I have found gratitude after my fall 2 weeks ago. I am grateful every day that I didn’t break anything more serious than my ribs, and they are healing. I am grateful that I can still walk well, and also that I can take time to rest when I need it. Our bodies are miraculous, aren’t they?
Usual landscapes, when morning light embraces them, especially after a storm.
They enlighten my day, and I go working with a smile in my heart, as if God is gently putting His hand on my shoulder and saying “courage Anna, be brave, I am always here, and this is for you.”
Today I found out a co-worker for many years passed away. She was only 62. It started out as an infection from stepping on a rock and not going to the doctor soon enough. It is a reminder of how precious life is!!
Today I have tremendous gratitude that my daughter is doing ok and going to a new program soon. We talk a lot and she is doing so much better mentally. She does have legal issues but we are taking it one day at a time. I am hopeful and grateful for this precious time of communicating with her for now. Also her friend Ben is still hanging in there being a huge support to both of us. He is an earth angel!
I so appreciate all of your responses…many of which resonated with me deeply.
Like Michele, I can’t pull an example from my memory, although I am sure that this has happened in my life many times over. I will say that gratitude is like medicine to me and I am grateful to be grateful! 🙂
Have a blessed day everyone…thank you for your generous and authentic sharing 🙏
p.s. A special good morning to my dear friend Pilgrim on this our mutual prayer Tuesday. Love and blessings to you old friend.
Dear Diane, I just saw this at nearly 9 pm, so you may not find this. Thank you for your kindness, my friend! It has been a bit of a harried and unfocused day. Many blessings to you and yours!
I have found gratitude for my son’s disability. Although it comes with many challenges, it is part of who he is; a bright, beaming, wonderful light in this world and I am so very grateful for him. 🩵
Years ago I discovered a lump in my breast on Friday of a three-day weekend, which meant I couldn’t get any testing done for a few days. My children were very young and I immediately knew I would go through any treatment to try to get more time with them. I don’t know if it was gratitude I felt, but I distinctly remember after all these years sitting in my yard and looking around me and having everything appear so beautiful with such crystalline clarity because I wasn’t sure how many more times I would see these things, assuming the worst. Turned out it wasn’t cancer but it was a recurring cyst and every time the lump came back I could be reminded again how precious life is in even the smallest details, how much I had, and how much I would fight to have a few more ordinary days.
It’s very hard to find gratitude when in physical pain. My son always reminds me: “Mom, it could be worse!” I can’t say gratitude follows his words but my resistance softens and acceptance helps me roll with the punches. Richard Rohr says, “We know the old shibboleth, “Don’t think of an elephant.” If we try not to, that dang elephant invariably sneaks back into our minds! Just wait. To actively oppose something actually engages with it and gives it energy. That’s why good spiritual teachers say, “What you resist persists.” Our first energy has to be “yes” energy. From there we can move, build, and proceed. We must choose the positive, which is to choose love, and rest there for a minimum of fifteen conscious seconds—it takes that long for positivity to imprint in the neurons, I’m told.” I’m thinking that’s an example of finding gratitude in unexpected places. It’s also helpful to me to remind myself that the strength I need is always available to me in the NOW. The “Cross” is a powerful symbol. Sometimes, one’s life seems filled with cross-purposes and I try not to get tangled in the cross-hairs! I forsake WHY for HOW. How will I choose to respond to this? My dear friend Sandy (RIP) suffered with sever rheumatoid arthritis all of her ife. She would say, “Bring your heartache to the foot of the cross.” Surrender to what is so grace can flow in. I find her advice helps me to let go and to be grateful.
I hear you, Carol! “It’s very hard to find gratitude when in physical pain.” So, so true. It sometimes becomes an obstacle for me when I’m trying to respond to some of our Daily Questions. I have to find a way to park the pain, distract it, medicate it, and do stretches. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I do not, and if not, it flavors how I respond to our questions. My best to you my friend.
I have found gratitude in crisis, in
heartache, in sickness, and in the
early morning dawn.
It’s usually in a piece of a situation.
A small part can be considered with
gratitude. For me, the opposite of
gratitude, is feeling sorry for myself
or self pity.
So, whenever I can find something in
a situation to be thankful for, I can
work in gratitude. Even in the most
difficult circumstances, I can consider
it an opportunity to practice gratitude.
Or compassion, or kindness, or
acceptance, or non attachment.
I want to thank all of you who share here
on this amazing site and those that make
this happen every day. Once again, sitting
here and contemplating, has adjusted my
attitude. Thank you all 🙏
Charlie…I had one of those self-pity days yesterday. I tried to show myself some compassion because mostly I was beating myself up. But in the end…it is the medicine-magic of gratitude that lifted me out of my self-flagellation.
Opportunity, acceptance, non-attachment….these words resonated deeply with me. Thank you for your authentic sharing…you helped me this day.
Just looking out at my plants on my deck…I feel so very grateful! I have beautiful geraniums and lovely dahlias…what a treat to see these healthy plants and flowers. It is a small joy…but I am very grateful to have been able to get the plants and see them thrive. A burst of color! But with deeper meaning..how grateful I am for the gift of sight.
There’s been a few times where I have lost/misplaced an item (wallet, keys, etc) and I get so worked up that I can feel the tension build up in my body. When I catch myself feeling that way, I stop whatever I do, close my eyes, and be still for a few seconds. I remind myself it’s no use to get all frazzled up and that it’s normal to lose things every now and then. With a few minutes, I am able to find my missing item and all is well. Being grateful to simply be still for a few moments while I compose myself has helped me realize the importance of not worrying about small mishaps.
Many years ago I had a medical procedure. I was taken back by its necessity. Since then, I have assured others that it not as scary as it first seems. I feel grateful I can ease the fear of others.
I had always wanted to go into the medical profession. That turned out not to be the case and I was pushed into education. Now I have appreciated the wise ones that pushed me. Students have thanked me for teaching them and share with me their successes. At 80 plus, I am facilitating classes for elders on fall prevention. Just recently, a participant acknowledged my ability to listen and encourage in a supportive way. I am grateful.
Yram….thank you for sharing. I have an appointment this week with an eye doctor to discuss surgery to remove my cataracts. I am very very anxious about this. Perhaps, like you, when it is over, I can be an encouragement to others in my community who may be considering this procedure.
I found some in our walk-in cooler yesterday after I fell trying to push a box of brisket that the driver left in the middle of the floor. My right knee slipped out of place when I was trying to do it, but it popped right back where it belonged. I sat on that cold floor for a second and thanked God that it didn’t completely dislocate. I’m still grateful for that this morning!
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.
I have found gratitude after my fall 2 weeks ago. I am grateful every day that I didn’t break anything more serious than my ribs, and they are healing. I am grateful that I can still walk well, and also that I can take time to rest when I need it. Our bodies are miraculous, aren’t they?
Inside of me, for having been helped so much to face the difficulties inside which needed to be faced. Thank you dearly, all.
Usual landscapes, when morning light embraces them, especially after a storm.
They enlighten my day, and I go working with a smile in my heart, as if God is gently putting His hand on my shoulder and saying “courage Anna, be brave, I am always here, and this is for you.”
Today I found out a co-worker for many years passed away. She was only 62. It started out as an infection from stepping on a rock and not going to the doctor soon enough. It is a reminder of how precious life is!!
Today I have tremendous gratitude that my daughter is doing ok and going to a new program soon. We talk a lot and she is doing so much better mentally. She does have legal issues but we are taking it one day at a time. I am hopeful and grateful for this precious time of communicating with her for now. Also her friend Ben is still hanging in there being a huge support to both of us. He is an earth angel!
Loving Kindness your way Robin Ann and to your daughter and Ben.
I so appreciate all of your responses…many of which resonated with me deeply.
Like Michele, I can’t pull an example from my memory, although I am sure that this has happened in my life many times over. I will say that gratitude is like medicine to me and I am grateful to be grateful! 🙂
Have a blessed day everyone…thank you for your generous and authentic sharing 🙏
p.s. A special good morning to my dear friend Pilgrim on this our mutual prayer Tuesday. Love and blessings to you old friend.
Dear Diane, I just saw this at nearly 9 pm, so you may not find this. Thank you for your kindness, my friend! It has been a bit of a harried and unfocused day. Many blessings to you and yours!
I have found gratitude for my son’s disability. Although it comes with many challenges, it is part of who he is; a bright, beaming, wonderful light in this world and I am so very grateful for him. 🩵
Emmaleah…your response has touched my mother’s heart. You are a bright, beaming wonderful light as well. Thank you so much for sharing.
Mahalo, Diane. I hope you have a beautiful day ☺️
Years ago I discovered a lump in my breast on Friday of a three-day weekend, which meant I couldn’t get any testing done for a few days. My children were very young and I immediately knew I would go through any treatment to try to get more time with them. I don’t know if it was gratitude I felt, but I distinctly remember after all these years sitting in my yard and looking around me and having everything appear so beautiful with such crystalline clarity because I wasn’t sure how many more times I would see these things, assuming the worst. Turned out it wasn’t cancer but it was a recurring cyst and every time the lump came back I could be reminded again how precious life is in even the smallest details, how much I had, and how much I would fight to have a few more ordinary days.
It’s very hard to find gratitude when in physical pain. My son always reminds me: “Mom, it could be worse!” I can’t say gratitude follows his words but my resistance softens and acceptance helps me roll with the punches. Richard Rohr says, “We know the old shibboleth, “Don’t think of an elephant.” If we try not to, that dang elephant invariably sneaks back into our minds! Just wait. To actively oppose something actually engages with it and gives it energy. That’s why good spiritual teachers say, “What you resist persists.” Our first energy has to be “yes” energy. From there we can move, build, and proceed. We must choose the positive, which is to choose love, and rest there for a minimum of fifteen conscious seconds—it takes that long for positivity to imprint in the neurons, I’m told.” I’m thinking that’s an example of finding gratitude in unexpected places. It’s also helpful to me to remind myself that the strength I need is always available to me in the NOW. The “Cross” is a powerful symbol. Sometimes, one’s life seems filled with cross-purposes and I try not to get tangled in the cross-hairs! I forsake WHY for HOW. How will I choose to respond to this? My dear friend Sandy (RIP) suffered with sever rheumatoid arthritis all of her ife. She would say, “Bring your heartache to the foot of the cross.” Surrender to what is so grace can flow in. I find her advice helps me to let go and to be grateful.
I hear you, Carol! “It’s very hard to find gratitude when in physical pain.” So, so true. It sometimes becomes an obstacle for me when I’m trying to respond to some of our Daily Questions. I have to find a way to park the pain, distract it, medicate it, and do stretches. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I do not, and if not, it flavors how I respond to our questions. My best to you my friend.
Kevin, I relate and love your expression: Park the pain. It reminds me of Joseph’s term: Put the monkey in my lap.
I have found gratitude in crisis, in
heartache, in sickness, and in the
early morning dawn.
It’s usually in a piece of a situation.
A small part can be considered with
gratitude. For me, the opposite of
gratitude, is feeling sorry for myself
or self pity.
So, whenever I can find something in
a situation to be thankful for, I can
work in gratitude. Even in the most
difficult circumstances, I can consider
it an opportunity to practice gratitude.
Or compassion, or kindness, or
acceptance, or non attachment.
I want to thank all of you who share here
on this amazing site and those that make
this happen every day. Once again, sitting
here and contemplating, has adjusted my
attitude. Thank you all 🙏
Thank you, Charlie….your response has helped me on a particularly trying day.
Charlie…I had one of those self-pity days yesterday. I tried to show myself some compassion because mostly I was beating myself up. But in the end…it is the medicine-magic of gratitude that lifted me out of my self-flagellation.
Opportunity, acceptance, non-attachment….these words resonated deeply with me. Thank you for your authentic sharing…you helped me this day.
My thanks too,
dear Charlie . . . ♥
Just looking out at my plants on my deck…I feel so very grateful! I have beautiful geraniums and lovely dahlias…what a treat to see these healthy plants and flowers. It is a small joy…but I am very grateful to have been able to get the plants and see them thrive. A burst of color! But with deeper meaning..how grateful I am for the gift of sight.
There’s been a few times where I have lost/misplaced an item (wallet, keys, etc) and I get so worked up that I can feel the tension build up in my body. When I catch myself feeling that way, I stop whatever I do, close my eyes, and be still for a few seconds. I remind myself it’s no use to get all frazzled up and that it’s normal to lose things every now and then. With a few minutes, I am able to find my missing item and all is well. Being grateful to simply be still for a few moments while I compose myself has helped me realize the importance of not worrying about small mishaps.
Love this Jenifer…..the sacred pause is so powerful. 🙏
Many years ago I had a medical procedure. I was taken back by its necessity. Since then, I have assured others that it not as scary as it first seems. I feel grateful I can ease the fear of others.
I had always wanted to go into the medical profession. That turned out not to be the case and I was pushed into education. Now I have appreciated the wise ones that pushed me. Students have thanked me for teaching them and share with me their successes. At 80 plus, I am facilitating classes for elders on fall prevention. Just recently, a participant acknowledged my ability to listen and encourage in a supportive way. I am grateful.
Yram….thank you for sharing. I have an appointment this week with an eye doctor to discuss surgery to remove my cataracts. I am very very anxious about this. Perhaps, like you, when it is over, I can be an encouragement to others in my community who may be considering this procedure.
Thank you for all you do for your students. What a legacy to be able to teach. I am grateful for all the teachers!
I found some in our walk-in cooler yesterday after I fell trying to push a box of brisket that the driver left in the middle of the floor. My right knee slipped out of place when I was trying to do it, but it popped right back where it belonged. I sat on that cold floor for a second and thanked God that it didn’t completely dislocate. I’m still grateful for that this morning!
Thank goodness you recovered quickly and no other part of your body was injured. Take good care!
I have found gratitude generally shines brightest in the darkest of places.
I like the feeling that I get when I tell someone else that I am grateful for them.