M values have been instilled in me for a very very long time. Perhaps they are more pronounced living gratefully. What I love is to witness or see clearly my children’s same values displayed from time to time. It certainly is a beautiful thing to witness 💕🌞
What a beautiful,
lazy day it’s been . . .
soft clouds,
softer rain,
creating a perfect lull
in the busyness of Life.
I am grateful for this,
and I would have been grateful
for this kind of day
thirty, forty, fifty, sixty years ago as well.
My values
are dug deep within me
and have only changed
by growing stronger
and with more clarity over the years,
but my sense of gratitude
has deepened and gained more texture and nuance . . .
I am not only thankful
for things that please me,
but also for things that don’t.
They are the ones I learn the most from,
and as I learn
I grow.
Even though I had planned to work outside,
this rainy day
had other ideas,
and I’m grateful for all of them . . .
it is feeding and caring for my gardens
by watering the earth for me.
It wouldn’t help a bit
if I ranted and raved
because I have things to do out there,
So I release my hold on intention,
and enjoy.
It has created an opportunity
for me to lighten up
and enjoy some peaceful surrender,
reminding me
that pleasure comes in many forms,
and in a way
I’ve been given a day off.
I can live with that. ♥
The gift of water from the sky, yes. We just had a very, very brief rainfall. Not enough to forego watering the garden later unless it picks back up, but enough to give the air that fresh scent and a bit of a rinse. I’m glad I picked tomatoes earlier in the day.
My cherry tomatoes
did splendidly this year,
dear Barb,
but not so much
the big boys and heirlooms.
Isn’t it lovely though,
to bite down on a tomatoe
freshly picked
from your own garden? ♥
It’s the opposite for me. My cherry tomatoes don’t seem very happy with where I placed their pots in the yard even though i’ve had success there before. The various heirloom varieties in the raised beds are loaded with fruit and i’ve been picking a bowlful every day. I have some gorgeous color variety this year: red and orange Hillbilly, purple and yellow Sart Roloise, gigantic Orange Brandywine just starting to ripen now, big red meaty Amish, San Marzano (which has a tendency to blossom end rot and I may not grow them again), a dark red one whose name I forget. I got a couple of sad beefsteak starts late and they’re just now heading towards ripening.
“To live in the presence of great truths and eternal laws, to be led by permanent ideals – that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises him.” — Honore De Balzac
“To seek the living manifestation of spiritual and ethical values themselves, regardless of the label they come under, is to discover unexpected kinship… In this view, faith is no longer a matter of a allegiance to a specific community or identity, but a ceaseless search for the beautiful ways to realize the human potential in every given age and place.” — Mohja Kahf
Living gratefully helps me honor and truly live my values because it makes me more self aware.
“… faith is no longer a matter of a allegiance to a specific community or identity, but a ceaseless search for the beautiful ways to realize the human potential in every given age and place.” That one kinda blew my mind. Thank you Carol.
Thank you for these quotes, Carol Ann. I wrote them in what I call my little book of wisdom – a notebook full of quotes and poems that I take to classes with me 💜
These are both thoughtful and wonderful quotes,
dear Carol Ann,
but I feel the first one
most deeply in my soul . . .
thank you for the wealth of wisdom you impart to this place.
Namaste,
dear one. ♥
I was already pretty firmly grounded in my values when I found this site, I think in 2021. Living gratefully has deepened my mindfulness practice more than anything else. I do think it has contributed to becoming more aware of lessons in a given moment that may be reminders to live from my values. If I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone I disagree with rather than moving into disagreement, as one example, I will be more curious and open, and I do value learning.
This is a reminder to myself to pause, take a breath, and ask what I’m grateful for in a challenging moment.
I don’t know that my values have changed. I think what has changed is my focus. I am more likely to enjoy things that I may not have noticed in the past. I’m grateful for that extra dose of enjoyment each day. Sending peace to all.
Extra dose of enjoyment–I like the way you said that, Mary. Our days aren’t all or nothing, good or bad … they’re doses of this and that, and hopefully more enjoyment along the way.
Living gratefully has helped me become more patient, and also cherish and value beauty. Beautiful acts, music, flowers, art, everyday beauty. Slowing down means noticing beauty more, and as a result, beginning to look for it everywhere around me.
Values- I guess I need to look at the word to value something- means what ?
What do I value? That would bring me to the meaning and purpose of living and what it truly means to exist.
I value the universe most. The True meaning of living, means to live for the whole, because it is natures flow to become Truth.
To become this is the purpose of life. I’m therefore grateful most to the universe meditation method to let go of my false human mind overlapping Truth.
This to me is the most humble and greatest gift of life and I’m so grateful. Thank you for this lovely question.
I highly value the opportunity to support others in need. Living gratefully is about my availability to others, even though they are not always thankful for my help. My value is growing despite the perception of help receivers.
Living gratefully has made me more aware of superficial values I have picked up and has helped me discard them. Similar to living more simple like others have mentioned. I think living grateful has helped me to acknowledge my values more and focus on them. I catch myself before diving deep into comparisons or the need to succeed according to someone else’s definition.
I don’t know that presence is a value, however that is an area of my life that I believe comes more naturally as a result of living gratefully, which also comes more naturally at this point in my life. I have not done this alone. Each of you support me in this journey, as does the team behind this beautiful on-line community.
I woke up this morning future tripping/worrying. I spiraled for awhile and then I came to this site. Reading yesterday’s answers grounded me and I think everyone for that. Your answer was exactly what I was feeling. I went for a run and came back to answer today’s question. I decided to read everyone’s first, finding yours and say, “YES” not necessarily the value the question seems to ask but a valuable gift for sure.
My spiritual path (sadhana) has informed my values. Gratefulness is among those. In the last few years they’ve stabilized. Instead of change my relationship with them is deepening. Lately discipline is in the forefront. Yet gratefulness is commingled with everything. Today I’m deeply grateful, my baby girl is 16.
I also saw that this morning! I chuckled at the title. I think I was asked to name this month. My AC is out and we will have another hot humid day. So, I asked how can I take care of myself. Perfect timing.
Michele, some things remain the same and are better off that way. It’s just like with my basic desire for autonomy. Continuing with my answers, I just direct that desire instead of following it by going about it with integrity instead of pulling strings. Embracing collectivism is the way to go about that. And as far as self-love goes, we can’t love anyone if we can’t love ourselves.
My values have become pathways for freedom from fear. Fear of . . . fill in the blank for any particular mental space, other than a space of gratefulness . . . not being enough, not having enough, tomorrow, etc.
Peace, Love & Light.
We are on the other side of the great divide and south. We received no rain from 7/31 till 8/12. 8/12 thru 8/31 we received 0.70″ in 5 events. Better than “02”, thank goodness!
Freeing myself from fear,
dear Joseph,
is part of my daily journey . . .
one of the important tasks
of self-stewardship.
Thank you for your strong Presence. ♥
🙏🏼
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M values have been instilled in me for a very very long time. Perhaps they are more pronounced living gratefully. What I love is to witness or see clearly my children’s same values displayed from time to time. It certainly is a beautiful thing to witness 💕🌞
What a beautiful,
lazy day it’s been . . .
soft clouds,
softer rain,
creating a perfect lull
in the busyness of Life.
I am grateful for this,
and I would have been grateful
for this kind of day
thirty, forty, fifty, sixty years ago as well.
My values
are dug deep within me
and have only changed
by growing stronger
and with more clarity over the years,
but my sense of gratitude
has deepened and gained more texture and nuance . . .
I am not only thankful
for things that please me,
but also for things that don’t.
They are the ones I learn the most from,
and as I learn
I grow.
Even though I had planned to work outside,
this rainy day
had other ideas,
and I’m grateful for all of them . . .
it is feeding and caring for my gardens
by watering the earth for me.
It wouldn’t help a bit
if I ranted and raved
because I have things to do out there,
So I release my hold on intention,
and enjoy.
It has created an opportunity
for me to lighten up
and enjoy some peaceful surrender,
reminding me
that pleasure comes in many forms,
and in a way
I’ve been given a day off.
I can live with that. ♥
Rain delays are the best disrupters of chores than any other, I believe, dear Sparrow.
🙂
The gift of water from the sky, yes. We just had a very, very brief rainfall. Not enough to forego watering the garden later unless it picks back up, but enough to give the air that fresh scent and a bit of a rinse. I’m glad I picked tomatoes earlier in the day.
My cherry tomatoes
did splendidly this year,
dear Barb,
but not so much
the big boys and heirlooms.
Isn’t it lovely though,
to bite down on a tomatoe
freshly picked
from your own garden? ♥
It’s the opposite for me. My cherry tomatoes don’t seem very happy with where I placed their pots in the yard even though i’ve had success there before. The various heirloom varieties in the raised beds are loaded with fruit and i’ve been picking a bowlful every day. I have some gorgeous color variety this year: red and orange Hillbilly, purple and yellow Sart Roloise, gigantic Orange Brandywine just starting to ripen now, big red meaty Amish, San Marzano (which has a tendency to blossom end rot and I may not grow them again), a dark red one whose name I forget. I got a couple of sad beefsteak starts late and they’re just now heading towards ripening.
I am fighting the sin of envy,
dear Barb. 🙂
“To live in the presence of great truths and eternal laws, to be led by permanent ideals – that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises him.” — Honore De Balzac
“To seek the living manifestation of spiritual and ethical values themselves, regardless of the label they come under, is to discover unexpected kinship… In this view, faith is no longer a matter of a allegiance to a specific community or identity, but a ceaseless search for the beautiful ways to realize the human potential in every given age and place.” — Mohja Kahf
Living gratefully helps me honor and truly live my values because it makes me more self aware.
“… faith is no longer a matter of a allegiance to a specific community or identity, but a ceaseless search for the beautiful ways to realize the human potential in every given age and place.” That one kinda blew my mind. Thank you Carol.
Lovely, Carol Ann. Thank you.🩷
Thank you for these quotes, Carol Ann. I wrote them in what I call my little book of wisdom – a notebook full of quotes and poems that I take to classes with me 💜
These are both thoughtful and wonderful quotes,
dear Carol Ann,
but I feel the first one
most deeply in my soul . . .
thank you for the wealth of wisdom you impart to this place.
Namaste,
dear one. ♥
I was already pretty firmly grounded in my values when I found this site, I think in 2021. Living gratefully has deepened my mindfulness practice more than anything else. I do think it has contributed to becoming more aware of lessons in a given moment that may be reminders to live from my values. If I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone I disagree with rather than moving into disagreement, as one example, I will be more curious and open, and I do value learning.
This is a reminder to myself to pause, take a breath, and ask what I’m grateful for in a challenging moment.
That’s a positive thing,
dear Barb. ♥
I don’t know that my values have changed. I think what has changed is my focus. I am more likely to enjoy things that I may not have noticed in the past. I’m grateful for that extra dose of enjoyment each day. Sending peace to all.
Extra dose of enjoyment–I like the way you said that, Mary. Our days aren’t all or nothing, good or bad … they’re doses of this and that, and hopefully more enjoyment along the way.
Peace to you too,
dear Mary. ♥
Living gratefully has helped me become more patient, and also cherish and value beauty. Beautiful acts, music, flowers, art, everyday beauty. Slowing down means noticing beauty more, and as a result, beginning to look for it everywhere around me.
I think looking for beauty is key!
I enter the question in my journal. In rereading what I wrote, I substituted the word gracefully for gratefully. Maybe that is my evolved result.
Love this, Yram! An equally inspiring question to consider.
Values- I guess I need to look at the word to value something- means what ?
What do I value? That would bring me to the meaning and purpose of living and what it truly means to exist.
I value the universe most. The True meaning of living, means to live for the whole, because it is natures flow to become Truth.
To become this is the purpose of life. I’m therefore grateful most to the universe meditation method to let go of my false human mind overlapping Truth.
This to me is the most humble and greatest gift of life and I’m so grateful. Thank you for this lovely question.
I highly value the opportunity to support others in need. Living gratefully is about my availability to others, even though they are not always thankful for my help. My value is growing despite the perception of help receivers.
You are planting seeds,
dear Ngoc . . .
you might never know
that they have taken root
and made someone’s life more bearable. ♥
My Ngoc, as Sean Coughlin would always say “You get what you give.”
Supporting and giving ! Lovely Ngoc !
Living gratefully has made me more aware of superficial values I have picked up and has helped me discard them. Similar to living more simple like others have mentioned. I think living grateful has helped me to acknowledge my values more and focus on them. I catch myself before diving deep into comparisons or the need to succeed according to someone else’s definition.
Wonderful Deann I love how you use the word -discard to let go of this poisonous negativity of the human mind ! Thank you 🙏
Brilliant 👏
I have shown a greater willingness to embrace collectivism as I become more comfortable in my own skin.
I don’t know that presence is a value, however that is an area of my life that I believe comes more naturally as a result of living gratefully, which also comes more naturally at this point in my life. I have not done this alone. Each of you support me in this journey, as does the team behind this beautiful on-line community.
I couldn’t agree with you more,
dear Mary.
This space
makes all the difference. ♥
Amen, Sparrow.🌺
I woke up this morning future tripping/worrying. I spiraled for awhile and then I came to this site. Reading yesterday’s answers grounded me and I think everyone for that. Your answer was exactly what I was feeling. I went for a run and came back to answer today’s question. I decided to read everyone’s first, finding yours and say, “YES” not necessarily the value the question seems to ask but a valuable gift for sure.
My spiritual path (sadhana) has informed my values. Gratefulness is among those. In the last few years they’ve stabilized. Instead of change my relationship with them is deepening. Lately discipline is in the forefront. Yet gratefulness is commingled with everything. Today I’m deeply grateful, my baby girl is 16.
Happy Sweet 16 birthday to your daughter, Avril!
Oh sweet 16!! They grow up so fast- enjoy!
Happy 16th (I remember 16) to your lovely daughter, Avril! 💕
Happy Birthday to your daughter,
dear Avril . . .
may the coming year
reinforce her sense of self
and make her strong for the storms of life. ♥
Happy birthday to your daughter, Avril!
I have always valued truth, love, honesty, kindness, integrity – living gratefully makes me thankful and appreciative.
Self-love is important & essential – I smiled seeing the new Action For Happiness month Theme -> https://actionforhappiness.org/calendar
Well said,
dear Michele . . .
Great calendar . . .
do they make one for every month? ♥
yes they do and they name changes each month too
I have bookmarked the site. 🙂
Thank you,
dear Michele . . .
🙏🏼
Thanks for the link Michele. This calendar is awesome. Love the concept. 🙏🏻❤️
I also saw that this morning! I chuckled at the title. I think I was asked to name this month. My AC is out and we will have another hot humid day. So, I asked how can I take care of myself. Perfect timing.
Michele, some things remain the same and are better off that way. It’s just like with my basic desire for autonomy. Continuing with my answers, I just direct that desire instead of following it by going about it with integrity instead of pulling strings. Embracing collectivism is the way to go about that. And as far as self-love goes, we can’t love anyone if we can’t love ourselves.
My values have become pathways for freedom from fear. Fear of . . . fill in the blank for any particular mental space, other than a space of gratefulness . . . not being enough, not having enough, tomorrow, etc.
Peace, Love & Light.
ps. Are you getting any benefits from the rain
and the overflow water from the Colorado river?
We are on the other side of the great divide and south. We received no rain from 7/31 till 8/12. 8/12 thru 8/31 we received 0.70″ in 5 events. Better than “02”, thank goodness!
🙁
Thankfully
better than ’02,
dear Joseph. ♥
Freeing myself from fear,
dear Joseph,
is part of my daily journey . . .
one of the important tasks
of self-stewardship.
Thank you for your strong Presence. ♥
🙏🏼
Yes Joseph let’s throw away fear ! Thank you ! 🤩