Just being very thankful. Today my Dad said goodbye to his only sibling virtually. He is 88 yrs old and it would have been very difficult for him to travel and attend in person. My cousin’s did a great job at making the service available virtually. 💕
I agree with Sparrow – technology does have its positive sides, especially for moments like this. Condolences to you, your dad and family on the loss of your Uncle.
I have been given something to be grateful for . . .
how do I feel?
What shall I do about it?
What changes?
Everything is brighter,
richer,
deeper.
The flower blooms more voluptuously,
the birds sing more passionately,
the sky is bluer.
That pine forest and its memory
is more precious . . .
skin on skin,
needles in my hair,
loosed from its braid.
The music of the forest
within which I rest.
I’m prettier,
taller, healthier,
smarter,
more clear-eyed and content.
Content with my soiled apron
and the pie sitting on the counter,
feeding the deer and the squirrels
parings and seeds from my apples.
I am inspired to breathe in
all of that gratitude,
and breathe out
my love for what the Divine has given me,
and my passion
is inspired
towards reciprocity . . .
wishing to repay the gift
with my inborn creativity
with Love . . . ♥
I’m with Yram: Any action I might take depends on what inspired the gratefulness. I express gratitude and appreciation whenever that’s right action. If the catalyst for gratefulness is something I can pay forward, I do that. I agree with others who said that the feeling itself deserves attention and presence, not necessarily action.
It depends. If a quote hit me… I will write it in my book and read it another time. I will silently thank the author.
If it is a gift from mother nature.. I will savor the moment and spend time in awe
If it is a physical gift… I will thank the giver.
If it is a phone call….. I will give the conversation my presence.
For me, the question is more about what kind of action I’m inspired to take. The action I take out of worry is different from that driven by anger, which again contrasts with action driven by gratefulness. Since gratefulness slows me down, the action that follows tends to be more slow, deliberate, and patient.
Gratefulness also affects how I go about acting. For example, when I practice gratefulness while running, I relax into the effort.
The feeling of gratefulness gives me energy to take action in general. Instead of withdrawing within, I am encouraged to strike out and attempt things, and say yes to offers and opportunities.
The question about being inspired to take action is challenging.
Gratefulness draws me in to contemplation and awareness of simply being rather than necessarily doing anything.
I want to reside there as long as I can. When I must go on, I feel that gratefulness changes how I act more than what actions I take.
Senses awakened, I go more gently, more inclined to listening, caring and sharing, rather than getting stuff done.
When I experience gratefulness, rather than an action, I am inspired to be still and take in the feeling of gratefulness. After that, any action that I might take would come from love.
When I feel saturated with gratefulness, and often I do, I actually am not inspired to take action. Often, I just want to be in that place and absorb the holiness of that moment/s. This is good for me, as I have been so action oriented most of my life. ♥️
Meditation and open up to shared stillness of mind comes first; sparing and being careful in using ressources which are needed for all living beings like water for example; giving thanks to my dear sister with her big heart for others; being there for others when needed in multiple heartfelt ways which come up spontaneously like cooking a fresh soup for an ill friend or singing or taking a walk together, listening deeply, hoping to be of service for the ones I am with.
I will pay homage to National Forest Day,
remembering one of the most beautiful experiences I had
in a pine forest with a soft bed of needles
above the sea.
Thank you,
dear Michele,
for reviving this memory . . .
I can still smell the trees
as I remember. ♥
A while back I went to a talk at our community center by Julie Ratner, with Olympia’s Friends of Trees group. She uses a device called “Plants Play” made in Italy that translates the electrochemical impulses of a tree (like an
EKG, sort of) into sounds. Scroll down at https://www.restoringearthconnection.org/friends-of-trees and you’ll find links to recordings comparing the sounds of a tree isolated by a clearcut to one in untouched forest.
Robin Wall Kimmerer wrote a beautiful piece about the lives of trees and how they go on giving life even after they fall. I think I’ve shared this link before because I find its understanding of life and death so powerful and true https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/becoming-earth/. Trees alone don’t make a forest; it’s the whole system. Once I learned this I started feeling sorry for the lonely trees planted in places like the edge of a shopping mall parking lot. I’d rather have trees than no trees! But they’re not in a forest when they’re in a place like this.
I live in a house made of wood, with furniture made of wood, and I’ve enjoyed the magic of flame in many a campfire or fireplace. Human life relies on consumption of wood in many ways, and also on the existence of living, breathing trees and forests giving us oxygen. I hope we can try to do all we can to protect the untouched forests and find other ways to meet our needs without additional harm to the environment we rely on.
Thanks Barb – I always loved reading books to my kids when they were young – The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a favorite and has so much meaning.
What an incredible reflection,
dear Barb,
and I am moved deeply by it.
The more I learn about trees
the more in love I am with Life.
They are the exquisite,
untouched animals of my heart.
They demonstrate our interconnectedness
in a way that meets me,
and I am aware of just how important they are
to the survival of all of us.
Tall and wise,
or lying ‘dead’ on the ground,
they nourish our world
without praise or applause.
I have heard several types of recordings
of their voices,
and my heart breaks when I hear them,
whether they are lonely
or in congress with a surrounding forest . . .
the heartbreak of connection.
Thank you so much for all that you included
in your post.
It’s all very important stuff
to me. ♥
I was quite struck by Hildegard’s quote, given she lived so long ago and how our planet is in such ecological and cosmic peril today. Last week’s heavy snow has melted due to sun’s warmer return. A LOT of trash is now unearthed in the gutters. Led by my gratitude for Spring, I’ll glove up, trash bag in hand and walk a few blocks picking up what I can. Blessing this weekend to all! 🌷the Beatles sang the song of the day with, “Here comes the Sun!” ☀️
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Just being very thankful. Today my Dad said goodbye to his only sibling virtually. He is 88 yrs old and it would have been very difficult for him to travel and attend in person. My cousin’s did a great job at making the service available virtually. 💕
I agree with Sparrow – technology does have its positive sides, especially for moments like this. Condolences to you, your dad and family on the loss of your Uncle.
. . . one of the positive things about technology,
dear Robin Ann.
I’m grateful
that your father
was able to have his good bye. ♥
I have been given something to be grateful for . . .
how do I feel?
What shall I do about it?
What changes?
Everything is brighter,
richer,
deeper.
The flower blooms more voluptuously,
the birds sing more passionately,
the sky is bluer.
That pine forest and its memory
is more precious . . .
skin on skin,
needles in my hair,
loosed from its braid.
The music of the forest
within which I rest.
I’m prettier,
taller, healthier,
smarter,
more clear-eyed and content.
Content with my soiled apron
and the pie sitting on the counter,
feeding the deer and the squirrels
parings and seeds from my apples.
I am inspired to breathe in
all of that gratitude,
and breathe out
my love for what the Divine has given me,
and my passion
is inspired
towards reciprocity . . .
wishing to repay the gift
with my inborn creativity
with Love . . . ♥
Such a full and beautiful response, dear Sparrow.
As an aside I loved the, “I’m prettier, taller, healthier, smarter” part.
Funny how that happens when I’m feeling good. ☀️
🙂
To keep going…
Yes, to keep going. So true, Ryan.
I’m with Yram: Any action I might take depends on what inspired the gratefulness. I express gratitude and appreciation whenever that’s right action. If the catalyst for gratefulness is something I can pay forward, I do that. I agree with others who said that the feeling itself deserves attention and presence, not necessarily action.
When I experience the feeling of gratefulness, I want to sit with it for a moment to feel it deeply in all of my senses. Happy weekend, everyone! 🌸
My Ngoc, that’s what I’m likely to do most of the time too.
It depends. If a quote hit me… I will write it in my book and read it another time. I will silently thank the author.
If it is a gift from mother nature.. I will savor the moment and spend time in awe
If it is a physical gift… I will thank the giver.
If it is a phone call….. I will give the conversation my presence.
🥰
For me, the question is more about what kind of action I’m inspired to take. The action I take out of worry is different from that driven by anger, which again contrasts with action driven by gratefulness. Since gratefulness slows me down, the action that follows tends to be more slow, deliberate, and patient.
Gratefulness also affects how I go about acting. For example, when I practice gratefulness while running, I relax into the effort.
”…when I practice gratefulness while running, I relax into the effort.”
This seems to be true for me,
dear Drea,
when engaged in any activity. 🙂
Sparrow, very true, and a good reminder that gratefulness helps us relax into everything!
The feeling of gratefulness gives me energy to take action in general. Instead of withdrawing within, I am encouraged to strike out and attempt things, and say yes to offers and opportunities.
The question about being inspired to take action is challenging.
Gratefulness draws me in to contemplation and awareness of simply being rather than necessarily doing anything.
I want to reside there as long as I can. When I must go on, I feel that gratefulness changes how I act more than what actions I take.
Senses awakened, I go more gently, more inclined to listening, caring and sharing, rather than getting stuff done.
“Senses awakened, I go more gently, more inclined to listening, caring and sharing…”
I love this reflection Tom.
So many gifts come from gratefulness.
When I experience gratefulness, rather than an action, I am inspired to be still and take in the feeling of gratefulness. After that, any action that I might take would come from love.
This is a beautiful response,
dear Mary . . .
I think it applies to me as well,
although I never thought about it
in those terms.
Namaste. ♥
Namaste Sparrow.
Feeling grateful, then taking action out of love … that’s an insight I’ll carry with me today. Thank you Mary.
You are so welcome Drea.
I don’t think I’m necessarily inspired to take action. I think I am more so inspired to just soak it in and just be.
Happy Spring, all! My husband & I celebrated our 5-year anniversary yesterday. I am so grateful to share my journey with him 💞
Happy anniversary SunnyPatti! 💕
Glad you two found each other, SunntPatti.
Happy Anniversary Sunnypatti!
happy anniversary, dear Sunnypatti to you and your beloved husband! May your path together be blessed.
Happy Anniversary,
dear SunnyPatti . . .
may the years to come
bring you both
more joy,
more peace,
and more growth. ♥
Happy anniversary, SunnyPatti and congratulations on five years of love. ❤️
Congratulations. I hope you enjoy a few more..
Happy anniversary to you and your husband, Sunnypatti!
Happy Anniversary, SunniPatti. Five years, long enough to have gone through a lot together, but to me five years sounds like newlyweds. ♥️
When I feel saturated with gratefulness, and often I do, I actually am not inspired to take action. Often, I just want to be in that place and absorb the holiness of that moment/s. This is good for me, as I have been so action oriented most of my life. ♥️
Thank you for this, dear Mary Mantei. Peace be with you and with all beings. From my heart.
Meditation and open up to shared stillness of mind comes first; sparing and being careful in using ressources which are needed for all living beings like water for example; giving thanks to my dear sister with her big heart for others; being there for others when needed in multiple heartfelt ways which come up spontaneously like cooking a fresh soup for an ill friend or singing or taking a walk together, listening deeply, hoping to be of service for the ones I am with.
You are a kind being, Ose. ♥️
and so are you, dear Mary Mantei. 🙋♀️❤️
When I experience the feeling of gratefulness, no action is necessary – it is perfectly ok to just sit with it and smile.
There are soooo many Nat’l Days today – unreal – https://nationaltoday.com/march-21/
I will pay homage to National Forest Day,
remembering one of the most beautiful experiences I had
in a pine forest with a soft bed of needles
above the sea.
Thank you,
dear Michele,
for reviving this memory . . .
I can still smell the trees
as I remember. ♥
🌳🌲🌴💗
A while back I went to a talk at our community center by Julie Ratner, with Olympia’s Friends of Trees group. She uses a device called “Plants Play” made in Italy that translates the electrochemical impulses of a tree (like an
EKG, sort of) into sounds. Scroll down at https://www.restoringearthconnection.org/friends-of-trees and you’ll find links to recordings comparing the sounds of a tree isolated by a clearcut to one in untouched forest.
Robin Wall Kimmerer wrote a beautiful piece about the lives of trees and how they go on giving life even after they fall. I think I’ve shared this link before because I find its understanding of life and death so powerful and true https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/becoming-earth/. Trees alone don’t make a forest; it’s the whole system. Once I learned this I started feeling sorry for the lonely trees planted in places like the edge of a shopping mall parking lot. I’d rather have trees than no trees! But they’re not in a forest when they’re in a place like this.
I live in a house made of wood, with furniture made of wood, and I’ve enjoyed the magic of flame in many a campfire or fireplace. Human life relies on consumption of wood in many ways, and also on the existence of living, breathing trees and forests giving us oxygen. I hope we can try to do all we can to protect the untouched forests and find other ways to meet our needs without additional harm to the environment we rely on.
Thanks Barb – I always loved reading books to my kids when they were young – The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a favorite and has so much meaning.
What an incredible reflection,
dear Barb,
and I am moved deeply by it.
The more I learn about trees
the more in love I am with Life.
They are the exquisite,
untouched animals of my heart.
They demonstrate our interconnectedness
in a way that meets me,
and I am aware of just how important they are
to the survival of all of us.
Tall and wise,
or lying ‘dead’ on the ground,
they nourish our world
without praise or applause.
I have heard several types of recordings
of their voices,
and my heart breaks when I hear them,
whether they are lonely
or in congress with a surrounding forest . . .
the heartbreak of connection.
Thank you so much for all that you included
in your post.
It’s all very important stuff
to me. ♥
Amen, Michelle.♥️
I was quite struck by Hildegard’s quote, given she lived so long ago and how our planet is in such ecological and cosmic peril today. Last week’s heavy snow has melted due to sun’s warmer return. A LOT of trash is now unearthed in the gutters. Led by my gratitude for Spring, I’ll glove up, trash bag in hand and walk a few blocks picking up what I can. Blessing this weekend to all! 🌷the Beatles sang the song of the day with, “Here comes the Sun!” ☀️
“Here Comes the Sun”, a favorite of mine.
Yes ‘ . . . . .Its alright
Little darlin’ . . . . .’