Yes by trying to cope with a difficult situation. Knowing that I need to take care of myself first before helping someone else. Taking a pause and regrouping and then again tackling the situation once more and knowing what I can try to tackle and what I can not.
There is a place in my life where gratefulness would offer healing. I think it would be some gratitude for the self in terms of just still going. Still taking care of myself, still going at it in terms of pursuing my goals and learning to love myself. I know I am pretty hard on myself sometimes and I feel like at the very least recognizing that I accept my failures and my hard times and still try again is so much in itself. It would help me realize and accept that I am enough.
Yeah/ Right here, right now. As I have previously posted, I have had serious health issues over the past couple of months that have interfered with my mobility and general functioning. But over the past two weeks or so, I have found myself getting a little better each day. I attribute a lot of that to my gratefulness practice. (I start most days with a visit to this site.)
I am a big believer in mind over body and a practitioner of hands-on spiritual healing.
Gratefulness enriches every place in my life and always contributes to deeper healing because it always leads to greater self-awareness and when I know better, I do better!
Love this quote from Henri Nouwen on Gratefulness as a Discipline:
“Gratitude…goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.
Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. . . . The choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort. But each time I make it, the next choice is a little easier, a little freer, a little less self-conscious. . . . There is an Estonian proverb that says: ‘Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.’ Acts of gratitude make one grateful because, step by step, they reveal that all is grace.” – Henri Nouwen
Gratitude is applicable to all areas of
my life and has helped tremendously
In reshaping the story that I tell myself,
about myself. The practice of gratefulness,
alongside empathy and forgiveness, is
a path to letting go of the anger, blame,
guilt, shame, hurt, and remorse that I carry
around like a backpack. Full and ready at
anytime for me to get consumed with.
To feel sorry for myself. It is this burden
that keeps me stuck to the ground. These
events happened a long time ago, but I still
carry them around on my back. Refusing
to put them down. Wrapping myself in
them like a warm soft blanket.
Slowly (too slowly) I am putting them down. Unpacking this unnecessary load.
With empathy, forgiveness, and gratitude.
Charlie….thank you. You echoed my thoughts but said them so much more succinctly. I agree that it is a slow, life-long effort to put down that “unnecessary load”.
Healing occurs when I give thanks for the dark and difficult times in my life. Instead of railing against those times with shame and guilt and a victim mentality, I can be grateful. Thus I have an awakening that those times and events helped shape me and brought with them an awareness that God was with me and that the Divine and the Universe were working for my good all along the way. That the darkness has not overcome the light that shines within.
A special Prayer Tuesday good morning to my “old” friend Pilgrim. Treasured memories of our gratefulness journey together with our dear Ursula. May she continue to rest in abundant peace and may we keep her memory alive. 🙏 Have a blessed day friend.
My surprise cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemo & radiation have yielded an even bigger surprise to me…..gratitude for my cancer! This gratitude all along the way has been a healing catalyst.
Yes indeed! When i am dealt with what i think is unfair or harsh words, when i begin to look at this moment as a teacher – teaching me to be patient, to be compassionate towards the suffering of the other, and to not react to the situation, there is a shift that happens within me, which is expansive. Expressing gratitude ( within) to the Higher for giving me yet another opportunity to step back and learn from this moment, opens up space within me to widen perspective and not get caught in my assumptions and judgments.
Gratefulness has been an important part of my recovery from an addiction to alcohol. Along with a daily meditation, daily standing yoga, exploring and practicing mindfulness. By allowing the joy of the present and looking at each and every additional moment I have been gifted gratefully, I have been able to ease my monkey mind, the snake eating its tail chatter of an anxious mind. The addicted room in my mind has not been closed for good, do not feel it ever will, but the healing is moment by moment, day by day as time goes by. A good portion of that healing is in no small part and parcel due to all of the daily reflections and introspections by the good folks who visit this site. A special thank you to all the grateful team who keep the lights on for us all.
The questions sounds like the time-tested practice of counting your blessings. Remembering how much good there is in my life is a soothing salve that helps healing begin or continue.
I’m grateful for medicine and the advancement of technology – my son had his one week f/u dental appt – he has dry sockets and some exposed bone from his bottom jaw (top healing just fine, allograph on one lower side doing well). More antibiotics and strong ibuprofen. Apparently it can take up to 6 months to heal completely from wisdom tooth sx. His birthday is tomorrow too, my baby (turning 34, lol)
Hello Michele, our “baby” is a mother of two and is 33. We did not experience a view of the northern lights but in the mid 80’s I saw them one late night taking my shift to check the first calf heifers in early March. It was quite the show and I have not seen them since.
In my life experience, I would say that gratefulness can indeed contribute to healing. Healing takes many forms, and it seems to me that experiencing gratefulness opens doors and helps us find the path towards healing.
“…gratefulness opens doors” I love that Kevin…Healing has so much to do with acceptance, with non-resistance…it’s a reminder that the door was never locked!
Absolutely! In the present moment of course where anything and everything is possible. Just when you least expect it blessings shine like the sun!
During morning meditation I saw more of this false self that needed to be let go of . What’s super cool about it is that daring to lose is winning .
I’m a fighter and competitive. I have strong opinions and judgments of my self and others.
When I see the delusion I can actually let it go. I use the method of this method I free MY (this very me/the false self) mind.. No one wants to lose or be a push over my meditation helper has said .
Today I let more of the false self die and the truth which is living and never dying showed me light. When we let go and die we will become truth . Step by step. The will of nature of truth will set us free. Thank you so much and I love you and you love me .
Antoinette, Your sharing makes me think of Leonard Cohen’s words: “There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light get’s in…” It’s also how our own light gets out! Big Hug coming your way.
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Yes by trying to cope with a difficult situation. Knowing that I need to take care of myself first before helping someone else. Taking a pause and regrouping and then again tackling the situation once more and knowing what I can try to tackle and what I can not.
There is a place in my life where gratefulness would offer healing. I think it would be some gratitude for the self in terms of just still going. Still taking care of myself, still going at it in terms of pursuing my goals and learning to love myself. I know I am pretty hard on myself sometimes and I feel like at the very least recognizing that I accept my failures and my hard times and still try again is so much in itself. It would help me realize and accept that I am enough.
Yeah/ Right here, right now. As I have previously posted, I have had serious health issues over the past couple of months that have interfered with my mobility and general functioning. But over the past two weeks or so, I have found myself getting a little better each day. I attribute a lot of that to my gratefulness practice. (I start most days with a visit to this site.)
I am a big believer in mind over body and a practitioner of hands-on spiritual healing.
Gratefulness enriches every place in my life and always contributes to deeper healing because it always leads to greater self-awareness and when I know better, I do better!
Love this quote from Henri Nouwen on Gratefulness as a Discipline:
“Gratitude…goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.
Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. . . . The choice for gratitude rarely comes without some real effort. But each time I make it, the next choice is a little easier, a little freer, a little less self-conscious. . . . There is an Estonian proverb that says: ‘Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.’ Acts of gratitude make one grateful because, step by step, they reveal that all is grace.” – Henri Nouwen
‘choose gratitude instead of a complaint’ – wise words
Gratitude is applicable to all areas of
my life and has helped tremendously
In reshaping the story that I tell myself,
about myself. The practice of gratefulness,
alongside empathy and forgiveness, is
a path to letting go of the anger, blame,
guilt, shame, hurt, and remorse that I carry
around like a backpack. Full and ready at
anytime for me to get consumed with.
To feel sorry for myself. It is this burden
that keeps me stuck to the ground. These
events happened a long time ago, but I still
carry them around on my back. Refusing
to put them down. Wrapping myself in
them like a warm soft blanket.
Slowly (too slowly) I am putting them down. Unpacking this unnecessary load.
With empathy, forgiveness, and gratitude.
Your reflection resonates with me. Thank you, I appreciate your writing.
Charlie….thank you. You echoed my thoughts but said them so much more succinctly. I agree that it is a slow, life-long effort to put down that “unnecessary load”.
Charlie, Beautifully said. Again, we are in sync!
Healing occurs when I give thanks for the dark and difficult times in my life. Instead of railing against those times with shame and guilt and a victim mentality, I can be grateful. Thus I have an awakening that those times and events helped shape me and brought with them an awareness that God was with me and that the Divine and the Universe were working for my good all along the way. That the darkness has not overcome the light that shines within.
A special Prayer Tuesday good morning to my “old” friend Pilgrim. Treasured memories of our gratefulness journey together with our dear Ursula. May she continue to rest in abundant peace and may we keep her memory alive. 🙏 Have a blessed day friend.
Thank you, Diane. It is a gift to walk this pathway with you these many years. Blessings!
My surprise cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemo & radiation have yielded an even bigger surprise to me…..gratitude for my cancer! This gratitude all along the way has been a healing catalyst.
Healing thoughts to you Josie and may you have successful sx, chemo and radiation treatments.
Sending positive thoughts/vibes/Healing Josie
Peace, kindness and healing thoughts your way Josie.
Yes, Josie…the biggest battles are always within…be it the body or the mind. Blessings to you always and all ways.
Josie…..you are an inspiration. May you continue to heal and grow stronger each day. 🙏
Yes indeed! When i am dealt with what i think is unfair or harsh words, when i begin to look at this moment as a teacher – teaching me to be patient, to be compassionate towards the suffering of the other, and to not react to the situation, there is a shift that happens within me, which is expansive. Expressing gratitude ( within) to the Higher for giving me yet another opportunity to step back and learn from this moment, opens up space within me to widen perspective and not get caught in my assumptions and judgments.
Indira…your sharing is timely for me and an encouragement to my spirit as a highly sensitive person. Thank you 🙏
Gratefulness has been an important part of my recovery from an addiction to alcohol. Along with a daily meditation, daily standing yoga, exploring and practicing mindfulness. By allowing the joy of the present and looking at each and every additional moment I have been gifted gratefully, I have been able to ease my monkey mind, the snake eating its tail chatter of an anxious mind. The addicted room in my mind has not been closed for good, do not feel it ever will, but the healing is moment by moment, day by day as time goes by. A good portion of that healing is in no small part and parcel due to all of the daily reflections and introspections by the good folks who visit this site. A special thank you to all the grateful team who keep the lights on for us all.
The questions sounds like the time-tested practice of counting your blessings. Remembering how much good there is in my life is a soothing salve that helps healing begin or continue.
Every place in my life gratefulness helps heal, especially in my heart.
Undoubtably for those who care and love me. It is that connection and blessing that nourishes and heals me.
I’m grateful for medicine and the advancement of technology – my son had his one week f/u dental appt – he has dry sockets and some exposed bone from his bottom jaw (top healing just fine, allograph on one lower side doing well). More antibiotics and strong ibuprofen. Apparently it can take up to 6 months to heal completely from wisdom tooth sx. His birthday is tomorrow too, my baby (turning 34, lol)
Hello Michele, our “baby” is a mother of two and is 33. We did not experience a view of the northern lights but in the mid 80’s I saw them one late night taking my shift to check the first calf heifers in early March. It was quite the show and I have not seen them since.
In my life experience, I would say that gratefulness can indeed contribute to healing. Healing takes many forms, and it seems to me that experiencing gratefulness opens doors and helps us find the path towards healing.
“…gratefulness opens doors” I love that Kevin…Healing has so much to do with acceptance, with non-resistance…it’s a reminder that the door was never locked!
Absolutely! In the present moment of course where anything and everything is possible. Just when you least expect it blessings shine like the sun!
During morning meditation I saw more of this false self that needed to be let go of . What’s super cool about it is that daring to lose is winning .
I’m a fighter and competitive. I have strong opinions and judgments of my self and others.
When I see the delusion I can actually let it go. I use the method of this method I free MY (this very me/the false self) mind.. No one wants to lose or be a push over my meditation helper has said .
Today I let more of the false self die and the truth which is living and never dying showed me light. When we let go and die we will become truth . Step by step. The will of nature of truth will set us free. Thank you so much and I love you and you love me .
Antoinette, Your sharing makes me think of Leonard Cohen’s words: “There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light get’s in…” It’s also how our own light gets out! Big Hug coming your way.