I live this wondrous life and wonder that I am a part of it
And the more I think about it, the more wondrous life becomes
It is a joy to explore: what does it mean to live? What are we doing here?
How can I explore it? By living. And it is just wonderful to live.
That is to say that I can accept that which I have, have been given, or experience with joy and fulfillment. I can also accept the trials, difficulties, and tribulations — the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to* — that come my way. I don’t have to like them, but I don’t have to deny them either.
With this acceptance, I can better appreciate the bounty before me. Perhaps I can even see the hard times as an essential part of being alive. I am reminded of something Norman Lear said:
I reached a point where I was informed we might even have to sell our home. Having heard that we’d fallen into such dire straits, my son-in-law phoned me and asked how I was feeling. My answer was, “Terrible, of course,” but then I added, “but I must be crazy, because despite all that’s happened, I keep hearing this inner voice saying, ‘Even this I get to experience.’”
* For anyone who is curious, this line is from Hamlet’s soliloquy. Apologies to anyone who finds this pretentious. It is just said better than I could.
I always enjoy encountering Shakespeare in the wild–no need to apologize!
The Norman Lear story is wonderful. It reminds me of the words of poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, who has turned the loss of her 17-year-old son into a deepened love for him because he’s still and always with her. She has accepted the experience and is grateful for recognizing that love doesn’t die when a person does.
Erich, I have never, ever, thought about gratefulness in this way, as “coming from acceptance”. Embracing all of life as a way of highlighting the bounty of life. I have felt relief when I can finally accept life’s challenges. Maybe there is some gratitude in that acceptance that I didn’t name as such.
Norman Lear’s story will stick with me, thank you.
No pretense felt here by lending a nod to Hamlet. It is a new learning for me which I appreciate. Be well.
Great question! For me is is when I can truly feel thankful for the good things in life and/or focus on beauty in life like nature. Allows me to still feel joy although I may be going thru something difficult. It helps me to focus on the good instead of drowning in the bad (see the light at the end of the tunnel)!
What is my personal definition of gratefulness?
Gratefulness is Awareness. It is the personal conviction that brings me into the present moment-the NOW, which is truly all we really have. As the quote from the gospel says, practicing gratefulness gives me eyes to see and ears to here so that I may be healed. It has taught me that healing and cure are not the same. It’s not necessarily about wellness but rather well-BEing.
My son, JJ, has a virus. It is not COVID but it is mean. Every move I make, every chore I tackle has become a prayer for his well-BEing. If you would take this moment to send him loving-healing- energy, it would be appreciated.
My personal definition of gratefulness.
Gratefulness is the joy that wells up within me
when I notice the miracles all around me and within me
and open my heart to these miracles and to the world.
I am one with nature and all that there is.
Just writing this, I can feel that joy !
Thank you for this question.
Peace and joy to all!
My personal definition of gratefulness I would not consider being a personal one, as it is very much defined through the communication all together here and of course, by Br. David, who clearly stated that Gratefulness is a choice, that we can choose to be grateful. May be not in all circumstances, where in a very difficult situation, it is rather the opportunity to deal to which we could be grateful for. But what has proved to be absolutely true for me is the indwelling free possibility to chose for Gratefulness in almost every situation instead for nourishing possible pain or sadness through dwelling in it (which i did for a very long time) or keeping a possible grudge- or anger- perspective, which is a choice, also. Only this would lead to pain in others and kind of seperation instead of possibly being able to coming back to inner balance, peace and well-being for all concerned, including ourselves. I am deeply grateful for having found back to gratefulness. Wishing you all a peaceful week in as much as gratitude as possible.
EJP, sounds like my response but simpler. Well put. I have both a computer and artist brain as someone who plays the piano. A lot of interesting stories can come up, especially when you have both. Stories can turn complicated quickly. Being a piano player gives me an artist base, and artists are quite complex for sure. The computer side of me helps me adapt quickly and simplify myself for when it’s called upon.
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Recognition and appreciation.
I live this wondrous life and wonder that I am a part of it
And the more I think about it, the more wondrous life becomes
It is a joy to explore: what does it mean to live? What are we doing here?
How can I explore it? By living. And it is just wonderful to live.
I wonder if gratefulness comes from acceptance.
That is to say that I can accept that which I have, have been given, or experience with joy and fulfillment. I can also accept the trials, difficulties, and tribulations — the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to* — that come my way. I don’t have to like them, but I don’t have to deny them either.
With this acceptance, I can better appreciate the bounty before me. Perhaps I can even see the hard times as an essential part of being alive. I am reminded of something Norman Lear said:
I reached a point where I was informed we might even have to sell our home. Having heard that we’d fallen into such dire straits, my son-in-law phoned me and asked how I was feeling. My answer was, “Terrible, of course,” but then I added, “but I must be crazy, because despite all that’s happened, I keep hearing this inner voice saying, ‘Even this I get to experience.’”
* For anyone who is curious, this line is from Hamlet’s soliloquy. Apologies to anyone who finds this pretentious. It is just said better than I could.
So very true!
I always enjoy encountering Shakespeare in the wild–no need to apologize!
The Norman Lear story is wonderful. It reminds me of the words of poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, who has turned the loss of her 17-year-old son into a deepened love for him because he’s still and always with her. She has accepted the experience and is grateful for recognizing that love doesn’t die when a person does.
Erich, I have never, ever, thought about gratefulness in this way, as “coming from acceptance”. Embracing all of life as a way of highlighting the bounty of life. I have felt relief when I can finally accept life’s challenges. Maybe there is some gratitude in that acceptance that I didn’t name as such.
Norman Lear’s story will stick with me, thank you.
No pretense felt here by lending a nod to Hamlet. It is a new learning for me which I appreciate. Be well.
Great question! For me is is when I can truly feel thankful for the good things in life and/or focus on beauty in life like nature. Allows me to still feel joy although I may be going thru something difficult. It helps me to focus on the good instead of drowning in the bad (see the light at the end of the tunnel)!
Prayers,
dear Carol,
that your son might be brought back to good health
with love…
sparrow
♥
Sparrow, Thank you.
What is my personal definition of gratefulness?
Gratefulness is Awareness. It is the personal conviction that brings me into the present moment-the NOW, which is truly all we really have. As the quote from the gospel says, practicing gratefulness gives me eyes to see and ears to here so that I may be healed. It has taught me that healing and cure are not the same. It’s not necessarily about wellness but rather well-BEing.
My son, JJ, has a virus. It is not COVID but it is mean. Every move I make, every chore I tackle has become a prayer for his well-BEing. If you would take this moment to send him loving-healing- energy, it would be appreciated.
Prayers for healing and full recovery!
Sending healing loving energy to JJ and his medical team, Carol. And to you as well my Friend.🩷
Sending your son, JJ, healing energy and speedy recovery wishes.
I am with you in your prayer, dear Carol.
I’m sending love and healing energy to your son Carol. ♥️
May your son regain good health dear Carol.
Prayers for JJ that he gets well Carol
Robin Ann, Thank you
Loving.-healing-energy is sent to your son JJ, dear Carol. May he be well soon, and healed. Blessings to both of you.
Ose, Thank You
My personal definition of gratefulness.
Gratefulness is the joy that wells up within me
when I notice the miracles all around me and within me
and open my heart to these miracles and to the world.
I am one with nature and all that there is.
Just writing this, I can feel that joy !
Thank you for this question.
Peace and joy to all!
To be aware.
Not to misuse, overuse, devalue what I have.
A gift shared is twice as nice as a gift received.
Gratefulness is a quiet awareness of the simple, everyday moments that bring presence and peace to my life.
Gratefulness grounds me in an
appreciation for what is.
Happy for the blessings I receive, rejoice for the blessings of others.
My Ngoc, your answer reminds me of how you’ve talked about how you’re continuing to work on not comparing self to others.
A full heart, a sense of wonder, and a full appreciation of what is.
To be in a state of awe and appreciation.
My personal definition of gratefulness I would not consider being a personal one, as it is very much defined through the communication all together here and of course, by Br. David, who clearly stated that Gratefulness is a choice, that we can choose to be grateful. May be not in all circumstances, where in a very difficult situation, it is rather the opportunity to deal to which we could be grateful for. But what has proved to be absolutely true for me is the indwelling free possibility to chose for Gratefulness in almost every situation instead for nourishing possible pain or sadness through dwelling in it (which i did for a very long time) or keeping a possible grudge- or anger- perspective, which is a choice, also. Only this would lead to pain in others and kind of seperation instead of possibly being able to coming back to inner balance, peace and well-being for all concerned, including ourselves. I am deeply grateful for having found back to gratefulness. Wishing you all a peaceful week in as much as gratitude as possible.
Amen,
dear Ose
with love….♥
A deep appreciation from within for all that I am and for all that I have.
EJP, sounds like my response but simpler. Well put. I have both a computer and artist brain as someone who plays the piano. A lot of interesting stories can come up, especially when you have both. Stories can turn complicated quickly. Being a piano player gives me an artist base, and artists are quite complex for sure. The computer side of me helps me adapt quickly and simplify myself for when it’s called upon.