It evolved clearly. Gratefulness is present often, though not always. It appears, while drinking my coffee in the morning for the gift of a coffee, for my car still functioning, when going tot buy something; Humbleness is there along with it, may be expressed not the way it should be expressed. This is to be changed. I am truly grateful for this process. Happy to share here. Thank you all. May you all have a beautiful day.
When I first started my gratefulness practice, I had a thing or two that I could always rely on as a source of gratitude. With time, I have developed an abundance of gratitude with more to grow. If I had to name all that I am grateful for, it would be pages.
It has helped me stay focused usually. I do have my moments though when I do have to step away and come back to it.
I definitely enjoy seeing and being more aware of the natural world around me. . I family of deer passed in front of me the other day on a back road on my way home, 🦌🌞
It is difficult for me to switch gears,
when I’ve been angry and in mourning what happened in Minneapolis today,
and to return to the gratitude garden in my heart.
How has my practice evolved over time?,
with all of the grief and suffering I witnessed this afternoon
still roiling in my mind?
It has though . . .
evolved that is.
And when I sit back and observe the steps on my journey,
I am amazed,
almost to the point of breathlessness.
I am able to take the blows to my ego
and the ones to who I think I am,
reminding me that I am not–
either my ego or who I think I am,
and it is freeing to learn this.
Although beaten down
by some new reminder that my body is slowly failing,
I am still able to find joy and gratitude
for the movement I have,
the relationships,
the connections . . .
my ability to find beauty and grace around me
and within me
I am more open now
to take pleasure in the simple pleasures offered by an ever-expanding Universe.
I am able to take the disappointments and compromises
within a much better frame of mind.
I have learned to be careful not to rest on my laurels
and to generally be more humble in all things.
I no longer feel entitled to anything anymore.
Don’t get me wrong . . .
there is still plenty of work to be done,
and I fail miserably on a more or less regular basis,
but I’m following the guideposts,
taking my ‘medicine’,
and doing the very best that I can,
which in my deepest heart,
I believe is enough to get me there
with the love and support
of people like you..♥
There is always work to be done. And failing “miserably” – or rather, making a mistake – means that you are doing something!
Love & support certainly helps, and I appreciate yours as well 💜
Gratefulness is more overtly present in my mind thanks to making it part of my routine. I haven’t been able to be on this site first thing every morning in the last few weeks and want to come back to that. This “gratefulness break” midday with my bowl of squash soup isn’t bad either, though.
I was fortunate to be raised by a mom who wouldn’t see a glass as half full or half empty; she’d be glad she had a glass! That generally optimistic look she gave me carries me through many things. Adding gratefulness to that makes for softer landings in hard times.
I think my “Stop, Look, Gos” have increased naturally and unconsciously. I still need to make a mental reminder sometimes, but frequently I just find myself in a grateful thought in a stressful situation without reminding myself to have one.
My gratefulness practice has evolved but it is definitely being tested right now. I was perusing my journals this morning for the word surrender and found the following. It is helping me right now.
Morning Meds Aug 10 2020 True Surrender
Good Morning, This practice was featured in Richard Rohr’s daily meditation for Aug 8 2020. It is very moving and extremely challenging to one’s ego. It is food for and of the soul. Blessings, Carol
Today’s practice from author and educator Anne Hillman invites us to contemplate how we can move toward a deeper sense of connectedness by nurturing what Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955) called “the energies of Love.” Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Cynthia Bourgeault found Hillman’s book The Dancing Animal Woman full of “deep feminine insights that have opened doors long closed” [1] which might be an apt description for Hildegard’s brilliant writings as well. Hillman writes:
The act of love is the surrender of self into life as it is. This is a love larger than our word “love” can contain or express. It embraces all of life and does not judge: tragedy and war, suffering and joy, creativity and destruction. Beauty. Death. The Other. Within this embrace of life as it is, lie acceptance, forgiveness, healing.
When we let go enough into the depths of our being, we are in communion with all of creation. We are center and circumference. One and many. Self and other. Without difference. We are receivers of one another. Then the mystery which surrounds and informs us is served. At depth, we discover that our aloneness and our bondedness are one. Ours is an identity with all beings. Herein lies our healing, the end of loneliness. . . .
To stay grounded I have had to find other ways to honor the paradox of our human identity. I have discovered that it is in the simplest, most minute experiences that I can begin to do that. Then, I am at home, my created self. I belong. Walking. Looking at a tree. Listening to a person, to the wind. Caressing a child. Scraping carrots in the sink. Weeping. Laughing.
Being tender. First, I learned to be tender with myself; to tend the needs of my soul. Then I began to tend the other which is also my self. If I am not tending, caring for some small portion of the living creation, how can I commune with that creation, be it the earth or a child, in any but the most sentimental way? A woman learns, in caring for an infant, that she becomes bonded. A person who tends the land or gives to another discovers the same bond. These are not moral niceties, they are part of the mystery. They are law.
In this kind of communion with life, new languages arise in our bodies: languages of awe and wonder, gratitude and a joy that is overflowing. They soften us. . . . The more gratitude or awe I feel, the more life shows forth its beauty and terror, the more my life is graced. These are the languages of being. Of being alive. This is a life lived with passion: com-passion. .
There we await the mystery.
[1] Cynthia Bourgeault, http://annehillman.net/endorsements/.
Anne Hillman, The Dancing Animal Woman: A Celebration of Life (Bramble Books: 1994), 213-214.
Image credit: Motherhood Through the Spirit and Water (detail), c. 1165; Source: Wikimedia Commons, PD-Old-100.
My gratefulness practice feels more innate. Even when I am in a bitter mood, I can find one thing to feel grateful for and my sourness lessens. I am reminded that holding on to negative emotions causes my muscles to tighten, my mind closed, and my heart guarded. It is when I tap into a sense of appreciation, everything lightens. And for that, I am grateful. 🧡🙏🏽
Surrender
Right now I have to put down self righteousness, anger, fear, aggression and so many other things! Thoughts coming out of control of which way to turn.
And Drea pointed out the word to hit the nail on the head- surrender. I have to let go and see that I was wrong and it’s my fault to bring something up like the news and think it can be taken lightly. Not everyone wants to joke or take things lightly . It wasn’t my intention to hurt or create an uncomfortable situation and discourse for anyone ! It seems like we have to be super careful of what we say about certain topics. Everyone is ready to shoot their guns. I’m actually dumbfounded at how somethings that seem so small or like nothing can turn into a huge fight . The wars around the globe and the anger is real. Or is it ?
What is real about my hate ?
Right now I’m completely blindsided and flabbergasted. I don’t want to appear dumb or pretend to not guilty of having views, opinions, and judgment. All I can see now is to truly surrender all of it . But at the same time I’m supposed to learn to show self -love and boundaries.
I find it so challenging because they seem to go completely against each others and it’s hard to know how to defend yourself but at the same time surrender. All I can do is pray because I feel lost and I’m sorry I made a mistake and it wasn’t meant to hurt anyone .
I find it impossible and distasteful to “walk on eggshells” around humankind, Antoinette. I aim to “know my audience”, sometimes it works, others not. Not my pasture, Not my bullshit.
The news
is a very touchy subject,
especially now,
dear Antoinette,
and I honestly don’t know how to start a discourse,
mostly if I don’t know where another person stands.
People are polarized
and can be easily triggered.
I went to a chiropractor a few years ago
and had been reading National Geographic in the waiting room.
When he called me in for treatment
I mentioned I’d been reading in interesting article
that was about an iconic photograph of a beautiful girl child
from somewhere in the Middle East.
The photographer
went back to find her 20 or 30 years later
to follow up on her story.
At my mention of the story,
the chiropractor bristled,
saying they are all terrorists over there,
and continued his tirade at length.
I felt as if I’d been struck.
We just don’t know . . .
I choose carefully where I let my opinions drop now.
It does indeed
sound like you got blindsided.
You can hold onto that feeling of betrayal
or you can surrender it to the Universe and move on . . .
I don’t think you did anything ‘wrong’
(if there is a right and wrong here).
I think you just stepped in it. ♥
Wow ! What a great example Sparrow. This was actually even less detailed than that. I simple said listening to the news can take us down a rabbit hole- so sometimes we need to watch how much we are able to read or take in. And this person flew into how awful it is to not be an activist etc… and that me calling this political was awful because it “is her life .”
So yea I stepped into it was a perfect way to put it.
Now that I have had a few minutes to breath and cry – and go to the gym 😂I feel that the universe gave me the opportunity to let go of my minds that I have. I am still learning boundaries and self love and I just don’t get it when everyone seems to me that I have to set a boundary. I’m so idealistic that I don’t believe there should need to be boundaries. We are all one and when someone hurts or is getting hurt it happens to all of us .
I know that may sound crazy but I care to a fault. If that’s possible and I guess the thoughts that I shouldn’t be a meditation guide are just that – 💭 thoughts . I’m learning as I go along and I get hurt and get back up .
Thanks so much for caring . I appreciate your love . ❤️
It’s hard to remember in those moments that their truth is true *for them*, as yours is true *for you*. Substitute concern, priority, celebration, what-have-you for truth–whatever it is, no one will align perfectly with another person in how they view something. She judged you in that moment and I know that stings when it happens to me.
The words “defend yourself” struck me in your comment. What if you lower the walls of defense? I don’t mean change your boundaries of what’s acceptable for one person to do or say to another. I mean, not feeling your own opinions or thoughts require any defense whatsoever. They’re still yours. Another person’s views can wash over you and then ebb, like the waves coming in on the ocean beach. The pebble may get tumbled a bit; it’s still rock. This metaphor brought to you by an ocean beach walk I had with family last Friday 🙂 .
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Truth is not something that’s an opinion or viewpoint. Truth is something that is
eternal, never dies and is alive and never changes- some call it the universe.
I’m not trying to defend anyone especially not this false self .
What helps is to see – reflect on what’s in one’s own mind and let it all go until there is no more minds . I’m still working in progress- 💓🙏🌱
2
Charlie T
22 hours ago
The thing is, if we are in the world, and interacting with others, we will inadvertently say the wrong thing sometimes. It is inevitable. All we can do is apologize, forgive ourselves, and move on. I know it’s easier said than done. But it’s necessary.
I often think of this parable. Excuse me if I butcher it. It goes something like this.
Two monks are walking to the temple, when they come across a large mud puddle in the path. There is a woman there, wondering how she will cross without getting completely covered in mud. So, one of the monks, puts her on his back and crosses the puddle. Later, as the two monks are approaching the temple, on says, angrily, to the other “I can’t believe you did that, back there. It is against our vows”. The other monk responds “I put her down miles ago, and you are still carrying her on your back”.
Yes ! I have heard that one ! Yes I have to let her go and the situation go – unless I carry here to the gym or ok which I guess I’m doing . However now I’m reflecting on how I can let you know of my thoughts and feelings of being a “bad” helper or a bad human being . The universe isn’t judging me ! Who is jumping and judging? Me – so now I pray to let go again and again . Thank so much for the story ! You all are so amazing 😻 what a gift .🎁 thank you 🙏 CHARLIE!
I seldom use the word “mistake.” I prefer “miss take.” It’s how we learn. Your intention was not to hurt anyone. So please don’t beat yourself up, dear Antoinette.
I like this, Carol Ann. We can even at times say “I need a do-over on that one” or a retake the way someone might want to do for a photo, audio recording, or film.
In improv we play a game called New Choice. Someone is the “director” of the skit. Two people start playing out the scene. At any moment the director can called out “New choice!” This means to change the last word, phase, or action (usually words). They can call it repeatedly so you very quickly have to come up with something else. I’ve tried that with family, explaining why I called out “new choice!” when a vociferous argument was dominating an otherwise pleasant dinner table. For the record, it didn’t work very well. I may still try it again though.
Miss take ! Love it ! 🥰 carol Ann it’s no wonder I get migraines right lol – still baby steps with self love and let go of the drill Sargent in my head ! Thank you ☺️
Practicing surrender is a big one for me right now. If surrender is a deep well of acceptance, gratefulness is the flowers lining the well, the stepping stones around it, the shady spruces nearby. I need gratefulness to reach the well of surrender. I have come to understand gratefulness as part of a bigger ecosystem of love, acceptance, flow, surrender, faith, and other attributes of a life well lived.
Practicing gratefulness has become easier, more natural, over time. I remember struggling to make time for my readings and contemplation, feeling I had so many other things I needed to do. Somehow that flipped around. Now, it is what gets me out of bed before the alarm, eager to start the day in this way.
I don’t expect the worst in situations anymore. I see the world and people differently, with more compassion and grace. I see MYSELF differently, also with the same compassion and grace. I can still fall into old thought patterns, but I’ve also learned to recognize them and know that it’s okay to feel what I feel. And the practice has also evolved by just becoming a part of my life instead of something I “make” myself do.
Cultivating and having a grateful heart and mental attitude has happened gradually over the past forty years. I no longer let an “Oscar the Grouch” (Sesame Street) prevail as my first defense. I appreciate all those who recently sent supportive comments regarding the vandalism of my car. Though I did initially respond somewhat valiantly, and that was sincere; anxiety, frustration, and expressive WHAT? kicked in as I began sleuthing through emails with those who live nearby. I pro-actively filed a police report and got a great responsive officer. My frustration kicked into overdrive when I found four neighbors witnessed this adult male, between 600-700 a.m.. wandering aimlessly down the alleyways via their windows or ring camera and did nothing!! One even saw the guy canvassing his truck! I do not live that passively and cannot and am well trained to “see something say something!” Yes I’m healing and letting myself experience the emotions that are part of the normal aftermath of being violated. Perhaps my delayed reaction did come from having gratitude as my first reaction vs “get them!” Two positive outcomes happened last weekend in my kitchen. I rearranged some things and made a cozy pot of squash, black bean and corn soup, that’s been nurturing. Grateful for an inner Healer Crone who’s walking me through this current life experience. Bless you for your patience to read this long entry. Happy Wednesday. Peace to you, (even passive neighbors). ☮️❄️
Yes Carla absolutely agree with you. Say something. This is where I’m also learning we need to learn to actually say something when we’re violated. It’s not okay to be violated. It’s not OK to sit back and allow people to do things that are inappropriate. . I think showing self love is also standing up for yourself and others. Hopefully your neighbors will actually say something the next time they see somebody being violated.
Peace and love to you
Yes Carla absolutely agree with you. Say something. This is where I’m also learning we need to learn to actually say something when we’re violated. It’s not okay to be violated. It’s not OK to sit back and allow people to do things that are inappropriate. . I think showing self love is also standing up for yourself and others. Hopefully your neighbors will actually say something the next time they see somebody being violated.
Peace and love to you
I hope that what happened to you inspires the neighbors to get on a text chain or act differently if this happens again! They’ve got to feel guilty about doing nothing.
Oh Carla, I can imagine the added frustration when you learned your neighbors saw someone wandering in the neighborhood. I’m so sorry you were violated and wish you continued healing and calm.
My heart becomes purer. Growing belief in god certainly helps. With improved integrity, I’m free from agendas which in turn helps me connect better with my root people and feel lighter on the mind. Like I said yesterday, if I want to be an advocate for people with autism and mental health struggles, I must be pure and clean from agendas.
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It evolved clearly. Gratefulness is present often, though not always. It appears, while drinking my coffee in the morning for the gift of a coffee, for my car still functioning, when going tot buy something; Humbleness is there along with it, may be expressed not the way it should be expressed. This is to be changed. I am truly grateful for this process. Happy to share here. Thank you all. May you all have a beautiful day.
When I first started my gratefulness practice, I had a thing or two that I could always rely on as a source of gratitude. With time, I have developed an abundance of gratitude with more to grow. If I had to name all that I am grateful for, it would be pages.
I’d love to hear how it has evolved,
dear Worth . . . ♥
It has helped me stay focused usually. I do have my moments though when I do have to step away and come back to it.
I definitely enjoy seeing and being more aware of the natural world around me. . I family of deer passed in front of me the other day on a back road on my way home, 🦌🌞
It is difficult for me to switch gears,
when I’ve been angry and in mourning what happened in Minneapolis today,
and to return to the gratitude garden in my heart.
How has my practice evolved over time?,
with all of the grief and suffering I witnessed this afternoon
still roiling in my mind?
It has though . . .
evolved that is.
And when I sit back and observe the steps on my journey,
I am amazed,
almost to the point of breathlessness.
I am able to take the blows to my ego
and the ones to who I think I am,
reminding me that I am not–
either my ego or who I think I am,
and it is freeing to learn this.
Although beaten down
by some new reminder that my body is slowly failing,
I am still able to find joy and gratitude
for the movement I have,
the relationships,
the connections . . .
my ability to find beauty and grace around me
and within me
I am more open now
to take pleasure in the simple pleasures offered by an ever-expanding Universe.
I am able to take the disappointments and compromises
within a much better frame of mind.
I have learned to be careful not to rest on my laurels
and to generally be more humble in all things.
I no longer feel entitled to anything anymore.
Don’t get me wrong . . .
there is still plenty of work to be done,
and I fail miserably on a more or less regular basis,
but I’m following the guideposts,
taking my ‘medicine’,
and doing the very best that I can,
which in my deepest heart,
I believe is enough to get me there
with the love and support
of people like you..♥
There is always work to be done. And failing “miserably” – or rather, making a mistake – means that you are doing something!
Love & support certainly helps, and I appreciate yours as well 💜
Gratefulness is more overtly present in my mind thanks to making it part of my routine. I haven’t been able to be on this site first thing every morning in the last few weeks and want to come back to that. This “gratefulness break” midday with my bowl of squash soup isn’t bad either, though.
I was fortunate to be raised by a mom who wouldn’t see a glass as half full or half empty; she’d be glad she had a glass! That generally optimistic look she gave me carries me through many things. Adding gratefulness to that makes for softer landings in hard times.
I think my “Stop, Look, Gos” have increased naturally and unconsciously. I still need to make a mental reminder sometimes, but frequently I just find myself in a grateful thought in a stressful situation without reminding myself to have one.
progress indeed,
dear Deann . . . ♥
Well, I’m not sure it has evolved. I guess what once seemed like a life preserver, is now a row boat.
Thank you for sharing, dear Charlie.
Love it!
That sounds like good progress to me,
dear Charlie . . . 😉
My gratefulness practice has evolved but it is definitely being tested right now. I was perusing my journals this morning for the word surrender and found the following. It is helping me right now.
Morning Meds Aug 10 2020 True Surrender
Good Morning, This practice was featured in Richard Rohr’s daily meditation for Aug 8 2020. It is very moving and extremely challenging to one’s ego. It is food for and of the soul. Blessings, Carol
Today’s practice from author and educator Anne Hillman invites us to contemplate how we can move toward a deeper sense of connectedness by nurturing what Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955) called “the energies of Love.” Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Cynthia Bourgeault found Hillman’s book The Dancing Animal Woman full of “deep feminine insights that have opened doors long closed” [1] which might be an apt description for Hildegard’s brilliant writings as well. Hillman writes:
The act of love is the surrender of self into life as it is. This is a love larger than our word “love” can contain or express. It embraces all of life and does not judge: tragedy and war, suffering and joy, creativity and destruction. Beauty. Death. The Other. Within this embrace of life as it is, lie acceptance, forgiveness, healing.
When we let go enough into the depths of our being, we are in communion with all of creation. We are center and circumference. One and many. Self and other. Without difference. We are receivers of one another. Then the mystery which surrounds and informs us is served. At depth, we discover that our aloneness and our bondedness are one. Ours is an identity with all beings. Herein lies our healing, the end of loneliness. . . .
To stay grounded I have had to find other ways to honor the paradox of our human identity. I have discovered that it is in the simplest, most minute experiences that I can begin to do that. Then, I am at home, my created self. I belong. Walking. Looking at a tree. Listening to a person, to the wind. Caressing a child. Scraping carrots in the sink. Weeping. Laughing.
Being tender. First, I learned to be tender with myself; to tend the needs of my soul. Then I began to tend the other which is also my self. If I am not tending, caring for some small portion of the living creation, how can I commune with that creation, be it the earth or a child, in any but the most sentimental way? A woman learns, in caring for an infant, that she becomes bonded. A person who tends the land or gives to another discovers the same bond. These are not moral niceties, they are part of the mystery. They are law.
In this kind of communion with life, new languages arise in our bodies: languages of awe and wonder, gratitude and a joy that is overflowing. They soften us. . . . The more gratitude or awe I feel, the more life shows forth its beauty and terror, the more my life is graced. These are the languages of being. Of being alive. This is a life lived with passion: com-passion. .
There we await the mystery.
[1] Cynthia Bourgeault, http://annehillman.net/endorsements/.
Anne Hillman, The Dancing Animal Woman: A Celebration of Life (Bramble Books: 1994), 213-214.
Image credit: Motherhood Through the Spirit and Water (detail), c. 1165; Source: Wikimedia Commons, PD-Old-100.
We are all one,
aren’t we,
dear Carol Ann,
once the veil falls away . . . ♥
My gratefulness practice feels more innate. Even when I am in a bitter mood, I can find one thing to feel grateful for and my sourness lessens. I am reminded that holding on to negative emotions causes my muscles to tighten, my mind closed, and my heart guarded. It is when I tap into a sense of appreciation, everything lightens. And for that, I am grateful. 🧡🙏🏽
Beautiful!
Surrender
Right now I have to put down self righteousness, anger, fear, aggression and so many other things! Thoughts coming out of control of which way to turn.
And Drea pointed out the word to hit the nail on the head- surrender. I have to let go and see that I was wrong and it’s my fault to bring something up like the news and think it can be taken lightly. Not everyone wants to joke or take things lightly . It wasn’t my intention to hurt or create an uncomfortable situation and discourse for anyone ! It seems like we have to be super careful of what we say about certain topics. Everyone is ready to shoot their guns. I’m actually dumbfounded at how somethings that seem so small or like nothing can turn into a huge fight . The wars around the globe and the anger is real. Or is it ?
What is real about my hate ?
Right now I’m completely blindsided and flabbergasted. I don’t want to appear dumb or pretend to not guilty of having views, opinions, and judgment. All I can see now is to truly surrender all of it . But at the same time I’m supposed to learn to show self -love and boundaries.
I find it so challenging because they seem to go completely against each others and it’s hard to know how to defend yourself but at the same time surrender. All I can do is pray because I feel lost and I’m sorry I made a mistake and it wasn’t meant to hurt anyone .
I find it impossible and distasteful to “walk on eggshells” around humankind, Antoinette. I aim to “know my audience”, sometimes it works, others not. Not my pasture, Not my bullshit.
The news
is a very touchy subject,
especially now,
dear Antoinette,
and I honestly don’t know how to start a discourse,
mostly if I don’t know where another person stands.
People are polarized
and can be easily triggered.
I went to a chiropractor a few years ago
and had been reading National Geographic in the waiting room.
When he called me in for treatment
I mentioned I’d been reading in interesting article
that was about an iconic photograph of a beautiful girl child
from somewhere in the Middle East.
The photographer
went back to find her 20 or 30 years later
to follow up on her story.
At my mention of the story,
the chiropractor bristled,
saying they are all terrorists over there,
and continued his tirade at length.
I felt as if I’d been struck.
We just don’t know . . .
I choose carefully where I let my opinions drop now.
It does indeed
sound like you got blindsided.
You can hold onto that feeling of betrayal
or you can surrender it to the Universe and move on . . .
I don’t think you did anything ‘wrong’
(if there is a right and wrong here).
I think you just stepped in it. ♥
Wow ! What a great example Sparrow. This was actually even less detailed than that. I simple said listening to the news can take us down a rabbit hole- so sometimes we need to watch how much we are able to read or take in. And this person flew into how awful it is to not be an activist etc… and that me calling this political was awful because it “is her life .”
So yea I stepped into it was a perfect way to put it.
Now that I have had a few minutes to breath and cry – and go to the gym 😂I feel that the universe gave me the opportunity to let go of my minds that I have. I am still learning boundaries and self love and I just don’t get it when everyone seems to me that I have to set a boundary. I’m so idealistic that I don’t believe there should need to be boundaries. We are all one and when someone hurts or is getting hurt it happens to all of us .
I know that may sound crazy but I care to a fault. If that’s possible and I guess the thoughts that I shouldn’t be a meditation guide are just that – 💭 thoughts . I’m learning as I go along and I get hurt and get back up .
Thanks so much for caring . I appreciate your love . ❤️
I appreciate yours too,
dear Antoinette. ♥
It’s hard to remember in those moments that their truth is true *for them*, as yours is true *for you*. Substitute concern, priority, celebration, what-have-you for truth–whatever it is, no one will align perfectly with another person in how they view something. She judged you in that moment and I know that stings when it happens to me.
The words “defend yourself” struck me in your comment. What if you lower the walls of defense? I don’t mean change your boundaries of what’s acceptable for one person to do or say to another. I mean, not feeling your own opinions or thoughts require any defense whatsoever. They’re still yours. Another person’s views can wash over you and then ebb, like the waves coming in on the ocean beach. The pebble may get tumbled a bit; it’s still rock. This metaphor brought to you by an ocean beach walk I had with family last Friday 🙂 .
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Truth is not something that’s an opinion or viewpoint. Truth is something that is
eternal, never dies and is alive and never changes- some call it the universe.
I’m not trying to defend anyone especially not this false self .
What helps is to see – reflect on what’s in one’s own mind and let it all go until there is no more minds . I’m still working in progress- 💓🙏🌱
The thing is, if we are in the world, and interacting with others, we will inadvertently say the wrong thing sometimes. It is inevitable. All we can do is apologize, forgive ourselves, and move on. I know it’s easier said than done. But it’s necessary.
I often think of this parable. Excuse me if I butcher it. It goes something like this.
Two monks are walking to the temple, when they come across a large mud puddle in the path. There is a woman there, wondering how she will cross without getting completely covered in mud. So, one of the monks, puts her on his back and crosses the puddle. Later, as the two monks are approaching the temple, on says, angrily, to the other “I can’t believe you did that, back there. It is against our vows”. The other monk responds “I put her down miles ago, and you are still carrying her on your back”.
Yes ! I have heard that one ! Yes I have to let her go and the situation go – unless I carry here to the gym or ok which I guess I’m doing . However now I’m reflecting on how I can let you know of my thoughts and feelings of being a “bad” helper or a bad human being . The universe isn’t judging me ! Who is jumping and judging? Me – so now I pray to let go again and again . Thank so much for the story ! You all are so amazing 😻 what a gift .🎁 thank you 🙏 CHARLIE!
Ah yes,
dear Charlie . . .
I have heard this parable too.
Good wisdom. 🙂
I seldom use the word “mistake.” I prefer “miss take.” It’s how we learn. Your intention was not to hurt anyone. So please don’t beat yourself up, dear Antoinette.
I like this, Carol Ann. We can even at times say “I need a do-over on that one” or a retake the way someone might want to do for a photo, audio recording, or film.
In improv we play a game called New Choice. Someone is the “director” of the skit. Two people start playing out the scene. At any moment the director can called out “New choice!” This means to change the last word, phase, or action (usually words). They can call it repeatedly so you very quickly have to come up with something else. I’ve tried that with family, explaining why I called out “new choice!” when a vociferous argument was dominating an otherwise pleasant dinner table. For the record, it didn’t work very well. I may still try it again though.
🙂
Miss take ! Love it ! 🥰 carol Ann it’s no wonder I get migraines right lol – still baby steps with self love and let go of the drill Sargent in my head ! Thank you ☺️
Practicing surrender is a big one for me right now. If surrender is a deep well of acceptance, gratefulness is the flowers lining the well, the stepping stones around it, the shady spruces nearby. I need gratefulness to reach the well of surrender. I have come to understand gratefulness as part of a bigger ecosystem of love, acceptance, flow, surrender, faith, and other attributes of a life well lived.
Lovely Drea.
What a welcome vision you have created,
dear Drea . . . ♥
Drea, your imagery is so helpful to me right now. Thank you.
Thank Drea, I truly appreciate this . I needed to hear this from my heart. ❤️
Practicing gratefulness has become easier, more natural, over time. I remember struggling to make time for my readings and contemplation, feeling I had so many other things I needed to do. Somehow that flipped around. Now, it is what gets me out of bed before the alarm, eager to start the day in this way.
I don’t expect the worst in situations anymore. I see the world and people differently, with more compassion and grace. I see MYSELF differently, also with the same compassion and grace. I can still fall into old thought patterns, but I’ve also learned to recognize them and know that it’s okay to feel what I feel. And the practice has also evolved by just becoming a part of my life instead of something I “make” myself do.
Life is not happening to me, Life is happening as me.
yes 🙏🏼
Thank you Sunnypatti Grace and compassion = more self love lessons! The universe isn’t judging speaking to all of us 🙏💯🙌✨
Self love is so important! We cannot give what we do not have 💛
‘And the practice has also evolved by just becoming a part of my life instead of something I “make” myself do.”
a big YES,
dear SunnyPatti. ♥
Kinda funny how that happens!
Wisdom.
🙏🏼
Cultivating and having a grateful heart and mental attitude has happened gradually over the past forty years. I no longer let an “Oscar the Grouch” (Sesame Street) prevail as my first defense. I appreciate all those who recently sent supportive comments regarding the vandalism of my car. Though I did initially respond somewhat valiantly, and that was sincere; anxiety, frustration, and expressive WHAT? kicked in as I began sleuthing through emails with those who live nearby. I pro-actively filed a police report and got a great responsive officer. My frustration kicked into overdrive when I found four neighbors witnessed this adult male, between 600-700 a.m.. wandering aimlessly down the alleyways via their windows or ring camera and did nothing!! One even saw the guy canvassing his truck! I do not live that passively and cannot and am well trained to “see something say something!” Yes I’m healing and letting myself experience the emotions that are part of the normal aftermath of being violated. Perhaps my delayed reaction did come from having gratitude as my first reaction vs “get them!” Two positive outcomes happened last weekend in my kitchen. I rearranged some things and made a cozy pot of squash, black bean and corn soup, that’s been nurturing. Grateful for an inner Healer Crone who’s walking me through this current life experience. Bless you for your patience to read this long entry. Happy Wednesday. Peace to you, (even passive neighbors). ☮️❄️
☀️✌️
Three Sisters Soup!
Yes Carla absolutely agree with you. Say something. This is where I’m also learning we need to learn to actually say something when we’re violated. It’s not okay to be violated. It’s not OK to sit back and allow people to do things that are inappropriate. . I think showing self love is also standing up for yourself and others. Hopefully your neighbors will actually say something the next time they see somebody being violated.
Peace and love to you
Yes Carla absolutely agree with you. Say something. This is where I’m also learning we need to learn to actually say something when we’re violated. It’s not okay to be violated. It’s not OK to sit back and allow people to do things that are inappropriate. . I think showing self love is also standing up for yourself and others. Hopefully your neighbors will actually say something the next time they see somebody being violated.
Peace and love to you
This little side journey
has turned into something much bigger
than you thought at the time,
hasn’t it,
dear Carla? ♥
Peace to you, dear Carla
I hope that what happened to you inspires the neighbors to get on a text chain or act differently if this happens again! They’ve got to feel guilty about doing nothing.
Oh Carla, I can imagine the added frustration when you learned your neighbors saw someone wandering in the neighborhood. I’m so sorry you were violated and wish you continued healing and calm.
My heart becomes purer. Growing belief in god certainly helps. With improved integrity, I’m free from agendas which in turn helps me connect better with my root people and feel lighter on the mind. Like I said yesterday, if I want to be an advocate for people with autism and mental health struggles, I must be pure and clean from agendas.