Every time life feels difficult, I try to think of those who face misfortunes in life. That is not a comparison of my condition to them but makes me think that I am still lucky in my life even though there is something out of wishing. I am not a rock, I still have a feeling sad or upset in hardship situations. However, that is just like taking a rest for a moment. I don’t allow myself to be in an exhausted mood for a long time. I think of misfortune people, I think of my loved ones and that is the way I nurture gratefulness in such a difficult life.
By coming to this site and remembering the things I need to do to take care of myself first before trying to take care of someone else.
Learning to take a pause in difficult situations that cause me a lot of stress and then going back in and attacking the problem with a clearer and rested mind. Remembering how my faith has helped me in the past get thru all situations. I figure it out or like in a lot of instances the Good Lord helps me get thru the dark tunnel and find the light.
I lift my gaze. If I stop and check, sometimes the shoulders have dropped, and the gaze goes to the ground. If I consciously lift my gaze, my whole physiology changes with it and so too my mental attitude.
Hopefully, practicing gratitude as a
regular activity, will allow me to utilize
this resource when things are rough
and in those moments when hope and
trust are in short supply.
Something happened when I re-defined
the word “ practice”. It took the pressure
off. I was “just” practicing. It wasn’t
necessary to even have a goal. I could
practice things just for the pleasure of
doing that activity.
Carol,
Your posts are so thoughtful and I really appreciate them.Thank you!
In the height of Covid I was diagnosed with a very rare breast cancer that required surgery. I learned early in that journey to befriend the cancer and to not “fight it” as so many do and recommend. I learned a lot about me, and about surrender. And deeply listening to my breast (s).It was life changing. Face it and not flee is so right on. You are very brave.
Penelope, Yes, As Martha Beck teaches, your body already knows something, and it can point you in the direction you need to go. It’s important to listen to our bodies and let them speak.
How do I nurture my gratefulness practice when life feels difficult?
I haven’t been doing a very good job of that. My spinal pain levels have been quite high and my blood pressure also too high. Fear has got a grip on me because the BP readings caused a retinal occlusion (medical term for a stroke in the eye) a couple of years ago. My current cardiologist says BP meds do not work when pain levels elevate BP. I realize that I have placed my self in a vicious cycle and fear is calling the shots.
I turned to my journals this morning and found a Gandhi wrote: “When you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.” I thought I’m my biggest enemy right now.
As I read today’s gratefulness.org quote from Mariah Fenton Gladis, “Every time you express gratitude or compassion for any aspect of yourself or someone else, you breathe life in.”
I thought ‘yes’ even when your opponent is your own anxiety, it calls for you to be compassionate. Life has taught me that my biggest battles are the battles within. It’s hard to make it to adulthood without accumulating some life-limiting messages. Many times one must challenge the covenant s/he has made with life and lovingly forgive him/herself over and over again until that loving acceptance silences the inner-opponent. You only make it stronger when you fight it and flee from it. You have to face it and feel it then love it to a place of peaceful surrender!
As I write this, I feel gratitude for my daily visit to this site, knowing that I am blessed with not only self compassion here but the compassion and support of so many beautiful souls.
Thank you Karol! You inspireme every single day. Many of the people that particpate offers messages of love and compassion, what a gift to be able to share and learn from other. I am grateful to all of you! Many blessing to you today and always.
Keep it a priority. There is always AT LEAST one good thing in our lives; even on our darkest days. It is good to focus on the good things to help get us through.
Thank you for the LOL Sunnypatti. Someone was just talking at work about when there was a shortage of toilet paper during covid. Wasn’t so funny then though.
When life is difficult…which sometimes seems more so…I always pray. I am very grateful that I have my faith to go to. I am not sure if I nurture my gratefulness during those times…but I always remember to say Thank You to God…and ask him to help me through whatever is going on in my life.
When life is difficult, my morning ritual doesn’t change too much. Gratitude is embedded in my practice, so it holds steady for me. I am so grateful for this practice, which has evolved over the years,. It has been the foundation for so much good, creativity, energy, that I have been able to generate for myself and others. Blessings on each of your days.
I recall what is precious to me — I’m breathing, enjoying all the beauty that life offers. I have two kind and accomplished daughters. I also recount how much I have — My job provides an income to purchase food, and maintain transportation and shelter. All of my basic needs are met. Then I remind myself that whatever difficulty has arisen, I will get through it.
I first go to the breath. It helps me to concentrate on the breath. Just the beginning and end of each breath. A perfect metaphor for the impermanence of life. I become grateful that I am still beathing and am experiencing the gift of another day. I then can reflect on just how fortunate I have been and how fortunate I am in that very moment of difficulty. I can stop, open my eyes, becoming grateful for the beauty that surrounds me. My daily practices of a reflection on this site, a daily meditation and 20-minute mindful standing yoga all help to nurture an attitude of gratitude.
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Every time life feels difficult, I try to think of those who face misfortunes in life. That is not a comparison of my condition to them but makes me think that I am still lucky in my life even though there is something out of wishing. I am not a rock, I still have a feeling sad or upset in hardship situations. However, that is just like taking a rest for a moment. I don’t allow myself to be in an exhausted mood for a long time. I think of misfortune people, I think of my loved ones and that is the way I nurture gratefulness in such a difficult life.
Looking out of windows, especially contemplating trees and leaves, also looking out of car windows, looking at people.
By coming to this site and remembering the things I need to do to take care of myself first before trying to take care of someone else.
Learning to take a pause in difficult situations that cause me a lot of stress and then going back in and attacking the problem with a clearer and rested mind. Remembering how my faith has helped me in the past get thru all situations. I figure it out or like in a lot of instances the Good Lord helps me get thru the dark tunnel and find the light.
I lift my gaze. If I stop and check, sometimes the shoulders have dropped, and the gaze goes to the ground. If I consciously lift my gaze, my whole physiology changes with it and so too my mental attitude.
Pause. Breathe. Call someone I love. Give myself grace. Change my scenery. Inject curiosity. Let go.
Hopefully, practicing gratitude as a
regular activity, will allow me to utilize
this resource when things are rough
and in those moments when hope and
trust are in short supply.
Something happened when I re-defined
the word “ practice”. It took the pressure
off. I was “just” practicing. It wasn’t
necessary to even have a goal. I could
practice things just for the pleasure of
doing that activity.
Thank you for that insight, Charlie!
Good point!
Carol,
Your posts are so thoughtful and I really appreciate them.Thank you!
In the height of Covid I was diagnosed with a very rare breast cancer that required surgery. I learned early in that journey to befriend the cancer and to not “fight it” as so many do and recommend. I learned a lot about me, and about surrender. And deeply listening to my breast (s).It was life changing. Face it and not flee is so right on. You are very brave.
Penelope, Yes, As Martha Beck teaches, your body already knows something, and it can point you in the direction you need to go. It’s important to listen to our bodies and let them speak.
How do I nurture my gratefulness practice when life feels difficult?
I haven’t been doing a very good job of that. My spinal pain levels have been quite high and my blood pressure also too high. Fear has got a grip on me because the BP readings caused a retinal occlusion (medical term for a stroke in the eye) a couple of years ago. My current cardiologist says BP meds do not work when pain levels elevate BP. I realize that I have placed my self in a vicious cycle and fear is calling the shots.
I turned to my journals this morning and found a Gandhi wrote: “When you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.” I thought I’m my biggest enemy right now.
As I read today’s gratefulness.org quote from Mariah Fenton Gladis, “Every time you express gratitude or compassion for any aspect of yourself or someone else, you breathe life in.”
I thought ‘yes’ even when your opponent is your own anxiety, it calls for you to be compassionate. Life has taught me that my biggest battles are the battles within. It’s hard to make it to adulthood without accumulating some life-limiting messages. Many times one must challenge the covenant s/he has made with life and lovingly forgive him/herself over and over again until that loving acceptance silences the inner-opponent. You only make it stronger when you fight it and flee from it. You have to face it and feel it then love it to a place of peaceful surrender!
As I write this, I feel gratitude for my daily visit to this site, knowing that I am blessed with not only self compassion here but the compassion and support of so many beautiful souls.
Namaste
Thank you Karol! You inspireme every single day. Many of the people that particpate offers messages of love and compassion, what a gift to be able to share and learn from other. I am grateful to all of you! Many blessing to you today and always.
Sending you healing energy for pain relief to you Carol. Like the others, I value your wisdom and enjoy your reflections.
Thank you for your always thought provoking and thoughtful reflections Carol.
Thank you for your wisdom, Carol. 🙏🏻
❤️
Thank you.
Namaste,
dear Carol…
you inspire me
to do the same with my own pain.
Blessings, dear Sparrow.
Keep it a priority. There is always AT LEAST one good thing in our lives; even on our darkest days. It is good to focus on the good things to help get us through.
Life takes its twists and turns. The better I roll with it the better my awareness of THE ALL increases.
I nurture it by continuing to do it. Even on hard days, there are still things to be grateful for… even if it’s just toilet paper!
I LOL and I totally agree with Robin Ann.
Thank you for the LOL Sunnypatti. Someone was just talking at work about when there was a shortage of toilet paper during covid. Wasn’t so funny then though.
So true!
When life is difficult…which sometimes seems more so…I always pray. I am very grateful that I have my faith to go to. I am not sure if I nurture my gratefulness during those times…but I always remember to say Thank You to God…and ask him to help me through whatever is going on in my life.
When life is difficult, my morning ritual doesn’t change too much. Gratitude is embedded in my practice, so it holds steady for me. I am so grateful for this practice, which has evolved over the years,. It has been the foundation for so much good, creativity, energy, that I have been able to generate for myself and others. Blessings on each of your days.
I recall what is precious to me — I’m breathing, enjoying all the beauty that life offers. I have two kind and accomplished daughters. I also recount how much I have — My job provides an income to purchase food, and maintain transportation and shelter. All of my basic needs are met. Then I remind myself that whatever difficulty has arisen, I will get through it.
I first go to the breath. It helps me to concentrate on the breath. Just the beginning and end of each breath. A perfect metaphor for the impermanence of life. I become grateful that I am still beathing and am experiencing the gift of another day. I then can reflect on just how fortunate I have been and how fortunate I am in that very moment of difficulty. I can stop, open my eyes, becoming grateful for the beauty that surrounds me. My daily practices of a reflection on this site, a daily meditation and 20-minute mindful standing yoga all help to nurture an attitude of gratitude.