By being available for my loved ones and friends that need my help during difficult times. I love how I am reminded of kindnesses I have done in my life time. Once in a while I am reminded and it makes me smile. My Dad reminded me when I visited him last how I helped my brother find employment where I worked (like 25 years ago!). He drove up from Texas unemployed and lived with us for a bit. Because of this he is in his current job due to that Job experience. 😊
Death
reminds me to honor how precious life is,
and how precious my life is
(to me, anyway).
Death reminds me
that I am alive,
after all,
especially when based on past experiences
where by all calculations
I should have died
years ago,
and on more than one occasion.
Sometimes
I don’t understand why . . .
there were many people
much more deserving than I
of life.
Somehow,
it just wasn’t meant to be
even as I stood waiting,
nay,knocking
at death’s door.
Knowing how precious my life is,
I honor it more deeply than I can say . . .
I feel the Gift
deeper in my heart
and do my very best to live the finest life I can
with the resources I have
and the energy of spirit that I nurture.
Not every day
is a picture perfect day of sunshine, light and good deeds,
but I put the best I have
out there,
and hold it all in my heart
with honesty and intention . . .
this miracle,
this unrivaled present
that I share with all living things.
I want Love to fill me
and I want my Love to fill the world . . .
I want to “be the Love I seek.” ♥
“Not every day is picture perfect day of sunshine, light and good deeds,” . . .❤️🌱💦☀️ can not have all the previous with out some of😒. . . . que no, dear Sparrow?
Mi español de la secundaria está oxidado,
querido Joseph…
Quizás aún no estemos listos para ver la luz
y la oscuridad como iguales. ♥
1
Ngoc Nguyen
1 week ago
The love of my family is a gifted treasure. I actively honor it by doing my best to support my people in words and in acts with all my heart and ability. ❤ May you all encounter some peace and joy today! 💐
My Ngoc, after all, our family is the people god chose to be on the journey with us from the beginning. By honoring him, we support our people in every way possible.
A couple of days ago, I thought of an image that has been helpful to me, and seems to be a way of honoring the preciousness of my life during my waking, non-meditation hours. I visualize my attention as a warm, golden, loving light. I am trying to shine the full width and brightness of my light on the person or activity I am engaged with. When I get caught in my head and am not fully present, it is like the light is mainly caught bouncing around inside my head, and very little light is shining on the person or activity I am engaged with. So I can actively honor the preciousness of my life by shining that full light on those around me and myself and whatever I am engaged with. I am bound to catch myself multiple times per hour with the light bouncing around inside, but each time I can just gently redirect it back outside.
I just thought of a phrase that seems to succinctly express what I was describing above: By shining the full precious light of my attention on the preciousness available in each moment.
I came across this quote and I think y’all would like it.
“Instead of striving towards some distant goal you will never reach, I invite you to stop and ask: How am I avoiding the enlightenment that is already present with each moment?” – Adyashanti
I haven’t been as active on here recently due to various stressors in my life but know y’all are always on my mind and in my heart. 🧡
I always enjoy reading your posts, Jenifer. I am sending love and strength for the various stressors in your life ♥️. And thank you for sharing the thought-provoking quote!
My first thought was to to stay in the moment. Often as I do that I am making a list of the “to dos”. I then remind myself to experience what I am seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, and smelling in the present, then I can make the list. It is Brother David’s stop, look, go method.
I try to honor the precious of my life by being as present as possible. By taking notice. By paying attention. By participating. By raising my hand. By pushing the send button.
All of this requires action, which can be exhausting. My tendency is towards isolation and pulling inwards, so this is another reminder, to put energy in that direction. Thank you 🙏
As my day begins, To rise with gratitude on my lips, praising the Creator for a new day of living, loving others, and being of service. Then throughout my day, pausing, celebrating the moments of now given to me this day.
How might I actively honor the preciousness of my life?
The first thing to do is to be conscious of living in the moment.
Releasing regrets and
wondering how things would have turned out if I’d made different choices
is a waste of my time.
It’s hard not to think about these things,
but I can divert my attention by determining what I can do now.
Because now is what I have.
My precious life is now.
Thank you for this question.
I went to the Online Grief Circle hosted by the Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence today, and I wanted to let you know what it was like, in case you decide to try it out (since you had said that you might be interested). They had technical difficulties with getting started, so I almost gave up and thought I had the wrong link, but then the circle started at about 8 minutes after the hour. There were 6 of us there today, we first went around and briefly said why we chose to come. Then we had about 20 minutes with our cameras off to journal or draw or do whatever was helpful to each of us to process our grief. The facilitator advised us to take a “nibble” of our grief to process, rather than trying to process all of it at once. Then we came together and each shared a little about what we had processed. Some people shared about grief related to things going on in the world, others grief related to things going on in their personal lives.I found this sharing time very connecting and healing. The circle closed with the reading of a beautiful poem by Rainier Maria Rilke. I don’t know whether or not they always follow the same format or not, but I found it to be powerful, and think I will try to go again. Right now, they are only planning to offer the grief circles through the end of August.
Dear Elizabeth, I would have been at the grief circle last Thursday, had it not been for my wedding anniversary being that same day.
My response below was just me reflecting on how I am dealing with my grief and not a reflection of the Online Grief circle. I am sorry I missed it, and would have met you had I been able to attend.
Like you, I will also try to attend the next session. Thank you for taking the time to let me know how beautiful and truly nonscary the experience was. Sending love ♥️ Mary
The grief circle sounds like it was both beautiful and healing.
I am feeling drawn to attending the next grief circle,
and at the same time I feel fear coming up.
I am so aghast at what is going on in our country,
I want to stand up against it, and
at the same time I feel like I can’t bear to look at it for very long.
So that’s where I am right now.
Thank you Elizabeth, for bringing up
The Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence in the gratefulness group.
I’ve been on the website and can see that it is a wonderful organization.
I am continuing to look into it.
Mary, your posts reminds me of some of my posts and comments I’ve talked about before in the past concerning the triple r: resentment, rebellion, and regret. They all go together when all said and done.
Mary, this reminds me of my past answers concerning how I treated Paw Mu back in the day. Correcting this vicious cycle launched me to the first step into thriving without Ngoc when she’s gone for extended time. Most likely, she’ll be visitting her side of the family in Vietnam every summer for 4-6 weeks. This time, I found archives of Paw Mu’s advice really helpful. Here’s her advice I keep in these 7 principles and continuing to work on.
1. Build from the root.
2. Detach from your ways.
3. Take responsibility.
4. Trust your people.
5. Look beyond the surface.
6. Expect nothing in return.
7. Appreciate simpler pleasures.
Ngoc is home regularly now for awhile. Life is much simpler. It feels great to take a break from navigating backstage politics or what I call, the executive game, for the time being.
By loving myself, being kind to myself and my body. Being grateful for this gift of life I’ve been given. And honoring others as well with the same kindness, remembering we are all divine beings of the same essence.
Ah, the question reminds me of the Mary Oliver poem. Here’s a link to her reading “The Summer Day” https://youtu.be/rBPHUE961zI?si=yx2BcptTLvb74mph. I am honoring my life by sharing this brilliant piece of poetry. I hope you enjoy.
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.
By being available for my loved ones and friends that need my help during difficult times. I love how I am reminded of kindnesses I have done in my life time. Once in a while I am reminded and it makes me smile. My Dad reminded me when I visited him last how I helped my brother find employment where I worked (like 25 years ago!). He drove up from Texas unemployed and lived with us for a bit. Because of this he is in his current job due to that Job experience. 😊
Death
reminds me to honor how precious life is,
and how precious my life is
(to me, anyway).
Death reminds me
that I am alive,
after all,
especially when based on past experiences
where by all calculations
I should have died
years ago,
and on more than one occasion.
Sometimes
I don’t understand why . . .
there were many people
much more deserving than I
of life.
Somehow,
it just wasn’t meant to be
even as I stood waiting,
nay,knocking
at death’s door.
Knowing how precious my life is,
I honor it more deeply than I can say . . .
I feel the Gift
deeper in my heart
and do my very best to live the finest life I can
with the resources I have
and the energy of spirit that I nurture.
Not every day
is a picture perfect day of sunshine, light and good deeds,
but I put the best I have
out there,
and hold it all in my heart
with honesty and intention . . .
this miracle,
this unrivaled present
that I share with all living things.
I want Love to fill me
and I want my Love to fill the world . . .
I want to “be the Love I seek.” ♥
“this miracle,
this unrivaled present
that I share with all living things.” ♥️♥️♥️
I want to “be the Love I seek”
Thank you, Sparrow.
♥️
I think we all want this,
don’t you,
dear Mary? ♥
“Not every day is picture perfect day of sunshine, light and good deeds,” . . .❤️🌱💦☀️ can not have all the previous with out some of😒. . . . que no, dear Sparrow?
Sin lo negativo ¿cómo disfrutaríamos de lo positivo,
querido Joseph? ♥
El miso de la luz y el oscuro. No ponemos, querida Sparrow.
Mi español de la secundaria está oxidado,
querido Joseph…
Quizás aún no estemos listos para ver la luz
y la oscuridad como iguales. ♥
The love of my family is a gifted treasure. I actively honor it by doing my best to support my people in words and in acts with all my heart and ability. ❤ May you all encounter some peace and joy today! 💐
I hope you encountered peace and joy, yourself, my friend.
My Ngoc, after all, our family is the people god chose to be on the journey with us from the beginning. By honoring him, we support our people in every way possible.
By accepting it gratefully, being present to it and sharing it.
A couple of days ago, I thought of an image that has been helpful to me, and seems to be a way of honoring the preciousness of my life during my waking, non-meditation hours. I visualize my attention as a warm, golden, loving light. I am trying to shine the full width and brightness of my light on the person or activity I am engaged with. When I get caught in my head and am not fully present, it is like the light is mainly caught bouncing around inside my head, and very little light is shining on the person or activity I am engaged with. So I can actively honor the preciousness of my life by shining that full light on those around me and myself and whatever I am engaged with. I am bound to catch myself multiple times per hour with the light bouncing around inside, but each time I can just gently redirect it back outside.
I love this Elizabeth!
I love being able to visualize a concept!
A picture is always worth a thousand words to me.
I just thought of a phrase that seems to succinctly express what I was describing above: By shining the full precious light of my attention on the preciousness available in each moment.
I came across this quote and I think y’all would like it.
“Instead of striving towards some distant goal you will never reach, I invite you to stop and ask: How am I avoiding the enlightenment that is already present with each moment?” – Adyashanti
I haven’t been as active on here recently due to various stressors in my life but know y’all are always on my mind and in my heart. 🧡
It’s so good to see you here Jenifer! ♥️
Thank you Jenifer.
That quote makes my day! Thank you, Jenifer. So glad to see you out here.
I always enjoy reading your posts, Jenifer. I am sending love and strength for the various stressors in your life ♥️. And thank you for sharing the thought-provoking quote!
My first thought was to to stay in the moment. Often as I do that I am making a list of the “to dos”. I then remind myself to experience what I am seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, and smelling in the present, then I can make the list. It is Brother David’s stop, look, go method.
I love this, Yram!
I try to honor the precious of my life by being as present as possible. By taking notice. By paying attention. By participating. By raising my hand. By pushing the send button.
All of this requires action, which can be exhausting. My tendency is towards isolation and pulling inwards, so this is another reminder, to put energy in that direction. Thank you 🙏
As my day begins, To rise with gratitude on my lips, praising the Creator for a new day of living, loving others, and being of service. Then throughout my day, pausing, celebrating the moments of now given to me this day.
Nice, Carla. God is awsome!
How might I actively honor the preciousness of my life?
The first thing to do is to be conscious of living in the moment.
Releasing regrets and
wondering how things would have turned out if I’d made different choices
is a waste of my time.
It’s hard not to think about these things,
but I can divert my attention by determining what I can do now.
Because now is what I have.
My precious life is now.
Thank you for this question.
“be conscious of living in the moment”– yes!
I went to the Online Grief Circle hosted by the Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence today, and I wanted to let you know what it was like, in case you decide to try it out (since you had said that you might be interested). They had technical difficulties with getting started, so I almost gave up and thought I had the wrong link, but then the circle started at about 8 minutes after the hour. There were 6 of us there today, we first went around and briefly said why we chose to come. Then we had about 20 minutes with our cameras off to journal or draw or do whatever was helpful to each of us to process our grief. The facilitator advised us to take a “nibble” of our grief to process, rather than trying to process all of it at once. Then we came together and each shared a little about what we had processed. Some people shared about grief related to things going on in the world, others grief related to things going on in their personal lives.I found this sharing time very connecting and healing. The circle closed with the reading of a beautiful poem by Rainier Maria Rilke. I don’t know whether or not they always follow the same format or not, but I found it to be powerful, and think I will try to go again. Right now, they are only planning to offer the grief circles through the end of August.
Dear Elizabeth, I would have been at the grief circle last Thursday, had it not been for my wedding anniversary being that same day.
My response below was just me reflecting on how I am dealing with my grief and not a reflection of the Online Grief circle. I am sorry I missed it, and would have met you had I been able to attend.
Like you, I will also try to attend the next session. Thank you for taking the time to let me know how beautiful and truly nonscary the experience was. Sending love ♥️ Mary
Mary, I hope that you had a wonderful anniversary! ♥️
Thank you for sharing, and perhaps I will see you at the next circle.
😊
The grief circle sounds like it was both beautiful and healing.
I am feeling drawn to attending the next grief circle,
and at the same time I feel fear coming up.
I am so aghast at what is going on in our country,
I want to stand up against it, and
at the same time I feel like I can’t bear to look at it for very long.
So that’s where I am right now.
Thank you Elizabeth, for bringing up
The Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence in the gratefulness group.
I’ve been on the website and can see that it is a wonderful organization.
I am continuing to look into it.
Mary, your posts reminds me of some of my posts and comments I’ve talked about before in the past concerning the triple r: resentment, rebellion, and regret. They all go together when all said and done.
I think they do go together, Loc.
Yes, I think they do.
Mary, this reminds me of my past answers concerning how I treated Paw Mu back in the day. Correcting this vicious cycle launched me to the first step into thriving without Ngoc when she’s gone for extended time. Most likely, she’ll be visitting her side of the family in Vietnam every summer for 4-6 weeks. This time, I found archives of Paw Mu’s advice really helpful. Here’s her advice I keep in these 7 principles and continuing to work on.
1. Build from the root.
2. Detach from your ways.
3. Take responsibility.
4. Trust your people.
5. Look beyond the surface.
6. Expect nothing in return.
7. Appreciate simpler pleasures.
Very good principles.
You are right,
dear Mary . . .
your precious life is Now. ♥
Ngoc is home regularly now for awhile. Life is much simpler. It feels great to take a break from navigating backstage politics or what I call, the executive game, for the time being.
Enjoy your time together. ♥️
Thanks Mary.
By going slow with the flow. By sensing into the small, shy voices within. By allowing myself to relax into the day.
This is a goal and very honorable.
Thank you Yram.
Yes, relaxing into the day!
It’s something I need to do more often, Mary.
Drea, I can resignate with you on trusting the inner voice as someone with enhanced intuition. The gut is right 9 out of every 10 times. That’s a lot.
Yes, the gut is incredibly important.
To kindly welcoming every new day and every encounter as precious as it is. Wishing a beautiful day to you all.
Thanks Ose . You too 🌻
Wishing a beautiful day to you, Ose. 💕
By loving myself, being kind to myself and my body. Being grateful for this gift of life I’ve been given. And honoring others as well with the same kindness, remembering we are all divine beings of the same essence.
Ah, the question reminds me of the Mary Oliver poem. Here’s a link to her reading “The Summer Day” https://youtu.be/rBPHUE961zI?si=yx2BcptTLvb74mph. I am honoring my life by sharing this brilliant piece of poetry. I hope you enjoy.
“how to stroll through the fields,” Thank you for this link Avril.
Thank you . 🤩 yes pray and kneel in the grass
Avril, thanks for posting the link to this poem. Talk about summing it all up!
Thanks for sharing, Avril!
Perfect….we never know what we come up on will be handy.
Love this!
Thank you, Avril!
This
is so much how I felt yesterday
while lying in the grass,
dear Avril . . .
thank you. ♥
I love Mary Oliver’s work. Thank you for sharing 🙂