The sun rises every day like clockwork,
almost as perfectly as our scientists can manage it,
and sets the same way.
Rain or shine.
Sleet or snow.
At least in this reality
it does.
My mind thinks clearly,
although I am sometimes confused
as to what is a construct of my mind
and what is really true in the world.
Apples smell like apples,
and honeysuckle
smells like honey.
Cotton feels soft against my skin
and fiberglass insulation itches.
I think I know love
and then wonder
if I know love at all . . .
I wonder
how much is illusion,
smoke and mirrors.
One day
I saw a peacock in my back yard,
and felt like I’d seen a unicorn . . .
then I wondered
if it was all a mirage . . .
a trick of the mind.
My reality
is different from your reality,
and different from the boy’s reality
as he walks home from his shift at McDonald’s,
and the reality experienced
by a wealthy woman donning her jewels
for an evening out.
I believe things with my whole heart,
but I’m not SURE of anything.
I act on those beliefs
and live my life based upon them . . .
I have feelings about what I think I am sure about,
but I don’t know.
My heart has lied to me before.
So,
bottom line,
I think perhaps
that I am sure about nothing. ♥
I know that I don’t know much, and I’m not even sure of that. ☺️😇
I do know that love and gratefulness bring hope and joy.
Things change and trying to hold on to the past does not help me.
I know that when I’m kind, I usually feel better.
I know that life is more joyful when I experience it in the present.
I guess I do know a few things. Sending love.
What do I know for sure? Not much! I know that what is IS. NOW is where I need to be.
I share a mediation from my 2023 journal.
Morning Meds Dec 11 2023 The God of my Understanding
“Have patience with everything that is unsolved in your heart and try to cherish the questions themselves.” Rainer Maria Rilke
What new insights are emerging for me lately? I’m reminded of the importance of “living my questions.” This is not a new insight for me but today’s quote at gratefulness.org is an “in my face” reminder. You see I spent so many years focusing on a need for “the answer.” When I had “the answer” then I could live.
Then I had what I call “a blinding glimpse of the obvious.” I was getting older and “the answer” was not manifesting so I changed my focus. I no longer sought “the answer.” The question moved from “Why me?” and the lament from “If only” to “What do I know for sure, anyway?” When I no longer focused on “the answer,” I became teachable. I could live my questions instead of waiting for answers.
I learned that my job was willingness. I began to understand that to have faith is not about believing man-made dogma. It’s about learning that Life is trustworthy and so am I. The God of my Understanding is an evolutionary God that says, “I am with you always” with every breath I take.
I resonate completely with your beautiful reflection,
dear Carol Ann.
Like you,
I have come to the place you mention . . .
I too,
had a startling realization
that seeking ‘answers’
was not the way,
and I too,
became teachable in that moment.
Thank you so much,
dear friend,
for your heartfelt and honest responses. ♥
I know for sure that I will never know everything for sure 🙂
But I do know that I am a divine being of light.
I know that my husband and dogs love me and I love them.
I know that seasons change, both in nature and in ourselves.
I know that a home-grown tomato tastes a thousand times better than a store-bought tomato.
I know that my hope and faith in humanity are seen as crazy sometimes, but I don’t care.
I know how powerful the breath is.
I also know that I am such a water girl and was meant to live close to the ocean. After being away from it for almost two years (minus some short trips), I am very much looking forward to moving in a few months!
It struck me,
dear SunnyPatti,
that your response
reflected a sweetness inside of you
I had not identified before . . .
and I also agree with you
that a tomatoe grown in the garden
is 1000x better than store bought. 🙂
Love this list, SunnyPatti! Especially this one “I know that seasons change, both in nature and in ourselves.” and so much truth in this one “I know that a home-grown tomato tastes a thousand times better than a store-bought tomato.”
This question is inspiring me to write a blog post with my list and keep adding to it for a while until I feel ready to publish. Could I add these with a note that they came from a post on grateful.org?
Seeds are amazing.
Every single day the earth will rotate, we’ll see the sun and then the stars.
I need to get outside and be in nature on a regular basis.
Riding my bike makes me happy.
My sweetheart’s gift of making us affogatos this morning as a treat was A Very Good Idea.
He loves me.
I love him.
We’ve made a good home together.
I love my children and they love me.
I’ve raised them to be good human beings.
I will can more food this year than we can eat or give away. (Today it’s going to be sweet & salty pickled cherries and cherry chocolate jam, thanks to yesterday’s visit to the farmers’ market.)
I’m a good cook.
My work makes a difference in the world.
Life is too short not to eat good chocolate.
Looking at the sky every day centers me and gives me peace.
I feel as if I could keep adding to this list for quite a while! I’ll stop here.
What a beautiful list,
dear Barb . . .
I think I’d enjoy an affogato right now.
(I had to look it up),
and a jar of your cherry chocolate jam
would go well with a crossaint.
Thank you for the taste bud tingle. 🙂
Change is a constant
There is positive and negative energy
Bad things happened to good people
October is a favorite month and Halloween is a magical Holiday (What do “I” know for sure)
Winding Brook Farms has the best haunted hay rides in Montgomery Co, PA.
Choosing love,kindness,empathy,gratefulness helps me
I know for sure I am ready for autumn and cooler weather.
I’m at the half-way mark of my Japan trip and looking forward to returning home to enjoy my regular routine. I have a preference for being at home on Friday, because my interests lie there, especially my buddy systems who share more common ground with me. During the Japan trip, I’ve still been having a good time with family and enjoy dining out eating all that ramen.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
The sun rises every day like clockwork,
almost as perfectly as our scientists can manage it,
and sets the same way.
Rain or shine.
Sleet or snow.
At least in this reality
it does.
My mind thinks clearly,
although I am sometimes confused
as to what is a construct of my mind
and what is really true in the world.
Apples smell like apples,
and honeysuckle
smells like honey.
Cotton feels soft against my skin
and fiberglass insulation itches.
I think I know love
and then wonder
if I know love at all . . .
I wonder
how much is illusion,
smoke and mirrors.
One day
I saw a peacock in my back yard,
and felt like I’d seen a unicorn . . .
then I wondered
if it was all a mirage . . .
a trick of the mind.
My reality
is different from your reality,
and different from the boy’s reality
as he walks home from his shift at McDonald’s,
and the reality experienced
by a wealthy woman donning her jewels
for an evening out.
I believe things with my whole heart,
but I’m not SURE of anything.
I act on those beliefs
and live my life based upon them . . .
I have feelings about what I think I am sure about,
but I don’t know.
My heart has lied to me before.
So,
bottom line,
I think perhaps
that I am sure about nothing. ♥
All different realities that have come together based on our lived experiences. I think 🙂
Namaste, dear Sparrow.
♥️♥️♥️
I know that I don’t know much, and I’m not even sure of that. ☺️😇
I do know that love and gratefulness bring hope and joy.
Things change and trying to hold on to the past does not help me.
I know that when I’m kind, I usually feel better.
I know that life is more joyful when I experience it in the present.
I guess I do know a few things. Sending love.
Sounds like you know a few things to me!
♥️
Thank you, Mary.
♥️
Sending love to you too,
dear Mary. ♥
😊♥️
What do I know for sure? Not much! I know that what is IS. NOW is where I need to be.
I share a mediation from my 2023 journal.
Morning Meds Dec 11 2023 The God of my Understanding
“Have patience with everything that is unsolved in your heart and try to cherish the questions themselves.” Rainer Maria Rilke
What new insights are emerging for me lately? I’m reminded of the importance of “living my questions.” This is not a new insight for me but today’s quote at gratefulness.org is an “in my face” reminder. You see I spent so many years focusing on a need for “the answer.” When I had “the answer” then I could live.
Then I had what I call “a blinding glimpse of the obvious.” I was getting older and “the answer” was not manifesting so I changed my focus. I no longer sought “the answer.” The question moved from “Why me?” and the lament from “If only” to “What do I know for sure, anyway?” When I no longer focused on “the answer,” I became teachable. I could live my questions instead of waiting for answers.
I learned that my job was willingness. I began to understand that to have faith is not about believing man-made dogma. It’s about learning that Life is trustworthy and so am I. The God of my Understanding is an evolutionary God that says, “I am with you always” with every breath I take.
Thank you for the quote and your reflection. Life is trustworthy and so am I 🙏🏼
I resonate completely with your beautiful reflection,
dear Carol Ann.
Like you,
I have come to the place you mention . . .
I too,
had a startling realization
that seeking ‘answers’
was not the way,
and I too,
became teachable in that moment.
Thank you so much,
dear friend,
for your heartfelt and honest responses. ♥
🙂
I know for sure that I will never know everything for sure 🙂
But I do know that I am a divine being of light.
I know that my husband and dogs love me and I love them.
I know that seasons change, both in nature and in ourselves.
I know that a home-grown tomato tastes a thousand times better than a store-bought tomato.
I know that my hope and faith in humanity are seen as crazy sometimes, but I don’t care.
I know how powerful the breath is.
I also know that I am such a water girl and was meant to live close to the ocean. After being away from it for almost two years (minus some short trips), I am very much looking forward to moving in a few months!
It struck me,
dear SunnyPatti,
that your response
reflected a sweetness inside of you
I had not identified before . . .
and I also agree with you
that a tomatoe grown in the garden
is 1000x better than store bought. 🙂
💜
Love this list, SunnyPatti! Especially this one “I know that seasons change, both in nature and in ourselves.” and so much truth in this one “I know that a home-grown tomato tastes a thousand times better than a store-bought tomato.”
This question is inspiring me to write a blog post with my list and keep adding to it for a while until I feel ready to publish. Could I add these with a note that they came from a post on grateful.org?
Thank you, Barb! I don’t mind if you use my answers… I love that this question has inspired you beyond this forum 💗
Seeds are amazing.
Every single day the earth will rotate, we’ll see the sun and then the stars.
I need to get outside and be in nature on a regular basis.
Riding my bike makes me happy.
My sweetheart’s gift of making us affogatos this morning as a treat was A Very Good Idea.
He loves me.
I love him.
We’ve made a good home together.
I love my children and they love me.
I’ve raised them to be good human beings.
I will can more food this year than we can eat or give away. (Today it’s going to be sweet & salty pickled cherries and cherry chocolate jam, thanks to yesterday’s visit to the farmers’ market.)
I’m a good cook.
My work makes a difference in the world.
Life is too short not to eat good chocolate.
Looking at the sky every day centers me and gives me peace.
I feel as if I could keep adding to this list for quite a while! I’ll stop here.
Oh my, sweet & salty pickled cherries sound yummy! I’ve never had them before.
I feel the same way about the sky 🌤️
What a beautiful list,
dear Barb . . .
I think I’d enjoy an affogato right now.
(I had to look it up),
and a jar of your cherry chocolate jam
would go well with a crossaint.
Thank you for the taste bud tingle. 🙂
ditto
Change is a constant
There is positive and negative energy
Bad things happened to good people
October is a favorite month and Halloween is a magical Holiday (What do “I” know for sure)
Winding Brook Farms has the best haunted hay rides in Montgomery Co, PA.
Choosing love,kindness,empathy,gratefulness helps me
I know for sure I am ready for autumn and cooler weather.
Wishing all a peaceful relaxing Sunday.
https://nationaltoday.com/national-ice-cream-day/
You do love Halloween! I love that about you 🎃
I like your list–great mix of the cosmic and the commonplace.
I’ll take the ice cream,
dear Michele,
put autumn on hold for a few months,
and sweat out a few months of summer
quite happily. 🙂
ps. Now that I have read Barb’s post,
I think I should add some hot espresso
to that ice cream. 🙂
I’m at the half-way mark of my Japan trip and looking forward to returning home to enjoy my regular routine. I have a preference for being at home on Friday, because my interests lie there, especially my buddy systems who share more common ground with me. During the Japan trip, I’ve still been having a good time with family and enjoy dining out eating all that ramen.
The universe is everlasting, never dying and unchanging existence is the origin and Truth.
If it goes up, it must come down.
Love will prevail.
Peace, Love & Light.
Yes – love will prevail 🙏🏼
”If it goes up, it must come down.”
. . . in THIS universe,
dear Joseph.
”Love will prevail.”
. . . everywhere. ♥
Ditto…and well-said, Joseph.