I belonged to the Gratefulness community
many years ago,
until Gratefulness restructured this web site in 2017.
No one was to blame,
but when this happened
we had a difficult time adjusting to the new format,
and one of our members
created a small online forum
where we could still communicate.
There are only a few of us left,
and I haven’t made a habit of visiting this one often
until only very recently.
I love both forums
for different reasons . . .
between the two
you are both my spiritual community,
as there is little in my earth life
that supports my journey,
and I treasure the people I’ve grown to love.
I feed on your wisdom and your kindness,
and feel genuine compassion and empathy are present here.
You are my refuge
against an alien and bitter world.
Thank you . . .
Namaste.
♥️
I don’t know too many specific communities that bring me joy (of course this community does), but I do know that, a while ago, I decided to be an active participant and not a spectator or bystander in my life. So, at work or with friends or just out in the world, I raise my hand or lend a hand and I will give my two cents instead of just sitting there. I like to be one of the people that brings the joy. Especially at work or other places that could use some positively.
I just moved to another state and finding communities has been on my mind. When I think of the various communities I am in I cannot but help think of the fact that I still need more community. I do love the communities I am a part of. My presence and participation can help them thrive.
This community naturally comes to mind, but this morning, I took some time to reflect on the different communities I’m part of. Working from home and spending a lot of time alone can sometimes create a sense of disconnection from the outside world. I think a initial step in helping any community I am part of to thrive would be first identifying what brings me joy, acknowledge and recognize my belonging and place within a community, and then finding ways to actively contribute in meaningful ways.
This one, of course! I help it thrive by showing up, writing, responding, and suggesting new questions (remember to do that so we get more variety!).
I have a group of women I connected with during early COVID thanks to my younger daughter suggesting a series of online workshops. Several of us bonded and we now have monthly Zoom calls and a text thread so I just sent off “Have a Thriving Thursday!” to that.
My improv class brings me great joy. It’s a new series with some new students along with us regulars, and I can help that community thrive by encouraging their participation.
The biking community used to be very central in my life. I’ve found I do less riding, more walking, and I help the bike community thrive more by doing my job (to create more active transportation facilities and keep people informed about policies and programs) than by participating in group rides (rare this time of year anyway–frost on the ground). One of my friends is planning to start up a casual Sunday women’s ride and I’ll participate in that to help get it rolling to support women who may be less confident riders.
The art community in my city brings joy to me.
There are lots of classes given by artists and many venues to see local, and regional art.
I could help them thrive by attending more opening shows and becoming more involved
in showing my own work.
Sending joy to all on this lovely Thursday!
After reading everyone’s responses, I would like to add two more communities.
As of Nov of last year I have started meeting with an online grief group that meets monthly.
This group has helped me begin to deal with the loss of my sister, who passed two years ago in February.
I help them thrive by fully participating and showing appreciation for the online sessions.
And of course this group. I appreciate and learn so much from all of you!!!
Participating here in this forum of replying to the Daily Question and in doing so, it might help thrive the community as well as possibly individually, which both reflects back to the whole. My meditation group does also, the community which unfolds through meditating in stillness and so sometimes substancially widening perspective, insight and wisdom.
The online YTT program I’m in has multiple weekly zoom meetings and office hours. Many are open topic, but a few are specific. There’s a Thursday meeting on the Yoga Sutras that I really love. The Sutras are full of wisdom, and I get so much from being able to discuss them with others. When I restarted my YTT, I told myself that I would be an active participant in the various meetings they offer since before I mostly kept my camera and mic off to just listen. I know my participation is not only good for me, but for the others as well since we all learn so much thru that open discussion.
This community brings joy and wisdom as well. I can’t remember when I joined, but it’s been quite some years now. The diversity of life experiences we all have are really beautiful, and the level of sharing here is inspiring. I’m grateful that we can all come together in this safe space. Our reflections help the space thrive. I also donate since there are the wonderful behind-the-scenes people who work to keep it going. Thanks to them and each of you for all that you do.
There are a multitude of natural communities of plants and animals I interact with regularly. The very nature of that interaction is how I might contribute to them. First of all by being conscious and aware of the fact that I do impact them by my presence. It can so easily slip from being nurturing to being counter productive. Many of the day-to-day choices I make distant from them impact them.
Evelyn Underhill defines mysticism as ‘union with reality’ which points to many aspects and brings up many further questions I know. Not the least of which is what is reality? But, for this question posed this morning it suffices to point out the relative power of simply paying attention. Taking notice. Seeing a place not just as a bit of passing scenery in a blur, never seeing beneath the surface. But to begin to be a better observer of the magic this planet displays all the time.
For in my experience, all I need to do is have a seed of curiosity and a slight tilt of my head when I look, and the place responds. It reveals. It engages. And it is my belief that this becomes an energetic exchange that helps the place thrive and, most importantly, accepts me as a part of it, even if for a few moments.
There is not a performer or an actor out there who does not know this deeply. For the audience is very much a part of the entertainment. It has a role. Without an audience, it’s simply a rehearsal.
Good Morning, I am down in sunny Florida visiting my daughter’s community. Went to her AA meeting and presented her 1 year medallion last night. I am so grateful for this opportunity and over joyed with all of her support here. Met her sponsor and friends and coworkers. My daughter saw the #’s 444 two times yesterday and my car rental was in spot 444. Never knew the meaning but if you look it up it means angels are watching and protecting . We also learned from her doctor her heart is doing perfect from her surgery a year ago. I am full of joy!
I am full of joy for you Robin Ann!
What a beautiful time this is for you.
I am sure this entire community is rejoicing with you
Sending love to your family and to your daughter’s supportive community!
♥️♥️♥️
This is magical. How lucky for us we are able to share in it! And I am not sure where you are in the State but here in the Southeast it is the most spectacular day! Enjoy!
This community brings me joy; I look forward to being engaged with each of you each morning. As others have mentioned, there is so much lived experience here, so much wisdom, beautiful writings, open sharing, inspiration. I often will jot down an idea or provocative thought. Sometimes I will take a screen-shot of a writing I want to be able to reference later.
Howie sent me to the dictionary, I believe yesterday, to look up the word “emory” to understand its’ meaning in the way he used it in a sentence. And on it goes.
In terms of helping this community thrive, one way is show up, read, comment when I am moved to do so, and write a response, especially when initially I might think, “we just had a similar question”! I can also contribute questions, which I haven’t to date. Another way is to make a regular donation to grateful.org. And perhaps simply to say thank you to each and everyone one of you for bringing centeredness to my life.
I am so happy to have been a place of traction for you! Although I cannot help but wonder at my use of the word ’emory’ and giggled reading this as I can’t help but wonder if I might have meant to write memory! LOLLOLLLOL…count on me to send folks off on wild goose hunts! And if you catch them tickle them! The geese love that!
This is expressed so well and truthfully. It is hard to explain the daily benefits I get from reading the comments here and those in the grateful lounge.
The recovery community not only brings me joy it has saved my life over and over again. Members who live by its principles are a curious mix of freedom/responsibility and connection/independence that seems to allow community as I’ve never experienced before.
I am appreciating your describing the recovery community as “a curious mix of freedom/responsibility and connection/independence”. That made me pause and consider; and I am thinking that this actually defines the concept of all community. Interesting – makes me ponder what it is that collectively draws community together, while simultaneously, it is required that a community is made up of individuals – leading to this inevitable curious mix. Anyway – it is engaging for me to think about this, so thank you, Dawn Elaine for expressing this. I mean, take “family” ! is that not a curious mix of freedom/responsibility with connection/independence!? Good to ponder!!
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I belonged to the Gratefulness community
many years ago,
until Gratefulness restructured this web site in 2017.
No one was to blame,
but when this happened
we had a difficult time adjusting to the new format,
and one of our members
created a small online forum
where we could still communicate.
There are only a few of us left,
and I haven’t made a habit of visiting this one often
until only very recently.
I love both forums
for different reasons . . .
between the two
you are both my spiritual community,
as there is little in my earth life
that supports my journey,
and I treasure the people I’ve grown to love.
I feed on your wisdom and your kindness,
and feel genuine compassion and empathy are present here.
You are my refuge
against an alien and bitter world.
Thank you . . .
Namaste.
♥️
I don’t know too many specific communities that bring me joy (of course this community does), but I do know that, a while ago, I decided to be an active participant and not a spectator or bystander in my life. So, at work or with friends or just out in the world, I raise my hand or lend a hand and I will give my two cents instead of just sitting there. I like to be one of the people that brings the joy. Especially at work or other places that could use some positively.
Family and Friends gathered bring me joy.
I just moved to another state and finding communities has been on my mind. When I think of the various communities I am in I cannot but help think of the fact that I still need more community. I do love the communities I am a part of. My presence and participation can help them thrive.
This community naturally comes to mind, but this morning, I took some time to reflect on the different communities I’m part of. Working from home and spending a lot of time alone can sometimes create a sense of disconnection from the outside world. I think a initial step in helping any community I am part of to thrive would be first identifying what brings me joy, acknowledge and recognize my belonging and place within a community, and then finding ways to actively contribute in meaningful ways.
This one, of course! I help it thrive by showing up, writing, responding, and suggesting new questions (remember to do that so we get more variety!).
I have a group of women I connected with during early COVID thanks to my younger daughter suggesting a series of online workshops. Several of us bonded and we now have monthly Zoom calls and a text thread so I just sent off “Have a Thriving Thursday!” to that.
My improv class brings me great joy. It’s a new series with some new students along with us regulars, and I can help that community thrive by encouraging their participation.
The biking community used to be very central in my life. I’ve found I do less riding, more walking, and I help the bike community thrive more by doing my job (to create more active transportation facilities and keep people informed about policies and programs) than by participating in group rides (rare this time of year anyway–frost on the ground). One of my friends is planning to start up a casual Sunday women’s ride and I’ll participate in that to help get it rolling to support women who may be less confident riders.
The art community in my city brings joy to me.
There are lots of classes given by artists and many venues to see local, and regional art.
I could help them thrive by attending more opening shows and becoming more involved
in showing my own work.
Sending joy to all on this lovely Thursday!
After reading everyone’s responses, I would like to add two more communities.
As of Nov of last year I have started meeting with an online grief group that meets monthly.
This group has helped me begin to deal with the loss of my sister, who passed two years ago in February.
I help them thrive by fully participating and showing appreciation for the online sessions.
And of course this group. I appreciate and learn so much from all of you!!!
Participating here in this forum of replying to the Daily Question and in doing so, it might help thrive the community as well as possibly individually, which both reflects back to the whole. My meditation group does also, the community which unfolds through meditating in stillness and so sometimes substancially widening perspective, insight and wisdom.
The Daily Question community brings me joy and wisdom. By participating daily it thrives and we all grow. It is such a blessing.
The online YTT program I’m in has multiple weekly zoom meetings and office hours. Many are open topic, but a few are specific. There’s a Thursday meeting on the Yoga Sutras that I really love. The Sutras are full of wisdom, and I get so much from being able to discuss them with others. When I restarted my YTT, I told myself that I would be an active participant in the various meetings they offer since before I mostly kept my camera and mic off to just listen. I know my participation is not only good for me, but for the others as well since we all learn so much thru that open discussion.
This community brings joy and wisdom as well. I can’t remember when I joined, but it’s been quite some years now. The diversity of life experiences we all have are really beautiful, and the level of sharing here is inspiring. I’m grateful that we can all come together in this safe space. Our reflections help the space thrive. I also donate since there are the wonderful behind-the-scenes people who work to keep it going. Thanks to them and each of you for all that you do.
My family and my mom’s group of friends bring me joy. Improving upon my Vietnamese is my way to help these groups thrive.
There are a multitude of natural communities of plants and animals I interact with regularly. The very nature of that interaction is how I might contribute to them. First of all by being conscious and aware of the fact that I do impact them by my presence. It can so easily slip from being nurturing to being counter productive. Many of the day-to-day choices I make distant from them impact them.
Evelyn Underhill defines mysticism as ‘union with reality’ which points to many aspects and brings up many further questions I know. Not the least of which is what is reality? But, for this question posed this morning it suffices to point out the relative power of simply paying attention. Taking notice. Seeing a place not just as a bit of passing scenery in a blur, never seeing beneath the surface. But to begin to be a better observer of the magic this planet displays all the time.
For in my experience, all I need to do is have a seed of curiosity and a slight tilt of my head when I look, and the place responds. It reveals. It engages. And it is my belief that this becomes an energetic exchange that helps the place thrive and, most importantly, accepts me as a part of it, even if for a few moments.
There is not a performer or an actor out there who does not know this deeply. For the audience is very much a part of the entertainment. It has a role. Without an audience, it’s simply a rehearsal.
Good Morning, I am down in sunny Florida visiting my daughter’s community. Went to her AA meeting and presented her 1 year medallion last night. I am so grateful for this opportunity and over joyed with all of her support here. Met her sponsor and friends and coworkers. My daughter saw the #’s 444 two times yesterday and my car rental was in spot 444. Never knew the meaning but if you look it up it means angels are watching and protecting . We also learned from her doctor her heart is doing perfect from her surgery a year ago. I am full of joy!
You and your daughter
are so fortunate,
dear Robin Ann,
to be together for this milestone…
I celebrate with you
with love… ♥
I am full of joy for you Robin Ann!
What a beautiful time this is for you.
I am sure this entire community is rejoicing with you
Sending love to your family and to your daughter’s supportive community!
♥️♥️♥️
And rightfully so. Enjoy all the pleasure it gives you and your daughter.
That’s so wonderful that you could be there with her for such a big occasion. Love the meaningful numbers, too. Enjoy your time together.
This is magical. How lucky for us we are able to share in it! And I am not sure where you are in the State but here in the Southeast it is the most spectacular day! Enjoy!
As it is in the NE Florida in Jacksonville. ☀️☀️☀️
This community brings me joy; I look forward to being engaged with each of you each morning. As others have mentioned, there is so much lived experience here, so much wisdom, beautiful writings, open sharing, inspiration. I often will jot down an idea or provocative thought. Sometimes I will take a screen-shot of a writing I want to be able to reference later.
Howie sent me to the dictionary, I believe yesterday, to look up the word “emory” to understand its’ meaning in the way he used it in a sentence. And on it goes.
In terms of helping this community thrive, one way is show up, read, comment when I am moved to do so, and write a response, especially when initially I might think, “we just had a similar question”! I can also contribute questions, which I haven’t to date. Another way is to make a regular donation to grateful.org. And perhaps simply to say thank you to each and everyone one of you for bringing centeredness to my life.
I am so happy to have been a place of traction for you! Although I cannot help but wonder at my use of the word ’emory’ and giggled reading this as I can’t help but wonder if I might have meant to write memory! LOLLOLLLOL…count on me to send folks off on wild goose hunts! And if you catch them tickle them! The geese love that!
This is expressed so well and truthfully. It is hard to explain the daily benefits I get from reading the comments here and those in the grateful lounge.
The recovery community not only brings me joy it has saved my life over and over again. Members who live by its principles are a curious mix of freedom/responsibility and connection/independence that seems to allow community as I’ve never experienced before.
I am appreciating your describing the recovery community as “a curious mix of freedom/responsibility and connection/independence”. That made me pause and consider; and I am thinking that this actually defines the concept of all community. Interesting – makes me ponder what it is that collectively draws community together, while simultaneously, it is required that a community is made up of individuals – leading to this inevitable curious mix. Anyway – it is engaging for me to think about this, so thank you, Dawn Elaine for expressing this. I mean, take “family” ! is that not a curious mix of freedom/responsibility with connection/independence!? Good to ponder!!
That sounds amazing.