I think of my 2 life time friends from when we were all in 7th grade. We do not live close together but we are always close in spirit. Each one of us is going through something major with family members or just life challenges in general. We are all grateful for each other and our ongoing support. We get together at least once a year in the summer but trying to plan something to celebrate our birthdays. It isn’t always an easy task since something pops up & one of us is needed at home to help a loved one. However we are always grateful for our time together when we are able to get together.
Hopefully by playing my beautiful music instrument again, possibly expressing gratitude to the Lord and to kindred friends but it needs more exercise and to get involved with it. I have to give playing it and singing a regular space. Thank you for the question!
Let´s see what came my way today. I offered an extra appointment during my free time for someone to say thank you for his trust and commitment. Later I stumbled over a YouTube video where a kind scientist sopke about quantum physics and the connection with the Dao, and I was happy to send the link to some dear friends of whom I assumed it could be of interest for them, in a way this guy offered us the possibility to sending really creative themes and thoughts to kindred creative friendx and possibly be inspired. If someone is interested in such a theme, this was the link (english language) https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Shantena#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:9a43dc34,vid:nIL1AMt02Jk,st:0. My neighbour offered me a freshly baked bread this morning, fresh from his oven, so this morning I was even gifted with his creativity as a recipient of gratefulness. We do such things on and off just to express our appreciation vice versa. It was in fact a grateful day full of creative gifts shared with kindred hearts. Thank you to all concerned. Blessings to you all and to all who share and visit here. ✨🙏
This is not a new ‘creative way’,
but one way of expressing gratitude
that I have been practicing for quite awhile.
When I clean my house,
whether it be spring cleaning,
or the more mundane every day work
I thank my house for sheltering me,
I thank the dust cloths,
the tools of my trade,
for being useful to my task.
I thank the dishwasher,
the washing machine and dryer
(the first ones I’ve ever had),
my sink,
my cupboards,
the dishes and cups and plates and bowls.
I thank the rugs on the floors and my new vacuum cleaner,
the soaps and waxes I use,
as well as the detergent sheets I’m using,
instead of the stuff that comes in large, plastic bottles.
I thank my clothes as I fold them,
the closets I squeeze them into . . .
I thank the lights that come on at night,
the hot and cold water that comes out of my faucets,
and I thank my cozy bed when I climb in at night,
tired and ready for sleep.
When I work in my gardens
I thank my body
for being able to tolerate the stretching and bending,
the tick spray
for making me feel relatively safe from the biting insects . . .
my tools,
which make the digging of the soil easier . . .
I thank the plants who have made it through another winter,
(and grieve a bit for those who haven’t).
I thank the water from my well,
the fish emulsion with which I feed them,
the fence around the veggie beds
which protects them from rabbits, deer, and ground hogs.
I thank the flowers that feed nectar to birds and butterflies.
Everything is a thank you,
and oftentimes
I find myself saying it out loud. ♥
Right now it’s late here and maybe I could express gratitude by saying thank you and I’m sorry for being selfish. I’m trying my best to let go of so many things and it’s challenging. Sometimes fear just comes up and it makes me freeze .
I’m sorry to hear this,
dear Antoinette . . .
sometimes
I have to focus on one thing I want to let go
at a time.
It makes it all
seem less overwhelming . . .
it happens to me too. ♥
Thank you so much sparrow you’re right focusing on one thing at a time would make a huge difference. I have ADHD and I have so many thoughts that flooded into me at sometimes paralysing my agreed and ones are also difficult because I want to make this stop, I want so much to be free from all these thoughts. Letting go is hard and many make it sound so easy .
Hi dear Mary.
I am always here, even twice a day.
But I admit that it is not easy for me to read and answer. It takes a long time and I am often tired, when I can finally relax at the end of the day.
I am so happy to find you here and like you I also miss old friends.
Many of them have gone and we have not seen them again, I hope they are well.
Gratitude sustains me in the difficult moments that keep on troubling me but many things are going better.
A big hug, dear Mary, I am so grateful for your kind words.
Hi dear Anna!
It’s so good to hear from you!!!
I’m so glad to hear that you are here each day!
I have read that you have been active with a sport.
Tennis I think.
It’s wonderful to get the exercise and to have fun.
Sending love to you dear Anna! ♥️♥️♥️
Mary
One ongoing struggle for me is that my husband, who has quadriplegia, often needs my help (for physical and medical reasons) IMMEDIATELY. So I have to drop whatever I am doing to help him. When he calls for help, I often say “o-KAY” in an annoyed tone of voice, because I am frustrated to have to break off whatever I was engrossed in doing. But I truly am so grateful for him! And even his immediate needs for help are something to be grateful for, because they can strengthen the important skill of being able to gracefully drop what I am doing if someone needs something (building some healthy detachment from MY needs, MY plans, MY projects). So one “covert” and different way I could express gratitude is by trying to feel gratitude when he interrupts me, or even if I can’t quite feel it, at least keeping annoyance from seeping into my tone of voice.
Dear Elizabeth,
I read Antoinette and Sparrow’s response
and realized my response (below) needsrethinking.
Please forgive my simplistic response.
I have not been in your situation
but I can imagine that it must be exhausting.
So no suggestions here, just sending my love.
Mary
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I was very concerned that my words may have been hurtful, in that I did not express my concern for you having to deal with so much day after day.
I care about you and know how kind and caring you are. So I am first of all awed by how much you are doing and have been doing. Sending love, Mary
Dear ELIZABETH, I’m so sorry this is challenging you . I can understand that this is hard for you . You are doing your best and that is good enough! Give yourself a break and allow whatever comes to come and know it’s passing through like a cloud. It’s ok to have feelings and we are here with you .
I’m truly getting this,
dear Elizabeth,
and it grinds on a person
day after day,
multiple times a day.
I too,
have been a caregiver,
and know how emotionally exhausting it can be.
You are aware . . .
that’s the first thing.
The second thing
is to forgive yourself when you ‘feel that feeling’ of frustration and impatience.
The third thing
is to ‘act as if’ until it comes more naturally.
You may be facing the most difficult challenge of your life
and it will make you strong.
Blessings to you
with love . . . ♥
That’s a lot Elizabeth.
I can see the need to respond without impatience.
I can imagine how much that would mean to your husband.
Sometimes we find it within ourselves, perhaps from the grace of God,
to find joy in that which was previously hard to deal with.
But that is a lot. Best wishes to you and sending love.
Mary
Mary, it was rough. We have to find a routine. We got word he was accepted at a rehab facility. Today I will take him there. I am hopeful he will gain more strength and then once at home it would be less difficult.
Thank you!
Take more time to meditate and contemplate…clear my monkey mind…I read Richard Rohr’s daily meditation before I read today’s question. Rohr’s words and the monk Thomas Keating’s contemplative exercise reminded me that I do not spend enough time working on my own growth to truly help others. I was reminded that we are creators. I think we sometimes forget that what we dwell on in our minds creates an energy that heals or harms ourselves and others. Hears a link to the meditation if you care to read it. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-simple-practice/
I really enjoyed Richard Rohr’s daily meditation today,
dear Carol,
and am so pleased that you posted it.
I usually visualize the sky with clouds passing by,
but I like the imagery of boats on water.
Thank you. ♥
“…what we dwell on in our minds creates an energy that heals or harms ourselves and others.”
Thank you Carol. I needed to hear that and remember it. I think I will copy it and hang it on a wall.
I am grateful for my home.
I could express this gratefulness by organizing a closet in my living room.
The job was already started when we had to have the ducts in our house replaced.
All of the stuff had to be taken out of the closets and is now in boxes.
I could enjoy looking at all the old items and finding creative ways to store them.
It’s mostly Christmas items.
Some will be discarded or stored to be given to charity
next fall when these items might be desired. 🎄🎄🧑🎄
I’ve been spring cleaning and decluttering, and Mary M.’s comment helped me realize this can be done with gratefulness. So: more spring cleaning, more decluttering today, with gratitude for all that my home is providing me. The comfortable temperature, soft couch, useful table, artistic decor, cozy bed, fridge and freezer to keep food fresh … there’s so much.
Though this may sound simplistic, when I’m in situations to say “thank you” to vendors, or people who cross my path today, I will add a big Grin. This will be instead of just a simple smile. And for some I encounter, I’ll add a hug. Blessings to all on this new day. 😁🤗
The Action for Happiness reminds me of a wonderful way to express gratitude: appreciating my hands for what they allow me to do. I can use my hand to type sweet messages and then send them to my loved ones. ✉
I’m so grateful that we sold our food trailer this past weekend and am trying to think of a creative way to express that since it was really stressing us out. It’ll be great to deposit that money in the bank… but I can’t think of any new or creative way to express my gratitude. I prayed and did my affirmations and trusted, and it all worked out. The best I can do is say thank you and keep doing the work.
I have the loveliest little studio upstairs in our 1898 built home. I love the space and yet I really let it go and piles grew like, well, weeds. Unwanted and persistent! Yesterday, I spent time in my studio attempting to tame it a bit and had quite a lot of success. Once I got going, I was a ruthless sorter! We created the studio about 5 years ago since I really wanted a space to call my own. And I was and am so grateful for my sanctuary. So, I will commit an hour or so today to continue the process and look for creative ways to use the space beautifully and also practically. It will be my way of giving thanks. 🩷
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I think of my 2 life time friends from when we were all in 7th grade. We do not live close together but we are always close in spirit. Each one of us is going through something major with family members or just life challenges in general. We are all grateful for each other and our ongoing support. We get together at least once a year in the summer but trying to plan something to celebrate our birthdays. It isn’t always an easy task since something pops up & one of us is needed at home to help a loved one. However we are always grateful for our time together when we are able to get together.
Hopefully by playing my beautiful music instrument again, possibly expressing gratitude to the Lord and to kindred friends but it needs more exercise and to get involved with it. I have to give playing it and singing a regular space. Thank you for the question!
Yes, Ose. Enjoy nurturing the relationship between the two of you. It will likely do its part as well.🩷
Let´s see what came my way today. I offered an extra appointment during my free time for someone to say thank you for his trust and commitment. Later I stumbled over a YouTube video where a kind scientist sopke about quantum physics and the connection with the Dao, and I was happy to send the link to some dear friends of whom I assumed it could be of interest for them, in a way this guy offered us the possibility to sending really creative themes and thoughts to kindred creative friendx and possibly be inspired. If someone is interested in such a theme, this was the link (english language) https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Shantena#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:9a43dc34,vid:nIL1AMt02Jk,st:0. My neighbour offered me a freshly baked bread this morning, fresh from his oven, so this morning I was even gifted with his creativity as a recipient of gratefulness. We do such things on and off just to express our appreciation vice versa. It was in fact a grateful day full of creative gifts shared with kindred hearts. Thank you to all concerned. Blessings to you all and to all who share and visit here. ✨🙏
This is not a new ‘creative way’,
but one way of expressing gratitude
that I have been practicing for quite awhile.
When I clean my house,
whether it be spring cleaning,
or the more mundane every day work
I thank my house for sheltering me,
I thank the dust cloths,
the tools of my trade,
for being useful to my task.
I thank the dishwasher,
the washing machine and dryer
(the first ones I’ve ever had),
my sink,
my cupboards,
the dishes and cups and plates and bowls.
I thank the rugs on the floors and my new vacuum cleaner,
the soaps and waxes I use,
as well as the detergent sheets I’m using,
instead of the stuff that comes in large, plastic bottles.
I thank my clothes as I fold them,
the closets I squeeze them into . . .
I thank the lights that come on at night,
the hot and cold water that comes out of my faucets,
and I thank my cozy bed when I climb in at night,
tired and ready for sleep.
When I work in my gardens
I thank my body
for being able to tolerate the stretching and bending,
the tick spray
for making me feel relatively safe from the biting insects . . .
my tools,
which make the digging of the soil easier . . .
I thank the plants who have made it through another winter,
(and grieve a bit for those who haven’t).
I thank the water from my well,
the fish emulsion with which I feed them,
the fence around the veggie beds
which protects them from rabbits, deer, and ground hogs.
I thank the flowers that feed nectar to birds and butterflies.
Everything is a thank you,
and oftentimes
I find myself saying it out loud. ♥
I love taking hot showers – I say thank you for the hot water heater making this happen 🙂
🙂
I love this Sparrow!
Such a simple and wonderful way to feel grateful
while cleaning the house and gardening!
♥️♥️♥️
Sounds to me that you deserve a great big, Your Welcome.
And thank YOU,
dear Joseph,
for bringing your wisdom and grace
to this place. ♥
Right now it’s late here and maybe I could express gratitude by saying thank you and I’m sorry for being selfish. I’m trying my best to let go of so many things and it’s challenging. Sometimes fear just comes up and it makes me freeze .
Please be gentle with yourself, Antoinette.
Letting go is hard,
and I would imagine that letting go of a lot of things at once would be very scary.
Thank you Mary . Yes it is and it does take time . I am in a hurry and that is not natures flow at all . You are right . When will I ever learn ?
You just did, Antoinette. And like all of us if we are students of life, you will have many opportunities to learn again. Blessings on your journey.🩷
I’m sorry to hear this,
dear Antoinette . . .
sometimes
I have to focus on one thing I want to let go
at a time.
It makes it all
seem less overwhelming . . .
it happens to me too. ♥
Thank you so much sparrow you’re right focusing on one thing at a time would make a huge difference. I have ADHD and I have so many thoughts that flooded into me at sometimes paralysing my agreed and ones are also difficult because I want to make this stop, I want so much to be free from all these thoughts. Letting go is hard and many make it sound so easy .
I’m thinking about Anna and Pilgrim.
I miss hearing from you. ♥️♥️♥️
Mary
What happened to them? Where is Pilgrim??
Hi dear Mary.
I am always here, even twice a day.
But I admit that it is not easy for me to read and answer. It takes a long time and I am often tired, when I can finally relax at the end of the day.
I am so happy to find you here and like you I also miss old friends.
Many of them have gone and we have not seen them again, I hope they are well.
Gratitude sustains me in the difficult moments that keep on troubling me but many things are going better.
A big hug, dear Mary, I am so grateful for your kind words.
Hi dear Anna!
It’s so good to hear from you!!!
I’m so glad to hear that you are here each day!
I have read that you have been active with a sport.
Tennis I think.
It’s wonderful to get the exercise and to have fun.
Sending love to you dear Anna! ♥️♥️♥️
Mary
🎾 yes!!
❤️
One ongoing struggle for me is that my husband, who has quadriplegia, often needs my help (for physical and medical reasons) IMMEDIATELY. So I have to drop whatever I am doing to help him. When he calls for help, I often say “o-KAY” in an annoyed tone of voice, because I am frustrated to have to break off whatever I was engrossed in doing. But I truly am so grateful for him! And even his immediate needs for help are something to be grateful for, because they can strengthen the important skill of being able to gracefully drop what I am doing if someone needs something (building some healthy detachment from MY needs, MY plans, MY projects). So one “covert” and different way I could express gratitude is by trying to feel gratitude when he interrupts me, or even if I can’t quite feel it, at least keeping annoyance from seeping into my tone of voice.
Dear Elizabeth,
I read Antoinette and Sparrow’s response
and realized my response (below) needsrethinking.
Please forgive my simplistic response.
I have not been in your situation
but I can imagine that it must be exhausting.
So no suggestions here, just sending my love.
Mary
Thank you, Mary, Antoinette, and Sparrow for your thoughts and support! And Mary, I did not think your first response was simplistic ♥️
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I was very concerned that my words may have been hurtful, in that I did not express my concern for you having to deal with so much day after day.
I care about you and know how kind and caring you are. So I am first of all awed by how much you are doing and have been doing. Sending love, Mary
Dear ELIZABETH, I’m so sorry this is challenging you . I can understand that this is hard for you . You are doing your best and that is good enough! Give yourself a break and allow whatever comes to come and know it’s passing through like a cloud. It’s ok to have feelings and we are here with you .
I’m truly getting this,
dear Elizabeth,
and it grinds on a person
day after day,
multiple times a day.
I too,
have been a caregiver,
and know how emotionally exhausting it can be.
You are aware . . .
that’s the first thing.
The second thing
is to forgive yourself when you ‘feel that feeling’ of frustration and impatience.
The third thing
is to ‘act as if’ until it comes more naturally.
You may be facing the most difficult challenge of your life
and it will make you strong.
Blessings to you
with love . . . ♥
That’s a lot Elizabeth.
I can see the need to respond without impatience.
I can imagine how much that would mean to your husband.
Sometimes we find it within ourselves, perhaps from the grace of God,
to find joy in that which was previously hard to deal with.
But that is a lot. Best wishes to you and sending love.
Mary
I will create thank you notes for those in our lives that have come forward to help.
I did that during covid,
dear Yram . . .
thank you
for bringing this up
as I think I will write some notes today
for other helpers in my life. ♥
How are things going, Yram, with your husband recovering at home?
Please respond only if you feel comfortable doing so.
Mary, it was rough. We have to find a routine. We got word he was accepted at a rehab facility. Today I will take him there. I am hopeful he will gain more strength and then once at home it would be less difficult.
Thank you!
Sending love. ♥️
Take more time to meditate and contemplate…clear my monkey mind…I read Richard Rohr’s daily meditation before I read today’s question. Rohr’s words and the monk Thomas Keating’s contemplative exercise reminded me that I do not spend enough time working on my own growth to truly help others. I was reminded that we are creators. I think we sometimes forget that what we dwell on in our minds creates an energy that heals or harms ourselves and others. Hears a link to the meditation if you care to read it.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-simple-practice/
Carol, thank you for the reminder of putting our own house in order so we can be open and available to others. 🩷
Thank you, Carol.
I really enjoyed Richard Rohr’s daily meditation today,
dear Carol,
and am so pleased that you posted it.
I usually visualize the sky with clouds passing by,
but I like the imagery of boats on water.
Thank you. ♥
“…what we dwell on in our minds creates an energy that heals or harms ourselves and others.”
Thank you Carol. I needed to hear that and remember it. I think I will copy it and hang it on a wall.
I am grateful for my home.
I could express this gratefulness by organizing a closet in my living room.
The job was already started when we had to have the ducts in our house replaced.
All of the stuff had to be taken out of the closets and is now in boxes.
I could enjoy looking at all the old items and finding creative ways to store them.
It’s mostly Christmas items.
Some will be discarded or stored to be given to charity
next fall when these items might be desired. 🎄🎄🧑🎄
I’ve been spring cleaning and decluttering, and Mary M.’s comment helped me realize this can be done with gratefulness. So: more spring cleaning, more decluttering today, with gratitude for all that my home is providing me. The comfortable temperature, soft couch, useful table, artistic decor, cozy bed, fridge and freezer to keep food fresh … there’s so much.
I love this, Drea. There is indeed so much we have to be grateful for.
Thanks Drea for expanding on the gratefulness
one can feel for a home,
and giving me extra incentive to organize!😇
Though this may sound simplistic, when I’m in situations to say “thank you” to vendors, or people who cross my path today, I will add a big Grin. This will be instead of just a simple smile. And for some I encounter, I’ll add a hug. Blessings to all on this new day. 😁🤗
Thanks for the extra punch of positive energy in the world, Carla.🩷
The Action for Happiness reminds me of a wonderful way to express gratitude: appreciating my hands for what they allow me to do. I can use my hand to type sweet messages and then send them to my loved ones. ✉
Lovely, Ngoc.🩷
Thank you again Ngoc for sharing that website – it has become part of my morning routine and I share it every morning with my kids and best friend.
My Ngoc, that sight has many good ideas. I remember the daily activity you’ve talked about before.
I’m so grateful that we sold our food trailer this past weekend and am trying to think of a creative way to express that since it was really stressing us out. It’ll be great to deposit that money in the bank… but I can’t think of any new or creative way to express my gratitude. I prayed and did my affirmations and trusted, and it all worked out. The best I can do is say thank you and keep doing the work.
I have the loveliest little studio upstairs in our 1898 built home. I love the space and yet I really let it go and piles grew like, well, weeds. Unwanted and persistent! Yesterday, I spent time in my studio attempting to tame it a bit and had quite a lot of success. Once I got going, I was a ruthless sorter! We created the studio about 5 years ago since I really wanted a space to call my own. And I was and am so grateful for my sanctuary. So, I will commit an hour or so today to continue the process and look for creative ways to use the space beautifully and also practically. It will be my way of giving thanks. 🩷
Organizing a space as a way of giving thanks for it.
I love this idea!
You know, Mary, I hadn’t thought about “organizing as a way of giving thanks” until this question arrived. I plan to use it often.🩷
Dear Mary, decluttering as gratitude is a fabulous idea! You’ve inspired my own expression.
We never know when an idea will light us up do we, Drea? Enjoy.🩷