam1 year agoPamThis is wonderful . Thank you for posting . I just had lunch with a high school teacher of mine from 1976. We sat opposite each other in our cars to stay warm in a park in mount Kisco ny. If it were warmer we would have gotten out of our cars . He is a dear friend and we have met every month since June . 2 Reply Cheryle1 year agoCheryleThat’s really lovely Pam 2 Reply Zenith1 year agoZenithGratefulness.org. Another place I get sustenance from is Dailyom which someone mentioned on this site. I also joined with Cynthia Jurs meditation group this year and have found that encouraging. I will respond gratefully. Actually a miracle took place this year. After many years of silence from a family member, reconciliation has taken place. Though I many never see this person again, at least we had several months of peaceful communication. Peace reigns. I am grateful for that. 8 Reply MelaD1 year agoMelaDThe one I find rekindling my inner light during dark days is God/Divine with skin. Sometimes it is the face of someone I love, someone I know; however, some of the most profound inner lightings have been gifted through short conversations with strangers and random acts of kindness. I express my gratitude daily through prayer, a smile, a simple ‘thank you’, or actively listening to another who just needs to be heard. 5 Reply Don Jones1 year agoDon JonesIn the really dark days, loud 70’s rock music to kick up some dust and get me moving, my ever faithful Kelpie dog – she is a rescue (and doing a wonderful job rescuing me) and our long daily walks and some people who I don’t even know who smiled as I shuffled along under my personal rain cloud. 5 Reply Pollyanna Gladwell1 year agoPollyanna GladwellLove it, Don! Rescued by the rescuee! My rescue dog went to the Rainbow Bridge in October after 9 years together. Walking with a dog does make many meetings possible. There has been a wonderful outpouring of posts today about pets and how uplifting their company is. So very true. Still missing my darling Puccini. xx 3 Reply KC1 year agoKCGreat question! The list is long ... Doing my imperfect best to express gratitude without turning it into a major task, or heavily laden burden and guilt trip. Rather than jumping onto that ‘carousel’ of guilt, judgement and endless to do’s (thanks Devy - such a vivid and helpful metaphor), I will continue to break it down and take it one step at a time. ðŸ™ðŸ» Thank you Gratefulness.org team for your daily, ongoing efforts to nurture and support this community with inspiring, chal...Great question! The list is long … Doing my imperfect best to express gratitude without turning it into a major task, or heavily laden burden and guilt trip. Rather than jumping onto that ‘carousel’ of guilt, judgement and endless to do’s (thanks Devy – such a vivid and helpful metaphor), I will continue to break it down and take it one step at a time. ðŸ™ðŸ» Thank you Gratefulness.org team for your daily, ongoing efforts to nurture and support this community with inspiring, challenging and thoughtful questions. Thank you all who offer your reflections daily. Such a gift and delight you all are on this magical, mysterious adventure. ðŸ™ðŸ» Warmly, KC 🌞ðŸŒðŸŒ± Read More6 Reply Lauryn1 year agoLaurynMy two cats – they sense when I’m feeling down and always love curling up next to me purring. It doesn’t matter what’s going on, they just love unconditionally. I express my gratitude for them every day – giving them attention- taking good care of them- sensing when something is wrong, and treating them as the loving unique beings they are. 8 Reply Mike S1 year agoMike SGosh I can think of so many people past and present. It was Mr. Carpenter who had this marvelous gentle nature and southern accent who is the teacher, and then there was this very down to earth friend Doug at school and we had a general caring for each other all those boys in the boys school we couldn’t exactly put it into words..My current friends Joseph and Sharlyn I just spoke with Wise via zoom and I told him how much they meant to me and that I love them. That was the first time I have do...Gosh I can think of so many people past and present. It was Mr. Carpenter who had this marvelous gentle nature and southern accent who is the teacher, and then there was this very down to earth friend Doug at school and we had a general caring for each other all those boys in the boys school we couldn’t exactly put it into words..My current friends Joseph and Sharlyn I just spoke with Wise via zoom and I told him how much they meant to me and that I love them. That was the first time I have done that and I think it was in no small part due to experience and having here and gratefulness. Read More5 Reply Helen1 year agoHelenA very kind and wise yoga teacher- she will be in my thoughts when I practice later 7 Reply Pollyanna Gladwell1 year agoPollyanna GladwellAll of the participants in my Twelve Step programme have rekindled my inner light at every meeting I have ever attended for more than 3 decades. Some have taught me what to do and others have taught me what not to do and both are equally valuable. Even if my day wasn’t entirely a dark one (mainly bright with periods of darkness rising from the depths of my skewed perception of the world and myself might be a daily forecast!), I have never left a meeting without an overwhelming attitude of grat...All of the participants in my Twelve Step programme have rekindled my inner light at every meeting I have ever attended for more than 3 decades. Some have taught me what to do and others have taught me what not to do and both are equally valuable. Even if my day wasn’t entirely a dark one (mainly bright with periods of darkness rising from the depths of my skewed perception of the world and myself might be a daily forecast!), I have never left a meeting without an overwhelming attitude of gratitude for the miraculous recovery in others and myself. I express this gratitude by continuing to attend meetings to help those who want it, to be an example of progress and not perfection, and to try to live the words of the Third Step Prayer: God, I offer myself to Thee To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, That victory over them may bear witness To those I would help of Thy Power, Thy love and Thy way of life, May I do Thy will always! Read More9 Reply Lauryn1 year agoLaurynmainly bright with periods of darkness rising from the depths of my skewed perception of the world and myself – well said. I understand. 5 Reply Holly in Ohio1 year agoHolly in OhioThrough thick and thin, through all the years of my life, nature has had the power to restore and rekindle my light. Yesterday morning looking out different windows throughout the day, I saw a beautiful female downy woodpecker. She would spend several minutes looking (or drinking?) from the V of a tree, or she would nibble on the suet cake I made and have hanging outdoors from my kitchen. This morning there is a light dusting of fresh snow and strong morning sunlight upon it. I express ...Through thick and thin, through all the years of my life, nature has had the power to restore and rekindle my light. Yesterday morning looking out different windows throughout the day, I saw a beautiful female downy woodpecker. She would spend several minutes looking (or drinking?) from the V of a tree, or she would nibble on the suet cake I made and have hanging outdoors from my kitchen. This morning there is a light dusting of fresh snow and strong morning sunlight upon it. I express my gratitude by actively working to lower my carbon footprint each day, by reducing my trash, by building healthy soil, and by planting trees. Read More10 Reply Carol1 year agoCarolMy sister who is a great listener; My son whose wisdom and positive attitude gives me hope;, my next door neighbors who know I live alone and check on me regularly. I'm thankful for the curb service offered by the local library; I look forward to visiting the gratefulness.org site each day to read the responses to the daily question and the uplifting articles and quotes. I read Fr. Richard Rohr's daily meditations; I write and share many of my own morning meditations with about 30 friends via e...My sister who is a great listener; My son whose wisdom and positive attitude gives me hope;, my next door neighbors who know I live alone and check on me regularly. I’m thankful for the curb service offered by the local library; I look forward to visiting the gratefulness.org site each day to read the responses to the daily question and the uplifting articles and quotes. I read Fr. Richard Rohr’s daily meditations; I write and share many of my own morning meditations with about 30 friends via email and cherish their willingness to support my efforts. I pray daily for acceptance of what is. Isolation is challenging but easier if I take it one day at a time. Read More9 Reply Papilio1 year agoPapilioDaily morning walk with Penny the Collie has helped me not be taken over by fear. Coming to this site has given my faint inner light more oxygen. As for Penny, belly rub is all she wants for my gratitude. I’ll share my experience in gratitude practice with my friends and refer them to this site. 7 Reply pkr1 year agopkrMy faith in a higher power has rekindled my inner light & kept me grounded. Reading poetry has helped a lot & this site & those who contribute here & Kristi Nelson & her personal journey has kept me going. Mother Nature as well, daily walks, watching the clouds…….I express my gratitude by “sowing good seeds†daily. ðŸ™â¤ï¸ 9 Reply sunnypatti1 year agosunnypattiGod, myself, my mom, and my fiance. I thank God daily for my life. There was a time I could have died, but God didn't let that happen. I realized it wasn't my time, but I also realized I needed to make some big changes. So I started the process, which is ongoing, and I'm grateful to myself for that. I see progress, and I'm proud of myself. I thank myself by being kind to myself and taking care of myself mentally & physically. My mom has been my rock thru all of my trials, and I thank her by ...God, myself, my mom, and my fiance. I thank God daily for my life. There was a time I could have died, but God didn’t let that happen. I realized it wasn’t my time, but I also realized I needed to make some big changes. So I started the process, which is ongoing, and I’m grateful to myself for that. I see progress, and I’m proud of myself. I thank myself by being kind to myself and taking care of myself mentally & physically. My mom has been my rock thru all of my trials, and I thank her by staying in touch, making sure we see each other when we can, and being the best me I can be so she will be proud of how she raised me. And my fiance… he’s the best. He understands me and sees all of me. He has helped pick me up when I get lost in my mind over dumb stuff like work or being overly sensititve to things that I have no control over. He has helped remind me of my inner light so many times, and I’m incredibly grateful we found each other. I thank him by loving him and supporting him and reminding him of his inner light, too. Read More6 Reply Trish1 year agoTrishI’m incredibly fortunate to have several people who can invariably rekindle my inner light: 2 friends, my sweetheart, my priest & my mom are at the top of the list. They have beautiful inner light & when they share with me I feel safe & loved. Sometimes my light is on fire, burning so bright w/ passion & ferocious love for this world. I extend my light to them during those times. It’s reciprocal love….â¤ï¸ 6 Reply DeVonna1 year agoDeVonnaTime spent in God’s word is a tremendous source of comfort and strength for me. Also, I have a few dear friends, who I can always count on to listen and pray on my behalf. It’s a wonderful thing to have human companionship in the darkness. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my primary companion on life’s journey, my husband. He’s a wonderful man and I am so lucky and blessed to have found him. 5 Reply 1 2 Next » 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 - 2022, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb