Finding Gratitude> I am grateful for the 2 people who presented the issue of sidewalks not being cleared of snow to the Waterloo City council.. I learned what the bylaw states that explains why my requests were not addressed.I learned that the City reply was nothing will be done about the bus stops as it is a Regional Problem. I also learned that increasing the number of bylaw officers would result in an increase in taxes and hence property owners are not in support of going this route..The outcome– the sidewalks may not be cleared due to backlog and bylaw rules; however I don’t feel alone.
I am also grateful to the Supreme Court of Canada for the ruling that unless there is a place for people who are in encampments to go, they can’t evict people from the encampments.
I am also grateful to those who are organizing opposition to the privatization of health care. Nothing may change, the number of homeless may increase, the number of people who will suffer due to the failure of tax dollars going to support universal health care, will instead be going to support for profit businesses. I am grateful to know that there are compassionate people.able to take action. The world is looking less cruel.
remembering the “light”, so to speak. for me, its impossibly hard to pull myself out of dark places; they feel so true and final when im in them. it takes careful deliberation to acknowledge that ive been in dark places before and i have gotten back to a place where i can realize that there is purpose in my hardships. i often just need to sit with it, and recognize that ive been in much darker places- some perspective does me good. makes me see my progress even if i dont feel it.
My faith, friends and family. This website, support group for families dealing with addiction (for my loved one), trying to take care of myself. Exercise, listening to calming music, being out in Nature.
I don’t know if I have a fantastic answer, but I do know that I have made my way to where I am now. Perhaps the darkness passes without me finding a way out.
When I close my eyes, drop memory and imagination, and notice whether I have any limits now, I don’t feel constrained or in a box. I am more like room – silence for these sounds to happen in, space for these passing sensations of warmth, pressure, etc., a flow of feelings and thoughts. Just room or capacity for what is. No light is necessary.
This has been the darkest year of my life thus far. And what has kept me going were two things. The first is my loved ones. I am lucky to say I have an incredible support group around me that can grab my hand and guide me through the darkness. On days where I couldn’t see the light, they were my eyes. The second, is the knowledge that, while on my darkest days I could not see the light, I could still feel the ground underneath me. And that let me know that, so long as I put one foot in front of the other, I could find my way out of the darkness, step by step. If I remained still and gave up, I could rest assured I’d be in the darkness forever. The only way out of it is forward. Between the ground beneath my feet, and the guidance of my loved ones, I’ve slowly begun to see that light again.
Knowing that tomorrow will be better than today, against all odds and evidence. Knowing that I’ve come so far in life, overcome so many difficulties and darkness, and been through so much. If I can do that, I can do this. எவ்வளவோ பண்ணிட்டோம், இத பண்ணமாட்டோமா.
YRAM, I was talking with my sister the other day and I found myself saying, “Without darkness, how would you know what light is?” Those flashlights can be very helpful!
The light of mindfulness helps me navigate the dark. If I become overwhelmed I use mindfulness to come back to my breath and then I’m able to move forward no longer in the dark.
Slowing down. Not looking too far ahead but only on the next one or two steps. Tending to myself with whatever comforts and sustains me on the journey.
Medical care, time, friends, food, flowers, remembering how I survived hard times in the past, good books, stories, memories, someone understanding, people on this site. All of these have helped me get through my recent heart surgery. Thank you.
My daily meditation practice, taking deep breaths and concentrating on the good around me. Walking through nature, welcoming and throwing peanuts outside for my little buddy Rocky the squirrel who comes to our patio door or kitchen window every morning and looks in looking for me.😊
This is almost word for word what I was about to post. This saying has gotten me through all my tough times. The other one is: In the end it will all be okay. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
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Finding Gratitude> I am grateful for the 2 people who presented the issue of sidewalks not being cleared of snow to the Waterloo City council.. I learned what the bylaw states that explains why my requests were not addressed.I learned that the City reply was nothing will be done about the bus stops as it is a Regional Problem. I also learned that increasing the number of bylaw officers would result in an increase in taxes and hence property owners are not in support of going this route..The outcome– the sidewalks may not be cleared due to backlog and bylaw rules; however I don’t feel alone.
I am also grateful to the Supreme Court of Canada for the ruling that unless there is a place for people who are in encampments to go, they can’t evict people from the encampments.
I am also grateful to those who are organizing opposition to the privatization of health care. Nothing may change, the number of homeless may increase, the number of people who will suffer due to the failure of tax dollars going to support universal health care, will instead be going to support for profit businesses. I am grateful to know that there are compassionate people.able to take action. The world is looking less cruel.
remembering the “light”, so to speak. for me, its impossibly hard to pull myself out of dark places; they feel so true and final when im in them. it takes careful deliberation to acknowledge that ive been in dark places before and i have gotten back to a place where i can realize that there is purpose in my hardships. i often just need to sit with it, and recognize that ive been in much darker places- some perspective does me good. makes me see my progress even if i dont feel it.
My faith, friends and family. This website, support group for families dealing with addiction (for my loved one), trying to take care of myself. Exercise, listening to calming music, being out in Nature.
Loving Kindness for your loved one Robin Ann.
I don’t know if I have a fantastic answer, but I do know that I have made my way to where I am now. Perhaps the darkness passes without me finding a way out.
When I close my eyes, drop memory and imagination, and notice whether I have any limits now, I don’t feel constrained or in a box. I am more like room – silence for these sounds to happen in, space for these passing sensations of warmth, pressure, etc., a flow of feelings and thoughts. Just room or capacity for what is. No light is necessary.
This has been the darkest year of my life thus far. And what has kept me going were two things. The first is my loved ones. I am lucky to say I have an incredible support group around me that can grab my hand and guide me through the darkness. On days where I couldn’t see the light, they were my eyes. The second, is the knowledge that, while on my darkest days I could not see the light, I could still feel the ground underneath me. And that let me know that, so long as I put one foot in front of the other, I could find my way out of the darkness, step by step. If I remained still and gave up, I could rest assured I’d be in the darkness forever. The only way out of it is forward. Between the ground beneath my feet, and the guidance of my loved ones, I’ve slowly begun to see that light again.
Knowing that tomorrow will be better than today, against all odds and evidence. Knowing that I’ve come so far in life, overcome so many difficulties and darkness, and been through so much. If I can do that, I can do this. எவ்வளவோ பண்ணிட்டோம், இத பண்ணமாட்டோமா.
My first wise crack answer is a flashlight!
Reaching out to others, knowing I am loved, being creative, music, experience that things change and prayer.
Your “wise crack” put a smile on my face and a chuckle in my belly Yram. Thank you.
YRAM, I was talking with my sister the other day and I found myself saying, “Without darkness, how would you know what light is?” Those flashlights can be very helpful!
The light of mindfulness helps me navigate the dark. If I become overwhelmed I use mindfulness to come back to my breath and then I’m able to move forward no longer in the dark.
Slowing down. Not looking too far ahead but only on the next one or two steps. Tending to myself with whatever comforts and sustains me on the journey.
Medical care, time, friends, food, flowers, remembering how I survived hard times in the past, good books, stories, memories, someone understanding, people on this site. All of these have helped me get through my recent heart surgery. Thank you.
My daily meditation practice, taking deep breaths and concentrating on the good around me. Walking through nature, welcoming and throwing peanuts outside for my little buddy Rocky the squirrel who comes to our patio door or kitchen window every morning and looks in looking for me.😊
Knowing that it is always darkest before the dawn. The dark passes just as all other emotions pass.
This is almost word for word what I was about to post. This saying has gotten me through all my tough times. The other one is: In the end it will all be okay. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
Love this and especially the fact that emotions pass. Sometimes you just have to tie a knot in that tiger’s tail or better yet, just let go!
My faith and perseverance.
The Light! That Light is God, the Universe, trust, faith, knowledge.