Helps me focus on the positives rather then the negatives going on. I am more aware of my surroundings and look for more joy in my life. When my emotions become rattled in a negative way I pause and know I only long for peaceful and kind moments in my life.
Just to wake up in the morning
is a miracle,
whether it be to rain, snow,
or sunshine . . .
whether it be to remembered sorrow,
anxiety or joy.
To not be grateful for my life
seems to me
the closest to actual sin that I can think of,
and I have sinned a lot.
Days and days and days
of opening my eyes when the alarm went off,
moaning inside,
realizing I was alive
with yet another day to endure.
I was grateful for nothing . . .
not the warm sheets,
the hot coffee,
the garments that clothed me–
even the cats who rubbed their bodies against my legs
as I fed them.
I am ashamed to say
that I remember them better than I’d like to.
I found Gratefulness begrudgingly,
but it wormed its way into my psyche
and has become more me
than me alone.
Living from a perspective of gratitude
opens me up,
heart and soul,
to the unimaginable gifts I’ve been given . . .
all things considered,
the pain and suffering that is a part of it
is a small price to pay
for a life lived
beyond the wildest dreams I could summon on my own.
I’ll never go back to those days
of bitter desolation
again. ♥
“Living from a perspective of gratitude
opens me up,
heart and soul,
to the unimaginable gifts I’ve been given . . .
all things considered,
the pain and suffering that is a part of it
is a small price to pay
for a life lived
beyond the wildest dreams I could summon on my own.”
As I ponder this question, I realize, that I am still buffered, to a certain extent, from the full range of emotions. I still do things, and take things, that keep me from experiencing the full force of anxiety, boredom, and existential dread. I am better than I was, but I am still not able to stand in the full gale of life’s experiences without some kind of fortification.
I am more resilient, and I think that the things that I do, including practicing gratitude, and the meds I take, are very helpful in my day to day life and I am much more able to withstand the lows that are inevitable. And I think that by reflecting on gratitude, I am definitely able to find gratitude in most situations. Knowing that this moment can be viewed through a grateful lens, helps me to experience life with more equanimity. And that’s a good thing. 😁
Oh yes,
dear Charlie . . .
looking through that grateful lens
really does help to see things with more equanimity.
I hadn’t thought of it that way before.
Thank you so much for your perspective. ♥
Practicing ‘Stop. Look. Go.’ helps me back off whatever autopilot I’m on, and be open to gratitude, awe, appreciation, humility, joy, and the entire constellation of peaceful emotions. Over time, I gain perspective that enables me to see other emotions and life experiences more fully.
It seems to me that living gratefully is the key that unlocks awareness. Maybe that is why I am here!? On a basic level, I am grateful for the food in my fridge and pantry, I am grateful for a place to live, I am grateful for access to medical care. So I am reminded that small inconveniences (I am out of spinach, I need help to repair a household item, I wait for a medical appointment) may bring anxiety, frustration, or impatience in the moment. Gratitude brings back awareness to what I have that is good in my life. Thanks to all who responded to my post yesterday!
It’s changed my perspective and taught me to embrace “what is.” It’s a tremendous help when doing by best to live in the moment and when my life situation is very challenging, it has taught me to ask, What can I learn from this? Gratefulness creates the opportunity to grow from it all.
Living gratefully has helped keep me from getting stuck, especially in the darker emotions. Earlier this week I got some tragic news that really upset me – to the point that I almost became physically ill with worry, sadness and so many questions. Somewhere in the midst of all that I realized that my little dog, being attuned to and/or oblivious to my situation, wanted to go outside and play. I decided to follow her out and she immediately ran and got a toy and “bumped” me with it. Soon I was throwing it, chasing her, laughing at her, and enjoying the wind, sun, iris buds that were about to burst into bloom. It is possible and even necessary to hold all these emotions in tension with each other at the same time. And for that I am grateful.
Sending you and your little dog a big hug! My cat, may he rest in peace, was also attuned to my feelings. If I was upset, he would jump on my lap, take his paw (no claws extended!) and pat my cheek.
In my pondering a memory surfaced. As a child I was reminded….”and what do you say” when I was offered and item. So if something comes my way… Wonderful or less than wonderful can I remember … “And what do you say.”
I mentioned the other day that I am a fairly even-keeled person most of the time. Gratefulness reinforces my ability to remember that whatever is going on in the moment will pass, and that I have much in my life that is so good. Even the negative events teach me that I can weather them and learn from them. I may not like that “teacher” in the moment, but I can take away the lesson. With the things that are good, I try to remember to stop, recognize, appreciate.
I have been able to appreciate more of my emotions, especially joyful ones, by living gratefully. Yesterday’s question prompted me to have an attitude of kindness, which for me comes from gratefulness, in my interactions with classmates in my art class last night. My intent was to replace self consciousness with kindness toward others. In addition to embodying my core value of kindness, this allowed me to interact more freely and in a more relaxed manner with classmates, in addition to speaking to one that I otherwise would not have reached out to. I was successful in my efforts to have a mindset of kindness rather than self consciousness. The results were perfectly imperfect and I am very pleased.
If my life is a musical keyboard, living gratefully makes it a piano with 88 keys, not 61 or 49 keys that only play the most beautiful range of pitch. While my ears do not really enjoy the piano in a really low or extremely high pitch, I’m grateful for the piano sounds as a whole because the more my note range expands, the more beautiful music I have in my life. Happy and sad, low and high, all are just part of life.
NGOC, love your reflection. As a singer all my life, I deeply appreciated those who could play the piano, especially those who have a talent for accompanying singers. When I lived in New Orleans, a city sponsored troop of use to perform in rest homes, mental institutions, hospitals, etc., and our pianist would set down at the keyboard and immediately figure out the condition of the various pianos and carefully use the keys to their best advantage when accompanying us. She conquered the piano no matter what its condition!
Carol Ann, your accompanies reminds me of the words someone wrote here awhile back, « looking at my capabilities rather than my circumstances ». I so admire her skill!🩷
What a lovely image. I went to a presentation last night where we introduced to many of the songs that are emerging from the events that took place in Minneapolis. Music creates a bond.
My Ngoc, this is one unique difference we have. You’re a piano. Then, I’m a keyboard. Afterall, we’re still come from the same department. It’s just one’s on the left, the other’s on the right. When connecting the dots on how my love for you has grown over time and my piano passion returning, there’s a reason for why opposites attract.
I feel like I’ve been through the full range of emotions lately. I’m buying a used car. Rented one for work. Got through thinking I don’t have enough money. Got through the financing with my sister. We’re each paying half.. I’m grateful for her generosity and that tomorrow I will have safer car.
Susan Cain speaks to « living simultaneously with love and loss, bitter and sweet ». Living gratefully has smoothed the jagged edges of loss and bitterness in my life, and deepened the love and sweetness of my life. The thread of gratefulness through my life is such a comfort. Sometimes, it takes a minute to reach that space in the bitter/challenging times, yet it is always there, always available when I am ready to see it.♥️
I learned that from someone on here, 3 rabbits = good luck on the first of the month
‘Saying “rabbit rabbit” (or similar variations like “white rabbits”) first thing on the morning of the 1st of the month is a superstition meant to bring good luck, fortune, or a present for the next 30 days. Originating in the UK, this ritual is often believed to ensure positivity for the entire month’
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Helps me focus on the positives rather then the negatives going on. I am more aware of my surroundings and look for more joy in my life. When my emotions become rattled in a negative way I pause and know I only long for peaceful and kind moments in my life.
Just to wake up in the morning
is a miracle,
whether it be to rain, snow,
or sunshine . . .
whether it be to remembered sorrow,
anxiety or joy.
To not be grateful for my life
seems to me
the closest to actual sin that I can think of,
and I have sinned a lot.
Days and days and days
of opening my eyes when the alarm went off,
moaning inside,
realizing I was alive
with yet another day to endure.
I was grateful for nothing . . .
not the warm sheets,
the hot coffee,
the garments that clothed me–
even the cats who rubbed their bodies against my legs
as I fed them.
I am ashamed to say
that I remember them better than I’d like to.
I found Gratefulness begrudgingly,
but it wormed its way into my psyche
and has become more me
than me alone.
Living from a perspective of gratitude
opens me up,
heart and soul,
to the unimaginable gifts I’ve been given . . .
all things considered,
the pain and suffering that is a part of it
is a small price to pay
for a life lived
beyond the wildest dreams I could summon on my own.
I’ll never go back to those days
of bitter desolation
again. ♥
I’m not sure I could say it any better than this…
“Living from a perspective of gratitude
opens me up,
heart and soul,
to the unimaginable gifts I’ve been given . . .
all things considered,
the pain and suffering that is a part of it
is a small price to pay
for a life lived
beyond the wildest dreams I could summon on my own.”
Thank you, Sparrow 💜🙏🏼
It’s true,
isn’t it,
dear SunnyPatti?
The Divine in me
bows to the Divine in you
with love . . . ♥
To look into the mirror.
As I ponder this question, I realize, that I am still buffered, to a certain extent, from the full range of emotions. I still do things, and take things, that keep me from experiencing the full force of anxiety, boredom, and existential dread. I am better than I was, but I am still not able to stand in the full gale of life’s experiences without some kind of fortification.
I am more resilient, and I think that the things that I do, including practicing gratitude, and the meds I take, are very helpful in my day to day life and I am much more able to withstand the lows that are inevitable. And I think that by reflecting on gratitude, I am definitely able to find gratitude in most situations. Knowing that this moment can be viewed through a grateful lens, helps me to experience life with more equanimity. And that’s a good thing. 😁
Dear Charlie , thank you for being deeply honest with your reflection. It’s clear the you can stop , look and let go with a grateful heart. Hugs 🤗
Oh yes,
dear Charlie . . .
looking through that grateful lens
really does help to see things with more equanimity.
I hadn’t thought of it that way before.
Thank you so much for your perspective. ♥
Practicing ‘Stop. Look. Go.’ helps me back off whatever autopilot I’m on, and be open to gratitude, awe, appreciation, humility, joy, and the entire constellation of peaceful emotions. Over time, I gain perspective that enables me to see other emotions and life experiences more fully.
What is stop look go?
You should be able to read more about it,
dear Claire,
on this page . . . ♥
https://grateful.org/stop-look-go/
You should find out more about it
on this page,
dear Claire . . . ♥
https://grateful.org/stop-look-go/
It’s what brother David writes about here on this website. It’s in his writings as well as various videos and articles . Check it out !
It seems to me that living gratefully is the key that unlocks awareness. Maybe that is why I am here!? On a basic level, I am grateful for the food in my fridge and pantry, I am grateful for a place to live, I am grateful for access to medical care. So I am reminded that small inconveniences (I am out of spinach, I need help to repair a household item, I wait for a medical appointment) may bring anxiety, frustration, or impatience in the moment. Gratitude brings back awareness to what I have that is good in my life. Thanks to all who responded to my post yesterday!
Amazing,
dear Enndee,
how the Practice of gratitude
can change your perspective,
isn’t it? ♥
Yes, it is…. It changes every little thing! Thank you, Sparrow.
♥
It’s changed my perspective and taught me to embrace “what is.” It’s a tremendous help when doing by best to live in the moment and when my life situation is very challenging, it has taught me to ask, What can I learn from this? Gratefulness creates the opportunity to grow from it all.
Amen, Carol Ann.🩷
Living gratefully has helped keep me from getting stuck, especially in the darker emotions. Earlier this week I got some tragic news that really upset me – to the point that I almost became physically ill with worry, sadness and so many questions. Somewhere in the midst of all that I realized that my little dog, being attuned to and/or oblivious to my situation, wanted to go outside and play. I decided to follow her out and she immediately ran and got a toy and “bumped” me with it. Soon I was throwing it, chasing her, laughing at her, and enjoying the wind, sun, iris buds that were about to burst into bloom. It is possible and even necessary to hold all these emotions in tension with each other at the same time. And for that I am grateful.
Such a wonderful story. Thank you, Katrina!
Sending you and your little dog a big hug! My cat, may he rest in peace, was also attuned to my feelings. If I was upset, he would jump on my lap, take his paw (no claws extended!) and pat my cheek.
Oh my! Such a dear little cat!
In my pondering a memory surfaced. As a child I was reminded….”and what do you say” when I was offered and item. So if something comes my way… Wonderful or less than wonderful can I remember … “And what do you say.”
This is so good. Thank you 🙏
‘Thank you’,
dear Yram . . . ♥
I mentioned the other day that I am a fairly even-keeled person most of the time. Gratefulness reinforces my ability to remember that whatever is going on in the moment will pass, and that I have much in my life that is so good. Even the negative events teach me that I can weather them and learn from them. I may not like that “teacher” in the moment, but I can take away the lesson. With the things that are good, I try to remember to stop, recognize, appreciate.
I have been able to appreciate more of my emotions, especially joyful ones, by living gratefully. Yesterday’s question prompted me to have an attitude of kindness, which for me comes from gratefulness, in my interactions with classmates in my art class last night. My intent was to replace self consciousness with kindness toward others. In addition to embodying my core value of kindness, this allowed me to interact more freely and in a more relaxed manner with classmates, in addition to speaking to one that I otherwise would not have reached out to. I was successful in my efforts to have a mindset of kindness rather than self consciousness. The results were perfectly imperfect and I am very pleased.
“The results were perfectly imperfect and I am very pleased.” Love your “attitude of gratitude!”
Thank, Carol Ann! ☀️
Tangible results
really help to let us know we do the ‘right’ thing,
dear Mary . . .
congratulations. ♥
Thank you, Sparrow.
I focused on the better thing. 💕
I knew you would,
dear Mary. ♥
♥️♥️♥️
Congratulations, gold star.
Yay, gold star! Thanks, Yram. 😊
If my life is a musical keyboard, living gratefully makes it a piano with 88 keys, not 61 or 49 keys that only play the most beautiful range of pitch. While my ears do not really enjoy the piano in a really low or extremely high pitch, I’m grateful for the piano sounds as a whole because the more my note range expands, the more beautiful music I have in my life. Happy and sad, low and high, all are just part of life.
Love this, Ngoc, thank you.🩷
NGOC, love your reflection. As a singer all my life, I deeply appreciated those who could play the piano, especially those who have a talent for accompanying singers. When I lived in New Orleans, a city sponsored troop of use to perform in rest homes, mental institutions, hospitals, etc., and our pianist would set down at the keyboard and immediately figure out the condition of the various pianos and carefully use the keys to their best advantage when accompanying us. She conquered the piano no matter what its condition!
Carol Ann, your accompanies reminds me of the words someone wrote here awhile back, « looking at my capabilities rather than my circumstances ». I so admire her skill!🩷
What a lovely observation,
dear Ngoc! 🙂
What a lovely image. I went to a presentation last night where we introduced to many of the songs that are emerging from the events that took place in Minneapolis. Music creates a bond.
Beautifully said, Ngoc.
My Ngoc, this is one unique difference we have. You’re a piano. Then, I’m a keyboard. Afterall, we’re still come from the same department. It’s just one’s on the left, the other’s on the right. When connecting the dots on how my love for you has grown over time and my piano passion returning, there’s a reason for why opposites attract.
I feel like I’ve been through the full range of emotions lately. I’m buying a used car. Rented one for work. Got through thinking I don’t have enough money. Got through the financing with my sister. We’re each paying half.. I’m grateful for her generosity and that tomorrow I will have safer car.
Congrats:)
☀️
Congrats!
♥
Thumb’s up
I’m happy to hear this has worked out for you, Christina and also happy to hear you will be in a safer car. Congrats!
Susan Cain speaks to « living simultaneously with love and loss, bitter and sweet ». Living gratefully has smoothed the jagged edges of loss and bitterness in my life, and deepened the love and sweetness of my life. The thread of gratefulness through my life is such a comfort. Sometimes, it takes a minute to reach that space in the bitter/challenging times, yet it is always there, always available when I am ready to see it.♥️
Living gratefully allows me to slow down, focus on presence and mindfulness. It is a good way to start, as well as, end the day.
🐇🐇🐇
Dig the Bunnies’, says the man from Conejos (rabbit) County!
I learned that from someone on here, 3 rabbits = good luck on the first of the month
‘Saying “rabbit rabbit” (or similar variations like “white rabbits”) first thing on the morning of the 1st of the month is a superstition meant to bring good luck, fortune, or a present for the next 30 days. Originating in the UK, this ritual is often believed to ensure positivity for the entire month’
Thank you for that bit of past rabbit ritual history, Michele.
Wise words, Michele.