If I really believed that I had everything I need (including enough ability/talent)
I would draw and paint everyday
and make a living as an artist
or I would make art for my enjoyment and personal satisfaction.
Thank you for this question. ♥️
What a beautiful idea, Mary! I have a friend who has started a personal practice of doing a small (about 4″x4″) painting everyday– she says it takes her about 30 minutes.
I have more than I need. Almost everyone in the U.S. does. For a very long time now we’ve assumed it’s material abundance – more than abundance, excess – was all that mattered. That’s what really drove the people making the inexplicable choice they made this week – entitlement. Too much is not enough, it’s just too much. It drives the destruction of the planet and the insane idea of the market that it’s possible to just keep getting more and more comfort and convenience. It’s driven out the recognition of how important is connection, rest, and human dignity. Maybe I need a little sackcloth and ashes. Maybe we all do. Some of us at least have an inkling of what is important. We get to live that now and share it with those who can’t even imagine it. We get to focus on the present moment and the humans in front of us instead of building barns where thieves break in and steal and rust corrupts. That, after all, is why we are here.
I am saddened by the changes coming to our beautiful country. I have all that I need, but many don’t. I fear that will only get worse in the coming years.
I definitely have everything I need. The issue is maintaining this. Keeping a roof over my head and food in my cupboard requires most of my energies. But if this was not the case, I would definitely be helping others. I love to build things, fixing things, lending a hand, and generally be there for others. I would be much more engaged in my local community and spend more time in contemplation.
I’m still struggling to focus on these questions.
The cynicism and rage are coloring my thoughts.
Charlie, I think your anger is proportionate to the harm that is coming into the US.
The whole thing is mind boggling.
I hope you will be able to give yourself rest.
I hope your own goodness will wash over you and bring you relief.
Wishing you much peace, my friend.
I would rest and let myself grieve. I’m nervous that I don’t know enough, so keep reaching for more information. If I really believed I had everything I needed, I’d slow down with the knowledge seeking and be more reflective.
Resting and letting yourself grieve sound very important, Drea.
I usually love discovering more and more information about so many things.
Lately, (since Tuesday) I want to know less.
Now that I think about it, I need to rest and grieve too. 😢
Thank you Drea for saying what I needed to hear.
Mary, You voiced my thoughts precisely…I just could not put them into words. Drea thank you for reflecting about rest and grieving…that is what I also needed to hear. Peace my friends. We WILL get through this.
I feel very fortunate to have what I need materially at this point in time. Where I feel more scarce is in the area of courage and the ability to connect with people. It is interesting to think of approaching my plans for the future in the spirit of “I already have the courage and the ability to connect that I need, and I just need to learn to tap into it. One way to learn to tap into it is to try and “fail” and learn.” I am thinking that my next step at this point in time may be to gather together some people that I trust for a Zoom call to share and listen to each other about what we plan to do next given the current political situation in the USA.
I too struggle to connect with others. I like your way of thinking here, about how we do already have the courage and ability, we just need to learn how to tap in to it. I’ll be thinking more about this today.
If I had everything I need, I would thank God for all of it. I do believe that even though I have never had everything I want, I have what I need: a warm place to stay, plenty of food in my fridge, and a family to love and be loved by.
My Ngoc, We’ve forgotten that we have everything we need here in the US. Being able to separate wants and needs goes a long ways. Candy is a perfect example. We want it, but we don’t need it.
I will continue to do my best to respond to ‘what is’ instead of react to ‘what is.’ I will practice gratitude and mindfulness and when I find myself in the past or the future, I will do my best to bring myself into the NOW where I know the strength I need resides.
I’m in a great place these days and have everything I need. I’ll continue to advocate for the people on my boat who are less fortunate than me being those with autism and mental health struggles. Those are my areas of expertees, and it’s plenty on my advocacy plate. The last thing we need is to take on more than we can handle.
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actually just awareness
If I really believed that I had everything I need (including enough ability/talent)
I would draw and paint everyday
and make a living as an artist
or I would make art for my enjoyment and personal satisfaction.
Thank you for this question. ♥️
Love this idea!
Yes, I think I do too!
I could actually do this if I put my mind to it!
Thanks for the encouragement Robin Ann!
What a beautiful idea, Mary! I have a friend who has started a personal practice of doing a small (about 4″x4″) painting everyday– she says it takes her about 30 minutes.
Thank you Elizabeth.
I feel encouraged!
I just noticed the word encourage
has courage in it. Hmmm
I am feeling some courage too!!!
I would give back more to people in need and the many causes that feel right to me to donate to.
I have more than I need. Almost everyone in the U.S. does. For a very long time now we’ve assumed it’s material abundance – more than abundance, excess – was all that mattered. That’s what really drove the people making the inexplicable choice they made this week – entitlement. Too much is not enough, it’s just too much. It drives the destruction of the planet and the insane idea of the market that it’s possible to just keep getting more and more comfort and convenience. It’s driven out the recognition of how important is connection, rest, and human dignity. Maybe I need a little sackcloth and ashes. Maybe we all do. Some of us at least have an inkling of what is important. We get to live that now and share it with those who can’t even imagine it. We get to focus on the present moment and the humans in front of us instead of building barns where thieves break in and steal and rust corrupts. That, after all, is why we are here.
Powerful!!! Yes!! I feel your comment in the core of my being. I thank you!!
I am saddened by the changes coming to our beautiful country. I have all that I need, but many don’t. I fear that will only get worse in the coming years.
Same, Linda. Feeling and knowing that, I must act.
I am very worried about that to! I work with people that are on Medicaid and I worry about them losing their medical insurance.
That is very concerning.
Stop worrying and trust that everything would be alright. Thank you for this reminder. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. 🥰
I definitely have everything I need. The issue is maintaining this. Keeping a roof over my head and food in my cupboard requires most of my energies. But if this was not the case, I would definitely be helping others. I love to build things, fixing things, lending a hand, and generally be there for others. I would be much more engaged in my local community and spend more time in contemplation.
I’m still struggling to focus on these questions.
The cynicism and rage are coloring my thoughts.
Charlie, I think your anger is proportionate to the harm that is coming into the US.
The whole thing is mind boggling.
I hope you will be able to give yourself rest.
I hope your own goodness will wash over you and bring you relief.
Wishing you much peace, my friend.
I love your thought process of using your skills to give back.
I would rest and let myself grieve. I’m nervous that I don’t know enough, so keep reaching for more information. If I really believed I had everything I needed, I’d slow down with the knowledge seeking and be more reflective.
Resting and letting yourself grieve sound very important, Drea.
I usually love discovering more and more information about so many things.
Lately, (since Tuesday) I want to know less.
Now that I think about it, I need to rest and grieve too. 😢
Thank you Drea for saying what I needed to hear.
Mary, You voiced my thoughts precisely…I just could not put them into words. Drea thank you for reflecting about rest and grieving…that is what I also needed to hear. Peace my friends. We WILL get through this.
♥️♥️♥️
Appreciate what I have.
Pay it forward.
Beautiful answer, Barb.
This question made me think of a collection of poems I compiled that celebrate the everyday. Came back to drop a link in case you’re in need of some poetry. https://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-quotidian-poems-celebrating.html
I feel very fortunate to have what I need materially at this point in time. Where I feel more scarce is in the area of courage and the ability to connect with people. It is interesting to think of approaching my plans for the future in the spirit of “I already have the courage and the ability to connect that I need, and I just need to learn to tap into it. One way to learn to tap into it is to try and “fail” and learn.” I am thinking that my next step at this point in time may be to gather together some people that I trust for a Zoom call to share and listen to each other about what we plan to do next given the current political situation in the USA.
I too struggle to connect with others. I like your way of thinking here, about how we do already have the courage and ability, we just need to learn how to tap in to it. I’ll be thinking more about this today.
Share with others. I would handle everything in a respectful, gentle way.
If I had everything I need, I would thank God for all of it. I do believe that even though I have never had everything I want, I have what I need: a warm place to stay, plenty of food in my fridge, and a family to love and be loved by.
My Ngoc, We’ve forgotten that we have everything we need here in the US. Being able to separate wants and needs goes a long ways. Candy is a perfect example. We want it, but we don’t need it.
I will continue to do my best to respond to ‘what is’ instead of react to ‘what is.’ I will practice gratitude and mindfulness and when I find myself in the past or the future, I will do my best to bring myself into the NOW where I know the strength I need resides.
Richard Rohr’s meditation today is applicable to today’s quote and question. If you are not comfortable with the word ‘God’, I suggest substituting ‘Life’ or the ‘Breath of Love.’
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/gods-love-includes-imperfection/
To respond instead of react: What a valuable reminder! Thank you for this.
“Love is always a yes”. Thank you for sharing this, and for suggesting the substitutions.
I also appreciate her suggestions – how thoughtful 💜
I’m in a great place these days and have everything I need. I’ll continue to advocate for the people on my boat who are less fortunate than me being those with autism and mental health struggles. Those are my areas of expertees, and it’s plenty on my advocacy plate. The last thing we need is to take on more than we can handle.
Relax.