I guess mysteries in life are connected with a sense and experience of awe, usually unexpexted and connecting us blissfully with some wisdom, beauty or Grace of the beyond. Gratefulness is the spontaneous adequate inner reply to this as well as being grateful in heart again is the door to let the wonder into our hearts and be with it. May we all be grateful for what is, which is what is eternally true and eternally wil be. Thank you for this question.
Being grateful,
really being grateful
slows me down,
begs me to look more deeply,
which makes me more grateful still.
Looking into the mystery of the flower,
the fish,
the root,
the firefly . . .
opens my eyes
to what is there,
beneath the surface . . .
the blood,
the bones.
The thing that makes them be
is beyond my human comprehension.
I need bigger eyes to see
and a deeper heart to feel
what causes such purposeful creation that we all are.
We are not random chaos,
as some people believe . . .
there is a reason the stone is so stoic . . .
there is intention
in the wings,
the antennae,
the flashing lantern of the lightning bug.
There is nothing random about it.
And then
there is the spark,
the ignition,
the heart . . .
the trigger that sets Life in motion.
What motivates the seed to germinate?
To me
that spark
is the greatest Mystery of all. ♥
I think it has to do with slowing down time, as others have mentioned, and a certain stance towards life. Productivity mindset, the old to-do list, makes me barrel through time with a focus on accomplishing sequential tasks. Each accomplishment brings a small, temporary thrill and sense of purpose. But there’s little mystery, because I am hunting for accomplishments. Gratefulness is more of a receptive stance, where I observe, take in the world with my senses, and take the time to absorb more. Wonder and awe naturally follow. Hmm, has anyone tried grateful productivity? I’m curious if that can be done.
I am not the most efficient and productive person out there, but it does seem to me in theory at least that if we are focused on what we are doing in a grateful way, we could actually be more productive and make fewer mistakes than if we are rushing through our tasks in a frantic and scattered way. I can say from experience that I occasionally have settled into a super mindful way of being (often after a meditation retreat), and I am amazed at how much I get accomplished when I have been in those super mindful and present states. It is really elusive to get to that state though.
Thanks Elizabeth, that makes a lot of sense. A super mindful and present state reminds me of a flow state, which is really the best place to be for doing … well, anything. But like you said, elusive. I do think that feeling frenetic is draining, and a task will get done whether one is mindful or not. So why not be grateful?
Gratitude helps me not only focus less on my own challenges but also expand my thoughts. Even if someone seems to have no struggles, it doesn’t mean they have nothing to worry about. Being less self-centered and caring more for others helps me face the uncertainties of life. Happy Sunday, eveyone! 🌸
My Ngoc, my high school friend, Kaitlin, told me the saying “Wallow in south piddy.” It’s the self-centeredness you’re talking about. Expanding upon my comment for you from yesterday or the day before, I’ve noticed the most improvement since you started volunteering for the crisis techline.
Gratefulness helps me pause more throughout the day to notice, be surprised and in awe of the seemingly ordinary things as well as the obviously extraordinary things in life. This in turn helps me to be more aware of and appreciative of the mysteries of life.
Another mystery I appreciate comes in Laura’s response to yesterday’s question. Her answer started out mentioning routine work. I responded with the jazz analogy. Elizabeth replied to me, and I replied back to her. Dieng quoted my quote of “Flexibility without foundation is confusion.” It’s a good thing I wasn’t able to reply to her. They don’t want us being glued to our devices. It’s harmful for our well-being. I’m grateful for the “Love” button.
But anyways, in response to Dieng, I just put my flexibility quote on my Facebook bio.
I’ve always been someone who loves adventure and variety. It all circles back to some of my comments to members here on how I approach life and routine like jazz music. One prime example that represents my adventurous personality and desire for variety is my stance on rice.
Rice and soup is culturally eatten in Vietnamese culture everyday. From an outside perspective, it’s easy to interpret it as me hating rice. That’s far from the truth. In fact, I’m ok with it. I just get sick of it after having it everyday. I love tomatoes and cucumbers. I can imagine being scared of them if I were to have nothing but that everyday too. That secondary thurst for variety keeps me flexible.
Adventure and security don’t play nicely. I prioritize the ladder first. Health is everything. Without that, we wouldn’t be able to have fun. Foundation is meant to enhance flexibility. My approach is to turn discipline into motivation.
I have Type 2 Diabetes as mentioned before. I yearn for sweet treats. Lately, I’ve been eating ice cream and even some cake every now and then everyday. I asked my mom if yogurt counts as a sweet, and she said “Yes.” I’m more than happy to cut that down in order to have a better sleeping night with Ngoc. Too much sweets will increase hyperactivity and urination.
Gratefulness causes me to to reflect. When I reflect, I become mindful of the little things that make my day special. Going out to eat at a nice restaurant and eating dinner with my family is a grateful moment for me.
David, I know all too well. It’s easy to forget the little things. They’re also big too. It’s those basic needs. Modern society sucks us into basic wants. It’s the hierarchy of needs.
My first thought was maybe the mysteries of life are supposed to be mysteries? Gratefulness is a great way to start and end the day – it is grounding and humbling. We will all pass one day and whether or not those mysteries are revealed we will either find out or maybe we wont.
Focus on Presence- that is all we have for now.
Wishing everyone a peaceful relaxing Sunday and Random Act of Kindness too.
I keep realizing that’s one of the big myths around death, that everyone will get closure around whatever mysteries have lingered in one’s life, or that the family will get closure, the relationship, etc. A life is what it is, it was what it was, some things get buried with the person, some things are set free. Presence is all we have for sure. You have a wonderful Sunday too.
I think it reminds me to pause more which allows me to notice more. When I stop to notice, I can fully see the mysteries of life and appreciate them for whatever they may be.
When I encounter the Mysteries of Life, it is generally something with the essence of God’s manifestation made present. My heart bubbles up with gratitude, fori know, like Moses, I’m standing on Sacred ground, beholding the metaphor of a burning bush. Restful Sunday to all🦋😊
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I guess mysteries in life are connected with a sense and experience of awe, usually unexpexted and connecting us blissfully with some wisdom, beauty or Grace of the beyond. Gratefulness is the spontaneous adequate inner reply to this as well as being grateful in heart again is the door to let the wonder into our hearts and be with it. May we all be grateful for what is, which is what is eternally true and eternally wil be. Thank you for this question.
Thank you for your reflection.
Truth in the moment,
dear Ose,
is Eternal . . . ♥
Being grateful,
really being grateful
slows me down,
begs me to look more deeply,
which makes me more grateful still.
Looking into the mystery of the flower,
the fish,
the root,
the firefly . . .
opens my eyes
to what is there,
beneath the surface . . .
the blood,
the bones.
The thing that makes them be
is beyond my human comprehension.
I need bigger eyes to see
and a deeper heart to feel
what causes such purposeful creation that we all are.
We are not random chaos,
as some people believe . . .
there is a reason the stone is so stoic . . .
there is intention
in the wings,
the antennae,
the flashing lantern of the lightning bug.
There is nothing random about it.
And then
there is the spark,
the ignition,
the heart . . .
the trigger that sets Life in motion.
What motivates the seed to germinate?
To me
that spark
is the greatest Mystery of all. ♥
La chispa de la vida. Pondering thoughts, dear Sparrow.
Indeed,
dear Joseph . . .
¿Qué es lo que provoca que se encienda esa chispa?
The unknowable inner intelligence of life, is my thought.
. . . my thought,
exactly,
dear Joseph . . . ♥
That would be nice, but my guess it may be after we depart our forms and return to the cosmos.
I was thinking,
dear Joseph,
that we might know
someday . . .
is that too arrogant to ponder? ♥
Gratefulness keeps on in the present moment and helps me accept the mystery of life. Practicing gratefulness builds trust and willingness.
Practicing gratitude has helped me roll with the punches, for shure. As for the mysteries, I’m okay with the mysteries.
🙂
I think it has to do with slowing down time, as others have mentioned, and a certain stance towards life. Productivity mindset, the old to-do list, makes me barrel through time with a focus on accomplishing sequential tasks. Each accomplishment brings a small, temporary thrill and sense of purpose. But there’s little mystery, because I am hunting for accomplishments. Gratefulness is more of a receptive stance, where I observe, take in the world with my senses, and take the time to absorb more. Wonder and awe naturally follow. Hmm, has anyone tried grateful productivity? I’m curious if that can be done.
I am not the most efficient and productive person out there, but it does seem to me in theory at least that if we are focused on what we are doing in a grateful way, we could actually be more productive and make fewer mistakes than if we are rushing through our tasks in a frantic and scattered way. I can say from experience that I occasionally have settled into a super mindful way of being (often after a meditation retreat), and I am amazed at how much I get accomplished when I have been in those super mindful and present states. It is really elusive to get to that state though.
Thanks Elizabeth, that makes a lot of sense. A super mindful and present state reminds me of a flow state, which is really the best place to be for doing … well, anything. But like you said, elusive. I do think that feeling frenetic is draining, and a task will get done whether one is mindful or not. So why not be grateful?
I know that days when I am very “productive” I am always grateful for my pillow on those evenings.
Ha–true.
“grateful productivity”…interesting term.
Yeah, kind of paradoxical. I can see it happening when working with the hands. Sitting in traffic for errands would be harder.
Gratitude helps me not only focus less on my own challenges but also expand my thoughts. Even if someone seems to have no struggles, it doesn’t mean they have nothing to worry about. Being less self-centered and caring more for others helps me face the uncertainties of life. Happy Sunday, eveyone! 🌸
My Ngoc, my high school friend, Kaitlin, told me the saying “Wallow in south piddy.” It’s the self-centeredness you’re talking about. Expanding upon my comment for you from yesterday or the day before, I’ve noticed the most improvement since you started volunteering for the crisis techline.
Gratefulness helps me pause more throughout the day to notice, be surprised and in awe of the seemingly ordinary things as well as the obviously extraordinary things in life. This in turn helps me to be more aware of and appreciative of the mysteries of life.
The pause really is a catalyst. Thank you Elizabeth.
Yesterday I was flooded with random acts of kindness. Sometimes when life feels very hopeless, I am broad- sided by hope.
💜
Sounds like a special day ♥️.
♥️
Another mystery I appreciate comes in Laura’s response to yesterday’s question. Her answer started out mentioning routine work. I responded with the jazz analogy. Elizabeth replied to me, and I replied back to her. Dieng quoted my quote of “Flexibility without foundation is confusion.” It’s a good thing I wasn’t able to reply to her. They don’t want us being glued to our devices. It’s harmful for our well-being. I’m grateful for the “Love” button.
But anyways, in response to Dieng, I just put my flexibility quote on my Facebook bio.
I love that phrase
I’ve always been someone who loves adventure and variety. It all circles back to some of my comments to members here on how I approach life and routine like jazz music. One prime example that represents my adventurous personality and desire for variety is my stance on rice.
Rice and soup is culturally eatten in Vietnamese culture everyday. From an outside perspective, it’s easy to interpret it as me hating rice. That’s far from the truth. In fact, I’m ok with it. I just get sick of it after having it everyday. I love tomatoes and cucumbers. I can imagine being scared of them if I were to have nothing but that everyday too. That secondary thurst for variety keeps me flexible.
Adventure and security don’t play nicely. I prioritize the ladder first. Health is everything. Without that, we wouldn’t be able to have fun. Foundation is meant to enhance flexibility. My approach is to turn discipline into motivation.
I have Type 2 Diabetes as mentioned before. I yearn for sweet treats. Lately, I’ve been eating ice cream and even some cake every now and then everyday. I asked my mom if yogurt counts as a sweet, and she said “Yes.” I’m more than happy to cut that down in order to have a better sleeping night with Ngoc. Too much sweets will increase hyperactivity and urination.
Gratefulness causes me to to reflect. When I reflect, I become mindful of the little things that make my day special. Going out to eat at a nice restaurant and eating dinner with my family is a grateful moment for me.
David, I know all too well. It’s easy to forget the little things. They’re also big too. It’s those basic needs. Modern society sucks us into basic wants. It’s the hierarchy of needs.
My first thought was maybe the mysteries of life are supposed to be mysteries? Gratefulness is a great way to start and end the day – it is grounding and humbling. We will all pass one day and whether or not those mysteries are revealed we will either find out or maybe we wont.
Focus on Presence- that is all we have for now.
Wishing everyone a peaceful relaxing Sunday and Random Act of Kindness too.
When the mind begins to wander, just bring it back to the breath.
I keep realizing that’s one of the big myths around death, that everyone will get closure around whatever mysteries have lingered in one’s life, or that the family will get closure, the relationship, etc. A life is what it is, it was what it was, some things get buried with the person, some things are set free. Presence is all we have for sure. You have a wonderful Sunday too.
Exactly, Michele. It’s why the present is a gift.
I think it reminds me to pause more which allows me to notice more. When I stop to notice, I can fully see the mysteries of life and appreciate them for whatever they may be.
I think gratefulness helps me to stop and notice the mysteries I have often taken for granted as just what is.
Yes, the mundane or daily becomes special. Such a true observation, Deann.
When I encounter the Mysteries of Life, it is generally something with the essence of God’s manifestation made present. My heart bubbles up with gratitude, fori know, like Moses, I’m standing on Sacred ground, beholding the metaphor of a burning bush. Restful Sunday to all🦋😊