I try to focus on any positives about a situation and not dwell on negative. Always trying to have hope. My company shared being concerned about the Trump administration Exec orders. Instead of dwelling I decided to listen to a couple of press secretary conferences. I did this during covid to stay informed. It did help me understand some of the executive orders.
Living gratefully has made me more resilient in realizing that every situation I encounter, there is learning and growth to be done. If something has me feeling down, I sit down, think about it and think to myself, how can I improve this next time? What can I learn from this? How is this going to shape me as a person? How can I let the good in myself shine through despite any feelings of struggle?
It is through my Practice of Gratitude
that I have grown more resilient in my personal life…
the change in perspective makes all the difference,
and has been dramatic for me
over the years.
I started by writing five things every day,
and at first
that list was pretty rote
because I wasn’t truly feeling grateful for anything,
but gradually
the light came in
and I was delighted
to see that I was becoming more aware of nuance,
and really WAS grateful to have air to breathe…
(the lack of air,
of course,
would mean death).
I stopped taking things for granted.
By becoming grateful
I don’t see the ‘negative’ in quite the same way anymore,
but use the ‘negative’ to dig deeper
and find the positive.
I stopped letting it pile on
by realizing,
as Arlo Guthrie once said,
that there is always someone worse off than me.
It made me think of that last man,
that last man,
and remind me
that I’m not there yet.
It gave me a smile at the end of the day.
And I’m grateful
to have a smile at the end of any day. ♥
Arlo Guthrie. Son of Woody. Also made a movie that helped with some of my youthful angst………..Alice’s Restaurant……..what a soundtrack and movie. Thank you for the reference dear Sparrow.
Every so often a question’s wording makes me want to turn it around. How has living resiliently made me feel more grateful? Each time I’ve encountered something painful or challenging and gotten through it, later I’ve come to appreciate the lesson, the strength I built, something I took from that moment that I would quite happily have skipped if given the option. My inner resilience rests on many foundations and I’m grateful for all of them.
Practicing gratitude is one of the tools in my bag.
It’s one of the things that keeps me I bit more balanced. And by being more balanced, I am less
likely to swing too far one way or the other and I am better able to bounce back from disappointment.
When life has been challenging my determination kicks in
and I keep on going.
Sometimes the hardest part is after things get easier
and I reflect on what I have been through.
This is when my gratefulness helps me to be resilient.
I look at what has happened, what is and has been painful,
and then I look at the miracles, the beauty, and the resilience in nature.
I think about the miracle that is my body, my mind, my beingness.
And I look lovingly at the small things, which are really not so small –
the comforts of home.
Hot tea,
answering the question of the day,
breathing in fully and exhaling gently.
Petting my cats,
watching them, with their own unique personalities, interact.
Holding my husband’s hand,
sitting on the sofa ( which I enjoy a little too much),
and looking out the window at the trees in the neighborhood,
the blue sky overhead.
No matter how much I feel dragged down by life,
the gifts of my life are so plentiful, and too numerous to name.
These gifts and my deep gratefulness for my life
bring me great joy, healing, and resilience.
Wishing
much joy,
healing,
and resilience to all.
☀️
I started using this app called Presently not too long ago. It’s a super simple format and makes it really easy to write down little things throughout the day that I’m grateful for. I’ve found this also helps me when I’m feeling low, I can go back and read through my list, reminding myself what I do have that I’m grateful for, that in return is helping to ground me, slowly enabling me to bounce back more quickly from whatever negative thought had gotten me feeling down.
I use the same practice, I have been lacking more recently but you have reminded to me get back on top of it. Whenever I journal at the end of the day, I always make sure to include 10 good things from my day to help me think more positively! Even if it’s something as simple as having a cookie or a really good cup of coffee.
It is like a “secret” antidote. Whatever I’m feeling or experiencing it helps me have more peace. I still feel whatever I’m feeling, but also it opens the door to help me feel hopeful and thankful.
I use to feel sorry for myself a lot more and looked at the world like I was a victim of many so called disabilities and now I’m grateful for them ! Having a ton of energy is a super power and when I have learned how to truly let go I’m able to use my energy wisely. I’m a yoga teacher and I’m going to volunteer to teach yoga to older people and others with disabilities. I’m grateful for my time off to be able to give back. I use to think I only counted if I was being paid to work . I feel that learning to let go has helped me to become much more resilient and gratefulness has then come forth in a natural way way.
I use to more or less have to try hard to be grateful. I mean of course we all have to start somewhere!
Once again the meditation method has made life natures flow and what could be more resilient than that?
Living gratefully has helped me make the statement many times a day that What is IS. It helps me roll with the punches and celebrate the blessings. It tempers my often dualistic perception of circumstances and I tend not to turn a challenge into a problem. I have greater acceptance of my “life situation” (an Eckhart Tolle term). Today’s Richard Rohr meditation is authored by Miribai Starr and it addresses both yesterday’s and today’s daily question. I share the link here: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-prophet-mystic/ I highly recommend taking time to read it. Very helpful words.
Yram, I’m with you. For years, I’ve been known to struggle with letting go. One day, back in 2021, I had the idea of working on that. Both Ngoc and I are known to be hypersensitive. Sensitivity and hypersensitivity are close. Both members of the couple being hypersensitive will create a toxic environment. It certainly wasn’t easy.
My practice took many trials and error. 3 things going well for me now are: this site, my morning meditation routine, and my weekly Phil Jackson zen meetings with Sean Coughlin. Now, I don’t pay attention to how things are being said the way I use too.
There’s bigger fish to fry. Language policing is the last thing needed. Everyone has opinions. I do too. What someone says, whether I agree or not, we keep that in Vegas and go on with our lives.
really appreciate this, Loc — the term “language policing” resonates, and boy howdy – that’s a good waste of time and attention to be discarded!!!! thank you! old habits and unidentified knee-jerk responses that linger around in dark corners, shrink and get easier to dispatch once you turn a flashlight on them.
Thanks, Carol Ann, I also find that the more I let go of language policing, the closer I am to responding than reacting. The former carries a gentler vibe. I’ve heard the old saying “Respond, don’t react.”
Living gratefully helps me to be present and to know there is more than what it seems. It keeps me from wallowing and reminds me this too shall pass. It helps me to embrace all that is good to accept and grow through what is bad.
I have been practicing gratefulness consistently for a few years. Whether or not I am posting in this community, I consider it a foundational practice. Gratefulness has helped me have a daily reset; I am not a Pollyanna. However, every day, I have an “opportunity” (Br. David) to connect with what is working, the blessings, and the people who support me. I understand I do not have to be grateful for difficulties–I can shift to look for what is available to me in those times. Sometimes, being grateful for a smile, my fingers, the breath, or my life is enough. I wake up and want to connect with the Divine in, as, and around me through deep gratitude.
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I try to focus on any positives about a situation and not dwell on negative. Always trying to have hope. My company shared being concerned about the Trump administration Exec orders. Instead of dwelling I decided to listen to a couple of press secretary conferences. I did this during covid to stay informed. It did help me understand some of the executive orders.
Robin, paranoia and overreaction are tempting. Trump is unpredictable. I’m glad you read the executive orders for yourself.
Living gratefully has made me more resilient in realizing that every situation I encounter, there is learning and growth to be done. If something has me feeling down, I sit down, think about it and think to myself, how can I improve this next time? What can I learn from this? How is this going to shape me as a person? How can I let the good in myself shine through despite any feelings of struggle?
Andrea, I’ve done it before as well. It all works out. I’ve always come out on the other side stronger than before. It’s where growth happens.
It is through my Practice of Gratitude
that I have grown more resilient in my personal life…
the change in perspective makes all the difference,
and has been dramatic for me
over the years.
I started by writing five things every day,
and at first
that list was pretty rote
because I wasn’t truly feeling grateful for anything,
but gradually
the light came in
and I was delighted
to see that I was becoming more aware of nuance,
and really WAS grateful to have air to breathe…
(the lack of air,
of course,
would mean death).
I stopped taking things for granted.
By becoming grateful
I don’t see the ‘negative’ in quite the same way anymore,
but use the ‘negative’ to dig deeper
and find the positive.
I stopped letting it pile on
by realizing,
as Arlo Guthrie once said,
that there is always someone worse off than me.
It made me think of that last man,
that last man,
and remind me
that I’m not there yet.
It gave me a smile at the end of the day.
And I’m grateful
to have a smile at the end of any day. ♥
Arlo Guthrie. Son of Woody. Also made a movie that helped with some of my youthful angst………..Alice’s Restaurant……..what a soundtrack and movie. Thank you for the reference dear Sparrow.
Happy to please,
dear Joseph…;)
Every so often a question’s wording makes me want to turn it around. How has living resiliently made me feel more grateful? Each time I’ve encountered something painful or challenging and gotten through it, later I’ve come to appreciate the lesson, the strength I built, something I took from that moment that I would quite happily have skipped if given the option. My inner resilience rests on many foundations and I’m grateful for all of them.
Practicing gratitude is one of the tools in my bag.
It’s one of the things that keeps me I bit more balanced. And by being more balanced, I am less
likely to swing too far one way or the other and I am better able to bounce back from disappointment.
Yes,
dear Charlie…
Yes! ♥
When life has been challenging my determination kicks in
and I keep on going.
Sometimes the hardest part is after things get easier
and I reflect on what I have been through.
This is when my gratefulness helps me to be resilient.
I look at what has happened, what is and has been painful,
and then I look at the miracles, the beauty, and the resilience in nature.
I think about the miracle that is my body, my mind, my beingness.
And I look lovingly at the small things, which are really not so small –
the comforts of home.
Hot tea,
answering the question of the day,
breathing in fully and exhaling gently.
Petting my cats,
watching them, with their own unique personalities, interact.
Holding my husband’s hand,
sitting on the sofa ( which I enjoy a little too much),
and looking out the window at the trees in the neighborhood,
the blue sky overhead.
No matter how much I feel dragged down by life,
the gifts of my life are so plentiful, and too numerous to name.
These gifts and my deep gratefulness for my life
bring me great joy, healing, and resilience.
Wishing
much joy,
healing,
and resilience to all.
☀️
I started using this app called Presently not too long ago. It’s a super simple format and makes it really easy to write down little things throughout the day that I’m grateful for. I’ve found this also helps me when I’m feeling low, I can go back and read through my list, reminding myself what I do have that I’m grateful for, that in return is helping to ground me, slowly enabling me to bounce back more quickly from whatever negative thought had gotten me feeling down.
I use the same practice, I have been lacking more recently but you have reminded to me get back on top of it. Whenever I journal at the end of the day, I always make sure to include 10 good things from my day to help me think more positively! Even if it’s something as simple as having a cookie or a really good cup of coffee.
That sounds great, Lauren!
I will look into it.
It is like a “secret” antidote. Whatever I’m feeling or experiencing it helps me have more peace. I still feel whatever I’m feeling, but also it opens the door to help me feel hopeful and thankful.
Yes! It’s like a doorway to a whole new world.
It is amazing what a change of perspective can do!
I use to feel sorry for myself a lot more and looked at the world like I was a victim of many so called disabilities and now I’m grateful for them ! Having a ton of energy is a super power and when I have learned how to truly let go I’m able to use my energy wisely. I’m a yoga teacher and I’m going to volunteer to teach yoga to older people and others with disabilities. I’m grateful for my time off to be able to give back. I use to think I only counted if I was being paid to work . I feel that learning to let go has helped me to become much more resilient and gratefulness has then come forth in a natural way way.
I use to more or less have to try hard to be grateful. I mean of course we all have to start somewhere!
Once again the meditation method has made life natures flow and what could be more resilient than that?
Love that you plan to teach yoga to the elderly and those with disabilities. May you be an instrument of grace in their lives.
Living gratefully has helped me make the statement many times a day that What is IS. It helps me roll with the punches and celebrate the blessings. It tempers my often dualistic perception of circumstances and I tend not to turn a challenge into a problem. I have greater acceptance of my “life situation” (an Eckhart Tolle term). Today’s Richard Rohr meditation is authored by Miribai Starr and it addresses both yesterday’s and today’s daily question. I share the link here: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-prophet-mystic/ I highly recommend taking time to read it. Very helpful words.
Thanks to you, I read Richard Rohr’s meditation, and this mornings was particularly impactful. 🙏
Your post reminded me of a poem that I have posted on my desk and I use as a mantra of sorts.
https://poets.org/poem/prayer-8
♥
Thank you, Carly. I love that poem!
I expand upon the foundation given to me instead of trying to create my own. Protection helps me heal faster. True power comes from that.
Yes, the power and aid of our ancestry
Carol, I remember a long time ago when you posted a link about Richard Rore’s meditation on the topic of elders.
I persist in figuring out what works.
I think persistence is huge in accomplishing anything that is challenging.
Yram, I’m with you. For years, I’ve been known to struggle with letting go. One day, back in 2021, I had the idea of working on that. Both Ngoc and I are known to be hypersensitive. Sensitivity and hypersensitivity are close. Both members of the couple being hypersensitive will create a toxic environment. It certainly wasn’t easy.
My practice took many trials and error. 3 things going well for me now are: this site, my morning meditation routine, and my weekly Phil Jackson zen meetings with Sean Coughlin. Now, I don’t pay attention to how things are being said the way I use too.
There’s bigger fish to fry. Language policing is the last thing needed. Everyone has opinions. I do too. What someone says, whether I agree or not, we keep that in Vegas and go on with our lives.
really appreciate this, Loc — the term “language policing” resonates, and boy howdy – that’s a good waste of time and attention to be discarded!!!! thank you! old habits and unidentified knee-jerk responses that linger around in dark corners, shrink and get easier to dispatch once you turn a flashlight on them.
Thanks, Carol Ann, I also find that the more I let go of language policing, the closer I am to responding than reacting. The former carries a gentler vibe. I’ve heard the old saying “Respond, don’t react.”
Thanks Loc, your comment about letting go of language policing and learning to respond and not react resonates with me as well.
I wake up with gratefulness, I’m ready for a new day with new opportunities to learn from expected and unexpected occurrences in my life.
My Ngoc, waking up from a good night sleep feels peaceful and exciting. There’s a lot to look forward to.
Living gratefully helps me to be present and to know there is more than what it seems. It keeps me from wallowing and reminds me this too shall pass. It helps me to embrace all that is good to accept and grow through what is bad.
Beautiful,
dear Deann…
we grow through
‘what is bad’,
don’t we? ♥
I agree with Yram, Deann. Well said.
Well said.
I have been practicing gratefulness consistently for a few years. Whether or not I am posting in this community, I consider it a foundational practice. Gratefulness has helped me have a daily reset; I am not a Pollyanna. However, every day, I have an “opportunity” (Br. David) to connect with what is working, the blessings, and the people who support me. I understand I do not have to be grateful for difficulties–I can shift to look for what is available to me in those times. Sometimes, being grateful for a smile, my fingers, the breath, or my life is enough. I wake up and want to connect with the Divine in, as, and around me through deep gratitude.
Beautifully shared. Thank you, Avril.