Everywhere, and everyone is in a way different from my way of being. What would it be like if we would all be the same? Today, I learned a lot from a very different person while having visited my beloved godson in Barcelona. Antoni Gaudi, an architect who died many years ago and who constructed the “Sagrada Familia”, a huge Basilica in utter beauty and known as the masterpiece of Gaudi. He is known to have felt deeply religious and deeply spiritual and was inspired by nature which he considered to be the true role model for all of his work to the smallest detail in a way which is just taking your breath away. Inside there is not a single person depicted, it is all about colorful movement of light and completely nature- inspired architectural wonder, while all storytelling about the Birth of the Messiah is all on the outside of the huge sacral building, designed in so very beautiful sculptures. He was deeply inspired by the mystery of the light and the light which was brought to mankind by Jesus Christ, by Holy Mary and all the Holy Family. Light is a key design element, using colored glass windows to create a dynamic, kaleidoscopic spectrum of colors inside the building. The effect changes as the sun moves across the sky. A genius of sorts in architecture and deeply into the source of all, which he was able to realize in utter beautyful manifestations to the world, inspiring all humanity. So deeply touching, moving, inspiring, leaving me in awe, leaving me humble, deeply touched and deeply grateful. I feel I learned a lot today, about light, about His Love, and got to know the soft and very kind dear friend and partner of my godson who was kindly introducing us to Gaudi´s approach to life, nature and mystery.
How could one not be humbled
standing in front of the Sagrada Familia?
Thank you so much,
dear Ose,
for writing about this place
as well as the architect who designed it . . .
I can’t believe I have never heard of it,
but after doing a little research online
I am stunned by its beauty and magnificence.
It is unique to me
to any other church or cathedral I have ever seen,
and just can’t imagine how I would feel to see it ‘in person’.
You are very fortunate to be able to go there . . .
I bow to your beautiful description of your visit
and like you,
I feel as if the place
has taken my breath away.
Thank you. Thank you. ♥
Please do! it is really a mystical magical experience. You only have to make sure as well to order tickets many weeks in advance, and I would recommend the early slot (we were there at 10:45 h), then you see both the morning light in blue and green as well as the rising yellow and red sunlight at the opposite side around 12:00h. and it is not as crowded as it is later. May you be blessed with a visit of this jewel of achitecture (and there are several houses to be visited in Barcelona created by him in unique beauty)
I can and am trying to learn from my husband. He is very organized and careful. I can be rather careless. One example of that is when I fell about 6 weeks ago. Staying in the moment and doing what I am doing helps. Also being aware that my actions are actually choices, so it would help me to be more aware of what I am doing (and how I am feeling) in the moment. Thank you for this question. It is a good reminder for me.
Mary how are you doing since the fall ? Have you healed well? I remember you telling us when it happened and I can’t believe how fast time has gone ! Was it that long ago? You help me be grateful by helping me pay attention to how grateful I am !
Each and every one of us is different from every other person, so…every single day.
I recognize the deeper question here–it’s about learning from someone whose background, life experiences, or interests are very different from mine. I actively seek opportunities for those learning moments, whether it’s through conversation, reading something, listening to a podcast or NPR.
Today my husband and I are going downtown to the wooden boat festival. I’ll be among people who are wild about sailing as well as people who are simply enjoying a community event. I find being on a sailboat enjoyable if I get the chance but it isn’t a passion or something I seek out. If I listen I’ll be learning about the boatmakers and the features of the various types of watercraft. Vendors with booths in the park will offer up chances to try new foods and perhaps I can talk with the people making the food if they’re not too busy, or with someone who’s selling their hand-crafted items or artwork.
Every day offers a learning opportunity when I look for it.
To those who mother others and to those seeking mothering they haven’t yet found, I wish you a peaceful day.
I always have an opportunity to learn something either from the universe or someone right here like a friend I waked with today who’s 20 years my senior. For example I loved her answer to someone who says that they are bored: “ oh good now you try to see how that feels for a while and appreciate whatever happens next.” Said of course in Norwegian. So cute and she had a huge warm smile came from her face while she said it . Made me feel happy and warm inside and out . I’m so blessed and loved each and everyday . Thank you . 🙏 Happy Sunday everyone! Hugs 🤗
Love that response to someone saying they’re bored!
I taught my two daughters that if they said they were bored I would find them a chore. Your friend’s response is much better–life isn’t always about doing something “productive”, after all.
Good point Barb ! I also have a huge mind about productivity! Thanks for reminding me to let it go! Nature is productive without having any minds about it ! Thank you 🙏
I am rattling through the lessons from my conflict with my friend. It is a betrayal of the same nature that I experienced with my family growing up. This conflict is helping me see and crystallize dynamics that had previously been fuzzy. The diamond in the wound, so to speak.
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a betrayal, just as you did with your family. I can imagine that it’s helpful to see the dynamics of these painful experiences more clearly. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.
Sending love to you, Drea. Mary
Every Wednesday my husband and I deliver Meals on Wheels in our community. Our route consists of people mostly our age, but many, if not most are much more frail and are of leaner resources than us. Some are of different cultural backgrounds. Most of their homes are extremely modest and some are barely standing. I learn something every week from this group of friends – resilience, fortitude, joy in the midst of struggle, compassion; I likely learn at least one new thing about someone’s life story from long ago or just last week. I learn something from our differences and I learn how very much we are alike.
I noticed these differences too,
dear Katrina,
when I made visits to the homes of dying people
with Hospice.
It really broadened
and opened up my view
into a greater reality. ♥
I think I learn something from everyone who crosses my path but as for someone different from me, my neighbor Denisse who is from Mexico is teaching me a lot about her culture and its love and respect for the elderly.
I love Mexico’s heart-centered culture, with its emphasis on family and fun. So many good memories of traveling there and of friends here in the US. I think we can learn a lot from those warm, convivial, fun aspects of their culture.
I hear you and agree, Drea. It seems that for the most part, we Americans have forsaken community and I believe that is the root of our deep division and has led to our political issues.
Drea, sounds like Vietnamese culture all over again. It’s why Angela and I are very compatible and how many people within our circles said before that she and I were going to be soul mates.
My husband and I are traveling now in our motorhome –on our way to Alaska! Ngoc and Loc Tran –we just left Minnesota…what a lovely state!! We are in Milford, Iowa now at a campground in the Emerson Bay Recreation Area. Along our journey I hope we meet many people- and learn something from those we can. I am so very grateful for this opportunity to see more of our country and meet new folks. As always whenever I stop by this site I see all the familiar names and always walk away with a new perspective and gratefulness for all of you. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday wherever you are and a Happy Mother’s Day to all who are mothers in one manner or another. God Bless.
Live in the US, especially in Minnesota, where people from various regions live in a large community. I have learned to continue practicing and to introduce my culture to other communities, as well as to adapt and learn from their cultures. Diversity is beautiful! Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone! ☀
We are all different some people we meet have a lesson that’s easy to learn in a given moment. Other times there can be a lesson that is realized later. Sometimes the lesson is just a reminder that a smile makes a difference. There is also wisdom found from all of you.
I finished the Netflix series Derry Girls – I learned about teenage girls from Northern Ireland in the 90’s…
My heart aches for Nancy Guthrie’s family – I watched a mind blowing forensic cardiology analogy of her pacemaker – they know exactly what was going on from 0147-228 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QmE2HJhrqs
My heart breaks too,
dear Michele,
for all children and mothers
who have been separated from each other
through no will of their own.
Today must be particularly hard for the families. ♥
I don’t have that opportunity now within my smaller circle. Instead of looking for that, I trust in the lord to present that for me, and he certainly will do it. It starts and ends with having an open mind and heart which I already have. Also, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. God’s planning is always greater than man’s.
I have the opportunity every day with my husband! While we share values and other things about life (and love!), we are very different people with different perspectives. I appreciate what I learn from him and how we balance each other on this path.
I also feel like there are opportunities outside of my house with all of the people I get to interact with in my part of the world. The yoga studio brings a variety of people from different backgrounds, yet we all share a love for yoga. Learning things about others’ lives, what they’ve been through, what they are doing now, helps me learn and offers an understanding that I might not have had.
And I learn from all of you here every day! I enjoy sharing this path of gratefulness with each of you 🙂
Human kind . All are all different to one degree or another from each other, I believe. Essentially the same, fundamentally different. As long as I mosey through this life with mind, heart, ears and eyes open, all with a good dose gratefulness, the opportunity for me to learn from another being is always present. Peace, Love & Light.
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Everywhere, and everyone is in a way different from my way of being. What would it be like if we would all be the same? Today, I learned a lot from a very different person while having visited my beloved godson in Barcelona. Antoni Gaudi, an architect who died many years ago and who constructed the “Sagrada Familia”, a huge Basilica in utter beauty and known as the masterpiece of Gaudi. He is known to have felt deeply religious and deeply spiritual and was inspired by nature which he considered to be the true role model for all of his work to the smallest detail in a way which is just taking your breath away. Inside there is not a single person depicted, it is all about colorful movement of light and completely nature- inspired architectural wonder, while all storytelling about the Birth of the Messiah is all on the outside of the huge sacral building, designed in so very beautiful sculptures. He was deeply inspired by the mystery of the light and the light which was brought to mankind by Jesus Christ, by Holy Mary and all the Holy Family. Light is a key design element, using colored glass windows to create a dynamic, kaleidoscopic spectrum of colors inside the building. The effect changes as the sun moves across the sky. A genius of sorts in architecture and deeply into the source of all, which he was able to realize in utter beautyful manifestations to the world, inspiring all humanity. So deeply touching, moving, inspiring, leaving me in awe, leaving me humble, deeply touched and deeply grateful. I feel I learned a lot today, about light, about His Love, and got to know the soft and very kind dear friend and partner of my godson who was kindly introducing us to Gaudi´s approach to life, nature and mystery.
How could one not be humbled
standing in front of the Sagrada Familia?
Thank you so much,
dear Ose,
for writing about this place
as well as the architect who designed it . . .
I can’t believe I have never heard of it,
but after doing a little research online
I am stunned by its beauty and magnificence.
It is unique to me
to any other church or cathedral I have ever seen,
and just can’t imagine how I would feel to see it ‘in person’.
You are very fortunate to be able to go there . . .
I bow to your beautiful description of your visit
and like you,
I feel as if the place
has taken my breath away.
Thank you. Thank you. ♥
I also want to visit Barcelona someday and this adds to my reasons. I want to experience their pedestrian “superblocks”.
When I was in Paris I couldn’t get a ticket to see Ste. Chapelle, which is also a jewel box of stained glass. Someday!
Please do! it is really a mystical magical experience. You only have to make sure as well to order tickets many weeks in advance, and I would recommend the early slot (we were there at 10:45 h), then you see both the morning light in blue and green as well as the rising yellow and red sunlight at the opposite side around 12:00h. and it is not as crowded as it is later. May you be blessed with a visit of this jewel of achitecture (and there are several houses to be visited in Barcelona created by him in unique beauty)
🙏✨❤️
Happy Blessed Mother’s Day to all the Moms here, & to all the Grandma’s, Aunts & Mom figures too. 🌹🌷🩷
Thank you for All you do. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
🩷🕊️
❤️
I can and am trying to learn from my husband. He is very organized and careful. I can be rather careless. One example of that is when I fell about 6 weeks ago. Staying in the moment and doing what I am doing helps. Also being aware that my actions are actually choices, so it would help me to be more aware of what I am doing (and how I am feeling) in the moment. Thank you for this question. It is a good reminder for me.
I hope
that you don’t feel ‘less than’
for having fallen,
dear Mary.
Don’t let the incident
destroy your confidence . . .
you are so much more. ♥
Mary how are you doing since the fall ? Have you healed well? I remember you telling us when it happened and I can’t believe how fast time has gone ! Was it that long ago? You help me be grateful by helping me pay attention to how grateful I am !
Each and every one of us is different from every other person, so…every single day.
I recognize the deeper question here–it’s about learning from someone whose background, life experiences, or interests are very different from mine. I actively seek opportunities for those learning moments, whether it’s through conversation, reading something, listening to a podcast or NPR.
Today my husband and I are going downtown to the wooden boat festival. I’ll be among people who are wild about sailing as well as people who are simply enjoying a community event. I find being on a sailboat enjoyable if I get the chance but it isn’t a passion or something I seek out. If I listen I’ll be learning about the boatmakers and the features of the various types of watercraft. Vendors with booths in the park will offer up chances to try new foods and perhaps I can talk with the people making the food if they’re not too busy, or with someone who’s selling their hand-crafted items or artwork.
Every day offers a learning opportunity when I look for it.
To those who mother others and to those seeking mothering they haven’t yet found, I wish you a peaceful day.
What opportunities you have,
where you live,
dear Barb,
to enjoy the rich diversity that surrounds you.
I love hearing about your connections. ♥
Thank you 🙏 and you too have a lovely day with boats and humans !
I love your open mindedness and interest in learning from and about others, Barb.
I also love your kind wishes related to Mothers Day. ♥️
I always have an opportunity to learn something either from the universe or someone right here like a friend I waked with today who’s 20 years my senior. For example I loved her answer to someone who says that they are bored: “ oh good now you try to see how that feels for a while and appreciate whatever happens next.” Said of course in Norwegian. So cute and she had a huge warm smile came from her face while she said it . Made me feel happy and warm inside and out . I’m so blessed and loved each and everyday . Thank you . 🙏 Happy Sunday everyone! Hugs 🤗
A happy Sunday to you Antoinette! Hugs!
🙂
Love that response to someone saying they’re bored!
I taught my two daughters that if they said they were bored I would find them a chore. Your friend’s response is much better–life isn’t always about doing something “productive”, after all.
Good point Barb ! I also have a huge mind about productivity! Thanks for reminding me to let it go! Nature is productive without having any minds about it ! Thank you 🙏
I am rattling through the lessons from my conflict with my friend. It is a betrayal of the same nature that I experienced with my family growing up. This conflict is helping me see and crystallize dynamics that had previously been fuzzy. The diamond in the wound, so to speak.
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a betrayal, just as you did with your family. I can imagine that it’s helpful to see the dynamics of these painful experiences more clearly. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.
Sending love to you, Drea. Mary
I’m grateful,
dear Drea,
that you can see this . . .
“the diamond in the wound…”
a gift
you might not have noticed otherwise. ♥
Every Wednesday my husband and I deliver Meals on Wheels in our community. Our route consists of people mostly our age, but many, if not most are much more frail and are of leaner resources than us. Some are of different cultural backgrounds. Most of their homes are extremely modest and some are barely standing. I learn something every week from this group of friends – resilience, fortitude, joy in the midst of struggle, compassion; I likely learn at least one new thing about someone’s life story from long ago or just last week. I learn something from our differences and I learn how very much we are alike.
I noticed these differences too,
dear Katrina,
when I made visits to the homes of dying people
with Hospice.
It really broadened
and opened up my view
into a greater reality. ♥
What a beautiful service, Katrina. Thank you for sharing and for doing Meals on Wheels.
I think I learn something from everyone who crosses my path but as for someone different from me, my neighbor Denisse who is from Mexico is teaching me a lot about her culture and its love and respect for the elderly.
Dia de Los Muertos is one of my favorite holidays – I also love their culture. When I visit EPCOT Mexico is one of my favorites:)
I love Mexico’s heart-centered culture, with its emphasis on family and fun. So many good memories of traveling there and of friends here in the US. I think we can learn a lot from those warm, convivial, fun aspects of their culture.
I hear you and agree, Drea. It seems that for the most part, we Americans have forsaken community and I believe that is the root of our deep division and has led to our political issues.
I so agree,
dear Drea . . . ♥
Drea, sounds like Vietnamese culture all over again. It’s why Angela and I are very compatible and how many people within our circles said before that she and I were going to be soul mates.
My husband and I are traveling now in our motorhome –on our way to Alaska! Ngoc and Loc Tran –we just left Minnesota…what a lovely state!! We are in Milford, Iowa now at a campground in the Emerson Bay Recreation Area. Along our journey I hope we meet many people- and learn something from those we can. I am so very grateful for this opportunity to see more of our country and meet new folks. As always whenever I stop by this site I see all the familiar names and always walk away with a new perspective and gratefulness for all of you. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday wherever you are and a Happy Mother’s Day to all who are mothers in one manner or another. God Bless.
Safe travels!
In your travels,
dear Nanette,
you are given a great opportunity
to learn a lot about other ways of living. ♥
ps. My husband is from Iowa.
Nannette, safe travels and enjoy!! What a blessing to be making that journey.
Live in the US, especially in Minnesota, where people from various regions live in a large community. I have learned to continue practicing and to introduce my culture to other communities, as well as to adapt and learn from their cultures. Diversity is beautiful! Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone! ☀
My Ngoc, my favorite part about diversity is being able to build my own buddy systems.
We are all different some people we meet have a lesson that’s easy to learn in a given moment. Other times there can be a lesson that is realized later. Sometimes the lesson is just a reminder that a smile makes a difference. There is also wisdom found from all of you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day Deann!
Reminders
don’t always get the credit they deserve,
dear Deann . . .
thank you for this. ♥
I finished the Netflix series Derry Girls – I learned about teenage girls from Northern Ireland in the 90’s…
My heart aches for Nancy Guthrie’s family – I watched a mind blowing forensic cardiology analogy of her pacemaker – they know exactly what was going on from 0147-228
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QmE2HJhrqs
Happy Mother’s Day – wishing you love and peace.
My heart breaks too,
dear Michele,
for all children and mothers
who have been separated from each other
through no will of their own.
Today must be particularly hard for the families. ♥
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Michele.
I don’t have that opportunity now within my smaller circle. Instead of looking for that, I trust in the lord to present that for me, and he certainly will do it. It starts and ends with having an open mind and heart which I already have. Also, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. God’s planning is always greater than man’s.
I have the opportunity every day with my husband! While we share values and other things about life (and love!), we are very different people with different perspectives. I appreciate what I learn from him and how we balance each other on this path.
I also feel like there are opportunities outside of my house with all of the people I get to interact with in my part of the world. The yoga studio brings a variety of people from different backgrounds, yet we all share a love for yoga. Learning things about others’ lives, what they’ve been through, what they are doing now, helps me learn and offers an understanding that I might not have had.
And I learn from all of you here every day! I enjoy sharing this path of gratefulness with each of you 🙂
“And I learn from all of you here every day! I enjoy sharing this path of gratefulness with each of you” – me too 💗
Human kind . All are all different to one degree or another from each other, I believe. Essentially the same, fundamentally different. As long as I mosey through this life with mind, heart, ears and eyes open, all with a good dose gratefulness, the opportunity for me to learn from another being is always present. Peace, Love & Light.
Yes, the opportunity to learn is always present. Very true.
Amen, Joseph, We’re all fundamentally the same where we all deserve to be treated with love, respect, and dignity.