I do not want to take for granted that I am still here” trucking along”. My Mom died at 63 years old and I am going on 66. I was out helping shovel also during this storm!
The older I get,
the more I am reminded to be grateful
to come out of my dreams in the morning,
and be conscious of this world . . .
open my eyes and see,
draw breath and let it out,
feel my body stretch out like a cat’s . . .
they taught me that.
If for nothing else in the moment
I am grateful for this. ♥
Sparrow, at the age I am being 34, coming to the realization that the time being around my parents and people from their generation getting shorter makes me appreciate them even more.
As I read through all your lists, I’m aware of so much for which to be grateful and so much I don’t want to take for granted. It’s is a challenge to not take anything for granted! The first thing I thought of was my husband’s love for me. He loves me so unconditionally. I never want to forget that. My health, natural resources, which we use so casually, our freedom and rights in the US, that are currently under scrutiny. I try to be mindful, but we become so conditioned and callous in our standard of living. I pray my mind and eyes will be opened on a daily basis.
One of the things I do not take for granted is water. Having lived in Arizona for several years, I was very aware of the scarcity of water. In fact, fights over water have already begun. I also do not want to take my freedom for granted. I think of Ukraine and how it’s people are fighting to keep their freedom while our country negotiates to help their enemy. I think of my vote in elections and how I have always taken it for granted. I read Richard Rohr’s meditation this morning and then I read today’s quote. I found it helpful and wanted to share it with you.
“Beginner’s mind is a way of life. Each day we are challenged to see the same familiar people and landscapes with new eyes. Just as the cosmos is created and sustained anew each moment, everything is alive and changing, ourselves included, if we are spiritually awake and paying attention…. When we see existence as alive with possibility, we ‘come out of Egypt’, our personal places of bondage and constriction.”
When we feel the lack,
like you did with water,
dear Carol Ann,
we are reminded to be grateful for it.
Richard Rohr’s meditation
reminds me
that to stay awake to gratitude,
I must approach each day
with Beginner’s mind.
Thank you for this insight . . .
it is valuable to me
and to how I live every day.
Namaste ♥
My hands – lately I’ve been thinking about all the things my hands have enabled me to do in my life, from playing in the dirt as a child to holding my own kids to gardening to taking care of others. . . The list is endless if I take a few minutes to reflect.
What a gift to have two strong and healthy hands:).
I would like to stay conscious of my breath. It keeps me alive, and breathing deeply brings a sense of calmness and groundednesss. I want to consciously come back to my breath throughout my day and use my breath for positivity and calmness. I would like focusing on my breath to become a habit. When forming a habit, it helps me to attach it to things that I normally do. Coming and going from my house and my car, and the time before and after meals will be good times for me to focus on my breath. I can use yellow stickies as reminders. This will be a starting point for remembering to focus on my breath throughout my day. Peace and love to all today.
My husband- his presence when I emotionally unload about past traumas, present feelings and life in general. Heat/warmth- I know not everyone has that luxury. My health- especially after hearing Mayra’s story this morning. The freedom of being home- not being confined to the average workday or commute. A comfortable financial situation. Family-that despite our past disagreements, we’re all still alive and able to get together and enjoy each other’s company. The time I had with H & A. It went by in the blink of an eye, but they brought more to my life than I ever knew.
I am very aware of the precariousness of this life.
As I sit here and think of things that I might take for granted, it’s become clear, that I don’t take any of this for granted. My eyes are too open and I have never felt the entitlement that is so common in my part of the world. This may be a reflection of my slightly low self esteem, I’ve never had the attitude, that the world owes me something or that there’s an inherent fairness in the universe. Accepting things as they are, and not how I think they should be or wish they were, has been freeing for me.
Now, do I take things for granted, of course, but when I try to name that thing, it disappears into gratitude. 🙏
Food–having enough healthy, sanitary, nourishing, fresh food to eat. Clean water coming straight from the faucet. Being able to walk outside and enjoy anonymity. Driving a reliable car. Riding our extensive bike paths. The friendly culture of this city. The goodwill and kindness of friends. Climate-controlled indoors. The ability to take a shower whenever I want to. There is so much. I’ve gone without all of these things at some point in my life, I don’t want to take them for granted.
Drea, the three years that I was a nomad following a big bunch of sheep in the early eighties, better known as sheepherding, I slept in wall tents and sheep wagons. Most modern convivences were set aside. The six weeks we stayed at the lambing sheds brought back living like regular folks for awhile. I do not want to take that for granted.
I never take my car for granted either,
dear Drea . . .
I’ve always driven ‘beaters’,
and I’d hold my breath
every time i put the key in the ignition,
never knowing if it would start.
I thank my car
every time it takes me
where I need to go. ♥
I do not want to take for granted that I will get a second chance to do something, be something, go somewhere, show up for someone or something. In other words, say yes when opportunities come my way, or I have the chance to create an opportunity for others. This does not mean I am not discerning in my response to life’s opportunities, rather that I am engaged as fully as I can be.🩷
This life I’ve been given. Each breath I take. My hands – they do so much every day, including typing on this laptop right now. My feet for walking me around. My health. Having clean water, a roof over my head, heat. And my husband and the healthy, fun relationship we have.
But I will share this video – Yoga for Tired Feet. I have practiced it more times than I can count. Leslie was my youtube teacher for years, and I sometimes still go back to her videos. She passed a few years back, and I felt like I lost a friend. Anyhow, perhaps you might enjoy this video – https://youtu.be/0td06icJotQ
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I do not want to take for granted that I am still here” trucking along”. My Mom died at 63 years old and I am going on 66. I was out helping shovel also during this storm!
The older I get,
the more I am reminded to be grateful
to come out of my dreams in the morning,
and be conscious of this world . . .
open my eyes and see,
draw breath and let it out,
feel my body stretch out like a cat’s . . .
they taught me that.
If for nothing else in the moment
I am grateful for this. ♥
Cats know how to relax and they know how to stretch.
I am trying to learn both from my cats.
They are happy to show us how, aren’t they. 😸😸😸😸
Indeed they are,
dear Mary. 🙂
♥️
Sparrow, at the age I am being 34, coming to the realization that the time being around my parents and people from their generation getting shorter makes me appreciate them even more.
Yes,
dear Loc . . .
this happened with me too,
as my parents got older. ♥
My good health.
My breath.
Sunshine.
Peace in my world.
Truth. Brave truth-tellers.
🕊️❤️
Brave truth-tellers are so important. Thank you for that, PKR.
As I read through all your lists, I’m aware of so much for which to be grateful and so much I don’t want to take for granted. It’s is a challenge to not take anything for granted! The first thing I thought of was my husband’s love for me. He loves me so unconditionally. I never want to forget that. My health, natural resources, which we use so casually, our freedom and rights in the US, that are currently under scrutiny. I try to be mindful, but we become so conditioned and callous in our standard of living. I pray my mind and eyes will be opened on a daily basis.
I do not take my life for granted. I want to live my life fully day by day, really moment by moment .
Today, I woke up fresh and safe in a cozy house. I appreciate that I don’t have to worry about food, heat, or safety. I am truly blessed. ⚘
My Ngoc, always fun waking up with you by my side.
One of the things I do not take for granted is water. Having lived in Arizona for several years, I was very aware of the scarcity of water. In fact, fights over water have already begun. I also do not want to take my freedom for granted. I think of Ukraine and how it’s people are fighting to keep their freedom while our country negotiates to help their enemy. I think of my vote in elections and how I have always taken it for granted. I read Richard Rohr’s meditation this morning and then I read today’s quote. I found it helpful and wanted to share it with you.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/manna-an-invitation-to-something-new/
Thank you for the additional reading, Carol Ann. Fresh eyes are so valuable in seeing freshness in our days.🩷
Thank you Carol Ann, for the link and the read.
“Beginner’s mind is a way of life. Each day we are challenged to see the same familiar people and landscapes with new eyes. Just as the cosmos is created and sustained anew each moment, everything is alive and changing, ourselves included, if we are spiritually awake and paying attention…. When we see existence as alive with possibility, we ‘come out of Egypt’, our personal places of bondage and constriction.”
When we feel the lack,
like you did with water,
dear Carol Ann,
we are reminded to be grateful for it.
Richard Rohr’s meditation
reminds me
that to stay awake to gratitude,
I must approach each day
with Beginner’s mind.
Thank you for this insight . . .
it is valuable to me
and to how I live every day.
Namaste ♥
Loc Tran, is this what you mean when you speak of beginners mind?
My hands – lately I’ve been thinking about all the things my hands have enabled me to do in my life, from playing in the dirt as a child to holding my own kids to gardening to taking care of others. . . The list is endless if I take a few minutes to reflect.
What a gift to have two strong and healthy hands:).
So lovely, Noska. Thank you.🩷
I love my hands too,
dear Noska . . .
they have worked hard,
given to helping,
holding,
and loving . . .
I love your reflection today. ♥
I would like to stay conscious of my breath. It keeps me alive, and breathing deeply brings a sense of calmness and groundednesss. I want to consciously come back to my breath throughout my day and use my breath for positivity and calmness. I would like focusing on my breath to become a habit. When forming a habit, it helps me to attach it to things that I normally do. Coming and going from my house and my car, and the time before and after meals will be good times for me to focus on my breath. I can use yellow stickies as reminders. This will be a starting point for remembering to focus on my breath throughout my day. Peace and love to all today.
As Dr Lynn Rossy says; When the mind begins to wander bring it back to the breath. Always helps me.
My husband- his presence when I emotionally unload about past traumas, present feelings and life in general. Heat/warmth- I know not everyone has that luxury. My health- especially after hearing Mayra’s story this morning. The freedom of being home- not being confined to the average workday or commute. A comfortable financial situation. Family-that despite our past disagreements, we’re all still alive and able to get together and enjoy each other’s company. The time I had with H & A. It went by in the blink of an eye, but they brought more to my life than I ever knew.
I am very aware of the precariousness of this life.
As I sit here and think of things that I might take for granted, it’s become clear, that I don’t take any of this for granted. My eyes are too open and I have never felt the entitlement that is so common in my part of the world. This may be a reflection of my slightly low self esteem, I’ve never had the attitude, that the world owes me something or that there’s an inherent fairness in the universe. Accepting things as they are, and not how I think they should be or wish they were, has been freeing for me.
Now, do I take things for granted, of course, but when I try to name that thing, it disappears into gratitude. 🙏
My mother in law would say “if you have your health you have it all.” Words of wisdom.
Yram, My dad would always say “health is wealth”. So true.
Have a good day. 🙏🏻❤️
YRAM, so true!
Food–having enough healthy, sanitary, nourishing, fresh food to eat. Clean water coming straight from the faucet. Being able to walk outside and enjoy anonymity. Driving a reliable car. Riding our extensive bike paths. The friendly culture of this city. The goodwill and kindness of friends. Climate-controlled indoors. The ability to take a shower whenever I want to. There is so much. I’ve gone without all of these things at some point in my life, I don’t want to take them for granted.
Drea, the three years that I was a nomad following a big bunch of sheep in the early eighties, better known as sheepherding, I slept in wall tents and sheep wagons. Most modern convivences were set aside. The six weeks we stayed at the lambing sheds brought back living like regular folks for awhile. I do not want to take that for granted.
Great list, Drea. These are things that are easy to take for granted, but we are really so very fortunate to have them.
I never take my car for granted either,
dear Drea . . .
I’ve always driven ‘beaters’,
and I’d hold my breath
every time i put the key in the ignition,
never knowing if it would start.
I thank my car
every time it takes me
where I need to go. ♥
I do not want to take for granted that I will get a second chance to do something, be something, go somewhere, show up for someone or something. In other words, say yes when opportunities come my way, or I have the chance to create an opportunity for others. This does not mean I am not discerning in my response to life’s opportunities, rather that I am engaged as fully as I can be.🩷
Thank you Mary, much wisdom in this
Yes, Mary, thank you for pointing this out!
You are so right,
dear Mary . . .
we can never take for granted
that we will be given second chances. ♥
Mary Mantei, Wisdom that it took me many years to learn.
I like this. 😌
This life I’ve been given. Each breath I take. My hands – they do so much every day, including typing on this laptop right now. My feet for walking me around. My health. Having clean water, a roof over my head, heat. And my husband and the healthy, fun relationship we have.
Feet! Yes, hardworking feet, I had been taking mine for granted. Now I want a foot massage.
me too . . . 🙂
I want one, too!
But I will share this video – Yoga for Tired Feet. I have practiced it more times than I can count. Leslie was my youtube teacher for years, and I sometimes still go back to her videos. She passed a few years back, and I felt like I lost a friend. Anyhow, perhaps you might enjoy this video –
https://youtu.be/0td06icJotQ