I have asked for the following and have had the pleasure of being. blessed with it as well:
Clarity- for MY PURPOSE ad TRUE SELF
Comprehension- Upbringing and negative thoughts
Acceptance- for MY TRUE SELF and for those around me, especially my loved ones. I would find myself searching for an understanding WHY people ARE THE WAY they are and i finally understand it is not my JOB to figure out or empathize with. My job is to heal and support.
Compassion- for MY TRUE SELF and for others regardless of their background, culture, history, experience etc
SELF LOVE- influences me to recognize my self worth. With self love I am able to sustain healthy relationships with others because I value self respect therefore I give respect to others as well.
I have asked for a good paying part time job which I can balance with my studies and I didnt just recieve one part time job I managed to secure two. I am really grateful for that.
I was given a miracle. One of two in my life. My son with whom had been estranged from me for many years, called me out of the blue last Mother’s Day. We reunited though separated by the entire country. We had many more conversations from that point on till he went ahead with his decision to move to England in October to marry someone he had met online that lived over there. So, we parted on peaceful and loving terms. I may never see him again (the last time I saw him was 8 years ago) but the gift of peace between us was a miracle. He had been so angry for so long. Another miracle I was given was a way to heal from past hurts. An illness that proved to be a help. I am forever grateful for that. Even if I still feel the physical pain from the lingering effects of that miracle. So I guess I can say I have been given two miracles.
A decaf American, and I appreciated every drop. There’s the asking where you’re buying (countless transactions) or there’s the asking where there’s no payment. On the latter, there are people close to me, and some who are not, who will give freely to me; and I hope I to them.
There have been a couple of occasions in my life when I was completely lost. I did not know what to do and didn’t even know what I wanted. On those occasions when I was low and cold, I asked for guidance. It wasn’t a prayer, like ordering from a take out menu, “hey God, here is what you need to do”. No. I just leaned into and fell into the abyss. On those occasions I was open to Grace and guidance was provided beyond anything I could expect or conceive.
As with most people, I have been given so much without even asking. I do pray regularly and I have often been given what I need, even if it wasn’t what I asked for in the first place!
I have been trying to ask for help when needed instead of just saying “I’m fine”, and when I ask, help has always been willingly given – and, delightfully, has often meant as much to the helper as to me. I have found people like to be useful and to have a chance to care.
On a more concrete note, recently I signed up for “fit mind 50” and, as part of this, I decided I would try to read totally different books from my usual. I sent a round robin email to all my family and friends asking for recommendations – and not only did I get a host of brilliant books to try (I am working my way through and, so far, I have enjoyed them all!) but it was really nice to have a catch up with everyone. I asked…and I was given.
I believe much of what we ask for is ultimately provided for through a recipe, along with the required ingredients, rather than the finished product. Or potentially more like an uncut diamond that is still embedded in the surrounding rock.
I found today’s question troublesome. I felt it was asking me to perform in some way. I thought of the country song, “I thank God for unanswered prayers.” Kahlil Gibran in his book “The Prophet” speaks at length about the roles joy an sorrow play in our lives. No one escapes them and I guess the thing I asked for most and received was and still is the strength to navigate the journey. The thing I learned from this almost 80 year journey is the importance of being kind to myself and others. I share Naomi Shibab Nye’s poem, Kindness below.
KINDNESS
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
Yes, Carol – Kindness – the Dalai Lama’s religion! I have a little quilted banner that says KINDNESS. In return, I made a little quilted banner that said TEAMWORK. I pictured the recipient, an awesome volunteer quilter, getting her volunteers together for teamwork – it turned out she took the word from the Wonder Pets song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdkgWxdIs5U
Mica, I watched the video. It was precious. I remember a nun who told the story about how she taught young children the importance of teamwork. She divided the class into four groups and told one group, “You are the right arm; Told another group, “You are the left arm.” Told the 3rd group, “Your are the right leg.” and told the last group, “You are the left leg.” Then she told the first group to walk across the room and get a book for her. They started to comply, and she said, “Wait a minute. You can’t walk. You have no legs.” I’m sure you get the gist.
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WHAT HAVE I ASKED FOR AND BEEN GIVEN?
I have asked for the following and have had the pleasure of being. blessed with it as well:
Clarity- for MY PURPOSE ad TRUE SELF
Comprehension- Upbringing and negative thoughts
Acceptance- for MY TRUE SELF and for those around me, especially my loved ones. I would find myself searching for an understanding WHY people ARE THE WAY they are and i finally understand it is not my JOB to figure out or empathize with. My job is to heal and support.
Compassion- for MY TRUE SELF and for others regardless of their background, culture, history, experience etc
SELF LOVE- influences me to recognize my self worth. With self love I am able to sustain healthy relationships with others because I value self respect therefore I give respect to others as well.
I have asked for a good paying part time job which I can balance with my studies and I didnt just recieve one part time job I managed to secure two. I am really grateful for that.
I was given a miracle. One of two in my life. My son with whom had been estranged from me for many years, called me out of the blue last Mother’s Day. We reunited though separated by the entire country. We had many more conversations from that point on till he went ahead with his decision to move to England in October to marry someone he had met online that lived over there. So, we parted on peaceful and loving terms. I may never see him again (the last time I saw him was 8 years ago) but the gift of peace between us was a miracle. He had been so angry for so long. Another miracle I was given was a way to heal from past hurts. An illness that proved to be a help. I am forever grateful for that. Even if I still feel the physical pain from the lingering effects of that miracle. So I guess I can say I have been given two miracles.
A decaf American, and I appreciated every drop. There’s the asking where you’re buying (countless transactions) or there’s the asking where there’s no payment. On the latter, there are people close to me, and some who are not, who will give freely to me; and I hope I to them.
Everything I have asked for I have been given or it seems to be on its way to me. The Creator of us all is the Most Merciful and Most Generous!!! <3
I’ve asked for gifts to enjoy nature- paddle-board and cross country skis. Both gifts have helped me to embrace our beautiful peaceful outdoors!
I have asked for space to be vulnerable, to share my struggles, and for the most part, I have been given lots of space to do so.
There have been a couple of occasions in my life when I was completely lost. I did not know what to do and didn’t even know what I wanted. On those occasions when I was low and cold, I asked for guidance. It wasn’t a prayer, like ordering from a take out menu, “hey God, here is what you need to do”. No. I just leaned into and fell into the abyss. On those occasions I was open to Grace and guidance was provided beyond anything I could expect or conceive.
As with most people, I have been given so much without even asking. I do pray regularly and I have often been given what I need, even if it wasn’t what I asked for in the first place!
I have been trying to ask for help when needed instead of just saying “I’m fine”, and when I ask, help has always been willingly given – and, delightfully, has often meant as much to the helper as to me. I have found people like to be useful and to have a chance to care.
On a more concrete note, recently I signed up for “fit mind 50” and, as part of this, I decided I would try to read totally different books from my usual. I sent a round robin email to all my family and friends asking for recommendations – and not only did I get a host of brilliant books to try (I am working my way through and, so far, I have enjoyed them all!) but it was really nice to have a catch up with everyone. I asked…and I was given.
I believe much of what we ask for is ultimately provided for through a recipe, along with the required ingredients, rather than the finished product. Or potentially more like an uncut diamond that is still embedded in the surrounding rock.
I almost always receive the books I ask my parents for for Christmas.
A life of purpose, helping others. I am deeply grateful.
A job. It stresses me out on a daily basis, but pays me more than enough money to be comfortable.
I usually don’t ask but am getting into the habit of it now. Part of letting go of my ego.
I found today’s question troublesome. I felt it was asking me to perform in some way. I thought of the country song, “I thank God for unanswered prayers.” Kahlil Gibran in his book “The Prophet” speaks at length about the roles joy an sorrow play in our lives. No one escapes them and I guess the thing I asked for most and received was and still is the strength to navigate the journey. The thing I learned from this almost 80 year journey is the importance of being kind to myself and others. I share Naomi Shibab Nye’s poem, Kindness below.
KINDNESS
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
Yes, Carol – Kindness – the Dalai Lama’s religion! I have a little quilted banner that says KINDNESS. In return, I made a little quilted banner that said TEAMWORK. I pictured the recipient, an awesome volunteer quilter, getting her volunteers together for teamwork – it turned out she took the word from the Wonder Pets song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdkgWxdIs5U
Mica, I watched the video. It was precious. I remember a nun who told the story about how she taught young children the importance of teamwork. She divided the class into four groups and told one group, “You are the right arm; Told another group, “You are the left arm.” Told the 3rd group, “Your are the right leg.” and told the last group, “You are the left leg.” Then she told the first group to walk across the room and get a book for her. They started to comply, and she said, “Wait a minute. You can’t walk. You have no legs.” I’m sure you get the gist.
Sweet! I was amazed that the Teamwork video was only 17 sec
HI Carol, I so enjoyed your sharing.
Thanks for your message.