Gratitude. Grateful. Gratefulness.
I wrote a comment below a post of Sparrows from yesterday. Chicken Little came to visit last Friday morning. The sky fell along with World Wide Web. Merlin took quite a break. I am now able once again to participate with society in the digital realm. I missed this lovely ritual and all of the companionship, wisdom, support and loving kindness from ‘All’ who grace theses pages.
Peace, Love & Light
What immediately comes to mind is my friend Nan used to say this often. She out lived many of her close friends including my Mom. I also feel the same way as I am getting older.
Then and now . . .
I find myself referring
to what things were like for me then
(which means those terrible years
of running and self-destruction)
and comparing them
to the relative peace I am experiencing now.
I did not grow up
thinking that my life was a gift . . .
I did not think about it at all.
Neither did I question
my ‘good’ or ‘bad’ misfortune,
but when I hit early adulthood
I began to wonder if I was cursed,
and it didn’t occur to me
to count my blessings.
As much as I would never want to go through them again,
the long, terrible years
were a twisty, windy path
through shadows and dark caves
that threatened to destroy me.
But they were also the journey I required
to bring me back out into the sunlight,
for I am not sure I would have
experience the breaking open
that happened within me,
and has stayed with me
these last 25+ years.
I’ve had relapses
but nothing has sent me back to living hell.
I know now,
without a doubt
that my life is a gift
and that I did nothing to deserve or earn it,
and the closer I come to the end of it,
the more tenderly apparent this is.
A wellspring of gratitude
arises in me
when I wake up each morning,
and although I sometimes
get tired and dispirited during the day,
there is not a moment that goes by
that I am not here to be alive
and witness to the miracles of Life
all around me . . .
from the rich, brown soil
that sifts through my fingers when I plant,
to the warm, soapy water
I wash my dishes with . . .
from the loving embrace of my husband,
to a cat curling its body around my legs,
from the faucet leaking
to my aching knees,
each is just as much a miracle,
it’s all good.
I silently sat in the sunshine this day although rain was predicted, sat with this question and felt indeed my life is a gift. Humbly and still I sat in the garden and with me these days dear kindred hearts meditating together. Peaceful and grateful moments in beautiful natruer and beautiful friends with me. Again thank you dearly for this queistion.
Ose, the weather prediction gets weird these days. I’ve noticed on quite a few occasions where it says rain or snow in the Twin Cities. Then, all that goes to the south.
Can’t trust feelings that’s one thing for sure . Reflecting helps me see deeper into the original source of life and that is what is a true gift . When I know and let go of my human mind world I’m able to become naturally grateful for this present gift of life. I have an actual opportunity to let go and dis-cover the original true nature of reality. That is indeed a gift. Thank you .
Can’t trust feelings that’s one thing for sure . Reflecting helps me see deeper into the original source of life and that is what is a true gift . When I know and let go of my human mind world I’m able to become naturally grateful for this present gift of life. I have an actual opportunity to let go and dis-cover the original true nature of reality. That is indeed a gift. Thank you .
I feel truth in this statement. I’ve been incredibly fortunate for the majority of my life. I also feel a sense of responsibility to use this gift well, in service of those who haven’t had the same good fortune.
At the same time I don’t take the statement literally. I carry an inner “scientist voice” that balances the other voices, such as my inner poet and public servant, with some dry rationality. I’m here as the random result of millions of random results, if I trace back through the generations before me. Human migrations brought my ancestors together from many places and here I am. Over the scale of geologic time I’m less than the blink of an eye and yet every moment is the only one of those I’ll have. How I use those moments–employ the gift–is up to me.
I know some of us read Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer’s poetry. I just signed up for the No Regrets summit she’s speaking in, about living the later chapters of life fully and well. Feels like something that may interest some of us; lots of interesting speakers and topics. You can sign up for free and have 24-hour access to the recordings if you can’t participate in real time, which I can’t because of work. Be aware that then they’ll start offering you membership to retain access after the event. https://www.noregretssummit.com/home-a?a_aid=rtrommer#a_aid=rtrommer
”What Christian theology calls “sin” Native American understandings often describe as imbalance, or broken harmony. These different terms point toward the same spiritual reality. Salvation then, is restoring the harmony and imbalance through healing.”
This is how I see it too,
dear Carol Ann,
and when I use the word ‘salvation’,
perhaps I need to clarify that.
Thank you
for your always wise and timely observations,
and of posting something every day
that nourishes my spirit
with love . . . ♥
I have to take the word “my” out of the question. When I say to myself “life is a gift,” I acknowledge that I am not alone in what I am experiencing. I surrender to a bigger tapestry, in which I’m traveling a serpentine route. This is a dark section of tapestry, olive green perhaps, featuring pain, weakness, humility, submission and pride, and a certain driftiness. Life leads the way, and I am humbled to take in whatever is on offer today.
I used to be a very negative person. I worried a lot and tended to see impossibilities rather than possibilities. Then I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Having survived that and doing well ten years later, I know that every day is a gift. I now am a peer support specialist for women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I am grateful that I can offer them hope while they are going through a very stressful time in their lives.
For you,
dear Contented One,
cancer has been the gift
that keeps giving.
I am grateful
that you keep giving and sharing your journey
to help others on theirs. ♥
I’m so glad you are feeling good now, and that you have the opportunity to offer your gifts to others. I’ve had two friends get Stage 3 breast cancer and am grateful that people like you are there to help.
“My life is a gift.” My first thoughts are that I have not always been the best steward of that gift – I have not appreciated it, cared for it, used it appropriately, shared it in meaningful ways; I have taken it for granted, assumed I would have what I needed when I needed it, and have not made the best choices in developing the gifts of the Gift. On the other hand…How did I get so lucky to have THIS life? Look where I am today? I know you people, and that alone is worth so much. Gratitude is, if not everything, it is a whole hell of a lot. And I am so very grateful to have THIS life and to make the choices I have to live it every single day – pain, aging, grumbles and all.
Joy. Gratitude. Humbleness.
To be alive in this body. To breathe the miracle of life every day. To grow and learn. To fall down and get back up. To know others. To know that I can change my life anytime I want to. To go out in the ocean and experience the physics of the waves, dancing with them, and sharing that joy with anyone else out there. To eat a slice of the homemade sour dough bread I bought at the farmer’s market the other day. To look up at the sun and soak in the light. To learn I helped someone when I didn’t know I was doing so.
And most importantly, to LOVE.
Indeed, such a gift ✨
When I close my eyes, and sit with the thought, « my life is a gift », I feel a deep, deep appreciation for all that is in my life. Perfection isn’t the experience I have or want, rather a richness that that is inclusive of all life brings, and the energy and spirit and confidence to be at my best with whatever that may be.🍁
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Gratitude. Grateful. Gratefulness.
I wrote a comment below a post of Sparrows from yesterday. Chicken Little came to visit last Friday morning. The sky fell along with World Wide Web. Merlin took quite a break. I am now able once again to participate with society in the digital realm. I missed this lovely ritual and all of the companionship, wisdom, support and loving kindness from ‘All’ who grace theses pages.
Peace, Love & Light
What immediately comes to mind is my friend Nan used to say this often. She out lived many of her close friends including my Mom. I also feel the same way as I am getting older.
Then and now . . .
I find myself referring
to what things were like for me then
(which means those terrible years
of running and self-destruction)
and comparing them
to the relative peace I am experiencing now.
I did not grow up
thinking that my life was a gift . . .
I did not think about it at all.
Neither did I question
my ‘good’ or ‘bad’ misfortune,
but when I hit early adulthood
I began to wonder if I was cursed,
and it didn’t occur to me
to count my blessings.
As much as I would never want to go through them again,
the long, terrible years
were a twisty, windy path
through shadows and dark caves
that threatened to destroy me.
But they were also the journey I required
to bring me back out into the sunlight,
for I am not sure I would have
experience the breaking open
that happened within me,
and has stayed with me
these last 25+ years.
I’ve had relapses
but nothing has sent me back to living hell.
I know now,
without a doubt
that my life is a gift
and that I did nothing to deserve or earn it,
and the closer I come to the end of it,
the more tenderly apparent this is.
A wellspring of gratitude
arises in me
when I wake up each morning,
and although I sometimes
get tired and dispirited during the day,
there is not a moment that goes by
that I am not here to be alive
and witness to the miracles of Life
all around me . . .
from the rich, brown soil
that sifts through my fingers when I plant,
to the warm, soapy water
I wash my dishes with . . .
from the loving embrace of my husband,
to a cat curling its body around my legs,
from the faucet leaking
to my aching knees,
each is just as much a miracle,
it’s all good.
It all means I am alive. ♥
“they were also the journey I required
to bring me back out into the sunlight”
Oh yes, I understand that very well ☀️
Yes, to witness it, dear Sparrow, to witness it one more time.
I am so happy to see you back,
dear Joseph . . .
you have been sorely missed. ((( ♥ )))
I silently sat in the sunshine this day although rain was predicted, sat with this question and felt indeed my life is a gift. Humbly and still I sat in the garden and with me these days dear kindred hearts meditating together. Peaceful and grateful moments in beautiful natruer and beautiful friends with me. Again thank you dearly for this queistion.
Ose, the weather prediction gets weird these days. I’ve noticed on quite a few occasions where it says rain or snow in the Twin Cities. Then, all that goes to the south.
Can’t trust feelings that’s one thing for sure . Reflecting helps me see deeper into the original source of life and that is what is a true gift . When I know and let go of my human mind world I’m able to become naturally grateful for this present gift of life. I have an actual opportunity to let go and dis-cover the original true nature of reality. That is indeed a gift. Thank you .
Antoinette, you said it well on feelings. They’re imperminant. No matter how valid they may be, they are unreliable.
They feel valid but are unreasonable often snd unreliable . They are impermanent even if they feel solid . Thank you Loc Tran .
Can’t trust feelings that’s one thing for sure . Reflecting helps me see deeper into the original source of life and that is what is a true gift . When I know and let go of my human mind world I’m able to become naturally grateful for this present gift of life. I have an actual opportunity to let go and dis-cover the original true nature of reality. That is indeed a gift. Thank you .
I feel truth in this statement. I’ve been incredibly fortunate for the majority of my life. I also feel a sense of responsibility to use this gift well, in service of those who haven’t had the same good fortune.
At the same time I don’t take the statement literally. I carry an inner “scientist voice” that balances the other voices, such as my inner poet and public servant, with some dry rationality. I’m here as the random result of millions of random results, if I trace back through the generations before me. Human migrations brought my ancestors together from many places and here I am. Over the scale of geologic time I’m less than the blink of an eye and yet every moment is the only one of those I’ll have. How I use those moments–employ the gift–is up to me.
I know some of us read Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer’s poetry. I just signed up for the No Regrets summit she’s speaking in, about living the later chapters of life fully and well. Feels like something that may interest some of us; lots of interesting speakers and topics. You can sign up for free and have 24-hour access to the recordings if you can’t participate in real time, which I can’t because of work. Be aware that then they’ll start offering you membership to retain access after the event. https://www.noregretssummit.com/home-a?a_aid=rtrommer#a_aid=rtrommer
It really IS up to us,
dear Barb,
how we use our moments
as well as our gifts,
isn’t it? ♥
ps. Thank you for the information on Rosemerry’s summit.
I agree with Drea. “Life is the gift.” It is the gift we all share. It is a precious present. I am Life. You are Life. I feel humble.
Also read Richard Rohr’s daily meditation today. Wanted to share it. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/universal-healing/
Sat nam 🙏🏼
”What Christian theology calls “sin” Native American understandings often describe as imbalance, or broken harmony. These different terms point toward the same spiritual reality. Salvation then, is restoring the harmony and imbalance through healing.”
This is how I see it too,
dear Carol Ann,
and when I use the word ‘salvation’,
perhaps I need to clarify that.
Thank you
for your always wise and timely observations,
and of posting something every day
that nourishes my spirit
with love . . . ♥
I have to take the word “my” out of the question. When I say to myself “life is a gift,” I acknowledge that I am not alone in what I am experiencing. I surrender to a bigger tapestry, in which I’m traveling a serpentine route. This is a dark section of tapestry, olive green perhaps, featuring pain, weakness, humility, submission and pride, and a certain driftiness. Life leads the way, and I am humbled to take in whatever is on offer today.
I used to be a very negative person. I worried a lot and tended to see impossibilities rather than possibilities. Then I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Having survived that and doing well ten years later, I know that every day is a gift. I now am a peer support specialist for women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I am grateful that I can offer them hope while they are going through a very stressful time in their lives.
For you,
dear Contented One,
cancer has been the gift
that keeps giving.
I am grateful
that you keep giving and sharing your journey
to help others on theirs. ♥
I’m so glad you are feeling good now, and that you have the opportunity to offer your gifts to others. I’ve had two friends get Stage 3 breast cancer and am grateful that people like you are there to help.
The feeling of community arises for me. I would not have had what I have without all the characters that have and are playing a role in my life.
“My life is a gift.” My first thoughts are that I have not always been the best steward of that gift – I have not appreciated it, cared for it, used it appropriately, shared it in meaningful ways; I have taken it for granted, assumed I would have what I needed when I needed it, and have not made the best choices in developing the gifts of the Gift. On the other hand…How did I get so lucky to have THIS life? Look where I am today? I know you people, and that alone is worth so much. Gratitude is, if not everything, it is a whole hell of a lot. And I am so very grateful to have THIS life and to make the choices I have to live it every single day – pain, aging, grumbles and all.
I few grattitude, because my life is quite laid back. Come in, do a few part-time piano performing jobs, and go home.
Joy. Gratitude. Humbleness.
To be alive in this body. To breathe the miracle of life every day. To grow and learn. To fall down and get back up. To know others. To know that I can change my life anytime I want to. To go out in the ocean and experience the physics of the waves, dancing with them, and sharing that joy with anyone else out there. To eat a slice of the homemade sour dough bread I bought at the farmer’s market the other day. To look up at the sun and soak in the light. To learn I helped someone when I didn’t know I was doing so.
And most importantly, to LOVE.
Indeed, such a gift ✨
Beautifully said.
So nice to read, SunnyPatti.
Beautiful. Yes.
. . . a beautiful and thoughtful reflection,
dear SunnyPatti . . .
I’m feeling you. ♥
When I close my eyes, and sit with the thought, « my life is a gift », I feel a deep, deep appreciation for all that is in my life. Perfection isn’t the experience I have or want, rather a richness that that is inclusive of all life brings, and the energy and spirit and confidence to be at my best with whatever that may be.🍁