If this were my first day in (a new) life I wouldn’t have any of the habits or obligations I had yesterday. I would need to choose which ones I wanted to institute or pick up. I would have let go of all the “I’m this way, I like this, I do that” that forms a life routine. What freedom, and what responsibility. And I can do this any day, really.
I would be very curious.
I would of course be a one day old infant
But I’m thinking that is not the point of this question.
So I am me, minus my past experiences.
So what might shift in the way I would approach my life?
First I would be very curious, looking at and touching everything.
My approach to the day would be one of wonder.
I would be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature.
I would savor my experiences- eating, drinking, walking,
being outdoors, resting, sleeping, getting up in the morning.
I would be constantly amazed and filled with joy at all I could experience.
But of course today is not my very first day.
So the question for me is how to live as though everything is new to me.
To see and experience my life with wonder.
And of course to be grateful.
Dear Anna! I am so happy to see your post too!!
I had wondered if I would see you here.
Palm found me on the Ask for Help section on Community.grateful.org
My question is 22 questions down from the top.
I was so happy to hear from her! It’s been so long!
I will start answering some of the questions of the day in this section.
I have truly missed you dear Anna and am so so happy to hear from you!
Sending you so much love! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ Mary
I think of an innocent baby or small child who has such a carefree love of life, with lots of smiles and laughter! Lots of play time too!
I listened to a wellness program at work recently and it was about smiling and laughing, how much it is definitely good for your mental health. Even just smiling is!! Finding your inner child of course : )
This reminds me of a quote that always stood out to me from the move Under The Tuscan Sun – “Never lose your childish innocence. It’s the most important thing.”
I would look around me with curiosity and wonder. I would see caring faces. I would hear the sound of people talking. I would taste milk. I would smell flower bouquets celebrating my birth. I would feel my mother’s skin against mine. I would sense my entry into this new world and delight in my great good fortune to be fully alive and well. I would cry out “I am here now. Rejoice and be glad!” I would give thanks for my life.
I don´t know. Not to be determined by past and related emotions or sensations or thoughts while in the same time, just being, open hearted, grateful, with joy and being present. Deep running with lightness, aware of fear while being guided by love, caring for my fellow friends and people while respecting own needs also, no clinging while aware of everlasting freedom, deep gratefulness for all, including all, to decide for hope, trust and faith in order to being free to serving His love.
The very first day of my life? Woh!
I guess I would be ready to learn new
things. I wouldn’t be concerned with the
past, because you know, the first day thing.
I know that I would be very eager to get out
the door and see and experience all of the
things that make up this world that
we live in.
Charlie, love your answer. It’s another good way to approach emptiness. This motivates us to let go of all the things holding us back from the present. Once we’re able to do this, many doors open up.
There was a baby at a dinner party we did last night, and his grandfather put hummus in the baby’s mouth. It was his first taste of it ever, and his little face drew up for a moment like he tasted something sour (there was lemon in it), but then his eyes got bright, like there was a flavor sensation that made him so happy and he smiled. I’d like to think if I approached this day as the first that I would also have those satisfying sensations of a “first” try of something without any worldly influence, which would keep me in a state of gratitude all day.
Be here NOW addresses today’s question with fewer words because for me, the question accents the importance of being present–being here not in the past or future. This question hit me hard because both of my sisters are here with me in my home at the present time. My middle sister will be given a minimal dose of chemo this week because she is too weak to withstand a full dose. She has gone from cane, to walker to wheel chair in a few short weeks. My youngest sister flew in from Colorado to help me take care of her as my own health issues make it impossible for me to lift her or lift much of anything else these days. Until yesterday, we did not even know if any treatment would be possible. I think our focus has been more of “Are we facing the last days of her life?” Thankfully, today’s question will help me be fully present to each day we have and not be focused on what the future might bring. Thanks to all of you for being here, for caring and sharing.
I’m sending my love to you and your sisters, Carol. This must be so intense.
I have two sisters as well and am strongly relating to this experience.
I wish you peace and a tender loving space with your sisters. ♥️
Wow Carol this really must be difficult and I am deeply sorry for that your sister is sick. Thank you for sharing and I hope you have the peace of mind to remain in the present moment with gratefulness for this moment .
Carol, I’ll be thinking of you and
your sisters today. You inspire
me and here’s a spontaneous poem.
As I sit here with my coffee and cats,
on this beautiful sunny California
morning,
I am visited by a Mourning Dove,
and it’s melancholy call,
a reminder of just how precious
this all is.
Thanks for your lovely poem, Charlie. I felt like I was sitting right there with you. Your reference to a Mourning Dove reminded me of my wonderful experience of the Doves nesting in a planter on my front porch in Louisiana for three years. They trusted me completely and let me walk right up to the nest and watch their babies grow!
Blessings to all of you, thank you for caring for your sister. Caregiving is a mission of love, the best gift we can give each other. Enjoy your sisters and the memories you share together.
Ana Maria, we are enjoying the time together though we can’t help but wish the circumstances were different. That said, the light is shining through the darkness.
If today were the first day of my life… this question reminds me of my father-in-law’s situation two years ago. When our family discovered his multiple myeloma, he and all of us thought it was the end of his life because his condition was terrible. Fortunately, effective treatment brought him back to us. He was given a new lease on life through a stem cell transplant. His new life began amidst our gratitude and joy. Reflecting on my father-in-law’s story, I can hope for opportunities to be reborn in health and happiness. While sickness is a part of life, if I could experience rebirth from illness, my gratitude would be transformative.
I am trying to imagine what pure innocence would feel like…
What I think would shift is that awe and wonder would be my reaction to everything. I wouldn’t have to remember to slow down, or be present, I just would.
Thank you Mary. I was struggling with this question until I read your reply. This is why I have always loved being and working with young children. They see everything anew and that has always inspired me to look afresh and see things in a new light too.
What would shift immediately is the necessity of the love of other human beings to take care of me, for the survival of a helpless human baby. It would be the beginning of a life of gratitude and gratefulness.
Provided I would have the cognizant awareness that I have now, I would smell and sniff every blossom and bloom within my reach. I would also try and taste a morsel of the food items I’d have made available to me. I pause and review my two sentences. Gosh, they exemplify what a first world privileged child I am—my first thoughts are of consumption. Smelling and eating. With this awareness of my self centeredness, I will add, I will share what I’ve been given.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
If this were my first day in (a new) life I wouldn’t have any of the habits or obligations I had yesterday. I would need to choose which ones I wanted to institute or pick up. I would have let go of all the “I’m this way, I like this, I do that” that forms a life routine. What freedom, and what responsibility. And I can do this any day, really.
(posting a day late)
I would be very curious.
I would of course be a one day old infant
But I’m thinking that is not the point of this question.
So I am me, minus my past experiences.
So what might shift in the way I would approach my life?
First I would be very curious, looking at and touching everything.
My approach to the day would be one of wonder.
I would be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature.
I would savor my experiences- eating, drinking, walking,
being outdoors, resting, sleeping, getting up in the morning.
I would be constantly amazed and filled with joy at all I could experience.
But of course today is not my very first day.
So the question for me is how to live as though everything is new to me.
To see and experience my life with wonder.
And of course to be grateful.
My dear friend Mary! Seeing your post makes my day, this morning is a feast.
Dear Anna! I am so happy to see your post too!!
I had wondered if I would see you here.
Palm found me on the Ask for Help section on Community.grateful.org
My question is 22 questions down from the top.
I was so happy to hear from her! It’s been so long!
I will start answering some of the questions of the day in this section.
I have truly missed you dear Anna and am so so happy to hear from you!
Sending you so much love! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ Mary
full of curiosity, openness, amazement, joy, then certainly hunger at some point …
I think of an innocent baby or small child who has such a carefree love of life, with lots of smiles and laughter! Lots of play time too!
I listened to a wellness program at work recently and it was about smiling and laughing, how much it is definitely good for your mental health. Even just smiling is!! Finding your inner child of course : )
This reminds me of a quote that always stood out to me from the move Under The Tuscan Sun – “Never lose your childish innocence. It’s the most important thing.”
I would look around me with curiosity and wonder. I would see caring faces. I would hear the sound of people talking. I would taste milk. I would smell flower bouquets celebrating my birth. I would feel my mother’s skin against mine. I would sense my entry into this new world and delight in my great good fortune to be fully alive and well. I would cry out “I am here now. Rejoice and be glad!” I would give thanks for my life.
I don´t know. Not to be determined by past and related emotions or sensations or thoughts while in the same time, just being, open hearted, grateful, with joy and being present. Deep running with lightness, aware of fear while being guided by love, caring for my fellow friends and people while respecting own needs also, no clinging while aware of everlasting freedom, deep gratefulness for all, including all, to decide for hope, trust and faith in order to being free to serving His love.
The very first day of my life? Woh!
I guess I would be ready to learn new
things. I wouldn’t be concerned with the
past, because you know, the first day thing.
I know that I would be very eager to get out
the door and see and experience all of the
things that make up this world that
we live in.
Charlie, love your answer. It’s another good way to approach emptiness. This motivates us to let go of all the things holding us back from the present. Once we’re able to do this, many doors open up.
There was a baby at a dinner party we did last night, and his grandfather put hummus in the baby’s mouth. It was his first taste of it ever, and his little face drew up for a moment like he tasted something sour (there was lemon in it), but then his eyes got bright, like there was a flavor sensation that made him so happy and he smiled. I’d like to think if I approached this day as the first that I would also have those satisfying sensations of a “first” try of something without any worldly influence, which would keep me in a state of gratitude all day.
Loved visualizing the babies experience w/hummus in my mind!!
Opportunities for self-improvement and enjoying life become endless.
Be here NOW addresses today’s question with fewer words because for me, the question accents the importance of being present–being here not in the past or future. This question hit me hard because both of my sisters are here with me in my home at the present time. My middle sister will be given a minimal dose of chemo this week because she is too weak to withstand a full dose. She has gone from cane, to walker to wheel chair in a few short weeks. My youngest sister flew in from Colorado to help me take care of her as my own health issues make it impossible for me to lift her or lift much of anything else these days. Until yesterday, we did not even know if any treatment would be possible. I think our focus has been more of “Are we facing the last days of her life?” Thankfully, today’s question will help me be fully present to each day we have and not be focused on what the future might bring. Thanks to all of you for being here, for caring and sharing.
I am thinking of you and your sisters Carol. Wishing you peace and calmness during this uncertain time.
Thanks Michele
I’m sending my love to you and your sisters, Carol. This must be so intense.
I have two sisters as well and am strongly relating to this experience.
I wish you peace and a tender loving space with your sisters. ♥️
Mary. Yes, it is intense but I will hang on to your wish for peace and a tender loving space with my sisters. Helpful words for me. thank you
Much love for you and your sisters Dear Carol.
Joseph, Love is such a empowering energy and is deeply appreciated.
Carol, thinking of you and your sister’s and sending you much strength during this difficult time. Take care!
Thank you Robin Ann
My heart goes out to you & your sisters as I read this poignant reflection. You inspire me to Be Here Now.🙏
Your words warm my heart Josie
Wow Carol this really must be difficult and I am deeply sorry for that your sister is sick. Thank you for sharing and I hope you have the peace of mind to remain in the present moment with gratefulness for this moment .
It was a good day, Antoinette. Not peace of mind all the time but a good day.
Carol, I’ll be thinking of you and
your sisters today. You inspire
me and here’s a spontaneous poem.
As I sit here with my coffee and cats,
on this beautiful sunny California
morning,
I am visited by a Mourning Dove,
and it’s melancholy call,
a reminder of just how precious
this all is.
Thanks for your lovely poem, Charlie. I felt like I was sitting right there with you. Your reference to a Mourning Dove reminded me of my wonderful experience of the Doves nesting in a planter on my front porch in Louisiana for three years. They trusted me completely and let me walk right up to the nest and watch their babies grow!
Blessings to all of you, thank you for caring for your sister. Caregiving is a mission of love, the best gift we can give each other. Enjoy your sisters and the memories you share together.
Ana Maria, we are enjoying the time together though we can’t help but wish the circumstances were different. That said, the light is shining through the darkness.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I will surround you with love and peace.
If today were the first day of my life… this question reminds me of my father-in-law’s situation two years ago. When our family discovered his multiple myeloma, he and all of us thought it was the end of his life because his condition was terrible. Fortunately, effective treatment brought him back to us. He was given a new lease on life through a stem cell transplant. His new life began amidst our gratitude and joy. Reflecting on my father-in-law’s story, I can hope for opportunities to be reborn in health and happiness. While sickness is a part of life, if I could experience rebirth from illness, my gratitude would be transformative.
I am trying to imagine what pure innocence would feel like…
What I think would shift is that awe and wonder would be my reaction to everything. I wouldn’t have to remember to slow down, or be present, I just would.
Thank you Mary. I was struggling with this question until I read your reply. This is why I have always loved being and working with young children. They see everything anew and that has always inspired me to look afresh and see things in a new light too.
Looking forward to reading others answers today…too tired to think right now.
That is how I am feeling right now too. But my boss told me to work from home tomorrow thank Goodness!
This was my exact reaction to today’s question. Thanks, Mary.
What would shift immediately is the necessity of the love of other human beings to take care of me, for the survival of a helpless human baby. It would be the beginning of a life of gratitude and gratefulness.
Provided I would have the cognizant awareness that I have now, I would smell and sniff every blossom and bloom within my reach. I would also try and taste a morsel of the food items I’d have made available to me. I pause and review my two sentences. Gosh, they exemplify what a first world privileged child I am—my first thoughts are of consumption. Smelling and eating. With this awareness of my self centeredness, I will add, I will share what I’ve been given.
I appreciate both your first thoughts and your second, Carla.