Reflections

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  1. Christina Rossi75270
    Christina
    4 days ago

    I think of my writing. I plant seeds of hope when I write: hope that I have made something beautiful; hope that it touches the reader; hope that I might be a significant writer someday.

  2. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    4 days ago

    My son was not in good spirits for a few days but now on the up swing. Thankfully one of his BFF that lives with us (who just became a nurse recently) was around. Between the 2 of us we were able to be there for him and listen. I am hopeful and grateful he was able to get on a mild antidepressant fast too. He has been practicing grateful living and journaling in recent months so I am so glad of that (after gently telling him it is very helpful) 👏

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      It all takes time
      and patience,
      dear Robin Ann . . .
      I am grateful
      that your son has loving support
      through this time. ♥

  3. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    4 days ago

    seeds of hope,
    seeds of kindness,
    seeds of love and connection
    seeds of peace,
    truth, friendship and faith.
    These are what I found today
    scattered in the garden of our lives.

    We all want a better world,
    and we all bear love in our hearts
    for a healthy planet
    bonded together in solidarity.
    How do we teach this message?
    How do we inspire others to want Good for us all?
    Why do some
    starve in deserts
    while others wallow in excess and debauchery?
    Why do we bully and kill each other?

    I pray that we nourish these seeds
    so that they grow into gardens of beautiful colour and fragrance,
    touching the coldest and cruelest hearts,
    melting away the hate and greed,
    the fear and rage.

    Something
    has gotta give. ♥

    1. Patti
      sunnypatti
      4 days ago

      I pray that we can melt away the hate and greed, too.

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      I am sorry . . .
      I wrote this
      after watching too much alarming news today. ♥

      1. Mary
        Mary
        4 days ago

        Too much news for me today too’
        I feel like I need to cleanse my mind.

    3. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      4 days ago

      So obvious but so obscure, dear Sparrow.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        1 day ago

        ♥️

  4. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    4 days ago

    I can’t really say I am planting and tending seeds of hope. I’m doing my best to plant seeds of inner and outer peace. I want to have a successful relationship with myself and have come to believe that I can’t really cultivate healthy relationships with any thing or any one without that. Why? Because I will always be motivated by need. I do not tend to see clearly when I feel needy. Instead, I feel clingy. Like I want to hold on. This question makes me think of something I heard a speaker say years ago, “We are not here to be in control or out of control but rather to lose control to the spirit.” Grateful Living offers us a method for doing that.

    I share a link to Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation. It is quite timely and helpful in my opinion.
    https://cac.org/daily-meditations/freedom-for-a-fuller-life/

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      What a beautiful meditation,
      dear Carol Ann . . .
      Francis of Assisi inspires me . . .
      thank you for posting it. ♥

  5. Antoinette88615
    Antoinette
    4 days ago

    I’m actually planting seeds of disappearing if that’s possible! lol 😂 The false self doesn’t exist even and it’s like a ghost overlapping Truth. The seeds I’m planting are for Truth to grow and multiply fully! My only hopes and dreams are to be one with the universe. Thank you 🤩! Happy Friday friends!
    There is a big wind storm here in Norway ! So cool I love October so much ! The changing of seasons is so amazing! Natures flow is wonderful.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      “. . . and it’s like a ghost overlapping Truth.”
      That’s exactly what it is,
      dear Antoinette.
      I honor you
      for putting it this way. ♥

  6. Brian
    Brian
    4 days ago

    Some seeds of hope I am actively planting and tending include (1) cheerleading and assisting as necessary my two children aged 23 and 25 as they enter young adulthood and living on their own, and (2) teaching 2 undergraduate courses on a part-time basis, shepherding young, primarily freshman and sophomore undergraduate minds on their academic journey

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      You are a gift to the future of our world,
      dear Brian . . . ♥

  7. Elizabeth H67151
    Elizabeth H
    4 days ago

    I recently have been reading Sister Chan Khong’s book, “Learning True Love, Practicing Buddhism in a Time of War.” While there is much disturbing stuff in the book, I get hope from reading about all of her selfless work, and how she found ways to keep balance and compassion and courage even in some really intense times. I also get hope thinking about the beautiful global movement of Engaged Buddhism that was birthed in the midst of the horrors of what was going on during the Vietnam War.

    I get a lot of hope from Valarie Kaur and her Revolutionary Love Project. Tonight, my husband and I are planning to attend a Livestream of an event of hers that is going on in Denver– I know that will nourish our hope. By supporting the event, I feel that I am also helping tend the seeds that she is sowing. https://www.milehichurch.org/calendar/see-no-stranger-with-valarie-kaur/

    Last night I facilitated a Zoom call with 4 friends, where we shared about people who are doing courageous things to stand up for democracy and human rights and then we wrote thank you cards or comments on social media to thank them.

    I feel that the podcast Nonviolence Radio ( https://www.mettacenter.org/nonviolenceradio ) plants seeds of hope, and by recently starting to volunteer to do their transcripts (after the previous transcriptionist was unable to continue doing that), I am helping nourish those seeds.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      You inspire me,
      dear Elizabeth,
      with your active engagement with this world.
      I admire that in you,
      and will research some of your references . . . ♥

      1. Elizabeth H67151
        Elizabeth H
        3 days ago

        Thank you, dear Sparrow ♥️

  8. D
    Drea
    4 days ago

    Good health, intimacy with friends and loved ones, community, patience.

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      4 days ago

      Drea, I resignate with you on community as I’m finding that more with my Vietnamese people. My mom and I are developing more common interests based on some of my recent posts and even comments on answers from other participants.

      1. D
        Drea
        4 days ago

        That’s really nice to hear, Loc.

        1. L
          Loc Tran
          4 days ago

          Thanks Drea, That sets the stage perfectly for me for today’s question.

  9. Ngoc Nguyen
    Ngoc Nguyen
    5 days ago

    Even though the process may take 17 to 20 years, I still hope that one day my family will be reunited in the United States. For now, what I can do is focus on my education, build a stable life, and listen to God’s guidance about my sister’s immigration in the future. Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      4 days ago

      My Ngoc, that would be a dream come true. As for now, we just need to stay the course.

  10. Patti
    sunnypatti
    5 days ago

    I plant seeds of hope by being kind to everyone, knowing that it ripples out into the world. Despite what’s happening in the world, I still have hope for people to learn to love more and judge less. I also continue to plant seeds of hope for my future as a Yoga Therapist. Teaching and continuing my education now will help me get into a certification program when the time is right.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      You plant seeds of hope,
      dear SunnyPatti,
      every time you post here . . .
      I know you have ‘bad’ days,
      but you always put forth sunshine and light
      on these pages . . . ♥

      1. Patti
        sunnypatti
        4 days ago

        Thank you, Sparrow. I do my best to share light, even when a ‘bad’ day sneaks up on me 🙂

  11. L
    Loc Tran
    5 days ago

    My protective walls are steadily and gradually coming down. Antoinette’s advice from yesterday of letting go of: concepts, views, and self is easier now at this point of my life, because I’ve settled on my part-time piano jobs rather than exploring employment. The 2 stages are opposites of each other like day and night.

    1. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      4 days ago

      Loc Tran, it is so easy to tell ourselves and others to let go. It is a lot easier when we get older I think too, because we have a much bigger view of life . It’s easy to see how fast things fall apart, if you will. We need to take small steps each day and bit by bit our lives change . Cool you play the piano! How lovely. If I’m ever back in Minnesota I’ll hope to hear you play!

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        4 days ago

        I too,
        dear Loc,
        would love to hear you play. ♥

      2. L
        Loc Tran
        4 days ago

        Agree, Antoinette. It is a process. A key strength I have from childhood is patience. Piano will help with that. Speaking of which, it would be cool to run into each other, and I’d love to play for you.

  12. Michele
    Michele
    5 days ago

    My daily ritual of coming onto this website brings me peace and serenity.

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the Jewish Community on the horrific attack in Manchester U.K. yesterday – especially on Yom Kippur.

  13. EJP
    EJP
    5 days ago

    My family reunited in love and peace…..it’s on its way.

  14. T
    TomG
    5 days ago

    While acknowledging the challenges, grief and trauma our community is going through, we are choosing to look for tangible signs of hope.
    In searching for them, I find they are all around. Many are very small seeds, but in recognizing them and talking about them, I feel they must be able to take root.
    Talking about people caring for others, people seeking faith, standing up for human dignity, and finding good in other’s intentions (if not their actions). Tangible signs of hope are all around us, if we dare to recognize them.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      4 days ago

      I hear the grief in your voice,
      dear Tom,
      and speaking of the very small seeds,
      I remember
      that the mustard seed is so very tiny,
      but when planted and nourished
      It grows into a very large, strong tree . . .
      keep spreading those seeds
      with love . . . ♥

    2. Elizabeth H67151
      Elizabeth H
      4 days ago

      I am sorry to hear that your community is one of the communities going through trauma right now, TomG. I am very inspired by what you have written: “Many are very small seeds, but in recognizing them and talking about them, I feel they must be able to take root. Talking about people caring for others, people seeking faith, standing up for human dignity, and finding good in other’s intentions (if not their actions). Tangible signs of hope are all around us, if we dare to recognize them.”

  15. Joseph
    Joseph McCann
    5 days ago

    I have been having a difficult time since I tried to post from a hotel in Tucson 8 days ago. I have seeds of hope that the gratefulness team will refix the issue, which they did once 5 or so days ago. It worked day or two then not. Peace & love.

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