I had urgent surgery a few months ago. Little by little, I was able to gingerly get out of bed, move around, and gradually restart everyday activities.
Inspired by others’ reflections here, it occurred to me to be grateful to my body. It feels a novel concept – my default is to be grumpy when it’s not doing everthing I want it to – and I feel a softening when I think this way, which cannot be a bad thing in relation to healing, both physically and mentally.
What I can say is that there was a short while when I possibly was close to dying without even realizing the edge of the abyss clearly myself; I could not stand the feeling of being isolated any more for not even an inch.. Completely unexpected, a dear friend then was silently listening deeply and stood by my side, which turned the page. Deep gratefulness was rising up afterwards, and tears of relief and thankfulness found their way and brought the beginning of healing. To deeply listen opens way to gratefulness and healing, at least to my experience also in deeply listening to others myself, no matter if in my profession or to friends, and sometimes, this happens both ways then. Thank you for this question. 🙏
For me connecting with close friends that have experienced similar tough situations in their lives have helped me process and heal. I am grateful to have those soul friends that are respectul & non-judgemental 💕💖
Watching the trees
on a burnished autumn afternoon,
I watched the light shining through the leaves . . .
fierce burgundy and red,
gold and rust
like stained glass spatters in the sky,
and honey butter yellow of the Norway maples,
all create a cathedral of Grace
and filled me with a sacred sense of wonder.
It happened one day
when I was drenched in grief and sorrow,
and I wept . . .
it happened another day,
in another fall,
when I was filled with hope and joy,
and I wept that day too.
To be deeply thankful
is to be touched and healed,
and each time I am moved to gratitude,
if I let it,
it heals me a little more.
Today
the sun shone on my hair
and warmed my hands on the steering wheel . . .
through the branches of a locust tree
I saw a flock of geese fly by
high up in the sky,
gaggling and talking to each other
as their community made its way to Rhoda pond
to feast on the treasures underneath the brown water,
and I was warmed by their purpose . . .
living their lives
amidst all the chaos that fills our silly little civilization.
I was suddenly grateful
that for a moment at least,
I could drop all of that angst and fear
and fly with them
if just for a few minutes. ♥
While checking the irrigation water, I first heard, then scanning the sky in the sound’s direction, saw a large group of sandhill cranes gathering with their unique ‘caw’. They were way up there, only visible when they shifted direction of their gathering. Your mention of the geese reminded me. Thank you dear, Sparrow.
I think in the Bible Study I’ve been attending for the last few months. Most of the attendees are in the second half of life. Many still take all scripture stories literally and I for the most part take the stories metaphorically. I also speak often of how gratefulness has helped me gain self awareness and the willingness to grow.
Sparrow, It is a mixed bag but I can see that comments I make have some of the members thinking. Some have approached me and said as much. However, some weeks, I leave there thinking, I’m not going to go back but I think that has a lot to do with my current health issues that sometimes make it hard for me to be out and about. This I know: They are sincere and caring people and though I don’t always agree with them, I would miss them.
I was curious,
dear Carol Ann,
because Christians
are so often attached to seeing the Bible in one way
and are not open to looking at it in another.
It used to be expected
that churchgoers believe the stories literally,
but times have changed,
and I was wondering if more people
were thinking about them differently.
Thank you for your enlightening response.
ps. I agree
that we can’t avoid people wlith different views . . .
everyone
is of value. ♥
There are a few of those who are attached to seeing the Bible one way. I doubt that anything I share will change their minds.
2
L
Louise
3 weeks ago
Being grateful for my work opportunities will help me to appreciate the opportunity I have right now to give back to my community. I now have the opportunity to spend two years doing the best that I can to take care of the elders in my hometown. Many of these people probably had some role to play in making me who I am, even though they may have been strangers to me then and still are now.
I’m grateful to have love and support as I sleuth my stomach problem, including your kind comments along the way–thank you. I am also grateful to have easy access to good chickens with which to make bone broth. It would be a lot harder to have this problem in a wartime or poverty situation.
I hope the bone broth helps your stomach issues, Drea. I’m sorry you are dealing with this and hope you have less pain today and each day going forward.
The site Action for Happiness suggested to thank ourselves for achieving the things we often take foregranted. I am very hard on myself when I don’t accomplish or do the goal I set. I want to heal my own self and be grateful for what I can and have achieved.
Yram, one thing I was proud of myself for during my Tampa trip was cleaning up my buddy systems. This brings me back to some of my answers and even comments on how I talked about the difference between friends and buddies with friends being more consistent while buddies come with agendas. It certainly contributed to me having a better time on my trip for Tampa than Japan 3 months back.
Having a gratitude practice has contributed to all of the healing work I have been doing and continue to do. There is a realization about my family dynamics that came up the other day where I think some healing needs to occur. My mom texted us kids to let us know that our cousin died from cancer on Oct 2. My cousin Donnie was 5 years older than me, so only 58. He has a twin brother, and I have not seen either of them since I was a little girl. Donnie has a wife, a few kids, and a few grandkids as well. My heart goes out to them, but I couldn’t help but be sad that I don’t even know my own cousin. He’s on my mom’s side of the family, and there’s really not much of a relationship with too many on that side, especially not my cousins. That really makes me sad, and I feel like there is some healing there, not just for me, but for my entire family that is needed. I know my mom and her sisters (6 of them) have their trauma which has contributed to why things are the way that they are now, but there is still time for peace, for love, for healing. I guess perhaps that I’m just grateful to recognize this so that I can do my part for the whole of us all. I know that my sisters want the same, and that collective energy will make a difference, some way, somehow.
The quote on the main page is really beautiful. We went into the city for a concert last night, my first time in the city since moving. When we were driving home, one of the bridges that we saw was lit up in multiple colors. It was so pretty! Such a nice way to bridge people together 🌈
I bet there is still time for connection. I’ve seen it so many times, including in my own family–a distant relative strikes up connection decades after estrangement, and new bonds are formed. Whichever way it ends up going, the fact of the separation is sad, and I wish your family healing. And I’m sorry to hear about your cousin.
It is sad. The twins have a sister who I just learned is in a homeless shelter in Illinois, and now one of my sisters and my mom are arguing over how old her son is. But my mom got our cousin’s wife’s address, so I am going to send her a card.
I hope you are able to find connection,
compassion and peace,
dear SunnyPatti,
with this family that you have.
If you start something
maybe others will join you . . . ♥
Ah, yes… like I would say to my students when we sit in baddha konasana (butterfly pose), “flap your wings and send some good energy into the world.” It all makes a difference 🦋
I have a family situation right now that has raised my ire for really no good reason. However, this morning, perhaps because of this question, I took a much wider view of the situation, and there really is so much to be grateful for. I am feeling my heart soften, and an appreciation for the reality of what is unfolding. Antoinette said it well, I think I am getting out of my own way. 🧡
Mary Mantei, getting out of our own way takes work. I remember autonomy being my stronghold. This reminds me of Phil Jackson’s zen principle of benching the ego.
I can relate to this. Sometimes being grateful helps us let go of judgment and see things with more compassion. Healing is a work in progress for all of us, and every small step matters. Peace, love, and light to sportzfy https://www.sportzfy4u.app/ you. ❤️
Embracing the collective mindset and coming out of that fun Tampa trip is contributing to my healing by helping me outgrow my basic desire for autonomy.
I’m grateful for the meditation method of letting go because it is healing me and I become naturally grateful automatically. It’s nature’s flow to see gratefulness in every moment. When I am not in the way only Truth remains brightly.
Tough question for me this morn. Gratefulness can contribute much to healing the human condition. Judgement and othering are two areas that gratefulness continues to help heal me. I remain a WIP.
Peace, Love & Light.
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I had urgent surgery a few months ago. Little by little, I was able to gingerly get out of bed, move around, and gradually restart everyday activities.
Inspired by others’ reflections here, it occurred to me to be grateful to my body. It feels a novel concept – my default is to be grumpy when it’s not doing everthing I want it to – and I feel a softening when I think this way, which cannot be a bad thing in relation to healing, both physically and mentally.
What I can say is that there was a short while when I possibly was close to dying without even realizing the edge of the abyss clearly myself; I could not stand the feeling of being isolated any more for not even an inch.. Completely unexpected, a dear friend then was silently listening deeply and stood by my side, which turned the page. Deep gratefulness was rising up afterwards, and tears of relief and thankfulness found their way and brought the beginning of healing. To deeply listen opens way to gratefulness and healing, at least to my experience also in deeply listening to others myself, no matter if in my profession or to friends, and sometimes, this happens both ways then. Thank you for this question. 🙏
You are a testament to healing
through gratitude,
dear Ose,
and so much stronger for it . . .
both for yourself
and for those you love. ♥
For me connecting with close friends that have experienced similar tough situations in their lives have helped me process and heal. I am grateful to have those soul friends that are respectul & non-judgemental 💕💖
Watching the trees
on a burnished autumn afternoon,
I watched the light shining through the leaves . . .
fierce burgundy and red,
gold and rust
like stained glass spatters in the sky,
and honey butter yellow of the Norway maples,
all create a cathedral of Grace
and filled me with a sacred sense of wonder.
It happened one day
when I was drenched in grief and sorrow,
and I wept . . .
it happened another day,
in another fall,
when I was filled with hope and joy,
and I wept that day too.
To be deeply thankful
is to be touched and healed,
and each time I am moved to gratitude,
if I let it,
it heals me a little more.
Today
the sun shone on my hair
and warmed my hands on the steering wheel . . .
through the branches of a locust tree
I saw a flock of geese fly by
high up in the sky,
gaggling and talking to each other
as their community made its way to Rhoda pond
to feast on the treasures underneath the brown water,
and I was warmed by their purpose . . .
living their lives
amidst all the chaos that fills our silly little civilization.
I was suddenly grateful
that for a moment at least,
I could drop all of that angst and fear
and fly with them
if just for a few minutes. ♥
While checking the irrigation water, I first heard, then scanning the sky in the sound’s direction, saw a large group of sandhill cranes gathering with their unique ‘caw’. They were way up there, only visible when they shifted direction of their gathering. Your mention of the geese reminded me. Thank you dear, Sparrow.
Wondrous,
inspiring creatures they are,
dear Joseph . . . ♥
I think in the Bible Study I’ve been attending for the last few months. Most of the attendees are in the second half of life. Many still take all scripture stories literally and I for the most part take the stories metaphorically. I also speak often of how gratefulness has helped me gain self awareness and the willingness to grow.
How do others respond,
dear Carol Ann,
when you talk about the stores
in metaphorical terms? ♥
Sparrow, It is a mixed bag but I can see that comments I make have some of the members thinking. Some have approached me and said as much. However, some weeks, I leave there thinking, I’m not going to go back but I think that has a lot to do with my current health issues that sometimes make it hard for me to be out and about. This I know: They are sincere and caring people and though I don’t always agree with them, I would miss them.
I was curious,
dear Carol Ann,
because Christians
are so often attached to seeing the Bible in one way
and are not open to looking at it in another.
It used to be expected
that churchgoers believe the stories literally,
but times have changed,
and I was wondering if more people
were thinking about them differently.
Thank you for your enlightening response.
ps. I agree
that we can’t avoid people wlith different views . . .
everyone
is of value. ♥
There are a few of those who are attached to seeing the Bible one way. I doubt that anything I share will change their minds.
Being grateful for my work opportunities will help me to appreciate the opportunity I have right now to give back to my community. I now have the opportunity to spend two years doing the best that I can to take care of the elders in my hometown. Many of these people probably had some role to play in making me who I am, even though they may have been strangers to me then and still are now.
You are right,
dear Louise . . .
it’s all connected. ♥
I’m grateful to have love and support as I sleuth my stomach problem, including your kind comments along the way–thank you. I am also grateful to have easy access to good chickens with which to make bone broth. It would be a lot harder to have this problem in a wartime or poverty situation.
I hope the bone broth helps your stomach issues, Drea. I’m sorry you are dealing with this and hope you have less pain today and each day going forward.
Thank you Sunnypatti.
. . . or living in a refugee camp. ♥
For real. That would be a living hell.
Drea, Tummy troubles are so difficult. Your wisdom in your situation inspires me.
Thank you Carol.
The site Action for Happiness suggested to thank ourselves for achieving the things we often take foregranted. I am very hard on myself when I don’t accomplish or do the goal I set. I want to heal my own self and be grateful for what I can and have achieved.
I’ve been a bit hard on myself lately, so thank you for sharing this 🙏🏼
YRAM, I relate!
Yram, one thing I was proud of myself for during my Tampa trip was cleaning up my buddy systems. This brings me back to some of my answers and even comments on how I talked about the difference between friends and buddies with friends being more consistent while buddies come with agendas. It certainly contributed to me having a better time on my trip for Tampa than Japan 3 months back.
I like this idea a lot, Yram. Thank you for sharing it.
You are right,
dear Yram . . .
our own achievements towards good
count too. ♥
Having a gratitude practice has contributed to all of the healing work I have been doing and continue to do. There is a realization about my family dynamics that came up the other day where I think some healing needs to occur. My mom texted us kids to let us know that our cousin died from cancer on Oct 2. My cousin Donnie was 5 years older than me, so only 58. He has a twin brother, and I have not seen either of them since I was a little girl. Donnie has a wife, a few kids, and a few grandkids as well. My heart goes out to them, but I couldn’t help but be sad that I don’t even know my own cousin. He’s on my mom’s side of the family, and there’s really not much of a relationship with too many on that side, especially not my cousins. That really makes me sad, and I feel like there is some healing there, not just for me, but for my entire family that is needed. I know my mom and her sisters (6 of them) have their trauma which has contributed to why things are the way that they are now, but there is still time for peace, for love, for healing. I guess perhaps that I’m just grateful to recognize this so that I can do my part for the whole of us all. I know that my sisters want the same, and that collective energy will make a difference, some way, somehow.
The quote on the main page is really beautiful. We went into the city for a concert last night, my first time in the city since moving. When we were driving home, one of the bridges that we saw was lit up in multiple colors. It was so pretty! Such a nice way to bridge people together 🌈
I bet there is still time for connection. I’ve seen it so many times, including in my own family–a distant relative strikes up connection decades after estrangement, and new bonds are formed. Whichever way it ends up going, the fact of the separation is sad, and I wish your family healing. And I’m sorry to hear about your cousin.
It is sad. The twins have a sister who I just learned is in a homeless shelter in Illinois, and now one of my sisters and my mom are arguing over how old her son is. But my mom got our cousin’s wife’s address, so I am going to send her a card.
Oh, that is sad. But you are sending a card–starting somewhere. That seems like a small but meaningful step.
I hope you are able to find connection,
compassion and peace,
dear SunnyPatti,
with this family that you have.
If you start something
maybe others will join you . . . ♥
Ah, yes… like I would say to my students when we sit in baddha konasana (butterfly pose), “flap your wings and send some good energy into the world.” It all makes a difference 🦋
Everything counts,
dear SunnyPatti,
but you know that. 🦋
I have a family situation right now that has raised my ire for really no good reason. However, this morning, perhaps because of this question, I took a much wider view of the situation, and there really is so much to be grateful for. I am feeling my heart soften, and an appreciation for the reality of what is unfolding. Antoinette said it well, I think I am getting out of my own way. 🧡
Mary Mantei, getting out of our own way takes work. I remember autonomy being my stronghold. This reminds me of Phil Jackson’s zen principle of benching the ego.
Thank you Loc Tran. I have always been a big Phil Jackson fan as well.
It is like an iron band around the chest
breaking loose,
isn’t it,
dear M2,
and such a relief
to get out of your own way . . .
I know this feeling. ♥
Thank you, Sparrow.🍁
Many times the heart, mind, and soul all need healing. Having gratefulness as a daily tool helps with this.
I can relate to this. Sometimes being grateful helps us let go of judgment and see things with more compassion. Healing is a work in progress for all of us, and every small step matters. Peace, love, and light to sportzfy https://www.sportzfy4u.app/ you. ❤️
Are you real,
dear Brian?
Yes,
we are all works in progress.
I felt it was AI – repeating a combo of all reflections.
Me too . . .
it was almost a paraphrase
of Joseph’s reflection,
dear Michele. ♥
Embracing the collective mindset and coming out of that fun Tampa trip is contributing to my healing by helping me outgrow my basic desire for autonomy.
I’m grateful for the meditation method of letting go because it is healing me and I become naturally grateful automatically. It’s nature’s flow to see gratefulness in every moment. When I am not in the way only Truth remains brightly.
“When I am not in the way, only Truth remains brightly.” Amen, Antoinette, and thank you. 🧡
Hugs 🤗
Tough question for me this morn. Gratefulness can contribute much to healing the human condition. Judgement and othering are two areas that gratefulness continues to help heal me. I remain a WIP.
Peace, Love & Light.
Joseph, I thought, What’s a WIP?? and then realized it is a Work In Progress. Dear Joseph, aren’t we all? Aren’t we all!
amen to that!
” I remain a WIP.”
Me too,
dear Joseph,
sometimes wearily
and sometimes with energy. ♥