Daily Question, November 19 Whom have I underestimated? What does this teach me? 38 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. Malag3 months agoMalagSomeone close to me had insight and made a turn in a different direction. I was pessimistic about it happening. Mostly you have to just let people do their thing and mostly they’ll head on the right path; and the right path is their path. 3 Reply Nicole3 months agoNicoleMyself. That I don’t need to search for validation outside….and love 3 Reply Zoe3 months agoZoeI underestimated the danger and devastation of drug use. My daughter is addicted to drugs, I suspected but wasn’t ready to admit to myself that my own child is using drugs. Now she and her 3 yr old daughter (my precious grand-daughter) are missing, they left home and my daughter hasn’t contacted us yet. We haven’t heard from them in 10 days. I light a candle for them every day, so I am inspired by the light of these virtual candles and hope this light will guide them home. 4 Reply Joanne3 months agoJoanneI’m so sorry for your pain. 2 Reply Michele3 months agoMichelePrayers for your daughter and granddaughter’s safe return. 2 Reply Malag3 months agoMalagI’m so sorry that you’re facing this right now Zoe. May that light shine to them. 3 Reply Sarah3 months agoSarahI am so, so sorry you’re going through this, Zoe. I can’t imagine the anxiety you’re feeling. I’ll also light a candle for your daughter and granddaughter in the hope that you hear they’re both safe and well. Should you want a listening ear, shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about things with a stranger who won’t judge or assume they know what’s best for you!!! Thinking of you and sending lots of lov...I am so, so sorry you’re going through this, Zoe. I can’t imagine the anxiety you’re feeling. I’ll also light a candle for your daughter and granddaughter in the hope that you hear they’re both safe and well. Should you want a listening ear, shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about things with a stranger who won’t judge or assume they know what’s best for you!!! Thinking of you and sending lots of love and hugs your way Read More5 Reply Zoe3 months agoZoeNot sure how to contact you. What is so frustrating is neither the police nor CPS will issue an Amber Alert to search for my 3 year old daughter because they are not considered missing as my daughter packed their stuff and left. With the drug use, she became more irrational and emotionally unstable. A missing person is someone who disappears without packing and leaving. Even 10 days later, they will not search for my daughter and grand-daughter to make sure they are OK and safe. My daughter tur...Not sure how to contact you. What is so frustrating is neither the police nor CPS will issue an Amber Alert to search for my 3 year old daughter because they are not considered missing as my daughter packed their stuff and left. With the drug use, she became more irrational and emotionally unstable. A missing person is someone who disappears without packing and leaving. Even 10 days later, they will not search for my daughter and grand-daughter to make sure they are OK and safe. My daughter turned off her phone, no one can contact her, not even the police nor CPS and yet they won’t search for them, a young woman and a 3 year old girl. This is so scary. – I am praying that someone – heavenly angels and earthly angels – can reach them and bring them back home quickly and safely. Read More3 Reply Sarah3 months agoSarahHi Zoe Do you use Facebook? Gratefulness have a Facebook page where we can ‘meet up’ if you would like. 0 Reply Sarah3 months agoSarahI’m sure your daughter will return when she feels able, but sometimes people have to experience things on their own before they realise they need help. Keep strong, keep the faith and be prepared to welcome her back with total love and non-judgement, as I’m sure you will. I’ll keep praying for you all and lighting candles. Sending you so much love. 4 Reply Don Jones3 months agoDon JonesGrace. The scope, scale and abundance. It teaches me to bow down more often. 3 Reply Dusty Su3 months agoDusty SuWhen living and working in Thailand, I mentored a few young local people. I had faith in them and their incredible potential abilities. It became disheartening at times when they could not see their own talents. I was tempted to give up or feared I expected too much of them. Down the track, they have all come into their own power and I am very proud of them. While I knew it was not up to me to make their success happen for them, there were moments I nearly gave up on them. I learned that everyo...When living and working in Thailand, I mentored a few young local people. I had faith in them and their incredible potential abilities. It became disheartening at times when they could not see their own talents. I was tempted to give up or feared I expected too much of them. Down the track, they have all come into their own power and I am very proud of them. While I knew it was not up to me to make their success happen for them, there were moments I nearly gave up on them. I learned that everyone has their own timetable and way of being and achieving, my place is to create a balanced, safe, supportive, brave space for others to flourish in and trust for the outcome. Read More5 Reply Malag3 months agoMalagA beautiful way to describe the sentiment I was seeking to put into my post today. 3 Reply Dusty Su3 months agoDusty SuThanks Malag, I am glad we have a shared voice. 2 Reply Hot Sauce3 months agoHot SauceWhen our dog first kept having aggression issues, we thought there was nothing more we could do to help him and that no trainer would be able to help him. We even contacted Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, but he was nowhere near Colorado at the time. Thankfully, however, we finally found a trainer in Pine who specializes in dog aggression, and he is so good with her! He still has some problems, and we have to stay cautious, but he has gotten so much better since we started working with her. 4 Reply Papilio3 months agoPapilioI had underestimated my husband, who has been showing the amazing resilience during the pandemic. This taught me that we human beings have the ability to change ourselves. 3 Reply Antoinette3 months agoAntoinetteI have underestimated trust in the inner voice. Trusting ourselves or perhaps listening to ourselves is very important! Now that I’ve lived for a while I have the luxury of reflection which allows me to look at where in life I didn’t trust myself even though my inner voice said it was time to let go or move on . Underestimating getting out of our comfort zone due to fear of the unknown is a loss of opportunities! Today’s quote says her religion is nature and I appreciate that but I w...I have underestimated trust in the inner voice. Trusting ourselves or perhaps listening to ourselves is very important! Now that I’ve lived for a while I have the luxury of reflection which allows me to look at where in life I didn’t trust myself even though my inner voice said it was time to let go or move on . Underestimating getting out of our comfort zone due to fear of the unknown is a loss of opportunities! Today’s quote says her religion is nature and I appreciate that but I will add to it and say mine is kindness. Therefore I will add kindness to any underestimations. We can’t always know exactly what to choose or where or when to let go. With kindness I allow my heart to guide me even more and not underestimate its value. Read More4 Reply Michele3 months agoMichele“Have courage and be kind” – a quote from the movie Cinderella:) 1 Reply DeVonna3 months agoDeVonnaI have consistently underestimated my husband, Earl. As I’ve mentioned here before, I was not raised by my parents. I was in foster care by the time I was 6 months old. I was shuffled between different homes and family situations my entire childhood. I learned quickly that I was a burden and an inconvenience to my “caretakers” and that everything in life is disposable, especially people. I met Earl the summer before my senior year of High School. I was 16. He was a 19 yr old midwe...I have consistently underestimated my husband, Earl. As I’ve mentioned here before, I was not raised by my parents. I was in foster care by the time I was 6 months old. I was shuffled between different homes and family situations my entire childhood. I learned quickly that I was a burden and an inconvenience to my “caretakers” and that everything in life is disposable, especially people. I met Earl the summer before my senior year of High School. I was 16. He was a 19 yr old midwestern boy stationed in Southern California with the Marines. We dated my senior year. He took me to my prom. I joined the Marines when I was 17, against Earl’s objections. We had a tearful goodbye. I was sent to Parris Island, South Carolina for 3 months of basic training. We were allowed a single phone call during that time. Most women called their parents. I called Earl. We were married 7 months after I graduated boot camp. Later Earl and I would admit to one another we were scared to death. I know this is a long post, and I apologize, but today’s question got me remembering… I used to ask Earl, numerous times a day, if he really loved me. Deep in my heart I was afraid he would throw me away too. He never got tired of telling me, he really does love me and he’s not going anywhere. He makes me feel safe. Fast forward 40 years. Earl and I are grandparents now, living out our retirement years in Florida. We raised four children together (buried one of them when he was just 14). Our life has together has had abundant blessings and challenges. People have often asked what our “secret” is and I don’t have an answer. I know our shared faith plays a big part but I’ve seen lots of good Christian homes shattered by divorce. My daughter came closest to an answer, I suppose, when she told me, “You and Dad are both loyal and forgiving.” And for that, I am extremely grateful. Read More8 Reply Michele3 months agoMicheleThis was such a beautiful response! What a nice love story. Continued blessings to you both:) 2 Reply Journey3 months agoJourneyThat’s a beautiful and uplifting life experience to share. Thank you. 4 Reply Howie Geib3 months agoHowie GeibNot too long at all…I loved every word of it. Thank you! 7 Reply Zenith3 months agoZenithMy kids. They are both far stronger than I. I have underestimated the world’s, societally made systems, to cause misery. I find it odd that some people must work so hard to make it and others need do hardly anything. But in the midst of the disparity humans can shine. Community can shine, if we only let it. 3 Reply Melissa3 months agoMelissaThe power of anyone not telling the truth. I had no idea that a lie or concept could spread like wildfire. 5 Reply Ose3 months agoOseIt could be that I have underestimated myself concerning my ability to face old and fixed fear; to staying true to myself and values I cherish; true to my friends and loved ones also, where the underlying fear, of which i have not been aware of to quite some extent had overshadowed the relations. This facing and forcing me to would never have happened without the help of trusted friends, kindred hearts who offered their trust, patience, kindness and Love to help me in processing the underlying ...It could be that I have underestimated myself concerning my ability to face old and fixed fear; to staying true to myself and values I cherish; true to my friends and loved ones also, where the underlying fear, of which i have not been aware of to quite some extent had overshadowed the relations. This facing and forcing me to would never have happened without the help of trusted friends, kindred hearts who offered their trust, patience, kindness and Love to help me in processing the underlying fear. I bow in deep gratitude towards you, dear friends. May your lives be blessed. Read More6 Reply sunnypatti3 months agosunnypattiI underestimated myself for most of my life, until about 4 years ago when I was at a point of do or die. At least that's how it felt in my mind, but that's how it needed to feel to kick me in the butt and help me change my path. I underestimated my own power. I underestimated my courage and strength. I kept myself stuck for years in a bad situation because of those false thoughts. But then with God and a little help from others, I found my light and power and changed my whole life. I honestly ha...I underestimated myself for most of my life, until about 4 years ago when I was at a point of do or die. At least that’s how it felt in my mind, but that’s how it needed to feel to kick me in the butt and help me change my path. I underestimated my own power. I underestimated my courage and strength. I kept myself stuck for years in a bad situation because of those false thoughts. But then with God and a little help from others, I found my light and power and changed my whole life. I honestly have to pinch myself sometimes because of how happy I am these days and all of the blessings I have received and continue to receive daily. All of this has helped me see that I am stronger than I ever thought I was, stronger than anyone else ever thought I was, and that others have that in them, too. It taught me that God is always there to help us find that part of ourselves that we have pushed away. And I’ve learned that I deserve to live a happy life… we all deserve it! Read More7 Reply Trish3 months agoTrishI’ve underestimated God most of my life. It’s taught me that behavior isn’t smart 🙂 & when I’m quiet & reflective the beauty of God’s power is everywhere. I don’t always understand it which is part of the great mystery. 7 Reply devy3 months agodevyMyself. At times I’ve been critical of myself and my accomplishments. Sometimes the thoughts of I’m not good enough, why can I not be like this person or be this way have crept into my inner chatter. I realize now that this internalized thinking is my inner child and the belief by him. This thinking was created by my real or perceived thinking as a child as a reaction to my parents and others. I am finally seeing everything that I have accomplished, that I am an amazing human being and that ...Myself. At times I’ve been critical of myself and my accomplishments. Sometimes the thoughts of I’m not good enough, why can I not be like this person or be this way have crept into my inner chatter. I realize now that this internalized thinking is my inner child and the belief by him. This thinking was created by my real or perceived thinking as a child as a reaction to my parents and others. I am finally seeing everything that I have accomplished, that I am an amazing human being and that I deserve credit and a pat on the back. When this negative feeling comes up, I look at why I feel this way, go back to the point where this feeling came up and talk to my inner child and let them know that they are loved and what that happened then has no bearing to what’s happening now. Read More7 Reply Zoe3 months agoZoeDevy, you are loved and you are indeed an amazing person. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes I am critical of myself as well. I am sending you a well deserved pat on the back. 🙂 3 Reply kimthompsen3 months agokimthompsenMost recently, my older brother. I’d always believed that he was a moderate Conservative. He believes that as well. But this past tumultuous Summer, I found out otherwise. I underestimated how entrenched he was in believing he was right in his worldview. The interesting thing I found out is about myself: while I still love him, of course, my view of him has changed, and not for the better. And I’m not comfortable with that. 7 Reply Javier Visionquest3 months agoJavier VisionquestI've noticed the polarization that we're currently going through as a nation mostly in the rightward shift in my father's political outlook. This is an example of what I constantly refer to when I describe people in the deep trance state of ego identification. In that, media is mind control. I make it a practice of recognizing that a person's politics is not who they are, it's what they think; reminding myself it's what they've been conditioned to believe. I will not allow pernicious thought for...I’ve noticed the polarization that we’re currently going through as a nation mostly in the rightward shift in my father’s political outlook. This is an example of what I constantly refer to when I describe people in the deep trance state of ego identification. In that, media is mind control. I make it a practice of recognizing that a person’s politics is not who they are, it’s what they think; reminding myself it’s what they’ve been conditioned to believe. I will not allow pernicious thought forms to degrade my authentic relationships! Read More4 Reply Pilgrim3 months agoPilgrimProbably myself, from time to time. Fortunately, I have had plenty of people in my life – some long-standing, and others who seemed to come into my life at just the right time – who who have seen gifts and possibilities and encouraged me to call them forth. Not simply for my own good, but often within the larger picture. This has taught me to integrate such practices for myself – questioning what is true, what is possible, what it is time for, what may be needed – and finding ways to implement. 4 Reply 333USA3 months ago333USAI underestimate the true value of face and Trust. When I put all things in God’s hands accept my circumstances his will for me in my life at this time, I find the true joy and peace that one can attain in this world. 4 Reply Kevin3 months agoKevinEven though I did not vote for the outgoing president of my country, I totally underestimated how reckless and mean-spirited this one human being could be during his one term in office. It teaches me that while I always want to celebrate the good in every human being, evil is indeed real and does manifest itself in persons and their actions. Have I prayed for the person I speak of? Yes. But it is hard. 8 Reply Patricia3 months agoPatriciaI am right there with you, Kevin. The first response I had to this question was related to particular people who have turned out to be manipulative and conniving in my own life – and while I am also trying to pray with compassion for the broken soul within the one you mentioned, I cannot forgive the damage he’s done and continues to do. I’m glad God is God and that part isn’t up to me. 3 Reply Kevin3 months agoKevinI appreciate your response, Patricia. To be honest, I am uncomfortable alluding to something that folks could feel is political in nature. But that was not my intention. I’ve sat with this question for 15 or 20 minutes early this morning trying to not write what I did because I know that the gratefulness team works really hard to keep things from appearing political on this site. However, I ended up needing to witness to what I feel is truthful here, thus the focus of my reflection this mornin...I appreciate your response, Patricia. To be honest, I am uncomfortable alluding to something that folks could feel is political in nature. But that was not my intention. I’ve sat with this question for 15 or 20 minutes early this morning trying to not write what I did because I know that the gratefulness team works really hard to keep things from appearing political on this site. However, I ended up needing to witness to what I feel is truthful here, thus the focus of my reflection this morning. And for sure, I am so glad, and glad often, that God is God and that I am not! Read More4 Reply Michele3 months agoMicheleEasy question for me – the person I have underestimated was my ex. It teaches me that just when you think you know someone and trust someone with everything, you can be dead wrong about them. It also teaches me not to hang onto number values – 6 yrs is long, 20 yrs is long, but nothing is set in stone. Funny, I thought today’s question was going to have to deal with nature based on the word for the day, lol. 4 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 - 2021, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb