Reflections

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  1. S
    Salomi Jha
    5 days ago

    My family and friends

  2. Ose
    Ose
    5 days ago

    To speak with dear friends as well as being in nature anchors about what troubles and might widen perspective again in times of difficulties or storms. Wishing all who share and visit here a lovely day to come.

  3. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    5 days ago

    I have never been fully tethered to the realities of my culture,
    and sometimes
    feel like a lonely bird on a dark sea . . .
    my thoughts
    have always wandered to far away places
    inside of my head.
    I don’t fit into the molds that our society creates for us . . .
    I can play the part for a short time,
    but I can’t be the part.
    For me
    it’s not real and I don’t trust it.

    What keeps my life anchored
    has always been Nature,
    and even then,
    my connection is sometimes tenuous at best.

    It is very hard for me to imagine the absolute cruelty that exists in the world,
    and how it is born into existence . . .
    also,
    greed
    and the ‘need’ for things,
    the need always,
    for more . . .
    lust for power
    at the expense of others’ peace.

    For these things
    I find solace in my gardens,
    and have also found it on the ocean shores . . .
    in solitude with the birds
    and the wind
    and the smell of the earth.

    For my personal storms,
    for my personal grief
    sometimes
    this is not enough
    and I rock myself and die a little bit,
    inconsolable by anything and anyone . . .
    I suffer alone,
    unable to trust
    that anything or anyone
    can help me to carry it.

    I know why,
    but I have not yet
    been able to heal from it . . .
    yet.
    It is very hard for me to ask for help.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      5 days ago

      Asking for help has always been one of my nemesis, dear Sparrow.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        4 days ago

        Thank you,
        dear Joseph . . . ♥

  4. Antoinette88615
    Antoinette
    5 days ago

    Meditation

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      5 days ago

      Antoinette, I did one about compassion on Soothing Pod this morning. The lady talked about how having compassion for others increases our resiliency.

  5. Mary
    Mary
    5 days ago

    I am feeling some ambivalence over posting an answer.
    This is a good question for me, though, because it brings to mind
    the extent to which I do not feel well anchored.
    And answering from a place where I feel I am lacking will do what for me?
    Bring me down?
    Bring those who are reading this down?
    Bring me into a place where I can work on building up my anchors?
    Most likely, all the above.
    It occurs to me that this may not be the place for me to open up
    about my insecurities, doubts, and feelings of inadequacy.
    I usually feel that at least some of you may identify with my reflections,
    but I have to wonder if I am entering into a space of just being too much.
    I really could answer the Daily Questions
    by coming up with positive answers and just leaving it there.
    And that may be better for my psyche.
    And that may be the best answer for me.
    Well that probably means that I should delete this answer.
    I am just being real, but do I really need to write it just because I think it?
    So these are some of the thoughts I am having.
    I am also thinking that it might be time for me to move on from this format.
    Or maybe that is not the answer at all. 🤷‍♀️
    I truly might need to move in the direction of being more positive,
    as I do think that my answers may reflect a low grade depression that I am in.
    Just thinking about these things. 😝😧🤔
    Sending love and peace to all, as I do love all of you in this group,
    and yes I am truly grateful for all of you here, and for the grateful.org site.
    Mary. ♥️

    1. Elizabeth H67151
      Elizabeth H
      4 days ago

      Mary, I always look forward to reading your posts, and I do not think of them as being more negative than other people’s. I see your posts, like so many of our posts, as reflecting the ups and downs of our mental states and lives. I would really miss you if you left this forum– you are so very personal and caring with so many of us and have so many helpful insights in your posts. Sending love ♥️♥️♥️

      1. Mary
        Mary
        4 days ago

        Thank you so much Elizabeth. I thought that I probably was pretty negative.
        I just try to answer the questions fully and truthfully.
        I can be pretty hard on myself though, so I need to remember that
        and be gentle with myself in my answers.
        I feel very affirmed after reading your post to me, Elizabeth.
        Thank you.

    2. Patti
      sunnypatti
      5 days ago

      For what it’s worth, I have often thought I am being “too much” and have deleted responses. I appreciate your realness and am definitely not the only one 🙂 Life happens, and it’s not always butterflies and rainbows, but sharing in a safe space can, perhaps, help one reconnect to the light within.
      Peace and love to you as well!

      1. Mary
        Mary
        4 days ago

        Thank you so much SunnyPatti.
        We definitely have a few things in common.
        I frequently feel like I’m being a bit much.
        An hour or two after my post above I had decided to delete it
        and went to do so, but Joseph and Antoinette had already responded
        and were so kind in their responses, that I decided to leave it up.
        I always love reading your responses, SunnyPatti, and have never thought you were too much.
        When you have spoken of difficulties with family members
        I felt like I got to know you better and appreciated your sharing things that you have dealt with,
        and continue to deal with in your life. That is real sharing.
        Thank you again, SunnyPatti. 🌷

      2. Yram
        Yram
        4 days ago

        I can relate to what you are expressing. I feel this is a safe space. When an answer is too deep, or muddled to make sense, I just read other posts and let it relax me.

        1. Mary
          Mary
          4 days ago

          I agree with you, Yram, that this is indeed a safe place.
          I also agree that if a question becomes too intense or confusing,
          that just relaxing into reading what others have posted is best. ♥️

    3. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      5 days ago

      Life must be life dear Mary. As Sparrow wrote below . . .”None of us feels at the top of our game and confident all the time” You speak your truth as only you can. Thank you for your daily reflections.

      1. Mary
        Mary
        5 days ago

        Thank you, Joseph.
        Always a kind word from you.
        You warm my heart. 🥰

    4. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      5 days ago

      Mary being honest is the way! Let go of
      Feeling like you need to prove anything to anyone. It’s so wonderful to say how we feel and be able to let it go not matter what it is or feels like .
      Thank you for being you and showing how you feel . Hugs

      1. Mary
        Mary
        5 days ago

        Thank you, dear Antoinette.
        You are always encouraging
        and I appreciate you.
        🌷🌷🌷

        1. Antoinette88615
          Antoinette
          4 days ago

          Mary that is so kind of you. Thank you so much. ☺️ I appreciate that so much . Hugs 🤗

    5. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      5 days ago

      You are real,
      dear Mary,
      and need to be real to be true to yourself . . .
      if you are feeling low
      it is better to say it
      instead of pretending.
      We come here for honesty,
      from ourselves and each other.
      Your thoughts are all valid
      and all belong here.
      None of us feel at the top of our game
      and confident
      all of the time . . .
      we are fluid in our thoughts and feelings
      and you are being real
      by expressing them.
      I know I look for your posts every day
      and look forward to your very unique perspective
      and I think everyone else here
      probably feels the same way.
      Never think you are not loved . . . ♥

      1. Mary
        Mary
        5 days ago

        Thank you dear Sparrow.
        I always feel seen and appreciated by you.
        And I feel your love coming through you.
        Sending much love to you.
        ♥️♥️♥️

  6. Yram
    Yram
    5 days ago

    This is timely.
    I didn’t want to get up this a.m. I have no pressing event to fill the day. Then I thought that my morning routine of coming to this site and reading the responses and connecting in the lounge brightens me up. So I got out of bed.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      5 days ago

      I too,
      am always eager to come here,
      dear Yram,
      when I get out of bed in the morning. 🙂

    2. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      🥰

  7. shell
    Shell
    5 days ago

    Time in nature
    Rest
    Exercise
    Connecting with loved ones or friends

  8. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    5 days ago

    My Sunday bike ride has been a constant through many storms. And of course it’s not just the bike riding , but the hanging out with friends and checking in and being out in nature. The other thing has been music. And again, it’s more than just the music, but the time spent with others. And the thing that seems important, is that these things are like some sort of bedrock that is always there, no matter what is going on in my life. They are on the schedule and unless I’m ill or injured, I am going to do them regardless. I am so grateful to have had this constant (mostly) companion through my life.
    I hope all of you are having a peaceful Sunday 🙏

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      5 days ago

      Same to you Charlie, thanks.

  9. Elizabeth H67151
    Elizabeth H
    5 days ago

    My meditation practice and reading the words of saints, sages, and other wise souls. And now I am also learning to use a gratefulness practice to anchor my life.

    The word “anchor” also makes me think of the John Lewis quote that my husband has picked out for his sign for the Good Trouble rally/rallies in our town (and across the USA) this Thursday: “Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul.”

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      Beautiful, Elizabeth.

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      5 days ago

      Thank you,
      dear Elizabeth,
      for letting us know about the Good Trouble rally . . . ♥

  10. Michele
    Michele
    5 days ago

    Gratefulness is grounding – a worthy anchor

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      5 days ago

      Thank you,
      dear Michele,
      for putting some things into perspective for me.
      I sort of got myself out there. ♥

  11. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    5 days ago

    My belief that life is trustworthy. My loving neighbors. Two very good friends. This website and the people who share here and the practices and programs offered by the staff. A dear cousin who offers a secular ritual meeting once monthly.

    Richard Rohr’s meditation today addresses holy darkness: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-gift-of-darkness/

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      I needed to read this today, Carol.
      Thank you! 🥰

      1. Carol Ann Conner
        Carol Ann Conner
        5 days ago

        Mary, I needed Rohr’s words today, too. Depression has been ringing my doorbell most days recently.

        1. Mary
          Mary
          5 days ago

          Sending love to you, dear Carol.
          ♥️♥️♥️

  12. Laura
    Laura
    6 days ago

    God, certainly. I also try to separate the storm from my reaction to the storm, to try to gain some perspective. Not looking too far ahead also helps. Then, I ride it out as best as I can.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      So wise, Laura. Thank you.

  13. L
    Loc Tran
    6 days ago

    Since Ngoc returned home more perminantly, my life is in the clear. Presence and trusting the lord ankor me. Presence is the greatest form of preparation. God is always there and has my best interest at heart even if I may not always see it in the moment. Not everything is meant to be like that. This all circles right back to being present, keeping things simple, and getting straight to the point.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      5 days ago

      Yes, Loc, Being present, and keeping things simple.

  14. Joseph
    Joseph McCann
    6 days ago

    I just came in from feeding the barn cats. The setting moon in the southwest with small translucent clouds filling the space between. The soon to be rising sun in the northeast with the same type of clouds along with colors filling the space between. The sound of water falling over a weir seeking its level. Namaste.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      5 days ago

      . . . a good,
      strong anchor,
      dear Joseph. ♥

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      5 days ago

      Darkness and Light…side by side.

  15. Patti
    sunnypatti
    6 days ago

    My practice. Pausing and coming back to my breath. Sitting quietly, breathing, meditating. And a deep inner knowing that everything is going to be okay. Storms do not last forever.

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