I did so with a long hike with my friend and it was long…..11, 441 steps! I had said I thought maybe 3 miles would be good. Anyway I am glad I did it and it was warmer for this time of the year, about 65 and sunny. Had a nice view called Bluff Hill outlook!
Also, I wanted to add that yesterday my church had a very nice Veteran’s day Mass. Thank you for your service to any Veterans that may be in our community!
I will cherish this day by reminding it will never happen again and cherish whats happening now and wont focus on the past of future. I will do my best to be present. And enjoy my life.
By reminding myself that this day will never happen again, and being present to and cherishing each moment of the day as much as possible. By noticing the little details that make this day different from others, even if much of the day seems to be the same routine as usual.
It is with gratitude that I sit in my warm and dry house, while the rain falls outside.
I get to spend the day with my wife, while we deliver a sofa to a friend that just moved into her own apartment. Even though this will involve a few hours of driving and lifting a heavy sofa, I will cherish the time I get to spend with people that I love.
I will cherish the time I spend with my husband, who is in assisted living. It has been so hard to have him live away from me, and I sometimes avoid going to see him because I feel guilty and sad. Today I will go and cherish our time and just be present.
I don’t know! But I remember someone like Loc’s cousin, those who have given their present and future to the safety of our country. Loc has a cousin whose childhood dream was to serve in the U.S. military. He did it until he was forced to retire because of radioactive decay that seriously affected his kidneys. He’s okay now with a donated kidney. Thanks to all the young men who give their prime years for this country.
My Ngoc, I remember being close to him during childhood. He and I played video games a lot. We still see him every now and then at family gatherings today. His wife makes delicious cake.
Once again, today’s quote & reflection question dovetail to speak to where I am at this moment.
Much loss has been part of the past 10 days in my life. In addition to processing my grief with
therapeutic soul friends, time in nature has helped me recover my balance. Today, after a funeral here, I will cherish myself in this day by walking in nature’s fall solace.
I will do my best to be present to this day and respond to it with love and compassion for myself and all who pass my way.
Today is Veterans Day and for me, it is a reminder that as a species, we forget that we are One and choose to war against each other. What is justice but a lack of separateness-a realization and revitalization of our oneness. If indeed we crave power, may it be the power of love. It’s the only power that can conquer our fear and nurture peace.
Richard Rohr in his daily meditation reminds us of the vine and the branches. When you cut off the branch from the vine, it dies. He adds “…That’s a pretty strong statement about us and the choices we make from that unnecessary state of separateness. We have never been separate from God (I choose the word “reality”) except in our thoughts, but our thoughts don’t make it true! Nor are we separate from anyone else. Whatever separates us from one another—nationality, religion, ethnicity, economics, language—are all just accidentals that will all pass away.”
I share part of a poem/prayer I wrote one Christmas season several years ago
SURROUND US AND HOLD US
‘TIL OUR HEARTS BEAT AS ONE.
‘TIL WE LEARN NOT TO FEAR,
SO THAT JUSTICE IS DONE.
BE YOU ALLAH, OR YAHWEH,
OR JESUS, THE CHRIST,
GIVE US GRACE FOR THE JOURNEY
THAT LEADS TO INSIGHT.
TO A WORLD THAT WILL TREAT
EVERYONE JUST THE SAME
SO THAT NO ONE KILLS OTHERS
WHILE INVOKING YOUR NAME.
FOR PEACE IS A SEED
THAT FEAR TRIES TO KILL.
A SEED ALL MUST PLANT
DOWN DEEP IN THEIR WILL.
IT SAYS I’LL CHOOSE LOVE
EACH STEP OF THE WAY —
EVERY MOMENT, EVERY MINUTE
THEN BECOMES CHRISTMAS DAY.
Thank you Carol! As always you inspire me to do better, to be better. To always carry peace in my soul. Blessings to you and a big Thank You for always bringing such wisdom to my heart.
Thank you for your kind words, Ana Maria. We all need to be the peace we seek but sometimes the monkey mind makes that very hard! I think how Joseph says that he has to get that monkey in his lap. Sigh, we even have to have patience with the monkey! There truly are kind ways to stand firm, to respond not react.
Carol, I know all that too well. That love extends to the monkey. Yelling and cussing it out will only either make it grow or it will send in a bunch of its buddies. Observation and awareness of the monkey will make it go away.
I can pay attention and stay present. I can immerse myself in each moment with awareness and gratitude, noticing the beauty and gifts around me. I’ll treat today (as I should every day) as special, approaching it with kindness, respect, and care.
By being present, breathing in with intention, noticing what is before me when I head out for dog walks and errands, and expressing my gratitude for those who served our country, allowing us the freedoms we have.
We’ll have a family gathering for the next 2 days leading up to the people on my dad’s side returning to Vietnam on Wednesday. Enjoying every moment with them is my way of not only cherrishing every moment for today but tomorrow as well.
I’ll add some spontaneity to the tasks at hand versus plowing through a “to do” list. I’ll respectfully reach out to two brothers who’re veterans and chat with them. My heart will also recall a 27 yr old nephew who served post 9/11 and didn’t return home alive from Iraq.
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I did so with a long hike with my friend and it was long…..11, 441 steps! I had said I thought maybe 3 miles would be good. Anyway I am glad I did it and it was warmer for this time of the year, about 65 and sunny. Had a nice view called Bluff Hill outlook!
Also, I wanted to add that yesterday my church had a very nice Veteran’s day Mass. Thank you for your service to any Veterans that may be in our community!
I will cherish this day by reminding it will never happen again and cherish whats happening now and wont focus on the past of future. I will do my best to be present. And enjoy my life.
By reminding myself that this day will never happen again, and being present to and cherishing each moment of the day as much as possible. By noticing the little details that make this day different from others, even if much of the day seems to be the same routine as usual.
It is with gratitude that I sit in my warm and dry house, while the rain falls outside.
I get to spend the day with my wife, while we deliver a sofa to a friend that just moved into her own apartment. Even though this will involve a few hours of driving and lifting a heavy sofa, I will cherish the time I get to spend with people that I love.
I will cherish the time I spend with my husband, who is in assisted living. It has been so hard to have him live away from me, and I sometimes avoid going to see him because I feel guilty and sad. Today I will go and cherish our time and just be present.
Hope you had a nice time visiting him yesterday. Sending you a big hug.
Taking time to enjoy the small moments
I don’t know! But I remember someone like Loc’s cousin, those who have given their present and future to the safety of our country. Loc has a cousin whose childhood dream was to serve in the U.S. military. He did it until he was forced to retire because of radioactive decay that seriously affected his kidneys. He’s okay now with a donated kidney. Thanks to all the young men who give their prime years for this country.
That sounds scary, glad he is ok!
My Ngoc, I remember being close to him during childhood. He and I played video games a lot. We still see him every now and then at family gatherings today. His wife makes delicious cake.
Once again, today’s quote & reflection question dovetail to speak to where I am at this moment.
Much loss has been part of the past 10 days in my life. In addition to processing my grief with
therapeutic soul friends, time in nature has helped me recover my balance. Today, after a funeral here, I will cherish myself in this day by walking in nature’s fall solace.
My condolences to you on your recent loss Josie.
Dear Josie, may they all Rest in Peace.
Sorry to hear of loss of friends Josie.
Sending loving energy your way, Josie. Blessings always and all ways.
I will do my best to be present to this day and respond to it with love and compassion for myself and all who pass my way.
Today is Veterans Day and for me, it is a reminder that as a species, we forget that we are One and choose to war against each other. What is justice but a lack of separateness-a realization and revitalization of our oneness. If indeed we crave power, may it be the power of love. It’s the only power that can conquer our fear and nurture peace.
Richard Rohr in his daily meditation reminds us of the vine and the branches. When you cut off the branch from the vine, it dies. He adds “…That’s a pretty strong statement about us and the choices we make from that unnecessary state of separateness. We have never been separate from God (I choose the word “reality”) except in our thoughts, but our thoughts don’t make it true! Nor are we separate from anyone else. Whatever separates us from one another—nationality, religion, ethnicity, economics, language—are all just accidentals that will all pass away.”
I share part of a poem/prayer I wrote one Christmas season several years ago
SURROUND US AND HOLD US
‘TIL OUR HEARTS BEAT AS ONE.
‘TIL WE LEARN NOT TO FEAR,
SO THAT JUSTICE IS DONE.
BE YOU ALLAH, OR YAHWEH,
OR JESUS, THE CHRIST,
GIVE US GRACE FOR THE JOURNEY
THAT LEADS TO INSIGHT.
TO A WORLD THAT WILL TREAT
EVERYONE JUST THE SAME
SO THAT NO ONE KILLS OTHERS
WHILE INVOKING YOUR NAME.
FOR PEACE IS A SEED
THAT FEAR TRIES TO KILL.
A SEED ALL MUST PLANT
DOWN DEEP IN THEIR WILL.
IT SAYS I’LL CHOOSE LOVE
EACH STEP OF THE WAY —
EVERY MOMENT, EVERY MINUTE
THEN BECOMES CHRISTMAS DAY.
Thank you for this poem, Carol. I will show this to my lovely wife Cheryl who birthdate is Dec. 25.
Well said, Carol. We all have the same basic needs to be treated with: love, kindness, respect, and dignity when all said and done.
Thank you Carol! As always you inspire me to do better, to be better. To always carry peace in my soul. Blessings to you and a big Thank You for always bringing such wisdom to my heart.
Thank you for your kind words, Ana Maria. We all need to be the peace we seek but sometimes the monkey mind makes that very hard! I think how Joseph says that he has to get that monkey in his lap. Sigh, we even have to have patience with the monkey! There truly are kind ways to stand firm, to respond not react.
Carol, I know all that too well. That love extends to the monkey. Yelling and cussing it out will only either make it grow or it will send in a bunch of its buddies. Observation and awareness of the monkey will make it go away.
Poignant, Carol. Thank you
I echo all the responses here. My first reaction was awareness. I can’t cherish unless I am aware of its existence.
🙏🏽
I shall use awareness of all my senses as this day unfolds. Each sense guiding me to more and more gratitude.
I can pay attention and stay present. I can immerse myself in each moment with awareness and gratitude, noticing the beauty and gifts around me. I’ll treat today (as I should every day) as special, approaching it with kindness, respect, and care.
By being present, breathing in with intention, noticing what is before me when I head out for dog walks and errands, and expressing my gratitude for those who served our country, allowing us the freedoms we have.
We’ll have a family gathering for the next 2 days leading up to the people on my dad’s side returning to Vietnam on Wednesday. Enjoying every moment with them is my way of not only cherrishing every moment for today but tomorrow as well.
I’ll add some spontaneity to the tasks at hand versus plowing through a “to do” list. I’ll respectfully reach out to two brothers who’re veterans and chat with them. My heart will also recall a 27 yr old nephew who served post 9/11 and didn’t return home alive from Iraq.