I am in a season of captivation, or at least it feels like that to me. But if I can see and watch for ways of loving others, releasing expectations, and learning to live in the quiet, then nothing is lost. My husband is in a season of illness and has been for the last several years. His needs are increasing and his ability to be a part of the world is growing smaller. As his wife, I have many choices on how to live my days, how to see beauty and find joy in the seemingly mundane tasks of caretaking. I ask, what would Jesus say or do to my husband in this situation???
As an extrovert, I try to have someone over each day for tea or coffee, and I have taken up some new hobbies like knitting and painting, and am making a point to finish books I started but put down prematurely. Making these internal changes help me be more restored to care for Bill and his needs. And I am grateful for the chance to learn something new, give away what I make, and think of new ideas.
Well, I come here to this site and answer the Daily Question and read the other responses.
There is so much wisdom here.
Also, I stop and think about the things that I’m grateful for, at least a couple of times a day.
Especially when I’m not doing well or feeling sorry for myself. And of course I’ve read a few books on
the subject and for a while I was delving into the offerings here at this site. But it seems I have tapered off of that a bit.
These practices have been life changing. Or maybe I should say they have added to my life.
Either way, thank you all for sharing here and thank you to the people that make all of this work at Grateful Living. 🙏
Practicing gratefulness is easy when things go well, or as I look backwards on my life, so I practice by reflecting on the amazing life I live.
However, what is more difficult for me, is practicing it in the midst of the present, especially in the middle of challenges. I can forget to be grateful when focusing on issues, feelings and solutions.😞
Reading, on this site the other day, that we can be grateful when faced with sadness, or challenges by reflecting on lessons learned has been helpful the past few days! I am hoping to carry that lesson with me as I move through life moment by moment.
First thing in the morning I read poetry, which grounds me in slowing down and mindfulness. I also write in my journal. Sometimes I’m catching up on what happened yesterday to wrap up that day’s entry, sometimes I’m looking ahead. I occasionally capture an answer I’ve given here because I want to remember it.
I’ve mentioned this several times before. As I set up my journal pages I decorate a space using a different color of ink and head it “Today’s delights–“. Then throughout the day I notice things that give me that extra spark of joy or delight and note them in my journal.
This morning as I ate my breakfast I noticed the spicy goodness of the tomato jam I made last year from tomatoes I grew. I’m eating it on rosemary garlic sourdough bread from the bakery down the street, with eggs I got from a little “farmette” stand on the same street. I’m grateful for a local, homegrown breakfast eaten by my back window, where birds call and the sunlight shines on the trees and plants, with the blue sky behind and above the green. I usually pick up the eggs on a walk with my husband or a bike ride somewhere, so they represent not only local food but also our ability to choose living in a neighborhood with so much abundance so close at hand.
Every night before I go to sleep
I say out loud
Three things that I’m grateful for,
All the significant, insignificant
Extraordinary, ordinary stuff of my life.
It’s a small practice and humble,
And yet, I find I sleep better
Holding what lightens and softens my life
Ever so briefly at the end of the day.
Sunlight, and blueberries,
Good dogs and wool socks,
A fine rain,
A good friend,
Fresh basil and wild phlox,
My father’s good health,
My daughter’s new job,
The song that always makes me cry,
Always at the same part,
No matter how many times I hear it.
Decent coffee at the airport,
And your quiet breathing,
The stories you told me,
The frost patterns on the windows,
English horns and banjos,
Wood Thrush and June bugs,
The smooth glassy calm of the morning pond,
An old coat,
A new poem,
My library card,
And that my car keeps running
Despite all the miles.
And after three things,
More often than not,
I get on a roll and I just keep on going,
I keep naming and listing,
Until I lie grinning,
Blankets pulled up to my chin,
Awash with wonder
At the sweetness of it all.
I begin my day with a thank you & at the end of my day I remember all the events, moments of the day and give thanks.
I try to stay in this “attitude of gratitude” thru my day. Reminding myself Stop, Look & Go.
Coming to this site is also a gentle reminder to give thanks. 🙏🏻❤️
Thank you to You All.
🕊️❤️
Gratefulness has taught me not to turn situations into problems. It helps me to respond instead of react.It’s taught me the importance of willingness and acceptance.
”Gratefulness has taught me not to turn situations into problems.”
I think I’m finally getting the hang of it,
dear Carol Ann . . .
your mentioning it
all this time
is starting to sink into my being.
Thank you . . .
Namaste ♥
I appreciated learning the line about not turning situations into problems from you, Carol Ann, and I’ve carried that into my work life as well as my personal life.
I’m grateful for all the life lessons that I have the opportunity to learn. Lessons come from everywhere: people I encounter, videos I watch on the internet. Yesterday, I saw a video, and I loved the lesson it brought to me: There was a monk who was teaching his disciples. He told them: There was a person who was holding a cup of coffee. A man bumped into him, and the coffee spilled on the person’s shirt. The monk asked his disciple: Why did the coffee spill on the person’s shirt? All disciples answered, because another one bumped into him. The monk said: No, it’s because that person was holding a cup of coffee. If he were holding a cup of tea, what spilled out would be tea. The lesson is that things happen to us and affect our life because of what we’re holding inside, not because of outside factors.
Opening the window blinds in the morning after waking, there always is a grateful thank you, spoken even, to the trees, the birnds and all of nature in front and around of me for the natural beauty and richness of fruits and the abundance of flowering plants causing joy to all who pass by this beautiful garden which is tenderly looked after by my landlord. Sometimes, he just is already busy looking for the well being of the garden when I open the blinds, and an inner heartfelt thank you goes to him for his loving care in many ways. Sharing here in gratefulness is another regular practice.. When eating, I do my best to remember also to give thanks to the farmers, nature and all who work for enableling that this healthy food is on my plate, ready to eat without having to do all the effort but are offered by people I often do not know but are so kind to make it possible. Daily richness and beauty in uncountable aspects of life, which I would wish to be present in all of our kindred people in the world. When I see a musician playing in the streets or someone starving and asking for some coins, happy to be able to give some money for support. There are so many ways to express gratefulness daily, and I am happy to do so often during the day. Thank you.
When I wake up, I say thank you. I journal after my morning meditation and end my entry with things that I’m grateful for. And as I go through the day, my practice is reflected as I interact with others or as I take my daily walk and pay attention to what’s around me. I saw two chipmunks at the park yesterday! My husband laughs because I get so excited when I see them, but I never saw them growing up in Charleston. They are so tiny & cute!
I practice living gratefully on a daily basis by coming on this website each morning to answer the Daily Question. I also try, at the end of the day, to reflect on my gratefulness too.
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I am in a season of captivation, or at least it feels like that to me. But if I can see and watch for ways of loving others, releasing expectations, and learning to live in the quiet, then nothing is lost. My husband is in a season of illness and has been for the last several years. His needs are increasing and his ability to be a part of the world is growing smaller. As his wife, I have many choices on how to live my days, how to see beauty and find joy in the seemingly mundane tasks of caretaking. I ask, what would Jesus say or do to my husband in this situation???
As an extrovert, I try to have someone over each day for tea or coffee, and I have taken up some new hobbies like knitting and painting, and am making a point to finish books I started but put down prematurely. Making these internal changes help me be more restored to care for Bill and his needs. And I am grateful for the chance to learn something new, give away what I make, and think of new ideas.
Caregiving is very draining. The coping skills you have implemented sound healthy and sustaining. Keep up the great work.
Well, I come here to this site and answer the Daily Question and read the other responses.
There is so much wisdom here.
Also, I stop and think about the things that I’m grateful for, at least a couple of times a day.
Especially when I’m not doing well or feeling sorry for myself. And of course I’ve read a few books on
the subject and for a while I was delving into the offerings here at this site. But it seems I have tapered off of that a bit.
These practices have been life changing. Or maybe I should say they have added to my life.
Either way, thank you all for sharing here and thank you to the people that make all of this work at Grateful Living. 🙏
Practicing gratefulness is easy when things go well, or as I look backwards on my life, so I practice by reflecting on the amazing life I live.
However, what is more difficult for me, is practicing it in the midst of the present, especially in the middle of challenges. I can forget to be grateful when focusing on issues, feelings and solutions.😞
Reading, on this site the other day, that we can be grateful when faced with sadness, or challenges by reflecting on lessons learned has been helpful the past few days! I am hoping to carry that lesson with me as I move through life moment by moment.
First thing in the morning I read poetry, which grounds me in slowing down and mindfulness. I also write in my journal. Sometimes I’m catching up on what happened yesterday to wrap up that day’s entry, sometimes I’m looking ahead. I occasionally capture an answer I’ve given here because I want to remember it.
I’ve mentioned this several times before. As I set up my journal pages I decorate a space using a different color of ink and head it “Today’s delights–“. Then throughout the day I notice things that give me that extra spark of joy or delight and note them in my journal.
This morning as I ate my breakfast I noticed the spicy goodness of the tomato jam I made last year from tomatoes I grew. I’m eating it on rosemary garlic sourdough bread from the bakery down the street, with eggs I got from a little “farmette” stand on the same street. I’m grateful for a local, homegrown breakfast eaten by my back window, where birds call and the sunlight shines on the trees and plants, with the blue sky behind and above the green. I usually pick up the eggs on a walk with my husband or a bike ride somewhere, so they represent not only local food but also our ability to choose living in a neighborhood with so much abundance so close at hand.
This question brings to mind the poem “Three Gratitudes” by Carrie Newcomer, which I first read on this site. https://grateful.org/resource/three-gratitudes/
Every night before I go to sleep
I say out loud
Three things that I’m grateful for,
All the significant, insignificant
Extraordinary, ordinary stuff of my life.
It’s a small practice and humble,
And yet, I find I sleep better
Holding what lightens and softens my life
Ever so briefly at the end of the day.
Sunlight, and blueberries,
Good dogs and wool socks,
A fine rain,
A good friend,
Fresh basil and wild phlox,
My father’s good health,
My daughter’s new job,
The song that always makes me cry,
Always at the same part,
No matter how many times I hear it.
Decent coffee at the airport,
And your quiet breathing,
The stories you told me,
The frost patterns on the windows,
English horns and banjos,
Wood Thrush and June bugs,
The smooth glassy calm of the morning pond,
An old coat,
A new poem,
My library card,
And that my car keeps running
Despite all the miles.
And after three things,
More often than not,
I get on a roll and I just keep on going,
I keep naming and listing,
Until I lie grinning,
Blankets pulled up to my chin,
Awash with wonder
At the sweetness of it all.
I begin my day with a thank you & at the end of my day I remember all the events, moments of the day and give thanks.
I try to stay in this “attitude of gratitude” thru my day. Reminding myself Stop, Look & Go.
Coming to this site is also a gentle reminder to give thanks. 🙏🏻❤️
Thank you to You All.
🕊️❤️
”Coming to this site is also a gentle reminder to give thanks.”
That alone
is a reason to come here,
dear PKR . . .
it is one of my reasons as well. ♥
Gratefulness has taught me not to turn situations into problems. It helps me to respond instead of react.It’s taught me the importance of willingness and acceptance.
Thank you Carol, you always help me.
You help me too Michele. You bring me so much joy. You are a blessing.
”Gratefulness has taught me not to turn situations into problems.”
I think I’m finally getting the hang of it,
dear Carol Ann . . .
your mentioning it
all this time
is starting to sink into my being.
Thank you . . .
Namaste ♥
That is something I learned from reading Eckhart Tolle’s books and listening to his CDs. I find it very helpful.
I appreciated learning the line about not turning situations into problems from you, Carol Ann, and I’ve carried that into my work life as well as my personal life.
Barb, It’s an Eckhart Tolle quote and like you, I have found it provides the perspective I need daily.
Coming to this site every day, reading your responses and answering the question for myself in my daily reminder.
I’m glad to be back– I had an ana amazing trip. I practice gratefulness by rememering stop, look, and go.
Nice to see you back 🙂
☀️
I too,
am happy to see you back,
dear Avril,
and am looking forward
to hearing about your journey. ♥
Glad you’re here, Avril!
By coming to this site, reading, and sharing; noticing details in my environment, thanking my body whatever state it’s in, taking time to enjoy.
“thanking my body whatever state it’s in” such a wise and helpful statement. Thank you, DREA
I read the bible and am on the RLM Community Discord everyday.
I’m grateful for all the life lessons that I have the opportunity to learn. Lessons come from everywhere: people I encounter, videos I watch on the internet. Yesterday, I saw a video, and I loved the lesson it brought to me: There was a monk who was teaching his disciples. He told them: There was a person who was holding a cup of coffee. A man bumped into him, and the coffee spilled on the person’s shirt. The monk asked his disciple: Why did the coffee spill on the person’s shirt? All disciples answered, because another one bumped into him. The monk said: No, it’s because that person was holding a cup of coffee. If he were holding a cup of tea, what spilled out would be tea. The lesson is that things happen to us and affect our life because of what we’re holding inside, not because of outside factors.
Thank you, Ngoc.
I love this story. Thank you for sharing it.
Beautifully said. NGOC, thanks for sharing.
I like that!
My Ngoc, the inside is often forgotten. It’s why it’s called “The Worldly System.” “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” Mathew 5:8.
Oh, that’s a good lesson, thank you for sharing.
Opening the window blinds in the morning after waking, there always is a grateful thank you, spoken even, to the trees, the birnds and all of nature in front and around of me for the natural beauty and richness of fruits and the abundance of flowering plants causing joy to all who pass by this beautiful garden which is tenderly looked after by my landlord. Sometimes, he just is already busy looking for the well being of the garden when I open the blinds, and an inner heartfelt thank you goes to him for his loving care in many ways. Sharing here in gratefulness is another regular practice.. When eating, I do my best to remember also to give thanks to the farmers, nature and all who work for enableling that this healthy food is on my plate, ready to eat without having to do all the effort but are offered by people I often do not know but are so kind to make it possible. Daily richness and beauty in uncountable aspects of life, which I would wish to be present in all of our kindred people in the world. When I see a musician playing in the streets or someone starving and asking for some coins, happy to be able to give some money for support. There are so many ways to express gratefulness daily, and I am happy to do so often during the day. Thank you.
To paraphrase today’s word of the day, I practice living gratefully everyday by recalling; That Life is not Happening to Me, Life is Happening as Me!
Peace, Love & Light.
I needed that reminder today. Thank you, Joseph.
When I wake up, I say thank you. I journal after my morning meditation and end my entry with things that I’m grateful for. And as I go through the day, my practice is reflected as I interact with others or as I take my daily walk and pay attention to what’s around me. I saw two chipmunks at the park yesterday! My husband laughs because I get so excited when I see them, but I never saw them growing up in Charleston. They are so tiny & cute!
Have a great day, all!
I miss seeing chipmunks – we used to see them camping at Hills Creek. I have not seen one in FL.
I practice living gratefully on a daily basis by coming on this website each morning to answer the Daily Question. I also try, at the end of the day, to reflect on my gratefulness too.
Happy Monday all 🙂
Happy Monday, Michele!