Today, I can celebrate the gift of being alive by living each moment as if it is my last one by living gratefully showing kindness, compassion, empathy, love, sharing my bounty and to be open for any opportunities to bless others with my gifts.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. Henri Nouwen
When I hear the obituaries on the news,
the older I get,
the more people I know of
are dying off.
I was walking down the hall in a nursing home,
a bundle of towels piled high in my arms
when I heard that Truman Capote had died in 1986
My god,
when did Jerry Garcia die?
I missed that . . .
Leonard Cohen and Stephen Levine in 2016,
Janis Joplin back in 1970,
Charlotte Yoko Beck in 2011 . . .
Ram Dass and Mary Oliver died in 2019,
Thich Nhat Hanh in 2022,
and David Crosby in 2023,
not to mention the hundreds of others who have touched my life
in one way or another,
all of them deeply.
And here I am,
given many more days, weeks, and years than most of them,
and what do I have to show for those
days, weeks, and years?
How much money I’ve accumulated doesn’t matter . . .
nor does my fame or lack thereof.
The Love I’ve put out into the world matters
in whatever creative pattern I have strewn it,
as does my kindness and compassion.
The world is here for me to enjoy and appreciate . . .
it is where the Divine lives
in every cell
in every being.
Being grateful for all of it
is the best homage I can pay for this incredible,
unimaginable gift.
Nothing else
makes me ponder my life
and how I want to live it
than a poem by Mary Oliver,
whose last lines are . . .
“Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
I was ready to respond on Jerry’s Death and saw Joseph had. Your reflection made me remember when Princess Diana passed {8/31/97} and how shocking and sad that was.
I am grateful for you and your words of wisdom Sparrow.
Missing that Jerry had died,
was harsh for me . . .
it was like missing his birthday,
dear Michele.
Yes,
I remember too,
very clearly
when Princess Diana was killed. ♥
Thank you, Sparrow. Your post really stirred some emotion in me! I was never quite the Deadhead, however, I remember hearing on the radio when Jerry died. I was with my grandmother when I lived in Kansas City, MO for one year of college. She was the mother of my birth father. I chose KCMO for college so that I might have the opportunity to not only be closer to my mom’s family, but to connect to my birth father and his family. I did connect to his family, but he chose to stay away. But my grandmother and I were on the way to the museum together when we heard the new of Jerry’s passing, and we both started to cry. For such a short time together, we really shared a nice bond.
I can celebrate being alive, by being present, paying attention, and by practicing kindness and gratefulness.
I will also take care of my physical form. Eat well, do some yoga, play music, and get out for a walk on this rainy and windy day here in the Sonoma Valley
.
I started my day with exercise, meditation and prayer. I can say a special thank you to my creator. I take deep breaths and look for signs of spring when I am outside.
Deann, I’m with you on thanking god. There’s a lot to be thankful for that we miss. We often get caught up in our minds and motives. God just gives with enthusiasm.
I hope to get outside for a walk even though it’s gray and rainy, just to breathe “outside air”. I’ve been overbooked with work and haven’t been able to be here in the morning, and just today I told myself I need my morning routine back. That’s a gift I’m giving myself. And maybe on that walk I go to the nearby bakery, get something delicious, and make sure I savor every bite.
I’m celebrating life today while having lunch with some friends from a church I served some 25 years ago. It’s crazy to think it’s been that long. The thoughts crossed my mind: They will think I’ve gotten so old! I’ve gained weight. I move like an old woman. But I then reminded myself…They have gotten older too! And we all now have grown children, grandchildren and some even great-grandchildren to brag about. And we all still have our spouses to lovingly complain about. And some have even started new businesses at this ripe old age. It will be glorious fun, I’m sure. And I’m grateful.
Have fun, Katrina. How easy it is to freeze people in time. It’s easy to forget that friends we have not seen in a long time have changed just as we have. 😊
I’m celebrating managing to get to this site on my phone.My computer has issues and I’m awaiting the arrival of a new monitor. I’m thankful that I can read everyone’s responses to the daily question on my phone. Blessings to all.
I can too,
dear Carol Ann,
but my phone is a dinosaur
and tosses me off
if I try to edit or post,
but like you,
grateful I can read responses.
I hope your new monitor arrives soon. ♥
I have a to do list today. I am going to remember « I get to » rather than « I have to » today. I know it will add light and lightness to my day. And that is something to celebrate!🩷🌟
Mary Mantei, I love the technique. The ladder can feel pressuring while the former makes responsibility feel more joyful. or at least, reduces overwhelm.
Taking a deep breath, let go and enjoy the moment. Putting aside fear of what might be challenging again soon, hoping for being able to manage moment by moment as good as possible, with heart open and grateful.
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Today, I can celebrate the gift of being alive by living each moment as if it is my last one by living gratefully showing kindness, compassion, empathy, love, sharing my bounty and to be open for any opportunities to bless others with my gifts.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. Henri Nouwen
When I hear the obituaries on the news,
the older I get,
the more people I know of
are dying off.
I was walking down the hall in a nursing home,
a bundle of towels piled high in my arms
when I heard that Truman Capote had died in 1986
My god,
when did Jerry Garcia die?
I missed that . . .
Leonard Cohen and Stephen Levine in 2016,
Janis Joplin back in 1970,
Charlotte Yoko Beck in 2011 . . .
Ram Dass and Mary Oliver died in 2019,
Thich Nhat Hanh in 2022,
and David Crosby in 2023,
not to mention the hundreds of others who have touched my life
in one way or another,
all of them deeply.
And here I am,
given many more days, weeks, and years than most of them,
and what do I have to show for those
days, weeks, and years?
How much money I’ve accumulated doesn’t matter . . .
nor does my fame or lack thereof.
The Love I’ve put out into the world matters
in whatever creative pattern I have strewn it,
as does my kindness and compassion.
The world is here for me to enjoy and appreciate . . .
it is where the Divine lives
in every cell
in every being.
Being grateful for all of it
is the best homage I can pay for this incredible,
unimaginable gift.
Nothing else
makes me ponder my life
and how I want to live it
than a poem by Mary Oliver,
whose last lines are . . .
“Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
If nothing else,
I say,
“be grateful.” ♥
Amen, Sparrow.🩷
Acknowledging the gift of ‘extra’ time
that many others don’t have,
dear Mary,
really wakes me up. ♥
I was ready to respond on Jerry’s Death and saw Joseph had. Your reflection made me remember when Princess Diana passed {8/31/97} and how shocking and sad that was.
I am grateful for you and your words of wisdom Sparrow.
Missing that Jerry had died,
was harsh for me . . .
it was like missing his birthday,
dear Michele.
Yes,
I remember too,
very clearly
when Princess Diana was killed. ♥
Thank you, Sparrow. Your post really stirred some emotion in me! I was never quite the Deadhead, however, I remember hearing on the radio when Jerry died. I was with my grandmother when I lived in Kansas City, MO for one year of college. She was the mother of my birth father. I chose KCMO for college so that I might have the opportunity to not only be closer to my mom’s family, but to connect to my birth father and his family. I did connect to his family, but he chose to stay away. But my grandmother and I were on the way to the museum together when we heard the new of Jerry’s passing, and we both started to cry. For such a short time together, we really shared a nice bond.
Thank you 🙏🏼
. . . a sad opportunity
to share a bond,
dear SunnyPatti,
but look how precious it is to you. ♥
I cherish every moment I got to spend with her 💜
Yes “be grateful.” 💦🌱
♥
Jerry Garcia; 8/9/95. RIP fair troubadour.
Somehow,
dear Joseph,
Jerry’s death
went under my radar . . .
an unhappy loss for me too. ♥
OMG, I was just getting ready to respond with the same answer Joseph! We are on the same wavelength!✨
Yes Jerry passed 08/1995. Miss him…😢 🎶🎸
Me too,
dear PKR. ♥
I can celebrate being alive, by being present, paying attention, and by practicing kindness and gratefulness.
I will also take care of my physical form. Eat well, do some yoga, play music, and get out for a walk on this rainy and windy day here in the Sonoma Valley
.
Wishing you a good day with lovely moments of celebrating life. Sounds like you do, even on a rainy day. Inspiring. Thank you!
I started my day with exercise, meditation and prayer. I can say a special thank you to my creator. I take deep breaths and look for signs of spring when I am outside.
Deann, I’m with you on thanking god. There’s a lot to be thankful for that we miss. We often get caught up in our minds and motives. God just gives with enthusiasm.
No complaining!
Be grateful for everything.🙏🏻
Be love.
🕊️🩷
Yes, Be Love.
🙏🌺❤️🙏
I hope to get outside for a walk even though it’s gray and rainy, just to breathe “outside air”. I’ve been overbooked with work and haven’t been able to be here in the morning, and just today I told myself I need my morning routine back. That’s a gift I’m giving myself. And maybe on that walk I go to the nearby bakery, get something delicious, and make sure I savor every bite.
It’s always good to see you, Barb.
Enjoy your walk in the rain and the sweet treat, Barb.
Thanks so much, Loc!
No problem, Barb.
By taking the time to enjoy the many gifts around me. Fresh air, sunshine, green houseplants, loved ones, my healthy body, etc.
Yes, Drea. It’s wonderful to open my eyes and see all that is right there. Gratefulness helps me see the richness of life.
I’m celebrating life today while having lunch with some friends from a church I served some 25 years ago. It’s crazy to think it’s been that long. The thoughts crossed my mind: They will think I’ve gotten so old! I’ve gained weight. I move like an old woman. But I then reminded myself…They have gotten older too! And we all now have grown children, grandchildren and some even great-grandchildren to brag about. And we all still have our spouses to lovingly complain about. And some have even started new businesses at this ripe old age. It will be glorious fun, I’m sure. And I’m grateful.
Have fun, Katrina. How easy it is to freeze people in time. It’s easy to forget that friends we have not seen in a long time have changed just as we have. 😊
I’m celebrating managing to get to this site on my phone.My computer has issues and I’m awaiting the arrival of a new monitor. I’m thankful that I can read everyone’s responses to the daily question on my phone. Blessings to all.
Technology – the gift that keeps on giving,..
I can too,
dear Carol Ann,
but my phone is a dinosaur
and tosses me off
if I try to edit or post,
but like you,
grateful I can read responses.
I hope your new monitor arrives soon. ♥
I have a to do list today. I am going to remember « I get to » rather than « I have to » today. I know it will add light and lightness to my day. And that is something to celebrate!🩷🌟
Mary Mantei, I love the technique. The ladder can feel pressuring while the former makes responsibility feel more joyful. or at least, reduces overwhelm.
Amen, Loc.🩷
Thanks, Mary Mantei.
Taking a deep breath, let go and enjoy the moment. Putting aside fear of what might be challenging again soon, hoping for being able to manage moment by moment as good as possible, with heart open and grateful.
Good one, Ose. Challenges just come. No need to look for them. As I’ve said before, the greatest form of preparation is presence.
Hi Ose . Yes celebrating this moment. I hope you are well dear Ose . 💓🌻
Celebrate by living every moment to the fullest…..gratefully.
I will celebrate the gift of being alive today by continuing to enjoy the easy stretches of my life while it lasts.
Stay in the moment. Appreciate my breath. Place hands flat over my heart and notice my heartbeat. And say thank you for it all.
Stop.Look.Go. – Being Present.