My life is a gift. That means there are no ho hum days. Each day I can choose to be grateful. I can treat others with kindness. I can enjoy connecting with others through eye contact and by really listening to what others are saying. I can spend time enjoying nature, and time cooling off from the heat in air conditioning and with a beverage of my choice. I can breathe, I can move, and I can experience the world through my senses. Each day is a gift. Being grateful for the wonders all around brings me joy.
My life
was forever changed
when I realized this . . .
I’ve still have many days
where I don’t fully appreciate this,
but they are fewer than they used to be.
At least
I no longer feel like I am being singled out
to have unpleasant or painful days,
and I know that there are more to come,
but being present to it all
makes me realize
that the experience of each moment
has something of value to offer me.
It’s my job to find it.
Sometimes
I have to have a little inner tantrum first,
and then make space for my heart to open to the gift . . .
lately,
I’ve been doing something that has meaning for me,
and it is very much like walking into my gardens,
pulling weeds,
culling plants out when they get crowded,
and finding new places for them.
I’ve become a little overwhelmed
as I do in the gardens,
but remind myself to step back
and have another look
from a loving distance.
I also tell myself
that I am doing the very best that I can,
even when it doesn’t look like much.
I am not here to be the grand mistress of the world . . .
I am here to be grateful for what I am able to do
and keep working,
as best I can,
to make the world a better place . . .
a show of faith
in the thankfulness I feel
at being given this extraordinary chance. ♥
Dear Sparrow, when I experience that ” . . . where I don’t fully appreciate this,” feeling I try to recall that life is not happening to me, it is happening as me.
When something goes awry, not feeling “why does this or that always happen to me “, rather looking at this or that as a participant and focusing on my capabilities instead of my circumstances.
Remembering that all of this is a gift and that none of this is guaranteed, leads me to contentment.
And if I’m more content, I can be more present.
And if I’m more present, I’m not missing what’s happening here at this moment. And after all, this moment is all there is. 😊
This morning as I headed out for my walk I stopped in front of my house, gazed at it, the lawn, the driveway, which was full of family cars last night as family had come to celebrate our 10 yr old great-grandson’s birthday. It was a great relaxing evening. As I looked at the home we have created I was grateful. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfect for us because it’s all a gift.
I make sure I tell my kids I love them every day. I know (especially working for a Tissue Bank) that life can end anytime-often unexpectedly.
Be kind and positive.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Fortunately, the weather hasn’t been too hot, but there’s a lot of walking in the afternoon sun which isn’t my cup of tea. The best part about going with family is that they’re able to get us involved. I have been able to enjoy my time with Ngoc and dining out.
When I reflect on life as a gift, I remember that I am exactly where I need to be, doing what I need to do, at exactly the right moment. Nothing unreal or accidental is happening. I may or may not be enjoying the moment. A dear friend told me, “Everything is relevant.” There is no more or less holy moment. Therefore, I am not a victim. There is an opportunity.
Avril, the Japan trip has given me the perfect opportunity to escape the heat and pollution going on in the Twin Cities from the wildfires going on in Northern Minnesota.
My first response to this question is the desire to give myself a hug, take a deep breath and say thank you. I feel more grateful in the moment and hope to keep this mindset not only though the day but everyday. Thanks for the reminder
I would change this a bit: how has realizing I have a good life changed how I respond to my daily life? I’m finding that I’m more aware when I respond in anger ( a biggie for me.) An example. They’re doing work on my street. It’s 6:45a, going to work and I get angry because there are barriers up. How will I return home. I can’t go through the barriers. A bad start. Later at work, I actually get myself out of the anger. When I return home the barriers are gone. It’ll be okay.
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My life is a gift. That means there are no ho hum days. Each day I can choose to be grateful. I can treat others with kindness. I can enjoy connecting with others through eye contact and by really listening to what others are saying. I can spend time enjoying nature, and time cooling off from the heat in air conditioning and with a beverage of my choice. I can breathe, I can move, and I can experience the world through my senses. Each day is a gift. Being grateful for the wonders all around brings me joy.
How could I not remember what a gift my life is?
My life
was forever changed
when I realized this . . .
I’ve still have many days
where I don’t fully appreciate this,
but they are fewer than they used to be.
At least
I no longer feel like I am being singled out
to have unpleasant or painful days,
and I know that there are more to come,
but being present to it all
makes me realize
that the experience of each moment
has something of value to offer me.
It’s my job to find it.
Sometimes
I have to have a little inner tantrum first,
and then make space for my heart to open to the gift . . .
lately,
I’ve been doing something that has meaning for me,
and it is very much like walking into my gardens,
pulling weeds,
culling plants out when they get crowded,
and finding new places for them.
I’ve become a little overwhelmed
as I do in the gardens,
but remind myself to step back
and have another look
from a loving distance.
I also tell myself
that I am doing the very best that I can,
even when it doesn’t look like much.
I am not here to be the grand mistress of the world . . .
I am here to be grateful for what I am able to do
and keep working,
as best I can,
to make the world a better place . . .
a show of faith
in the thankfulness I feel
at being given this extraordinary chance. ♥
Dear Sparrow, when I experience that ” . . . where I don’t fully appreciate this,” feeling I try to recall that life is not happening to me, it is happening as me.
. . . not to forget,
dear Joseph,
that like everything
and everyone,
I am a being
who/that is being. ♥
Could you expand on, life is happening as me, Joseph. I kind of get what you mean, but it’s also a little fuzzy for me. Thank you. ☀️
A little fuzzy to me too Mary, but I explained it below to my ability.
When something goes awry, not feeling “why does this or that always happen to me “, rather looking at this or that as a participant and focusing on my capabilities instead of my circumstances.
Okay. Life is happening as me. I navigate life with my thinking, my choices, and my presence. It’s about how I live it.
This is very interesting to reflect on, Joseph. Thank you. ♥️
Remembering that my life is a gift helps me deal with my aches and pains!
Ah,
yes dear Carol Ann . . .
the aches and pains. 🙂
Remembering that all of this is a gift and that none of this is guaranteed, leads me to contentment.
And if I’m more content, I can be more present.
And if I’m more present, I’m not missing what’s happening here at this moment. And after all, this moment is all there is. 😊
Amen
I shine like sun! ☀️
Shine on,
dear Antoinette,
shine on. ☀️
This morning as I headed out for my walk I stopped in front of my house, gazed at it, the lawn, the driveway, which was full of family cars last night as family had come to celebrate our 10 yr old great-grandson’s birthday. It was a great relaxing evening. As I looked at the home we have created I was grateful. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfect for us because it’s all a gift.
I make sure I tell my kids I love them every day. I know (especially working for a Tissue Bank) that life can end anytime-often unexpectedly.
Be kind and positive.
Have a great weekend everyone.
https://nationaltoday.com/toss-away-the-could-haves-and-should-haves-day/
Thank you for that all important reminder, Michele.
Tossing away
the could haves and should haves
is a daily process,
dear Michele,
and it is so freeing.
I’ll celebrate that today. ♥
thanks for the link!
Fortunately, the weather hasn’t been too hot, but there’s a lot of walking in the afternoon sun which isn’t my cup of tea. The best part about going with family is that they’re able to get us involved. I have been able to enjoy my time with Ngoc and dining out.
I hope you can breathe ! So sorry about the air quality. Hugs 🤗
Thanks, Antoinette. Luckily, the air quality in Japan is better than in MN.
When I reflect on life as a gift, I remember that I am exactly where I need to be, doing what I need to do, at exactly the right moment. Nothing unreal or accidental is happening. I may or may not be enjoying the moment. A dear friend told me, “Everything is relevant.” There is no more or less holy moment. Therefore, I am not a victim. There is an opportunity.
“Everything is relevant.”
That is so true,
dear Avril,
and goes along with something I say often . . .
“Everything counts.” ♥
Everything is relevant and everything counts. Like salt and pepper, they are!
Avril, the Japan trip has given me the perfect opportunity to escape the heat and pollution going on in the Twin Cities from the wildfires going on in Northern Minnesota.
Enjoy every moment…..gratefully!
Less consternation, more joy.
Peace, Love & Light.
“Less consternation, more joy.” It’s as simple as that. ☀️☀️☀️
Peace to you,
dear Joseph . . . ♥
My first response to this question is the desire to give myself a hug, take a deep breath and say thank you. I feel more grateful in the moment and hope to keep this mindset not only though the day but everyday. Thanks for the reminder
I would change this a bit: how has realizing I have a good life changed how I respond to my daily life? I’m finding that I’m more aware when I respond in anger ( a biggie for me.) An example. They’re doing work on my street. It’s 6:45a, going to work and I get angry because there are barriers up. How will I return home. I can’t go through the barriers. A bad start. Later at work, I actually get myself out of the anger. When I return home the barriers are gone. It’ll be okay.
Don’t they say,
dear Christina,
that 99% of what we worry about
never happens? 🙂
Yes, dear Sparrow. I’m always relearning this!