This has made me to think deeply about the people I meet everyday in my life. I have found out that this gift of life is very precious and also it is more profound now that I have come to the understanding that every human I meet is God walking upon the face of the earth and I have to be very mindful about how I treat every human being. Daily I am energised with the gift of my life to do more for humans.
Carlson, I’m a 2nd generation Vietnamese American with a mild case of autism and bipolar mania. I’m fortunate to have an accepting and open-minded family. The Asian foundation is still there. We have different values, views, and interests. Social settings have been a struggle before. I have trouble with trusting others, especially my people but am getting better. Ngoc Nguyen and I make a very compatible married couple. She introduced me to this site in 2024. I’m becoming closer to my mom. She and I collaborate on Vietnamese poetry and sing karioque together.
I so agree with you,
dear Karlson,
that every person we meet is God
walking upon the face of the earth . . .
in fact,
every living creature is as well.
It surely changes our perspective
when we realize this. ♥
Don’t we all treasure a gift?
I’m not talking about obligatory gifts,
or token gifts . . .
I know that my heart sings
when someone gives me a gift from the heart;
a gift that lets me know I was thought of
when the giver chose it for me.
How can we not value a gift like that?
And the gift of our Life
is beyond all expectations of grandeur . . .
a gift beyond all imaginable gifts,
far beyond riches or luxury.
What kind of Love exists that I should have this Gift of Life?
It is far beyond what my thinking mind can fathom.
Life is a miracle.
I have been given a miracle . . .
a miracle of the highest caliber,
and I cannot feel any way other than grateful.
If I could truly express my Gratitude
I would kiss the ground,
hug a tree,
sing to the wind,
fly with the clouds
dance in the rain,
and give my heart to the world.
Every day I would do this,
but,
as I have a mortal body
and live in a society that says I must be ‘sane’
I do what I do to take care of this Life,
and put all that Grateful energy
into living the best one I can. ♥
The other day when I was walking the dog, I saw a woman standing in front of a big ash tree, and then step up to give it a slow and loving hug. Made me smile. If “sane” includes not hugging trees, then I think society needs to rethink its definitions.
I love it! I sometimes look at trees while on my walks and want to hug them, but feel embarrassed to do so. Maybe I need to take some courage from that woman 🙂
Remembering that my life is a gift changes a lot, as then, my heart stays open to whatever may arrive, dealing with what comes as good as possible with compassion, kindness, and letting myself be inspired again also and to let go of former difficulties and just be in the moment given. Thank you for all your posts and all your patience and inspiration.
Remembering that my life is a gift
helps me to also remember to be in the moment,
to stop, look, and go
and to be grateful.
☀️My intention for today is to be in the moment.
Peace and love to all today.
For me, gifts are a welcome surprise! And I am thankful and grateful for the gift and for the giver!
So if I look at each day as a gift, it changes my perspective, and I am open to what I find as I unwrap the day and welcome the surprises. I am open to the fun, delight and at times sorrows that come my way each day – days are always full of unexpected experiences. Maybe as small as watching a gecko calling for a mate as his throat expands and contracts, or as large as meeting a future spouse.
“I am open to what I find as I unwrap the day and welcome the surprises.”– I love it, Cathie! I have been paying more attention to being surprised by smells ever since your post from a few days ago. The other morning there was a subtle floral smell outside which I might not have even noticed if not for trying to be open to surprise. And as you mentioned, sometimes there can be not so good smells to surprise us too 😀
I tend to give thanks for gifts. Looking at Life as a gift changes one’s perspective. Today’s quote from Mike Martin: “If we only see the harvest as a time to be grateful, we miss the opportunity to be grateful for rest, planting, and caring,” is a reminder to ask myself “What am I planting in my daily life?” “What am I nurturing and caring for?” “What am I resting in?” I’ve been listening to CDs about body-based meditations on the Aramaic Beatitudes. Aramaic was the language which Jesus spoke. These Aramaic Beatitudes are teaching me that Jesus taught the importance of “ripening” or understanding that NOW is the “right time.” The Aramaic language promotes the image that we must be planters of peace. It is not focused on the harvest but rather the work that goes into the harvest. Looking at life as a gift leads to responding instead of reacting. It leads to taking responsibility and not taking my life for granted.
Such a thoughtful response, Carol Ann.
“What am I planting in my daily life?”
“What am I nurturing and caring for?”
“What am I resting in?”
Such important questions to ask myself.
Maybe on a daily basis.
I think I will write these questions on an index card to keep by my side when I meditate.
Thank you, Carol Ann.
Also, could you give me the name of the CDs that you have been listening to? They sound wonderful.
Mary, I have had these CDs for several years. I bought them from Sounds True. The series is called “The Healing Breath” by Neil Douglas Klotz. I have mixed feelings about recommending them as I think it would be easier to garner the meaning of the Aramaic words by reading a book. Thriftbooks has quite a list of his books.
Remembering that my life is a gift as I go about my day I am able to flow with the ups & downs of the day with more ease & acceptance.
All is well……✨
🕊️♥️
Elizabeth, some days I think I rush by a lot of gifts. Like the smell of freshly washed laundry, or the color of the sky. Gotta slow down again and again!
I found this among my husband’s belongings.
Joseph found his life in ordinary days—no clutter of ifs or buts simply in what we call the now.
His main saying “all is good.”
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This has made me to think deeply about the people I meet everyday in my life. I have found out that this gift of life is very precious and also it is more profound now that I have come to the understanding that every human I meet is God walking upon the face of the earth and I have to be very mindful about how I treat every human being. Daily I am energised with the gift of my life to do more for humans.
“Daily I am energised with the gift of my life to do more for humans.”– I am so inspired by this!
I believe the same, Karlson. You sound a bit like Ram Dass who said to treat everyone you meet like God in drag 🙂
Really? Ram Dass said that? ☺️
Carlson, I’m a 2nd generation Vietnamese American with a mild case of autism and bipolar mania. I’m fortunate to have an accepting and open-minded family. The Asian foundation is still there. We have different values, views, and interests. Social settings have been a struggle before. I have trouble with trusting others, especially my people but am getting better. Ngoc Nguyen and I make a very compatible married couple. She introduced me to this site in 2024. I’m becoming closer to my mom. She and I collaborate on Vietnamese poetry and sing karioque together.
I so agree with you,
dear Karlson,
that every person we meet is God
walking upon the face of the earth . . .
in fact,
every living creature is as well.
It surely changes our perspective
when we realize this. ♥
Feeling like I am barely hanging on for dear life losing strength and hope fast.
Hard to say.
Keep coming back, I felt like that before I found this site
George, May you know many are carrying you with prayerful support at this time. None of us walk alone. Nameste
Keep the faith,
dear Gorge . . .
keep coming back.
Hope is here for you,
and so are we. ♥
It helps me put a positive spin on somethings that may initially seem very negative.
Dramatically.
Don’t we all treasure a gift?
I’m not talking about obligatory gifts,
or token gifts . . .
I know that my heart sings
when someone gives me a gift from the heart;
a gift that lets me know I was thought of
when the giver chose it for me.
How can we not value a gift like that?
And the gift of our Life
is beyond all expectations of grandeur . . .
a gift beyond all imaginable gifts,
far beyond riches or luxury.
What kind of Love exists that I should have this Gift of Life?
It is far beyond what my thinking mind can fathom.
Life is a miracle.
I have been given a miracle . . .
a miracle of the highest caliber,
and I cannot feel any way other than grateful.
If I could truly express my Gratitude
I would kiss the ground,
hug a tree,
sing to the wind,
fly with the clouds
dance in the rain,
and give my heart to the world.
Every day I would do this,
but,
as I have a mortal body
and live in a society that says I must be ‘sane’
I do what I do to take care of this Life,
and put all that Grateful energy
into living the best one I can. ♥
My friends and I used to hug trees when we were in college. I think I should do it again… perhaps we all should 🙂
I read about this recently that it helps ground you
It’s true! Trees are so connected, and they love to share that energy with us.
Confession,
dear SunnyPatti . . .
I still do,
but usually in my own back yard. ♥
Lucky trees 🙂
Beautiful, Sparrow!
Thank you,
dear Elizabeth,
for your kind words . . . ♥
The other day when I was walking the dog, I saw a woman standing in front of a big ash tree, and then step up to give it a slow and loving hug. Made me smile. If “sane” includes not hugging trees, then I think society needs to rethink its definitions.
I think maybe
this woman has made me a little braver,
dear Drea . . . 🙂
I love it! I sometimes look at trees while on my walks and want to hug them, but feel embarrassed to do so. Maybe I need to take some courage from that woman 🙂
For me, it cultivates a perspective of greater appreciation, and an increased sense of care for the other, with every encounter/experience.
Remembering that my life is a gift changes a lot, as then, my heart stays open to whatever may arrive, dealing with what comes as good as possible with compassion, kindness, and letting myself be inspired again also and to let go of former difficulties and just be in the moment given. Thank you for all your posts and all your patience and inspiration.
Thank you,
dear Ose,
for being here. ♥
Remembering how lucky I am to be here, helps to put my day to day challenges in perspective.
Even a bad day is still a gift from God, as He grants me the chance to learn and grow through it. May everyone stay positive, even during stormy days.
Any day spent out of doors, fair or foul weather, is better than any day in doors.
True, my Ngoc. Many lessons come out of them. They’re also as temporary as the good days.
Remembering that my life is a gift
helps me to also remember to be in the moment,
to stop, look, and go
and to be grateful.
☀️My intention for today is to be in the moment.
Peace and love to all today.
It gives me a bigger perspective of gratefulness, even amidst the ups and downs of daily life.
For me, gifts are a welcome surprise! And I am thankful and grateful for the gift and for the giver!
So if I look at each day as a gift, it changes my perspective, and I am open to what I find as I unwrap the day and welcome the surprises. I am open to the fun, delight and at times sorrows that come my way each day – days are always full of unexpected experiences. Maybe as small as watching a gecko calling for a mate as his throat expands and contracts, or as large as meeting a future spouse.
“I am open to what I find as I unwrap the day and welcome the surprises.”– I love it, Cathie! I have been paying more attention to being surprised by smells ever since your post from a few days ago. The other morning there was a subtle floral smell outside which I might not have even noticed if not for trying to be open to surprise. And as you mentioned, sometimes there can be not so good smells to surprise us too 😀
I tend to give thanks for gifts. Looking at Life as a gift changes one’s perspective. Today’s quote from Mike Martin: “If we only see the harvest as a time to be grateful, we miss the opportunity to be grateful for rest, planting, and caring,” is a reminder to ask myself “What am I planting in my daily life?” “What am I nurturing and caring for?” “What am I resting in?” I’ve been listening to CDs about body-based meditations on the Aramaic Beatitudes. Aramaic was the language which Jesus spoke. These Aramaic Beatitudes are teaching me that Jesus taught the importance of “ripening” or understanding that NOW is the “right time.” The Aramaic language promotes the image that we must be planters of peace. It is not focused on the harvest but rather the work that goes into the harvest. Looking at life as a gift leads to responding instead of reacting. It leads to taking responsibility and not taking my life for granted.
Such a thoughtful response, Carol Ann.
“What am I planting in my daily life?”
“What am I nurturing and caring for?”
“What am I resting in?”
Such important questions to ask myself.
Maybe on a daily basis.
I think I will write these questions on an index card to keep by my side when I meditate.
Thank you, Carol Ann.
Also, could you give me the name of the CDs that you have been listening to? They sound wonderful.
Mary, I have had these CDs for several years. I bought them from Sounds True. The series is called “The Healing Breath” by Neil Douglas Klotz. I have mixed feelings about recommending them as I think it would be easier to garner the meaning of the Aramaic words by reading a book. Thriftbooks has quite a list of his books.
Thanks Carol Ann.
Remembering that my life is a gift as I go about my day I am able to flow with the ups & downs of the day with more ease & acceptance.
All is well……✨
🕊️♥️
When I remember that life is a gift, I slow down. I savor the moment(s) more.
I find this helpful, Drea. Yes, if life is a gift, I don’t want to rush by the gift and not notice and savor it.
Elizabeth, some days I think I rush by a lot of gifts. Like the smell of freshly washed laundry, or the color of the sky. Gotta slow down again and again!
I found this among my husband’s belongings.
Joseph found his life in ordinary days—no clutter of ifs or buts simply in what we call the now.
His main saying “all is good.”
Thank you for sharing this with us dear Yram.
My thoughts are with you,
dear Yram . . .
these three words,
“all is good”
are words to live by. ♥
Thank you, Yram!
I’m thinking of you and sending you love.
Thanks, YRAM
I love this, thank you Yram.