I am facing a world that is in disorder and may be escalating into chaos. So I need to be present, with peace and calm, to the knowledge of more uncertainty.
I’m not facing a very deep challenge. I have to face the need to get off the sofa, where a warm cat is sleeping on my feet, get dressed and start the day. It’s raining steadily so my gardening plans for the day are out the window but at least the plants are getting watered. We plan to go out to breakfast, then run some errands, then I’ll see what the rest of the day holds.
I need to face the fact that I am feeling drawn to isolate myself as a physical issue becomes more pronounced. My need to control has reared its head big time so I know I have been drawn into the future and in my experience I go there alone because the strength I need in in the NOW. I’m very thankful for this question. Also, on Saturdays, the Richard Rohr meditation lifts quotes from this weeks daily meditations and then offers a practice. Today’s practice is titled “Joy begets joy.” I found it very helpful this morning and wanted to share the link:
I am getting your feelings about isolating yourself,
dear Carol,
as I am in a similar position,
also with a physical issue . . .
I hold you especially just now
in my heart.
Namaste
Thank you for sharing ‘Joy Begets Joy’ . . .
I too,
am finding it helpful. ♥
I don’t think that there’s anything that I’m not facing, but things have a way of revealing themselves after the fact. Seeing things clearly and as they are, is a daily goal. So, I like to think that I have a pretty good view on life’s situations.
Some things are in my control, and some things are not. It’s important that I discern the difference.
I’m grateful to have a day off. Grief is with me today. I’m reminded of Francis Weller’s advice to “walk with grief.” Facing grief is a form of being with grief. I’ve pasted a practice below, from a past Grateful Gathering, that is really effective at helping one to walk with grief. Credit to Grateful.org and Joe Primo.
Practice: Learning to Hold Grief in One Hand, Gratitude in the Other
Step One: Read Adrift by Mark Nepo
Adrift
by Mark Nepo
Everything is beautiful and I am so sad.
This is how the heart makes a duet of
wonder and grief. The light spraying
through the lace of the fern is as delicate
as the fibers of memory forming their web
around the knot in my throat. The breeze
makes the birds move from branch to branch
as this ache makes me look for those I’ve lost
in the next room, in the next song, in the laugh
of the next stranger. In the very center, under
it all, what we have that no one can take
away and all that we’ve lost face each other.
It is there that I’m adrift, feeling punctured
by a holiness that exists inside everything.
I am so sad and everything is beautiful.
Step Two: Visualize — Hands Apart
Holding your hands in front of you, palm up, attune to what it feels like to hold, simultaneously, both “all that you’ve lost” and “all that you have that no one can take away.” If comfortable doing so, close your eyes and spend at least a minute of silence with this visualization, focusing first on the grief you carry in one hand and then on the gifts you carry in the other.
When you’re ready, pause to make note of what this felt like — what emotions arose, what you felt in your body and heart.
Step Three: Visualize — Hands Together
Close your eyes again and begin to visualize a meaningful relationship between the sorrows you hold in one hand and the joys you hold in the other. Bring your hands together, interlacing your fingers or gently cupping one hand within the other — whatever helps you envision the relationship you would like to nurture between grief and gratefulness. Pay attention to what this symbolizes and feels like for you.
When you’re ready, pause to reflect.
How might attuning to even the simplest gifts of life — the sunrise, one friend, one of your senses, the color of the sky — be nourishing for you as you’re grieving?
How might allowing space for joy, for beauty, expand your capacity to carry grief? Not set it aside, not even shrink it necessarily — but carry it differently, perhaps even with more ease?
Step Four: Take Note
Take a moment to sit with or write down anything that emerged for you in this visualization and reflection. In your life right now, today, how might grief and gratefulness shape and inform each other? To close the practice, reread Mark Nepo’s poem and consider the ways your own heart can make “a duet of wonder and grief.”
Thank you for reminding me of this poem, Drea, and for the practice.
On my blog I occasionally publish collections of poems on a theme. I’ve been building one with poems like this, that bring together beauty and pain, the contrast between how bad things can be and how beautiful. I’d read this before but hadn’t added it; it’s now in the draft. I build the collections over time, letting serendipity bring poems into my path, rather than going hunting, and this is a perfect way to rediscover one.
Each new day can feel like a struggle as I face my anxiety and work through past trauma. On some days, my hypervigilance kicks into overdrive, and it’s exhausting.
I try to not slip too far back into the past or spiral too far into the future. Right now, I focus on taking things one day at a time. And on the harder days, one minute at a time.
Today, the sky is blue and the sun is shining, my dog is near by- All will be well.
Peace to all, wherever you maybe in you day.
Antonia, awareness is definite first step and it appears that you are on your way.
To calm myself, I like to repeat to myself “right now, right here, everything is okay and I have what I need”. 🙏
I need to face the heat dome that is about to descend on us. It sounds apocalyptic, doesn’t it? Tasks in the yard await my attention today and maybe a bit tomorrow. Anything else for this week is out of the question. Any exercise will be in the gym.
It already “felt like” 90 when we were walking the dogs around 8:30am this morning. High 90s and even 100 degrees forecasted in the week ahead for all of the southeast and then some! Crazy heatwave. Of course Tuesday is supposed to be the hottest day and we have tickets for a concert at an outdoor amphitheater. Lots and lots of water!!
This takes me back. We had a rare-for-us heat dome in the Pacific NW the year after we moved to Olympia. It did feel apocalyptic and people died as a result of it. We don’t have air conditioning and we have skylights that let the sun beat into the house. My husband built covers with some fabric we had on hand to block some of that. I wore exercise dresses (by Nuu-Muu that I absolutely love–they have pockets!) that I could wet down so I got some evaporative cooling. Take care!
I think I just need to face the day. It’s a bright, sunny morning here, and I think I’m going to go to a class to kick off International Yoga Day. I’m so grateful for yoga and all that it has offered me throughout the years and all that it continues to offer with each new day.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu. May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
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.
What is, is, which is not.
I am facing a world that is in disorder and may be escalating into chaos. So I need to be present, with peace and calm, to the knowledge of more uncertainty.
Going back to work next week after having a week off and not feeling like it!
On a happier note my daughter has been sober for a year and a half 💕
Please give my positive thoughts and congratulations to your daughter, Robin Ann❤️.
Thank you Joseph 🥰
Body weight
Spending
Water intake
Nutrition
The fact that I’m going to be moving again soon, and the work I’ll need to do to prepare.
I’m not facing a very deep challenge. I have to face the need to get off the sofa, where a warm cat is sleeping on my feet, get dressed and start the day. It’s raining steadily so my gardening plans for the day are out the window but at least the plants are getting watered. We plan to go out to breakfast, then run some errands, then I’ll see what the rest of the day holds.
Time is limited. Or, to put it in words that feel more aligned with gratefulness, every moment is precious.
You are right,
dear Elizabeth,
and it is something we should all consider from time to time,
but not in a morbid way . . .
our time here is finite. ♥
I need to face the fact that I am feeling drawn to isolate myself as a physical issue becomes more pronounced. My need to control has reared its head big time so I know I have been drawn into the future and in my experience I go there alone because the strength I need in in the NOW. I’m very thankful for this question. Also, on Saturdays, the Richard Rohr meditation lifts quotes from this weeks daily meditations and then offers a practice. Today’s practice is titled “Joy begets joy.” I found it very helpful this morning and wanted to share the link:
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/joy-and-resilience-weekly-summary/
May we all surrender to joy!
Joy- It’s a decision to look around and recognize and value what is good, what is lovely, what is inspirational—and let that delight us. ✨️
Thank you for sharing this Carol!
I am getting your feelings about isolating yourself,
dear Carol,
as I am in a similar position,
also with a physical issue . . .
I hold you especially just now
in my heart.
Namaste
Thank you for sharing ‘Joy Begets Joy’ . . .
I too,
am finding it helpful. ♥
I have a pull going on in my body and soul.
I don’t think that there’s anything that I’m not facing, but things have a way of revealing themselves after the fact. Seeing things clearly and as they are, is a daily goal. So, I like to think that I have a pretty good view on life’s situations.
Some things are in my control, and some things are not. It’s important that I discern the difference.
I totally get you, Charlie. Details emerge at random times we least expect and never have even thought of before in the heat of the moment.
Nice Charlie! We can only decide how to respond to whatever comes up. Letting go letting . 🙌🌱
Amen, dear Charlie.
My brother injured his hand, he may have to have surgery. Im taking him to a specialist this morning. Please keep him in your thoughts. Thank you.
May his injury heal promptly, dear Jenifer.
Sending healing wishes to your brother your way, hope all will be fine.
I pray that all is well with your brother,
dear Jenifer . . . ♥
Will do…what is his name? Sending loving energy to you both.
I’m grateful to have a day off. Grief is with me today. I’m reminded of Francis Weller’s advice to “walk with grief.” Facing grief is a form of being with grief. I’ve pasted a practice below, from a past Grateful Gathering, that is really effective at helping one to walk with grief. Credit to Grateful.org and Joe Primo.
Practice: Learning to Hold Grief in One Hand, Gratitude in the Other
Step One: Read Adrift by Mark Nepo
Adrift
by Mark Nepo
Everything is beautiful and I am so sad.
This is how the heart makes a duet of
wonder and grief. The light spraying
through the lace of the fern is as delicate
as the fibers of memory forming their web
around the knot in my throat. The breeze
makes the birds move from branch to branch
as this ache makes me look for those I’ve lost
in the next room, in the next song, in the laugh
of the next stranger. In the very center, under
it all, what we have that no one can take
away and all that we’ve lost face each other.
It is there that I’m adrift, feeling punctured
by a holiness that exists inside everything.
I am so sad and everything is beautiful.
Step Two: Visualize — Hands Apart
Holding your hands in front of you, palm up, attune to what it feels like to hold, simultaneously, both “all that you’ve lost” and “all that you have that no one can take away.” If comfortable doing so, close your eyes and spend at least a minute of silence with this visualization, focusing first on the grief you carry in one hand and then on the gifts you carry in the other.
When you’re ready, pause to make note of what this felt like — what emotions arose, what you felt in your body and heart.
Step Three: Visualize — Hands Together
Close your eyes again and begin to visualize a meaningful relationship between the sorrows you hold in one hand and the joys you hold in the other. Bring your hands together, interlacing your fingers or gently cupping one hand within the other — whatever helps you envision the relationship you would like to nurture between grief and gratefulness. Pay attention to what this symbolizes and feels like for you.
When you’re ready, pause to reflect.
How might attuning to even the simplest gifts of life — the sunrise, one friend, one of your senses, the color of the sky — be nourishing for you as you’re grieving?
How might allowing space for joy, for beauty, expand your capacity to carry grief? Not set it aside, not even shrink it necessarily — but carry it differently, perhaps even with more ease?
Step Four: Take Note
Take a moment to sit with or write down anything that emerged for you in this visualization and reflection. In your life right now, today, how might grief and gratefulness shape and inform each other? To close the practice, reread Mark Nepo’s poem and consider the ways your own heart can make “a duet of wonder and grief.”
Thank you for sharing this, I will save this.
Glad you found it useful, Robin Ann. It’s one I come back to again and again.
Thank you,
dear Drea,
for posting this . . .
the poem by Mark Nepo
is exquisite. ♥
It is exquisite, isn’t it?
Thank you for reminding me of this poem, Drea, and for the practice.
On my blog I occasionally publish collections of poems on a theme. I’ve been building one with poems like this, that bring together beauty and pain, the contrast between how bad things can be and how beautiful. I’d read this before but hadn’t added it; it’s now in the draft. I build the collections over time, letting serendipity bring poems into my path, rather than going hunting, and this is a perfect way to rediscover one.
What a wonderful theme, Barb! I would love to read your poem collection someday.
Drea, Thank you…this exercise has been very helpful to me this morning.
Carol, I am very glad to hear that.
Each new day can feel like a struggle as I face my anxiety and work through past trauma. On some days, my hypervigilance kicks into overdrive, and it’s exhausting.
I try to not slip too far back into the past or spiral too far into the future. Right now, I focus on taking things one day at a time. And on the harder days, one minute at a time.
Today, the sky is blue and the sun is shining, my dog is near by- All will be well.
Peace to all, wherever you maybe in you day.
Thank you Antonia, and Peace to you.
Peace to you too,
dear Antonia . . .
just soak in that sunshine
and love your dog.
All will indeed be well. ♥
Antonia, awareness is definite first step and it appears that you are on your way.
To calm myself, I like to repeat to myself “right now, right here, everything is okay and I have what I need”. 🙏
Hang in there, Antonia. If you’re working on it, it can only get better.
I need to face the heat dome that is about to descend on us. It sounds apocalyptic, doesn’t it? Tasks in the yard await my attention today and maybe a bit tomorrow. Anything else for this week is out of the question. Any exercise will be in the gym.
It already “felt like” 90 when we were walking the dogs around 8:30am this morning. High 90s and even 100 degrees forecasted in the week ahead for all of the southeast and then some! Crazy heatwave. Of course Tuesday is supposed to be the hottest day and we have tickets for a concert at an outdoor amphitheater. Lots and lots of water!!
Laura, temps in the mid 90s in the Twin Cities this weekend with lows as high as 80.
This takes me back. We had a rare-for-us heat dome in the Pacific NW the year after we moved to Olympia. It did feel apocalyptic and people died as a result of it. We don’t have air conditioning and we have skylights that let the sun beat into the house. My husband built covers with some fabric we had on hand to block some of that. I wore exercise dresses (by Nuu-Muu that I absolutely love–they have pockets!) that I could wet down so I got some evaporative cooling. Take care!
I became a reluctant member of the 5 a.m. club for our heat dome. The rest of the day feels like hibernation. Good luck.
I think I just need to face the day. It’s a bright, sunny morning here, and I think I’m going to go to a class to kick off International Yoga Day. I’m so grateful for yoga and all that it has offered me throughout the years and all that it continues to offer with each new day.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu. May all beings everywhere be happy and free.