Daily Question, March 8 Who or what has been an important teacher in my life? 53 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. Carol1 year agoCarolI've had several mentors in my life but the one who I've often called "My Moses" was an Episcopal priest who was my mental health chaplain and spiritual director for 27 years. These days I realize that everyone who crosses my path is my teacher and I also claim the strength and wisdom of my ancestors often. I sense that any growth in awareness I attain nurtures not only me but those who have gone before me and those who will come after. Creation is One--both seen and unseen. This oneness/wholene...I’ve had several mentors in my life but the one who I’ve often called “My Moses” was an Episcopal priest who was my mental health chaplain and spiritual director for 27 years. These days I realize that everyone who crosses my path is my teacher and I also claim the strength and wisdom of my ancestors often. I sense that any growth in awareness I attain nurtures not only me but those who have gone before me and those who will come after. Creation is One–both seen and unseen. This oneness/wholeness teaches me that what we call creation ties us to each other. There is no individual salvation. Life is truly a dance with mystery — An Eternal Now. Questions like this one always make me think of John Lennon’s “IMAGINE.” I think I’ll go out on YOU TUBE and listen to it! Read More10 Reply Trish1 year agoTrishA dance with mystery💚 2 Reply Patricia1 year agoPatriciaJustine Merritt, who opened my eyes to migrant workers among us – and in so many ways, then, to notice the overlooked. 6 Reply Cathie1 year agoCathieMy grandmother taught me to live in a world of uncertainty and difficulties, as if all was well – and I learned despite the difficulties that all was well. My Father through his alcoholism taught me to love the broken. And I suppose that there are the 2 sages who, through their teachings, have taught me to live without fear – they are Thomas Keating and Matthew Fox. 10 Reply Mike S1 year agoMike SAs I read what you all have written on this page and respond to this question I agree with pretty much most of what you all have said. Life, suffering, joy, friends, a few actual teachers, and clearly some spiritual leaders who have either read about or seen in person or consulted.And then I have to add that I have a special relationship with Christ and for many years are used to do dialogue journaling with him and that was such a powerful teaching over many years. 8 Reply Michele1 year agoMicheleI’ve had great teachers in my life and I’d have to say life itself is a good one too. This website and the daily practice of gratefulness is a very important teacher. I have always remembered from my 6th/7th grade biology class a saying to remember order of species: Kings Prefer Champagne Others Find Gin Satisfying. (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species) and my Hematology teacher: Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas (neutrophils, lympocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) 5 Reply sunnypatti1 year agosunnypattiLife itself is my greatest teacher. So many paths taken, so many people encountered. Each person in my life has been an important teacher. Some have taught me to love. Some have taught me to stand up for myself. Some have taught me that it's okay to move on (even if they, themselves, did not want me to). Some have given me tips on surfing, others tips on dealing with fine cheeses. I've learned to appreciate the little details of life along with the big, in your face, things. Teachers - and lesso...Life itself is my greatest teacher. So many paths taken, so many people encountered. Each person in my life has been an important teacher. Some have taught me to love. Some have taught me to stand up for myself. Some have taught me that it’s okay to move on (even if they, themselves, did not want me to). Some have given me tips on surfing, others tips on dealing with fine cheeses. I’ve learned to appreciate the little details of life along with the big, in your face, things. Teachers – and lessons – are everywhere… every day. I love it! Read More7 Reply Vincent-Edward Ciliberti1 year agoVincent-Edward CilibertiAs Lioness wrote life itself has taught us so much, if we take the time to listen to it and respond.. The older we live the more we tend to learn. Yet, I thank my dear parents for bringing me up with so much care and love like they did with my other three brothers and four sisters, and to my dearest wife who, when I decided to differ, I regretted it. 6 Reply Trish1 year agoTrishTime is an excellent teacher. I often feel as though I never have enough time & she reminds me of the Quality over Quantity philosophy. The way in which I engage time is what enriches my life (or distracts). She has also graced me with wisdom & a deeper appreciation for mystery. 5 Reply expati1 year agoexpatiKairos over Chronos 3 Reply Christine1 year agoChristineNature. 5 Reply Toni1 year agoToniMistakes and insight. The insight may take sometime as the unraveling of experience or download from my subconscious becomes awareness. Learning from mistakes and not making the same mistake is what I most value. I believe that may be called wisdom. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So if I am conscious I have more of a chance of learning. It's when I make excuses out of poor choices that I suffer the consequences when I know better. It was Ma...Mistakes and insight. The insight may take sometime as the unraveling of experience or download from my subconscious becomes awareness. Learning from mistakes and not making the same mistake is what I most value. I believe that may be called wisdom. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So if I am conscious I have more of a chance of learning. It’s when I make excuses out of poor choices that I suffer the consequences when I know better. It was Maya Angelou who famously said., “When you know better, you do better”. I’m working on that. Read More8 Reply Mica1 year agoMicaThanks, Toni – ‘not making the same mistake twice.’ I like that. 2 Reply Howie Geib1 year agoHowie GeibSO many, all my coaches, of course my actual teachers, but also some specific teachers like Fernando Flores, Tom Yeomans, Pere Michel-Marie one of my Novice Masters, Brian Williams who was the Farm Manager I worked under as a farm hand. But also my Dad, who instilled some crucially important basics that are like bedrock. A firm foundation on which I have built, torn down, rebuilt only to be swept away so had to rebuild again. Because probably the most valuable lesson he taught was failure brings...SO many, all my coaches, of course my actual teachers, but also some specific teachers like Fernando Flores, Tom Yeomans, Pere Michel-Marie one of my Novice Masters, Brian Williams who was the Farm Manager I worked under as a farm hand. But also my Dad, who instilled some crucially important basics that are like bedrock. A firm foundation on which I have built, torn down, rebuilt only to be swept away so had to rebuild again. Because probably the most valuable lesson he taught was failure brings knowledge. Read More9 Reply Pilgrim1 year agoPilgrimI have learned much from the Women of Wisdom who have been a part of my life – the Grandmothers, who lived through war and hardship, raised families, planted and harvested bounty from the land, and held fast to life. Also the spiritual foremothers whom it has been a privilege to know, and who often walked with me in difficult times. Being a mother to two daughters and grandmother to one granddaughter has also taught and opened me to so much life. All such a privilege. 10 Reply EJP1 year agoEJPChildren…they teach us the pure simplicity of it all. Simple and easy. 9 Reply Journey1 year agoJourneyMy parents and a few of my managers over the years have been important teachers in my life. I’ve now come to see that I can learn something from everyone if I am open and pay attention. Friends, co-workers, casual acquaintances, extended family. Every interaction or conversation is an experience and we can take something away from it. 8 Reply Ose1 year agoOseLife itself, always, and so many dear persons who have been or still are willing to be in my life. I am grateful for them all. Life has taught me to protect myself when needed, to resist, to care, to be compassionate, to love also, and to open up again with huge support of dear friends and loved ones. In one or another way, all have taught me to be joyful in the presence of pain, to be emotionally much more stable and deeply grateful for being here. Now time seems to have come to let go. Virtual...Life itself, always, and so many dear persons who have been or still are willing to be in my life. I am grateful for them all. Life has taught me to protect myself when needed, to resist, to care, to be compassionate, to love also, and to open up again with huge support of dear friends and loved ones. In one or another way, all have taught me to be joyful in the presence of pain, to be emotionally much more stable and deeply grateful for being here. Now time seems to have come to let go. Virtually embracing all of you, with a deep Thank you dearly for being here all together. Read More11 Reply k'Care-Reena1 year agok'Care-ReenaI have a list of the individuals that are Life Teachers for me: THE GREATER/CREATOR- blesses us and has cultivated a gift/obligation to heal others and introduce/coach them to find and live life as their TRUE SELF Great Grandmother- Showed me my spiritual strength and the power of faith Father- Showed me a woman can be whatever she wants to, but has to cook hahah Mother- How to be a strong woman even when carrying pain. Sister-Do what you want when you want it, its your life. Make your choices ...I have a list of the individuals that are Life Teachers for me: THE GREATER/CREATOR- blesses us and has cultivated a gift/obligation to heal others and introduce/coach them to find and live life as their TRUE SELF Great Grandmother- Showed me my spiritual strength and the power of faith Father- Showed me a woman can be whatever she wants to, but has to cook hahah Mother- How to be a strong woman even when carrying pain. Sister-Do what you want when you want it, its your life. Make your choices w/ confidence and do not give an power or control to your significant others. My Aunt- Mental Health can ruin lives, treatments is required to keep your relationships & sanity. My Little Cousins/ Sisters- You only live once, HAVE FUN & be safe (Kaylene) My Brother- Do not let anyone take advantage of you, dont ask for handouts and do it on your own, My Former Partner(s)- Showed me what guys to avoid & showed me how to find myself and love myself. vs loving other people first. Grandma- You can always carry a bag or a cart hahah Older Cousins/Big Bros- Being Dominican is POPPING lol A close friend showed me that mental health conditions is no joke and ruins lives, TREATMENT is always necessary and do NOT give up on yourself. Read More5 Reply Kevin1 year agoKevinThis is beautiful, and powerful, my friend. Thank you. 1 Reply Kevin1 year agoKevinFrom the time I was 13 years old I was involved in farming, from plant-based to animal husbandry, and I continued farming all through my twenties. Those years, now decades later, still frame much of how I experience the world around me, from a reverence for life itself, to the certainty that just as life comes, it will surely end, too. For me, it’s what we do with the middle of that reality, come hardship or fortune, through sorrow and Joy, longing and hope, that makes the days’ worth living...From the time I was 13 years old I was involved in farming, from plant-based to animal husbandry, and I continued farming all through my twenties. Those years, now decades later, still frame much of how I experience the world around me, from a reverence for life itself, to the certainty that just as life comes, it will surely end, too. For me, it’s what we do with the middle of that reality, come hardship or fortune, through sorrow and Joy, longing and hope, that makes the days’ worth living, on a path made wide with gratefulness and love and is shared among many. Read More12 Reply Antoinette1 year agoAntoinetteGrateful living is the awareness that we stand on holy ground—always—in touch with Mystery. BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST Today’s question is related to yesterday’s question in that awareness is an important teacher. Awareness of what ? Awareness is always awareness of something, right ? Yesterday I said being aware of impermanence was useful in helping me deal with pain. And today I have the symptoms of a migraine which conjures up all types of thoughts, feelings, emotions etc.. a...Grateful living is the awareness that we stand on holy ground—always—in touch with Mystery. BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST Today’s question is related to yesterday’s question in that awareness is an important teacher. Awareness of what ? Awareness is always awareness of something, right ? Yesterday I said being aware of impermanence was useful in helping me deal with pain. And today I have the symptoms of a migraine which conjures up all types of thoughts, feelings, emotions etc.. awareness right now in this present moment is key. How can I use awareness to accept this uncomfortable unwanted aversion type of energy? I will try BR. David’s – stop, look, and go method. With awareness I’m slowing down – stopping and being the witness to these powerful energies at play. I’m looking at them and naming them with loving kindness. “ Hello, my old friend aversion/ fear of suffering. I see you and I know you are there. I’m here for you and I’m resting in awareness with compassion to your struggles. “ Now I’m going to work with these “unwanted” energies by being open and loving. No matter what they are not permanent and fighting them has not helped me. It’s time for a more gentle loving approach. It’s time to slow the momentum down of my go- to usual ways of push harder. Be open to the Mystery- and let go. Here goes … Read More10 Reply John Tamminga1 year agoJohn TammingaI would make a couple of suggestions to add with your gratefulness practice here. First, use the headspace app every day to both answer your questions about awareness and practice it on a daily basis. It is best to do it first thing in the morning when you wake up and can do it in bed laying down if that helps. Second, start walking every day. You can start by going around the block and add time/distance from there. A good walk (no special shoes or work out dress needed) will help clear you ...I would make a couple of suggestions to add with your gratefulness practice here. First, use the headspace app every day to both answer your questions about awareness and practice it on a daily basis. It is best to do it first thing in the morning when you wake up and can do it in bed laying down if that helps. Second, start walking every day. You can start by going around the block and add time/distance from there. A good walk (no special shoes or work out dress needed) will help clear you body of unhelpful energy that is impacting your mind/thoughts. Hope this helps. Read More1 Reply Toni1 year agoToniI've learned along the way to put my awareness in my hands or feet to distribute energy from my head to deal with head pain. Feel the throbbing of your heart in those areas. Choose one or the other not both. Hands or feet. In acupuncture the distal points are used to distribute energy and move the stagnation away from the pain site. So for headaches we use points in the feet. Massaging the toes could help move the energy or rolling them against a small ball. Forgive me for offering help bu...I’ve learned along the way to put my awareness in my hands or feet to distribute energy from my head to deal with head pain. Feel the throbbing of your heart in those areas. Choose one or the other not both. Hands or feet. In acupuncture the distal points are used to distribute energy and move the stagnation away from the pain site. So for headaches we use points in the feet. Massaging the toes could help move the energy or rolling them against a small ball. Forgive me for offering help but it is something you might find useful. Read More4 Reply Holly in Ohio1 year agoHolly in OhioI hope you forgive me for disagreeing and voicing a different opinion. I have been a frequent and severe migraine sufferer (was for decades), but now fortunately get them very infrequently and know how to deal with them much better so they don't become so severe that I'm vomiting and wishing I were dead. Migraines DIFFER significantly from headaches and other forms of pain. Migraines include increased blood flow around the brain, which is why (different from headaches) we become so sensitiv...I hope you forgive me for disagreeing and voicing a different opinion. I have been a frequent and severe migraine sufferer (was for decades), but now fortunately get them very infrequently and know how to deal with them much better so they don’t become so severe that I’m vomiting and wishing I were dead. Migraines DIFFER significantly from headaches and other forms of pain. Migraines include increased blood flow around the brain, which is why (different from headaches) we become so sensitive to light, sound, and motion when we have one, and why I don’t think visualization, in this specific case, would be helpful. Reference here: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/migraine-and-headache/what-happens-in-your-brain-during-a-migraine The most reliable and quickest relief I found was water, quiet, darkness, an ice pack on my forehead or back of neck, and SLEEP. An hour like this and it would be gone when I woke, or just be a normal headache for which I could take pain reliever. The medical science directs us with a migraine to have LESS awareness to get relief, until we are hydrated, our hormones balance, and we’ve had sleep. Once it passes, start to learn your triggers by keeping a record of what you ate, the weather, hormones, sleep, and time on screens (phone, laptop, t.v.) or other eye strain. Common triggers include poor sleep, dehydration, weather, hormones, tension, and for some, certain food triggers like caffeine, avocadoes, chocolate, and some others. Personally I found I needed a “perfect storm” of several of these factors to get the migraine, but lack of sleep and dehydration were always at the forefront, so I’ve learned how to prevent them by watching these in particular. If you listen to your body, it may be telling you to drink a glass of water, and go to bed. There is excellent guidance from the Mayo Clinic in the following link: Reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201 Read More2 Reply Toni1 year agoToniI think I hear what you are saying. I didn't mean to make it sound simple. I do understand its an increase of blood to the brain and a form of stagnation. That's why I suggested redistribution to the hands or feet. It was just a thought. I see you have a full understanding of the cause according to western medicine. If you are ever open to eastern modalities of healing, might I suggest acupuncture. That's what I have my license in. There is extensive research on treatment but like an...I think I hear what you are saying. I didn’t mean to make it sound simple. I do understand its an increase of blood to the brain and a form of stagnation. That’s why I suggested redistribution to the hands or feet. It was just a thought. I see you have a full understanding of the cause according to western medicine. If you are ever open to eastern modalities of healing, might I suggest acupuncture. That’s what I have my license in. There is extensive research on treatment but like anything else, you’d have to try it to see if its helpful for you. I do hope you get relief and practice what ever works for you. Read More1 Reply Mica1 year agoMicaYes, Holly in Ohio – wouldn’t it be nice if migraines were so simple? May yours decrease with age! Happily, any headaches I get now are responsive to Toni’s type of advice. 1 Reply Lioness1 year agoLionessLife itself has taught me so much, if I take the time to listen to it and respond. But I have been blessed with so many teachers in my life, and today as it is her birthday, I give thanks to my Auntie Debbie who is a light in my life. 10 Reply « Previous 1 2 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
