Reflections

Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment.

  1. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    2 days ago

    I have always believed to my very core
    that everything counts . . .
    everything that I put out into the Universe matters,
    whether it be spiritual, physical, or emotional,
    it all counts . . .
    whether it be positive energy
    or negative energy
    it matters.

    I choose to put out positive energy,
    selfishly,
    because it makes me feel good
    to impact the world
    in a hopeful, kind, compassionate
    and loving way.
    I am certainly not a powerhouse,
    but I trust,
    that like rings around a stone thrown in the water,
    the goodness will grow far beyond where I can see.
    I would rather have that
    floating around in the ether
    than the negative poison that threatens to strangle us all.

    Do what I can
    and let the rest go . . .
    without guilt or shame.

    Does a flower question it’s worth?

    1. Barb C
      Barb C
      1 day ago

      I share your belief that the energy we put out changes the universe, Sparrow, and I’d rather change it for the better.

    2. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 days ago

      Only when sold in overpriced bunches from the florist, “does a flower question it’s worth”😊🌻.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 days ago

        I don’t think the flower cares . . . 🙂

  2. A
    Antonia
    2 days ago

    I’m not sure what my deepest desire is for serving the world. I’m not a leader or a loud voice in the crowd. But I know I can be kind, accepting and tolerant with those I encounter. I can care for Mother Earth in the way I live. I can support people in power whose values reflect justice and equality.
    I volunteer as a crisis counselor. By offering a compassionate presence to people in their most vulnerable moments, my desire to create a safe, non-judgmental space where they can be heard and supported, becomes perhaps the most visible way I serve the world and contribute to making it a better place for all.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 days ago

      When I was young,
      dear Antonia,
      the person on the other end of a crisis line
      saved my life . . .
      you never know
      what good you are doing,
      but you are doing it. ♥

  3. Mary
    Mary
    2 days ago

    My deepest desire for serving the world is to be able to do something to stop all the suffering. That is my deepest desire.
    Since I cannot stop the suffering, I would like to make a difference in the lives of many. I want love and kindness to be my guides through life.

  4. Mary
    Mary
    2 days ago

    My husband had a surgical procedure yesterday to find and open a blockage in his coronary artery. He and I were quite concerned about this. As it turned out, he did not even have a blockage and the earlier test was a false positive. So we were very surprised and relieved. Having this issue come up really did make me stop and think. I know that so many here are dealing with very serious health issues, especially with spouses. I am deeply sorry that you are having to go through this. Please know that my heart is with you.
    I am sending thanks to all who reached out and sending love to all.

    1. Michele
      Michele
      1 day ago

      I am sure you both are very relieved, thank you for the update.

    2. Yram
      Yram
      2 days ago

      Hugs

    3. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 days ago

      ❤️🙏 Mary.

    4. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 days ago

      I’m grateful,
      dear Mary,
      that this concern has been lifted
      for both you and your husband. ♥

    5. Patti
      sunnypatti
      2 days ago

      I’m so glad that weight was lifted from the both of you.

  5. Ose
    Ose
    2 days ago

    To help reducing suffering for my kindred people, if possible supporting to transforming it to joy, to peace and happiness with all my heart and all I can; to support this with all possible contributions together with kindred hearts so that our precious, wonderful one and only world may recover through joint effort for the sake of all and may start to heal through Love.

  6. Linda72766
    Linda
    2 days ago

    To be kind. A smile, a touch or a conversation mean so much to so many who don’t have access to them. Empathy, sympathy and a desire to be helpful are my mantras. I don’t always live up to them but I hold them in my heart.

  7. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    2 days ago

    Besides practicing kindness, I would like to help expose young people to nature and the natural world. And if I could, I would like to disabuse and expose a certain population, to the beauty and the amazing people where I live, here in the Bay Area of California. I meet people that come here from other parts of the country, that are amazed that it’s not all craziness and rampant crime and burning and looting. Why people would think that one of the most expensive places to live, would be so terrible, is truly an amazing fabrication and lie and it doesn’t even make sense. Yes, there is poverty and crime, just like everywhere. But this is such a small part of this place. And even in the roughest neighborhoods, there is beauty, kindness, and people trying to make things better.
    In my current work, I get to see both extremes. I see the wealthiest and the poorest neighborhoods and people. And if a may, one thing that I am learning, is that, being rich does not mean you are an intelligent person. Just as being poor, does not mean you aren’t intelligent. In fact, your financial status has nothing to do with your intelligence. I always thought that wealthy people were just smarter and knew things that the rest of us didn’t. Boy, was I mistaken.

    1. pkr29022
      pkr
      1 day ago

      “I left my ♥️ in San Francisco…..” 😞

    2. Elizabeth H67151
      Elizabeth H
      1 day ago

      Charlie, I hope that in addition to your busy work schedule that helps to support your family and all the responsibilities of running a business, you are finding time for your passion of helping expose young people to nature and the natural world ♥️

    3. A
      Antonia
      2 days ago

      The beauty of the Bay Area filled me with such joy and peace. When I visited Berkeley, I felt a deep sense of alignment; there was kindness, a respect for the Earth, and a welcoming spirit. In contrast, the South East often feels stifling, shaped by judgment and a lack of compassion. What’s frustrating is how narrow-mindedness here creates false narratives about the Bay Area — painting it as chaotic or extreme, when in truth, I experienced thoughtfulness, inclusivity, and genuine care for people and the planet.

      1. L
        Lauryn
        2 days ago

        I am so grateful I get to move back here next month.

      2. Charlie T
        Charlie T
        2 days ago

        Berkeley is I grew up! 😁

        1. Joseph
          Joseph McCann
          2 days ago

          Bezerkeley, I remember it being called. One of my nieces has lived in S.F., Berkeley, Oakland and is now in Sausalito. It has been 17 years since I have been to San Francisco. Time to think about a visit.

      3. Patti
        sunnypatti
        2 days ago

        There are areas and people like that in the Southeast, too, Antonia. I’ve lived in the SE all my life, and there are lots of loving and accepting people who also love and care for our Mother Earth. I hope that you might find some… I promise, we are here!

    4. L
      Loc Tran
      2 days ago

      Good one, Charlie, technology and social media have taken us away from all of that.

    5. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 days ago

      Yes,
      dear Charlie . . .
      the San Francisco Bay area
      has a special beauty all its own . . . ♥

  8. Barb C
    Barb C
    2 days ago

    My desire in general is that what I do makes a positive difference. “Serving the world” could be viewed as pretty ginormous. If my service makes a difference for one individual I have served the whole world. When I put native plants in my yard and create habitat for pollinators I have served the world. I don’t know what ripple effect might result from smiling at a stranger as I ride my bike past where they’re walking. I just served the world by making their day a bit sunnier, maybe they’ll pass that smile on, maybe I started a whole chain of smiles.

    Of course I would like to make a lasting difference. Some gains are temporary and I can accept incremental change, however small. I’m fortunate in being able to see and touch things I’ve worked on that truly have served the world and made a tangible difference.

    I know I’ve served the world through my life as a parent and stepparent. I’ve contributed to the values and perspectives of 7 people, 6 of them still on the earth being good people. Four of them have children/stepchildren of their own, 9 in that generation so far. That’s a lot of ripples.

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      2 days ago

      Barb, the butterfly effect is real.

  9. pkr29022
    pkr
    2 days ago

    To share, care & be fair in all I do.
    I want to shine my light bright with love, kindness, peace & laughter. I hope my light can be a ripple in our troubled world.
    Blessings to All. ✨
    🕊️🩷

    1. Patti
      sunnypatti
      2 days ago

      Yes! Every ripple counts <3

    2. L
      Loc Tran
      2 days ago

      PKR, as the old saying goes, “Sharing is caring.”

  10. Elizabeth H67151
    Elizabeth H
    2 days ago

    To be part of and to nurture/expand a movement that helps people see the potential of and embody active nonviolence while holding onto joy and love for ALL.

    There are lots of organizations out there who are doing that, including Campaign Nonviolence (Pace e Bene), the Metta Center for Nonviolence, and the Revolutionary Love Project. I think that Grateful Living indirectly helps this movement as well, even if it does not focus on active nonviolence as a key concept to actively promote.

    I have been involved with and supported all of these organizations, but I also am trying to find concrete things to do in my own local community to stand up to injustice and build new alternatives using principles of active nonviolence.

    And I want to make sure that I never get so engrossed in activism that I neglect my relationship with my husband or other friends/family members.

    1. Barb C
      Barb C
      2 days ago

      This week I listened to a training by the immigrant solidarity network in my state, which I donate to. They train volunteers to watch for ICE, observe, record, make notes, share information on legal rights with immigrants, stand witness. The volunteers don’t intervene physically; they do ask questions, take down names if available, use whatever privilege they have to make sure actions don’t go unnoticed.

      I have a full-time job and it’s hard to know if I’d truly be available when needed to respond so I need to ask more questions before I commit. Your last line landed for me; I have other commitments I’ve already made and I want to keep the total manageable so I can bring full energy to the things I do.

      1. Elizabeth H67151
        Elizabeth H
        1 day ago

        Good luck with discerning whether or not this volunteer opportunity is meant for you, Barb! ♥️

  11. L
    Loc Tran
    3 days ago

    Music heals the soul. Therefore, my deepest desire as a piano player is to help others. Fame and money are not my main desires. In fact, fame isn’t my desire at all. But however, money helps me on a basic level, because it would give me a stable family life with Ngoc, go out to eat with her, and by cable for me to watch football and basketball.

  12. Michele
    Michele
    3 days ago

    I can’t see how I am serving the ‘World’, but what first came to mind was my work’s Mission -> to honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation
    I believe in positivity and kindness, both of which the World needs.
    This weekend is St. Pete’s Pride Parade – in today’s world, I hope and pray there is no act of violence of any kind and people can celebrate in peace and love. 🌈🌈🌈

    1. Michele
      Michele
      1 day ago

      Thank you everyone. I did not go to the Parade, I was cat watching for my daughter and it is wayyyy too hot for me to be outside.

    2. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 days ago

      Yes Michele, celebrate in peace and love.

    3. Barb C
      Barb C
      2 days ago

      Just think–you make it possible for so many people to go on living their lives and making a difference, each in their own way. That’s absolutely serving the world! Thank you for your work!

    4. pkr29022
      pkr
      2 days ago

      Michele, Happy Pride.🌈 Enjoy the parade.

    5. Elizabeth H67151
      Elizabeth H
      2 days ago

      It sounds like you have a very meaningful job, Michele! And I likewise pray for a peaceful Pride Parade in your community and wherever they may be being held this weekend.

  13. Patti
    sunnypatti
    3 days ago

    My deepest desire to serve the world is to help others heal through the practice of Yoga.
    And to shine my light everywhere I go so brightly that when others see it, they can’t help but shine theirs, too 🙂

    1. pkr29022
      pkr
      2 days ago

      Shine on Sunnypatti. ☀️

      1. Patti
        sunnypatti
        2 days ago

        You, too, PKR – I see that bright light of yours!

  14. Cathie
    Cathie
    3 days ago

    My deepest desire in serving…If the ego creeps in I suppose my deepest desire is that my service is observed and then creates a domino effect in the world. If I am not reflecting on the service, then my deepest desire is only that some relief, joy, peace or contentment is experienced by the service.

  15. Laura
    Laura
    3 days ago

    I simply want to be as kind as I can in my daily life.

Subscribe to Grateful Living

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Customize your subscription