The idea of looking for insights/learning or opportunities from challenging experiences and writing them down. That is part of the practice questions from Month 1 in Grateful Gatherings. I haven’t become aware of any opportunities yet, but have written down a couple helpful insights that arose from challenging experiences in the past couple of weeks. And in the area of opportunities, I was really struck by how many people who responded to the question from April 29, “What was the catalyst in my life that led me to living gratefully?” responded with challenging and difficult life experiences.
Summer of 2016 was not going great.
My husband and I were spending July in a condo at the beach.
He was drinking heavily, the heat was oppressive, and I was getting depressed.
I was scrolling on the internet one evening trying to find something of interest
and came upon this gratefulness website. I joined right away.
I’m sure I already knew about the importance of living gratefully.
But it was from Brother David and this website
that I learned about living gratefully as a spiritual practice.
The spiritual nature of the world
has always been apparent to me,
but I never really associated it with Gratitude.
An enthusiastic reader,
someone
loaned me a copy of ‘Simple Abundance’
by Sarah Ban Breathnach . . .
following a suggestion in the book,
and desperate for release from a miserable depression,
I started writing down five things every day
for which I am grateful,
not believing for a minute
that it would make a difference in my life.
Some days
it would take me half and hour or forty-five minutes
to come up with five things,
but I did it . . .
lo, and behold,
within a month
I noticed a shift my perception of the world I inhabit,
and that debilitating depression
retreated,
never to rear it’s head as horribly as it used to.
I told a friend about it,
and she said,
”been there,
done that–
I do it in my head.”
I am convinced though,
that it’s important to actually write it down.
She never did,
and was on antidepressants, tranquilizers, and anti-psychotics
until she died of toxicity when she was 56.
When I heard that Dan Fogelberg had died,
I went to his web site
and found a link to gratefulness.org,
and I’ve been coming ever since.
In short,
suffering was the catalyst that led me here . . .
following the path out of it
has been twisty and sometimes dark,
but I’m still here
and am grateful for my life.
That is my story. ♥
Serendipity brought me to gratefulness. I first learned of Br. David while listening to a talk on a local college radio station. Soon after I purchased “Belonging to the Universe”—it has to be about 25 years ago. I’ve been following this site since its inception and began answering the question a few years ago. I was inconsistent; however, over the last two years it has really become an anchor in my practice. Now I post on this page and on the grattude lounge in the community area, too.
The massive amount of grief I experienced in 2022 brought me to my knees but also made me realize how life goes on. I thought I was losing myself in the midst of it all but looking back I realize I was in the process of finding myself. And for that, I am grateful
When my younger brother faced death from a tragic disease in 2011, I was deeply touched by some of his last words….”I’m so grateful for the wonderful life I’ve had.” In addition to stunning me, these words also spurred me on to pray for the grace of gratitude I saw in him. That led me to this site. I continue to be inspired by each of you. We truly are companions on the journey.
Finding myself 26 years old, spiritually, physically, and emotionally bankrupt with delirium tremors (DTs). God’s Grace led me to a supportive community where I’ve learned we all only have one day at a time regardless of who we are, to live on this planet and be helpful to others. I’m very grateful for that collapse and all that’s unfolded since then.
The catalyst for me to really focus in on the gratefulness practices was learning last fall that there were many credible allegations that my spiritual teacher of over 20 years had harmed some of his students. I had loved his teachings because there was not only the actual meditation practice, but also practices one could do during the day. I was looking for new practices that I could do during the day to keep me connected to the best in those around me and to spiritual web of life.
Grief was the catalyst. After putting my faith in aspiration, productivity, and materialism, I found myself drifting on an empty gray plain, devoid of hope and meaning. I had to slow down and learn to be with grief, it was the only way I could revive my sense of aliveness. But when I felt grief, I thought l I would drown in it. How could I learn to “walk with grief,” as Francis Weller puts it? Gratefulness is a big answer. The world is full of sorrows, I am full of sorrows. The world is full of beauty and so am I. These things exist simultaneously. For me, gratefulness is an integral part of living a sustainable, whole, alive life while also acknowledging and welcoming sorrow.
The thing that led me here was my life coming to a crisis. Things falling apart. It had been a lifetime in the making. Strangely, I chose to surrender. To stop resisting. To open up. I don’t know why I went in that direction, but I’m grateful did. Non resistance included doing the things that people suggested that I do. Practices. I’m sure many of us here can relate. Reaching out to a friend, who was also suffering through her own crisis, led her to sending me a quote of the day from this site.
At that time, everything was a sign. Everything had meaning. So I went towards this new thing. I explored this website and started reading the daily question. I found the responses to be filled with so much wisdom. At the time, I had decided to generally, be a participant rather than a passive onlooker. So I pushed back my anxiety and started responding. Hitting the send button, used to be difficult for me, and still sometimes is. This has helped me tremendously, and for that I am so grateful.
I don’t think it was one thing. I have had some struggles in my long term marriage. The catalyst may have been when I switched my thinking to ” look what I have.”
Of course, this community is where I start my day with grateful questions that encourage me to think positively. Click to Pray from Pope Francis, Actions for Happiness are also communities that boost my gratitude. May you all have a day that is filled with joy. 😂
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The idea of looking for insights/learning or opportunities from challenging experiences and writing them down. That is part of the practice questions from Month 1 in Grateful Gatherings. I haven’t become aware of any opportunities yet, but have written down a couple helpful insights that arose from challenging experiences in the past couple of weeks. And in the area of opportunities, I was really struck by how many people who responded to the question from April 29, “What was the catalyst in my life that led me to living gratefully?” responded with challenging and difficult life experiences.
Summer of 2016 was not going great.
My husband and I were spending July in a condo at the beach.
He was drinking heavily, the heat was oppressive, and I was getting depressed.
I was scrolling on the internet one evening trying to find something of interest
and came upon this gratefulness website. I joined right away.
I’m sure I already knew about the importance of living gratefully.
But it was from Brother David and this website
that I learned about living gratefully as a spiritual practice.
Yes, Brother David really understands how to live gratefully as a spiritual practice. Glad that oppressive summer night brought you here.
The spiritual nature of the world
has always been apparent to me,
but I never really associated it with Gratitude.
An enthusiastic reader,
someone
loaned me a copy of ‘Simple Abundance’
by Sarah Ban Breathnach . . .
following a suggestion in the book,
and desperate for release from a miserable depression,
I started writing down five things every day
for which I am grateful,
not believing for a minute
that it would make a difference in my life.
Some days
it would take me half and hour or forty-five minutes
to come up with five things,
but I did it . . .
lo, and behold,
within a month
I noticed a shift my perception of the world I inhabit,
and that debilitating depression
retreated,
never to rear it’s head as horribly as it used to.
I told a friend about it,
and she said,
”been there,
done that–
I do it in my head.”
I am convinced though,
that it’s important to actually write it down.
She never did,
and was on antidepressants, tranquilizers, and anti-psychotics
until she died of toxicity when she was 56.
When I heard that Dan Fogelberg had died,
I went to his web site
and found a link to gratefulness.org,
and I’ve been coming ever since.
In short,
suffering was the catalyst that led me here . . .
following the path out of it
has been twisty and sometimes dark,
but I’m still here
and am grateful for my life.
That is my story. ♥
Thank you Sparrow. I’m glad you’re here.
I’m glad you’re here too,
dear Drea,
and grateful for this community . . . ♥
Someone told me to write down the things that I’m grateful for, and I end each journal entry with a list of gratitude. It does make a difference.
Thank you for sharing your story, Sparrow.
Thank you for ‘listening’,
dear Sunnypatti . . .
I still make my list of gratitudes every day. ♥
Thank you for your story Sparrow—I agree it’s not enough to merely be grateful in ones head.
It’s made all the difference in the world,
dear Avril,
and so has coming here
to this place . . . ♥
No mud no lotus 🪷- in other words a lot of suffering. Thankfully.
Serendipity brought me to gratefulness. I first learned of Br. David while listening to a talk on a local college radio station. Soon after I purchased “Belonging to the Universe”—it has to be about 25 years ago. I’ve been following this site since its inception and began answering the question a few years ago. I was inconsistent; however, over the last two years it has really become an anchor in my practice. Now I post on this page and on the grattude lounge in the community area, too.
The massive amount of grief I experienced in 2022 brought me to my knees but also made me realize how life goes on. I thought I was losing myself in the midst of it all but looking back I realize I was in the process of finding myself. And for that, I am grateful
Glad you’re here, Jenifer.
When my younger brother faced death from a tragic disease in 2011, I was deeply touched by some of his last words….”I’m so grateful for the wonderful life I’ve had.” In addition to stunning me, these words also spurred me on to pray for the grace of gratitude I saw in him. That led me to this site. I continue to be inspired by each of you. We truly are companions on the journey.
Great grief,
dear Josie,
is often eased
by great gifts . . . ♥
Finding myself 26 years old, spiritually, physically, and emotionally bankrupt with delirium tremors (DTs). God’s Grace led me to a supportive community where I’ve learned we all only have one day at a time regardless of who we are, to live on this planet and be helpful to others. I’m very grateful for that collapse and all that’s unfolded since then.
❤️
You are a miracle,
dear Carla . . . ♥
Well-said, Carla.
The catalyst for me to really focus in on the gratefulness practices was learning last fall that there were many credible allegations that my spiritual teacher of over 20 years had harmed some of his students. I had loved his teachings because there was not only the actual meditation practice, but also practices one could do during the day. I was looking for new practices that I could do during the day to keep me connected to the best in those around me and to spiritual web of life.
I went through that about 35 years ago with a guru.
That was so hard to deal with.
While regretting this sad & disappointing news, Elizabeth, I’m grateful that it led you here with us. Continue to continue
Thank you, Josie! ♥️
Grief was the catalyst. After putting my faith in aspiration, productivity, and materialism, I found myself drifting on an empty gray plain, devoid of hope and meaning. I had to slow down and learn to be with grief, it was the only way I could revive my sense of aliveness. But when I felt grief, I thought l I would drown in it. How could I learn to “walk with grief,” as Francis Weller puts it? Gratefulness is a big answer. The world is full of sorrows, I am full of sorrows. The world is full of beauty and so am I. These things exist simultaneously. For me, gratefulness is an integral part of living a sustainable, whole, alive life while also acknowledging and welcoming sorrow.
Yes,
dear Drea . . .
grief and gratitude
are inevitably connected.
Thank you for saying it . . . ♥
Beautifully said Drea
The thing that led me here was my life coming to a crisis. Things falling apart. It had been a lifetime in the making. Strangely, I chose to surrender. To stop resisting. To open up. I don’t know why I went in that direction, but I’m grateful did. Non resistance included doing the things that people suggested that I do. Practices. I’m sure many of us here can relate. Reaching out to a friend, who was also suffering through her own crisis, led her to sending me a quote of the day from this site.
At that time, everything was a sign. Everything had meaning. So I went towards this new thing. I explored this website and started reading the daily question. I found the responses to be filled with so much wisdom. At the time, I had decided to generally, be a participant rather than a passive onlooker. So I pushed back my anxiety and started responding. Hitting the send button, used to be difficult for me, and still sometimes is. This has helped me tremendously, and for that I am so grateful.
I am glad you are part of this Community and enjoy reading your responses Charlie – and I love your Profile pic too 🙂
Thank you, Charlie. May you have enough.
”Hitting the send button, used to be difficult for me, and still sometimes is.”
This is true for me as well,
dear Charlie . . . ♥
ps. I’m glad you’re here too . . .
Glad you’re here Charlie
I’m glad you hit the send button, Charlie. Your responses always speak to me. Keep on sharing with us
Desperation – It pushed me to confront unhealthy patterns and break free from a cycle that was draining me.
I don’t think it was one thing. I have had some struggles in my long term marriage. The catalyst may have been when I switched my thinking to ” look what I have.”
My zen principles with Sean piggybacking off of Phil Jackson is the cadalyst for my grateful living.
Of course, this community is where I start my day with grateful questions that encourage me to think positively. Click to Pray from Pope Francis, Actions for Happiness are also communities that boost my gratitude. May you all have a day that is filled with joy. 😂
My Ngoc, I start my day answering the question here too. Now that your school work is winding down, you have more time for your spiritual practices.