Reflections

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  1. Ose
    Ose
    2 days ago

    The knowing that Universal Love guides all fate and that no one can ever get lost.

  2. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    2 days ago

    I guess knowing change is a given. Learning to adapt.

  3. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    2 days ago

    When I went to the grocery store a few weeks ago,
    I noticed that customers were wandering around,
    looking confused.
    I soon discovered why . . .
    over the weekend
    the store had been completely rearranged,
    and nothing
    was where I thought it would be.
    I and the other customers
    were flummoxed,
    all in the same boat.
    People began connecting with each other,
    sharing complaints about the change
    and asking if anyone knew where they moved the coffee to,
    the salt,
    the bread,
    the pet food.
    Once the shock wore off
    it was actually pretty funny.
    We were all a flock of sheep,
    stumbling around in new pastures,
    knocked off-kilter by the change.

    I realized in those moments
    that most of us really don’t like change,
    especially unexpected change.
    My first husband
    told me that I clung like the devil to stasis,
    then pointed out to me
    that if change hadn’t been made
    the result
    could have been extremely unsatisfactory–
    painful, even.
    He was right,
    and although change is still often very difficult for me,
    I bow to his wisdom in this instance,
    and carry that knowledge with me
    wherever I go.

    It supports me when I doubt . . .
    it helps . . .
    it really does. ♥

    1. Yram
      Yram
      2 days ago

      Thanks for the thoughts. It comforted me as I feel confused etc. Since the death of Joe.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        1 day ago

        I am grateful,
        dear Yram,
        that something I wrote
        helped . . .
        I think you will find help
        from many hearts who love you . . . ♥

  4. Cathie
    Cathie
    2 days ago

    What supports me to be open to change is other people’s ideas!
    I can only change if I am presented with views other than my own, so the more people I interact with, the more ideas I process, the more change is possible.
    Since I am not God, and do not have the fullness of truth, I am always open-or at least I think I am open to change. It is Grace that allows me to be open and then to change.

  5. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    2 days ago

    The fact that I have finally reached a place where I understand that the only thing permanent in life is change. NOW is all we ever have. What is IS. What can I learn from my life situation? I am of worth. The definition of responsibility is the ability to respond. God is Isness. If I am in the past or future, I go there alone. The strength I need is Here Now.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      12 hours ago

      “If I am in the past or future, I go there alone. The strength I need is Here Now.”
      Thank you, Carol Ann.

    2. Charlie T
      Charlie T
      2 days ago

      “The definition of responsibility is the ability to respond.”
      I love this so much.
      Thank you 🙏

    3. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 days ago

      Well said,
      dear Carol Ann . . . ♥

    4. Christina Rossi75270
      Christina
      2 days ago

      God is Isness. Like that!

  6. Linda72766
    Linda
    2 days ago

    I seem to resist change no matter what. It does no good, obviously.

    I like what Charlie said about loosening his grip on control so he can sit with what is. I am facing a major challenge with my husband’s continued decline, and it is certainly not something I can control. Better to breathe and let go, one moment at a time. What other choice is there, really?

    Thanks to all of you for being here. Namaste.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      12 hours ago

      This must be so hard for you and your husband, dear Linda.
      I hold you both in my heart.

    2. Yram
      Yram
      2 days ago

      Just having experienced the death of my husband, I will hold you in a very special way .

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        1 day ago

      2. D
        Deann
        1 day ago

        Prayers for you both and a hug.

        Linda I just listened to a podcast with Oprah and Bruce Willis’s wife. You might get something out of it our her book.

  7. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    3 days ago

    When I can loosen my grip on control, or the fiction of control, and I can sit with what is, or I can surrender to the universe and trust that change may be good, bad, or otherwise, I can be open to change.
    I have resisted and feared change my whole life, and
    it is something that I have thought about and tried to process. I’m getting better. Sitting here on a cool Sunday morning, I am open to whatever is in store for me today. Good, bad, or otherwise.
    I hope you all have a wonderful day. 🙏

    1. L
      Lauryn
      2 days ago

      “The fiction of control”…. that’s all it really is….

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      2 days ago

      Yes, willingness, surrender, “the fiction of control” Wishing you a wonderful day, too.

    3. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      Charlie, it’s just like me when I can be obedient. My autonomy strengthens. Obedience helps me accept change, because I know my people just want what’s best for me.

  8. D
    Drea
    3 days ago

    I’ve witnessed, been subject to, and enacted a lot of active resistance to change. It’s painful. Fear of change is natural, and maybe resistance to change is automatic. Sometimes change isn’t beneficial, and you want to protect yourself. But a reflexive, active resistance to change, all and any change, becomes controlling, narrow-minded, and manipulative. I know that reality all too well. So let’s say having seen the opposite keeps me open.

    1. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      2 days ago

      Open Heart, Open Mind

    2. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      Drea, we’re similar on the surface. Going deeper, my issues from what you described is fear of being controlled by others even out of goodwill and incompatibilities. Autonomy is my basic desires. As you mentioned the opposite, I need to learn to follow orders like I was good at when I was a child which I’m getting better. Again, it all points back to letting go of agendas.

  9. Carla
    Carla
    3 days ago

    What supports me is praying the Serenity Prayer, and asking Sophia (Holy Spirit) for guidance. Sometimes I still have to have a cathartic “Why?” either shared with a friend or in my journal then I can laugh about it. The Universe is leading the way. Peace this Sunday☮️ to all.

    1. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      2 days ago

      Life is trustworthy

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 days ago

        As Julienne of Norwich is famous for saying,
        “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well”…
        if we trust Life. ♥

  10. Yram
    Yram
    3 days ago

    The belief that is normal. I experienced it before and will again. My husband said all is good.

  11. J
    John
    3 days ago

    I too think listening is helpful if I or others are to change. Some of my most important conversations have happened when I have said very little, but the other person has spoken deeply.

    1. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      2 days ago

      We’ve got two ears and one mouth!

  12. Laura
    Laura
    3 days ago

    What supports me is the knowledge that not all change is bad, that new ways of doing things or different circumstances might actually be better for me as I age. Change teaches me how to maintain my emotional balance. Kind of like surfing.

    1. L
      Lauryn
      2 days ago

      I also love the surfing analogy…

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 days ago

        Hi Lauren. I haven’t seen you for a while.

    2. T
      TomG
      3 days ago

      Your surfing analogy is wonderful. I can envision surfing through change.
      It seems to me that even changes that are clearly bad on the surface offer some opportunity, maybe an unexpected challenge to recover balance and regain momentum in life.

  13. D
    Deann
    3 days ago

    Listening opens me to change. My dad was a great listener. I fail sometimes but I try to listen openly and learn- when I do that sometimes I change my mind, sometimes I just respect the other’s point of view. Sometimes I think they are “off their rocker” but can still respect them. Also just listening to myself, God and the universe. I don’t mean listening to ego but listening to the part behind it heart? Soul? The one that says wait, be honest with yourself.

    As others have said opening up to acceptance.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 days ago

      Listening to the deeper I.

    2. D
      Drea
      3 days ago

      What a gift to have a parent who was a great listener. Your comment on listening to the part behind ego is so important and a great reminder for me as I go through my day. Thanks Deann.

    3. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      Dieng, you just touched on something important. I’m flattered when Ngoc praises me for being a good listener. I’m happy that my gentleness makes her feel like she’s being cared and also makes me feel valued. This brings me to integrity I’ve talked about before in many of my answers.
      To go further, great listening requires setting aside agendas. Now, this is where I struggle, because like I said when commenting on Christina’s answer, I’ve run through walls for autonomy. Setting aside agendas will help us develope: connection, empathy, love, and compassion.

  14. Patti
    sunnypatti
    3 days ago

    For one, reminding myself that change is inevitable. It’s going to happen no matter what. Also knowing that I have no control over a lot of what is changing, so it’s the practice of acceptance, as others have mentioned.

    Hoping Joseph is okay… don’t think I’ve seen him for a few days.

    1. Michele
      Michele
      2 days ago

      same, hopefully we hear from him soon

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      2 days ago

      I, too, have been concerned about Joseph.

    3. Charlie T
      Charlie T
      3 days ago

      Yes, missing Joseph. Hopefully he’s okay.

    4. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 days ago

      Yes,
      dear SunnyPatti . . .
      change is inevitable,
      and acceptance is the answer
      for what cannot be changed.

      ps. I too,
      have been hoping that Joseph is all right.
      Sending love . . . ♥

      1. Joseph
        Joseph McCann
        2 days ago

        I have been fine and composing a reflection each day and drinking tea while reading everyone’s reflections. I think my choice of a word to describe food shows has temporarily banned me from posting. I contacted the Grateful Living crew and their reply was 3 to 5 business days to read e-mails to them. I think it was 10/1.

        1. Mary
          Mary
          11 hours ago

          I remember the post, Joseph, but I don’t remember anything objectionable about it.???🤔🤷‍♀️🫤😵‍💫 I would ask you what the word was, but I don’t want to get you banned again. 😬 Oh, my my my. Facebook banned me once for changing my name. They said I might be impersonating someone. I was insulted. 😐 With all the mean posts allowed on Facebook, they decided to ban me. For at least 6 weeks. We know how wonderful the people here at the Gratefulness website are, so I would be interested in hearing what they would say about this.
          Glad to see you back, dear Joseph!!! ♥️♥️♥️

        2. Robin Ann
          Robin Ann
          1 day ago

          Oh wow! Good to know something like that could happen though

          1. Mary
            Mary
            12 hours ago

            What do you mean, Robin Ann?

        3. sparrow51014
          sparrow
          1 day ago

          I know the word you speak of,
          dear Joseph,
          and I was temporarily banned
          (for one night,
          I believe),
          for using the word s_x
          in a completely innocent sentence.
          Perhaps the team
          can’t always keep up with the forum
          personally . . .
          In any case,
          dear Joseph,
          I am happy you have made your way back to us. ♥

          1. Mary
            Mary
            12 hours ago

            Wow, really. How strange!

        4. Patti
          sunnypatti
          1 day ago

          Oh no! I recall what you said, and while it wasn’t a big deal, I guess the world of the internet looks for particular words… ugh.
          But glad you are okay and hope you get your full access back soon!!

        5. D
          Deann
          1 day ago

          Glad you are back. I don’t remember the word or post but I do they not read your posts or the context? Please don’t sensor good hearted people

    5. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      Sunnypatti, a reminder of change being inevidable is all we need. The rest falls into play.

  15. Ngoc Nguyen
    Ngoc Nguyen
    3 days ago

    Many changes in my life are unpredictable and beyond my control. The most important thing I can manage is my attitude. Whether I accept it or not, change will come anyway. So I ask myself: Why don’t I accept it peacefully?

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      My Ngoc, you just expanded upon my 1st answer and even the 2nd one too.

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