Practicing is the important part . . .
if I don’t practice
it slips away.
The more I practice
the stronger I get,
and the less disappointments and failures
haunt me.
I was not an ungrateful child,
but I was very thoughtful and moody,
and i did not begin practicing gratitude
until I very nearly lost my life
on more than one occasion.
Finally,
as a last resort,
I raised the white flag
and began.
I can bear witness
that it works.
I told a friend about it
and she said,
‘been there, done that’ . . .
I told another,
and she said,
‘oh I do it in my head.’
Thing is,
it has to be done mindfully.
Sit down at the kitchen table
and write five things . . .
five things every day,
no matter how tiny they may seem.
Sometimes
I go back and look at my lists,
and am amazed to see
how much I really am thankful,
and have a lot more to be thankful for.
Being grateful
has lifted me out of the stew,
taught me to consciously notice things . . .
it’s almost as inherent as breathing.
Even on the ‘bad’ days
I am aware
that I am living a priceless gift,
and that is Life itself.
What a miracle it is. ♥
I am in a stressful time in my life. Yesterday I spent time with a friend and she gave me some much needed advice to slow down and take care of myself first, and we planned some things we are going to do together. It is easy to isolate when I am sad or upset, and this lovely friend clarified why I shouldn’t do that. I have many loving friends and going forward, I will be in contact with them more.
Linda,
I think you you often. It is great you have that angel in your life.
A book that was helpful to me was:
Self care for the Caregiver by Susanne White.
The chapters are short and practical.
I found it at my local library.
I know about isolating , too, Linda.
When I get sad I just want to stay inside.
I have to make myself go out.
I feel better when I get out to an event,
or to see people that I know.
But I feel drawn towards being alone.
I know things must be difficult, now, Linda.
I am so glad to hear you have good friends
who want to spend time with you. ♥️
Practicing gratefulness has contributed and still contributing to help me be the true person I was created to be by changing the ways I view my life and the life of other beings in this universe. It allows me to stop, look, and go. Gratefulness has given me new perspective of life to accept life’s challenges as part of life’s gift and free me from unrealistic expectation and not strive for society’s perfection, to be curious and not get stuck in the box in my thinking or action, but to be aware of my overall well-being as my life’s gift from my creator and my supporter known or unknown, alive or deceased, to enjoy the simple joy of being alive every moment….
PS: I have been a passive participant for a long time as I was, and I am concerned about the big wide world web. I am grateful for what I can receive but could do away with the dangers of it. I am incredibly grateful for Br. David Steindl-Rast and all the beings that have contributed and still contributing to make a difference in lives and in the universe. As Br. David Steindl-Rast said Gratefulness is not missing the opportunity, appreciating the opportunity, and using or enjoying the opportunity. By this method we come fully alive, full of joy, which is what we are all longing for. This is it.
Practicing gratefulness is my tonic for my habitual pessimism. Letting some light into my darkness.
It’s slowly seeping into my pores and becoming who I am.
BE-ing present and BE-ing grateful always bodes WELL for me.
Or as the character Colonel Potter on a MASH Christmas episode one year said to his doctors and nurses who were moping in the mess hall because they could not be home in the states with their families, “If you ain’t where you are at, you are no where.”
What Potter said sunk in and their energy was no longer divided. There mind wasn’t in the states and their body in Korea. They gratefully started decorating the dining facility for the holidays. When I practice Be-ing grateful, it’s much easier to BE present to what I am doing and I find my mind dwells in my heart, in the activity I am pursuing. My mind is not dividing me from the NOW. I’d call that well-being.
I did a search of my writings and found this story from Beatrice Bruteau in my 2021 journal that illustrates how to cultivate Well Being: “Keeping the mind . . . single means keeping our heart whole, keeping our mind whole, our soul and strength [whole], not letting any of them divide in two. So when we pray . . . we try to find our truest self by unifying and keeping whole our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This unification of the consciousness is what is usually called concentration: centering together. It is basic to spiritual practice.
How do you do this concentration? You just do what you’re actually doing in the moment, without thinking/feeling about the fact that you’re doing it. When you set your hand to the plow, you just concentrate on plowing and go straight ahead without looking back to see what you plowed or how well you plowed (Luke 9:62).
You put your whole mind onto plowing, the activity, in the moment in which you are actually doing it. You don’t allow the mind to divide into two, half on plowing and half on plowed. . . . And in fact, if you can put your whole mind on the activity, not dividing some part to look back and see what you have plowed, you will cut a beautiful furrow.
You put your whole will into plowing. You do not divide your will in two by partly consenting to plow, and partly resenting and resisting it and wishing you were doing something else. You “give yourself to” this activity totally, as you do it. The act of plowing and the act of willing to plow become the same thing.
Similarly, you do not allow your imagination to conjure up some other scene for you to enjoy in daydreaming while you plod behind your plow. The imagination must . . . “be here now.” This is where you actually are, this is reality. Don’t create a fantasy. . . . Know who you are and where you are and what you are doing and really be there.
Finally, put all your feelings into this plowing because this is where your life is at this moment. You have no other life here and now except this plowing. Therefore feel this plowing thoroughly, feel it in every way you can. Feel it through your body with all your senses, with your emotions. . . . Become plowing. This is you at this moment. This is where you really are and what you are really doing. That’s how you center yourself, how you concentrate. Beatrice Bruteau. What We Can Learn from the East (Crossroad: 1995), 90–92
I know it sounds corny and simplistic, practicing wearing a smile versus frown helps to begin framing a grateful heart, mindset, and overall attitude. It leads to accepting this precious gift of Life, given just for today, by the Creator 💫
Gratefulness resets my conditioned, tense, reactive responses. I can step back from the inner fixation, slow down, and appreciate the present. Then I have more autonomy to proceed, and I can do so in an open, light way. I accumulate enough of those little moments, and my general well-being is more flow, less fight.
The stressors of life aren’t as intense as they used to be. I notice more than I did before my gratefulness practice… the big things are so easy to see, but now I see more little things that make life beautiful, too. I’m more accepting and aware overall. Life is more peaceful, even amidst the storms, and I just feel better 🙂
Everyone who has written before has answered this question beautifully. Gratefulness creates peace for me and an understanding of the value in hard times. Gratefulness helps me feel closer to God, hopeful for the future, appreciative of the past and present in the moment at hand. Together this brings a deepness to my breath that calms and strengthens me. I needed this reminder today.
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It makes well-being possible
In appreciating all in care and gratefulness, all which is is appreciated and well including me.
For me visiting this website reminds me to think more about my well being.. Tonight I did my monthly yoga class that I haven’t been to in a while : )
Practicing is the important part . . .
if I don’t practice
it slips away.
The more I practice
the stronger I get,
and the less disappointments and failures
haunt me.
I was not an ungrateful child,
but I was very thoughtful and moody,
and i did not begin practicing gratitude
until I very nearly lost my life
on more than one occasion.
Finally,
as a last resort,
I raised the white flag
and began.
I can bear witness
that it works.
I told a friend about it
and she said,
‘been there, done that’ . . .
I told another,
and she said,
‘oh I do it in my head.’
Thing is,
it has to be done mindfully.
Sit down at the kitchen table
and write five things . . .
five things every day,
no matter how tiny they may seem.
Sometimes
I go back and look at my lists,
and am amazed to see
how much I really am thankful,
and have a lot more to be thankful for.
Being grateful
has lifted me out of the stew,
taught me to consciously notice things . . .
it’s almost as inherent as breathing.
Even on the ‘bad’ days
I am aware
that I am living a priceless gift,
and that is Life itself.
What a miracle it is. ♥
Thank you Sparrow
Thank you,
dear Avril…
so good to see you back. ♥
What you have written is so beautiful.
Thank you Sparrow ♥️
Thank you,
dear Mary.
I don’t try to be beautiful…
I just say what wants to come out. 🙂
“has lifted me out of the stew,”……………..such an appropriate metaphor dear Sparrow.
🙂
I am in a stressful time in my life. Yesterday I spent time with a friend and she gave me some much needed advice to slow down and take care of myself first, and we planned some things we are going to do together. It is easy to isolate when I am sad or upset, and this lovely friend clarified why I shouldn’t do that. I have many loving friends and going forward, I will be in contact with them more.
Linda,
I think you you often. It is great you have that angel in your life.
A book that was helpful to me was:
Self care for the Caregiver by Susanne White.
The chapters are short and practical.
I found it at my local library.
Dear Linda, good friends help, I agree.
I am happy you can count on your friend during these hard times.
Good relationships are a balm, for me too.
I know about isolating , too, Linda.
When I get sad I just want to stay inside.
I have to make myself go out.
I feel better when I get out to an event,
or to see people that I know.
But I feel drawn towards being alone.
I know things must be difficult, now, Linda.
I am so glad to hear you have good friends
who want to spend time with you. ♥️
Thank you, Mary for your kind and helpful response.
Linda
I see the positives in my life more easily and clearly. That keeps me from staying bogged down with the disappointments of life and relationships.
Practicing gratefulness has contributed and still contributing to help me be the true person I was created to be by changing the ways I view my life and the life of other beings in this universe. It allows me to stop, look, and go. Gratefulness has given me new perspective of life to accept life’s challenges as part of life’s gift and free me from unrealistic expectation and not strive for society’s perfection, to be curious and not get stuck in the box in my thinking or action, but to be aware of my overall well-being as my life’s gift from my creator and my supporter known or unknown, alive or deceased, to enjoy the simple joy of being alive every moment….
PS: I have been a passive participant for a long time as I was, and I am concerned about the big wide world web. I am grateful for what I can receive but could do away with the dangers of it. I am incredibly grateful for Br. David Steindl-Rast and all the beings that have contributed and still contributing to make a difference in lives and in the universe. As Br. David Steindl-Rast said Gratefulness is not missing the opportunity, appreciating the opportunity, and using or enjoying the opportunity. By this method we come fully alive, full of joy, which is what we are all longing for. This is it.
Welcome to active participation!
Practicing gratefulness is my tonic for my habitual pessimism. Letting some light into my darkness.
It’s slowly seeping into my pores and becoming who I am.
You are replacing your habitual pessimism,
dear Charlie,
with habitual gratefulness. 🙂
I appreciate you acknowledge pessimissm is a habit and not inherent in our being.
BE-ing present and BE-ing grateful always bodes WELL for me.
Or as the character Colonel Potter on a MASH Christmas episode one year said to his doctors and nurses who were moping in the mess hall because they could not be home in the states with their families, “If you ain’t where you are at, you are no where.”
What Potter said sunk in and their energy was no longer divided. There mind wasn’t in the states and their body in Korea. They gratefully started decorating the dining facility for the holidays. When I practice Be-ing grateful, it’s much easier to BE present to what I am doing and I find my mind dwells in my heart, in the activity I am pursuing. My mind is not dividing me from the NOW. I’d call that well-being.
I did a search of my writings and found this story from Beatrice Bruteau in my 2021 journal that illustrates how to cultivate Well Being: “Keeping the mind . . . single means keeping our heart whole, keeping our mind whole, our soul and strength [whole], not letting any of them divide in two. So when we pray . . . we try to find our truest self by unifying and keeping whole our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This unification of the consciousness is what is usually called concentration: centering together. It is basic to spiritual practice.
How do you do this concentration? You just do what you’re actually doing in the moment, without thinking/feeling about the fact that you’re doing it. When you set your hand to the plow, you just concentrate on plowing and go straight ahead without looking back to see what you plowed or how well you plowed (Luke 9:62).
You put your whole mind onto plowing, the activity, in the moment in which you are actually doing it. You don’t allow the mind to divide into two, half on plowing and half on plowed. . . . And in fact, if you can put your whole mind on the activity, not dividing some part to look back and see what you have plowed, you will cut a beautiful furrow.
You put your whole will into plowing. You do not divide your will in two by partly consenting to plow, and partly resenting and resisting it and wishing you were doing something else. You “give yourself to” this activity totally, as you do it. The act of plowing and the act of willing to plow become the same thing.
Similarly, you do not allow your imagination to conjure up some other scene for you to enjoy in daydreaming while you plod behind your plow. The imagination must . . . “be here now.” This is where you actually are, this is reality. Don’t create a fantasy. . . . Know who you are and where you are and what you are doing and really be there.
Finally, put all your feelings into this plowing because this is where your life is at this moment. You have no other life here and now except this plowing. Therefore feel this plowing thoroughly, feel it in every way you can. Feel it through your body with all your senses, with your emotions. . . . Become plowing. This is you at this moment. This is where you really are and what you are really doing. That’s how you center yourself, how you concentrate. Beatrice Bruteau. What We Can Learn from the East (Crossroad: 1995), 90–92
As I read this, in my mind, I was picturing mowing the lawn as a substitute for plowing, lol.
This adds to my understanding of being in the present moment.
Thank you Carol.
Exactly, Exactly,
dear Carol!
Well said,
by Beatrice.
That’s how you do it.
Thank you for bringing it here. ♥
Thank you Carol. I love this. It’s very helpful to me.
Yes, yes, and yes. Thank you, Carol 🙏
I know it sounds corny and simplistic, practicing wearing a smile versus frown helps to begin framing a grateful heart, mindset, and overall attitude. It leads to accepting this precious gift of Life, given just for today, by the Creator 💫
So true, thanks for the reminder
Gratefulness resets my conditioned, tense, reactive responses. I can step back from the inner fixation, slow down, and appreciate the present. Then I have more autonomy to proceed, and I can do so in an open, light way. I accumulate enough of those little moments, and my general well-being is more flow, less fight.
This helped me a lot today. Thank you, Drea.
Linda, I’m glad to hear that. Have a wonderful day..
Beautifully stated.
Thank you Avril.
My life becomes simpler.
Amen–I want to declutter all aspects of my life.
The stressors of life aren’t as intense as they used to be. I notice more than I did before my gratefulness practice… the big things are so easy to see, but now I see more little things that make life beautiful, too. I’m more accepting and aware overall. Life is more peaceful, even amidst the storms, and I just feel better 🙂
Sunnypatti, I’m glad it’s helped you. I’ve heard of the old saying of “Turning puddles into ponds” for when we do the opposite.
Living gratefully frees me.
Everyone who has written before has answered this question beautifully. Gratefulness creates peace for me and an understanding of the value in hard times. Gratefulness helps me feel closer to God, hopeful for the future, appreciative of the past and present in the moment at hand. Together this brings a deepness to my breath that calms and strengthens me. I needed this reminder today.