An attitude of gratitude transforms my negative minds into a brighter picture of whatever I’m looking at. But I’m not sure if it’s ways a true picture- I mean how do I really know ?
By awakening to the full expression of this Life. Being open and curious to its unfolding. Choosing to be 100% on as a vital Life expression before its Creator. Bowing down in awe and wonder.
The past few days I’ve been experiencing the fall out of living in a value system that promotes and supports post capitalistic policies and practices that are detrimental to my well being. So, I found myself having to lookup the meaning of transformative power of gratitude. This motivated me to write a letter of commendation to the employer of the Physio Assistant that has attended to my rehab for the past 2 visits.
How have I experienced the transformative power of grateful living? For me, it all comes down to willingness. When I realized that my job is willingness and God’s/Life’s job is transformation, gratitude flowed in and through me. Willingness changes perspective. It opens both mind and heart. I’ve shared this poem before but there is always new visitors to this sight and so I share it again. It was written in the middle of the night in 1995 when I felt that there wasn’t even a single thread of life as I knew it available to me.
Wings of Willingness by Carol Ann Conner (1995)
You too can fly. But that cocoon must go! Anonymous
The Butterfly awakens inside the cocoon – TRAPPED.
Her wings embedded in her sides – CHAINED.
Her mind is reeling – AFRAID.
Every circumstance says she can’t move.
She bargains; she pleads. But at last, she lets go.
The power of surrender surges through her.
Little by little, the darkness begins to fade into light.
She’s learning to trust.
At last, she’s embracing true freedom.
Her prison begins to crumble.
Her wings begin to spread.
SHE FLIES!
Some of us build cocoons from the inside out,
And the only way to shed them is to let go.
No amount of digging, scratching, or pushing can remove them.
Only letting God send those who can comfort and guide,
Only letting God peel off one layer at a time will constitute real change.
Transformation is God’s business. Willingness is mine.
When I can truly let God be God,
My wings will spread and I will discover that
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FLY!
Thanks, Carol – that reminds me of raising silkworms – they chew their way out of the cocoon. We had some female silk moths left when it was time for us to go on vacation, so I put them out on a bush by the front door, and they seemed to be hanging out happily.
For me, grateful living has instantaneous results. When I’m open to see miracles, blessings, and awe everywhere they unfold. Every moment of this life is a gift. The cosmic energy of gratefulness connects me with impermanence. People often think that impermanence is fatalistic. It’s the contrary, because things are impermanent they’re so important.
As Br. David expressed it, gratitude is not a feeling but an inner attitude how we chose to meet life. Having internalized this, it helped me especially in most difficult states and moments, as it is like an inner light then which always is on, and even if it may be dimmed in the presence of sadness, it is there. Gratefulness is an immediate transformative force once opening up to it again, consciously inviting Love through this again, altering sadness into presence, inspiring faith and opening the door to being in touch with kindred people and all which is, when this was perceived as almost being lost. Deeply grateful for this huge gift of all the gratefulness-team and you all for the possibility of anchoring this perspective in daily practice and shared joy with all of you who come and who visit here.
Grateful living practice has a cumulative effect. It got me moving again. It got me talking again. It got me connecting again with nature, food, beautiful things, music. It drew me back towards self-care, and compassion for others, since I was not so much in a shell. There is more to come, I know, so I just endeavor to practice.
It seems more helpful to me to notice something to be grateful for and then be thankful that one moment has been transformed. Transforming a life will take a while.
Dear Rabbit, You might have good bone strength even if you have osteoporosis. There’s a new test that measures this – only near Santa Barbara CA thus far – https://www.bonescore.com/. Osteoporosis is about the mineral in the bone, but the strength comes from all the tough squishy cells in the bone. 🙂
Thank you Mica. I need this encouragement. Will look at the link. The Women’s Healthcare Network said osteoporosis was over diagnosed and over treated. Maybe this test will help resolve it. I so appreciate you caring and taking time to reply.
Rabbit, I read the article Avril sent and am so thankful that I did. It sounds like you are attempting to second guess the future. Fear does that. As I use to tell those I sponsored in 12-step. If you are in the past or the future, you go there alone because God IS…The strength we need flows in the present moment. If you are struggling to decide whether to medicate or not, I suggest you arise each morning and decide what you will do…take the med or not take the med. Yes or No and then let it go for the day. AND DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP!
Oh, Carol. It is like you know me. Thank you so much. I plan to print out these notes are a daily reminder. I appreciate you and you taking the time to write me.
I think it’s so important to never anesthetize ourselves and say this isn’t scary or painful. But you can be open to what you’ll learn from it. Here’s an article that I recently read about chronic pain, I think it can be used toward chronic illness as well https://tricycle.org/magazine/practice-nonpreference/
Awesome, Avril – I’ve shared it with my friend, too: 🙂 The Practice of Nonpreference 🙂
When pain becomes just one object among many in our awareness, it loses its power. 🙂
The author of your link, Darlene Cohen, wrote a book – “Turning Suffering Inside Out.” I downloaded the free kindle sample 🙂
Avril,
Thank you so much. The article has much application to my life now and because of problems in the past. It is so nice of you to think of me. Will print the article to reference later and try to integrate the concept into my life. Again, thank you for caring about me in this way.
Your act of sharing this is an example of how I have experienced the transformative power of grateful living. I live with rheumatoid arthritis and this article is a gift. Thank you.
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I find when I am practicing gratefulness that I feel better in general. I also notice people around me feeling that positivity as well.
An attitude of gratitude transforms my negative minds into a brighter picture of whatever I’m looking at. But I’m not sure if it’s ways a true picture- I mean how do I really know ?
Loving the many multi-faceted responses, thoughts, experiences here.
By awakening to the full expression of this Life. Being open and curious to its unfolding. Choosing to be 100% on as a vital Life expression before its Creator. Bowing down in awe and wonder.
My first thought when reading your post: We are life and it is important that we realize it!
I am grateful every day for the many gifts in my life–good air to breathe, lack of war, good friends, loving family.
The past few days I’ve been experiencing the fall out of living in a value system that promotes and supports post capitalistic policies and practices that are detrimental to my well being. So, I found myself having to lookup the meaning of transformative power of gratitude. This motivated me to write a letter of commendation to the employer of the Physio Assistant that has attended to my rehab for the past 2 visits.
How have I experienced the transformative power of grateful living? For me, it all comes down to willingness. When I realized that my job is willingness and God’s/Life’s job is transformation, gratitude flowed in and through me. Willingness changes perspective. It opens both mind and heart. I’ve shared this poem before but there is always new visitors to this sight and so I share it again. It was written in the middle of the night in 1995 when I felt that there wasn’t even a single thread of life as I knew it available to me.
Wings of Willingness by Carol Ann Conner (1995)
You too can fly. But that cocoon must go! Anonymous
The Butterfly awakens inside the cocoon – TRAPPED.
Her wings embedded in her sides – CHAINED.
Her mind is reeling – AFRAID.
Every circumstance says she can’t move.
She bargains; she pleads. But at last, she lets go.
The power of surrender surges through her.
Little by little, the darkness begins to fade into light.
She’s learning to trust.
At last, she’s embracing true freedom.
Her prison begins to crumble.
Her wings begin to spread.
SHE FLIES!
Some of us build cocoons from the inside out,
And the only way to shed them is to let go.
No amount of digging, scratching, or pushing can remove them.
Only letting God send those who can comfort and guide,
Only letting God peel off one layer at a time will constitute real change.
Transformation is God’s business. Willingness is mine.
When I can truly let God be God,
My wings will spread and I will discover that
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FLY!
the simple phrase “My job is willingness” is so very wise and powerful. Thank you.
Thanks, Carol – that reminds me of raising silkworms – they chew their way out of the cocoon. We had some female silk moths left when it was time for us to go on vacation, so I put them out on a bush by the front door, and they seemed to be hanging out happily.
Gorgeous!! Thank you for sharing!!
For me, grateful living has instantaneous results. When I’m open to see miracles, blessings, and awe everywhere they unfold. Every moment of this life is a gift. The cosmic energy of gratefulness connects me with impermanence. People often think that impermanence is fatalistic. It’s the contrary, because things are impermanent they’re so important.
Beautiful! I had a dear friend who use to say, “The only thing permanent in life is change.”
This practice is part of the overall transformation that I’m seeking, and among other things, it has helped me to be more expressive.
As Br. David expressed it, gratitude is not a feeling but an inner attitude how we chose to meet life. Having internalized this, it helped me especially in most difficult states and moments, as it is like an inner light then which always is on, and even if it may be dimmed in the presence of sadness, it is there. Gratefulness is an immediate transformative force once opening up to it again, consciously inviting Love through this again, altering sadness into presence, inspiring faith and opening the door to being in touch with kindred people and all which is, when this was perceived as almost being lost. Deeply grateful for this huge gift of all the gratefulness-team and you all for the possibility of anchoring this perspective in daily practice and shared joy with all of you who come and who visit here.
Thank you, Ose! “gratitude is not a feeling but an inner attitude how we chose to meet life” 🙂
O Ose, Your description massages my heart and soul.
Beautifully stated
I have experienced a calm and more awareness for the beauty around me.
I have experienced the transformative power of grateful living by feeling more grounded and at peace.
Grateful living practice has a cumulative effect. It got me moving again. It got me talking again. It got me connecting again with nature, food, beautiful things, music. It drew me back towards self-care, and compassion for others, since I was not so much in a shell. There is more to come, I know, so I just endeavor to practice.
My dear Holly, Yes, Yes, Yes.
It seems more helpful to me to notice something to be grateful for and then be thankful that one moment has been transformed. Transforming a life will take a while.
Happy International Rabbit Day 🐇
Oh my goodness. How special. Will check it out. Thank you. 🐰🐇
Thank you Javier. I was feeling the death sentence of osteoporosis. Will try to think of it differently. Not sure how though.
Dear Rabbit, You might have good bone strength even if you have osteoporosis. There’s a new test that measures this – only near Santa Barbara CA thus far – https://www.bonescore.com/. Osteoporosis is about the mineral in the bone, but the strength comes from all the tough squishy cells in the bone. 🙂
Thank you Mica. I need this encouragement. Will look at the link. The Women’s Healthcare Network said osteoporosis was over diagnosed and over treated. Maybe this test will help resolve it. I so appreciate you caring and taking time to reply.
Rabbit, I read the article Avril sent and am so thankful that I did. It sounds like you are attempting to second guess the future. Fear does that. As I use to tell those I sponsored in 12-step. If you are in the past or the future, you go there alone because God IS…The strength we need flows in the present moment. If you are struggling to decide whether to medicate or not, I suggest you arise each morning and decide what you will do…take the med or not take the med. Yes or No and then let it go for the day. AND DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP!
Oh, Carol. It is like you know me. Thank you so much. I plan to print out these notes are a daily reminder. I appreciate you and you taking the time to write me.
I think it’s so important to never anesthetize ourselves and say this isn’t scary or painful. But you can be open to what you’ll learn from it. Here’s an article that I recently read about chronic pain, I think it can be used toward chronic illness as well https://tricycle.org/magazine/practice-nonpreference/
Awesome, Avril – I’ve shared it with my friend, too: 🙂 The Practice of Nonpreference 🙂
When pain becomes just one object among many in our awareness, it loses its power. 🙂
The author of your link, Darlene Cohen, wrote a book – “Turning Suffering Inside Out.” I downloaded the free kindle sample 🙂
Avril,
Thank you so much. The article has much application to my life now and because of problems in the past. It is so nice of you to think of me. Will print the article to reference later and try to integrate the concept into my life. Again, thank you for caring about me in this way.
Your act of sharing this is an example of how I have experienced the transformative power of grateful living. I live with rheumatoid arthritis and this article is a gift. Thank you.
Avril, Thanks for the link…I so needed it today.