Before gratefulness became an integral part of my life
I had no idea what I was missing,
but now that it is,
I realize how grey my life would be
without it..
My world is rich with colour now
and my relationships are deeper and more alive.
Becoming thankful
has taught me how to listen to others . . .
really listen,
not only with my ears,
but with my heart.
I look at people not just as people,
but as fellow beings,
recognizing and responding to the Divine in them.
This has always been true for me with animals
and all things in Nature,
but before I began an active practice of Gratitude
I saw people
pretty much as ‘other’.
Many hurts
had closed me down
and people were mean and not to be trusted,
and when I made the mistake of trusting,
I came away wounded.
Since I now know it’s not personal,
I can usually take it,
turn the other cheek even,
and the relationships I choose to have now
are healthier and more meaningful,
and for this
I am grateful. ♥
Both my children practice Grateful living which makes me so happy. My son took a while to think it would be beneficial but now he journals and listens to podcasts etc. It has made our relationships stronger. There are friends and acquaintances I have mentioned the website to also. I know it helped me so I like to let people know about it. Not everyone is interested though.
I have referenced this site and my participation with this daily reflection community (daily question) many times over the past few years during recovery meetings. Gives folks some compassion and hope.
Gratefulness goes along with an open heart, which allows to meet another on heart´s level. To meet there at the core of our being to me feels like coming home in one another, in peace and loving kindness.
As I have become increasingly grateful for others, I have become less critical. My energy is more positive. This has become especially transformative in my relationship with my husband.
Mary, same for me, especially when it comes to trusting my root people. Although there’s always room for improvement, I’ve noticed progress as well, especially looking beyond and letting go of my agendas. Consistency is the next step.
One of the things that I’m most grateful for is relationships/connections. So, recognizing and acknowledging them is important to me. These connections don’t stay alive without putting energy into them. They require time and effort. Mostly just a text or a hello is enough to keep the flame alive.
Gratefulness leads to greater self-awareness and a much healthier relationship with myself. A healthier relationship with myself leads to healthier relationships with others.
Practicing gratefulness helps me slow me down and experience relationships as they happen. I can appreciate and savor others’ generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, etc. as they happen. I can also notice other types of behaviors, take a moment to process, and discern how to behave.
Relationships were terrifying growing up, so I learned to rush through interactions fearfully, ready to defend myself. Not a great way to get close to people or even get a read on a relationship. Gratefulness, and the slowing down and savoring that comes with it, really has helped to relax me in relationship.
This reminds me of my 2 quarterly Paw Mu advice zen goals for Q2 of taking responsibility and trusting my people. Combining them into one, I’ve been showing improvements over the last week or 2. I’m warming up to the idea of others being the first to approach me. The 3 benefits that jump out are: less likelier to go alone, increases responsibility, and of course, helps me let go of agendas.
For example, my uncle, Lan, on my dad’s side of the family, has been approaching me more often concerning my diabetes. It’s made me more responsible. I’m eating less junk food, especially sweets. Not only that, I’m finding more time to exercise as well and not make excuses.
The idea of letting others approach you … I can relate to this Loc, I have grown anxious or avoidant when others approached me for some reason. Good food for thought.
Thanks, Drea. Our natural reaction and instincts are to protect. Anything different and outside our comfort zone feels like a threat. Then, I talked about on comments before over the last few days concerning charm. “Incompatible difference” is a perfect example. It’s an excuse and avoidance for intimacy and code for “Leave me alone” or “Go away.” I remember saying from last summer “Charm is harm.” It’s definitely curruptive.
As far as protection is concerned, there’s only so much we can do. Walls can get torn down like how good offense beats great defense.
The practice has helped me understand life more. The connection I feel because of the practice allows me to offer grace rather than judgement and compassion rather than indifference. I feel it in my marriage, friendships, with family members and in community. Finding gratefulness for my own life has also helped me build resilience and release relationships that do not serve me – that has helped me deepen my relationship with me.
This is inspiring, I relate: “Finding gratefulness for my own life has also helped me build resilience and release relationships that do not serve me – that has helped me deepen my relationship with me.”
Thanks, Drea! I’ve always wanted everyone to like me – much to a fault in the past. When I realized that I didn’t really like myself, I knew things had to change. Life is much better these days!
Gratefulness has opened up vulnerabilities, passage ways, to more mutual love and understanding. I am better at communicating my feelings due to the presence that is always there for me through gratefulness. Peace & Love.
It’s made aware of the interconectedness. Every relationship… the human, with my animal companions, plants, with material items. We all need each other. We are all each other. I am the grateful product of an infinite number of relationships.
I think of my sister, whom I really love. She has helped me in many ways financially which is part of it. She’s very successful and my therapist warns me about that, that finally she’ll be concerned about herself. I keep an eye on that cautionary idea. But I have such heartfelt gratitude to her mostly for her closeness that it deepens the relationship.
The financial aspect can get tricky.
I relate to and miss the closeness that I once had with both of my sisters.
There is nothing like a sister.
So I now look for sisterhood in my friendships.
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Before gratefulness became an integral part of my life
I had no idea what I was missing,
but now that it is,
I realize how grey my life would be
without it..
My world is rich with colour now
and my relationships are deeper and more alive.
Becoming thankful
has taught me how to listen to others . . .
really listen,
not only with my ears,
but with my heart.
I look at people not just as people,
but as fellow beings,
recognizing and responding to the Divine in them.
This has always been true for me with animals
and all things in Nature,
but before I began an active practice of Gratitude
I saw people
pretty much as ‘other’.
Many hurts
had closed me down
and people were mean and not to be trusted,
and when I made the mistake of trusting,
I came away wounded.
Since I now know it’s not personal,
I can usually take it,
turn the other cheek even,
and the relationships I choose to have now
are healthier and more meaningful,
and for this
I am grateful. ♥
Both my children practice Grateful living which makes me so happy. My son took a while to think it would be beneficial but now he journals and listens to podcasts etc. It has made our relationships stronger. There are friends and acquaintances I have mentioned the website to also. I know it helped me so I like to let people know about it. Not everyone is interested though.
“I know it helped me so I like to let people know about it.” – I relate to this too 🙂
I have referenced this site and my participation with this daily reflection community (daily question) many times over the past few years during recovery meetings. Gives folks some compassion and hope.
That’s wonderful,
dear Robin Ann . . .
I am grateful with you. ♥
Gratefulness goes along with an open heart, which allows to meet another on heart´s level. To meet there at the core of our being to me feels like coming home in one another, in peace and loving kindness.
As I have become increasingly grateful for others, I have become less critical. My energy is more positive. This has become especially transformative in my relationship with my husband.
I think this is a natural ‘consequence’ of practicing gratitude,
dear Mary. ♥
Mary, same for me, especially when it comes to trusting my root people. Although there’s always room for improvement, I’ve noticed progress as well, especially looking beyond and letting go of my agendas. Consistency is the next step.
One of the things that I’m most grateful for is relationships/connections. So, recognizing and acknowledging them is important to me. These connections don’t stay alive without putting energy into them. They require time and effort. Mostly just a text or a hello is enough to keep the flame alive.
The older I get,
dear Charlie,
the more important relationships are to me too.♥
Gratefulness leads to greater self-awareness and a much healthier relationship with myself. A healthier relationship with myself leads to healthier relationships with others.
I couldn’t agree more,
dear Carol Ann . . . ♥
Yes!
Practicing gratefulness helps me slow me down and experience relationships as they happen. I can appreciate and savor others’ generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, etc. as they happen. I can also notice other types of behaviors, take a moment to process, and discern how to behave.
Relationships were terrifying growing up, so I learned to rush through interactions fearfully, ready to defend myself. Not a great way to get close to people or even get a read on a relationship. Gratefulness, and the slowing down and savoring that comes with it, really has helped to relax me in relationship.
Your description of childhood relationships rings true for me. I can relate.
This reminds me of my 2 quarterly Paw Mu advice zen goals for Q2 of taking responsibility and trusting my people. Combining them into one, I’ve been showing improvements over the last week or 2. I’m warming up to the idea of others being the first to approach me. The 3 benefits that jump out are: less likelier to go alone, increases responsibility, and of course, helps me let go of agendas.
For example, my uncle, Lan, on my dad’s side of the family, has been approaching me more often concerning my diabetes. It’s made me more responsible. I’m eating less junk food, especially sweets. Not only that, I’m finding more time to exercise as well and not make excuses.
The idea of letting others approach you … I can relate to this Loc, I have grown anxious or avoidant when others approached me for some reason. Good food for thought.
Thanks, Drea. Our natural reaction and instincts are to protect. Anything different and outside our comfort zone feels like a threat. Then, I talked about on comments before over the last few days concerning charm. “Incompatible difference” is a perfect example. It’s an excuse and avoidance for intimacy and code for “Leave me alone” or “Go away.” I remember saying from last summer “Charm is harm.” It’s definitely curruptive.
As far as protection is concerned, there’s only so much we can do. Walls can get torn down like how good offense beats great defense.
The practice has helped me understand life more. The connection I feel because of the practice allows me to offer grace rather than judgement and compassion rather than indifference. I feel it in my marriage, friendships, with family members and in community. Finding gratefulness for my own life has also helped me build resilience and release relationships that do not serve me – that has helped me deepen my relationship with me.
“…helped me deepen the relationship with me…” YES
Ha! I just replied YES to your post before scrolling down and seeing this 🙂
This is inspiring, I relate: “Finding gratefulness for my own life has also helped me build resilience and release relationships that do not serve me – that has helped me deepen my relationship with me.”
Thanks, Drea! I’ve always wanted everyone to like me – much to a fault in the past. When I realized that I didn’t really like myself, I knew things had to change. Life is much better these days!
I’ve learned to try and listen more, reflect not react and I talk about this site all the time to my family and close friends.
TGIF 🙂
✌️to you and yours Michele.
Happy Friday Michele!
Gratefulness transforms my jealousy into rejoice in the relationship.
My Ngoc, I’ve noticed a lot of improvement in you concerning that area. time after time.
Gratefulness has opened up vulnerabilities, passage ways, to more mutual love and understanding. I am better at communicating my feelings due to the presence that is always there for me through gratefulness. Peace & Love.
Yes, yes, yes,
dear Joseph.
I’m not only better at communicating my feelings,
I actually want to. 🙂
Joseph, I’ve learned to have great respect for vulnerability. It breeds willingness and compassion.
It’s made aware of the interconectedness. Every relationship… the human, with my animal companions, plants, with material items. We all need each other. We are all each other. I am the grateful product of an infinite number of relationships.
Creation is One.
Well said, Avril. We’re not built to go alone.
I think of my sister, whom I really love. She has helped me in many ways financially which is part of it. She’s very successful and my therapist warns me about that, that finally she’ll be concerned about herself. I keep an eye on that cautionary idea. But I have such heartfelt gratitude to her mostly for her closeness that it deepens the relationship.
The financial aspect can get tricky.
I relate to and miss the closeness that I once had with both of my sisters.
There is nothing like a sister.
So I now look for sisterhood in my friendships.
Practicing gratefulness enables me to give more, expect less and enjoy every moment….deepening all relationships.