Reflections

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  1. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    3 weeks ago

    Today we met with our boss and I feel way less stressed about recent added responsibilities. Definitely made my day!
    I am glad she was open to having a conversation and valued our opinions.

    I also had a long conversation on the phone with a friend of mine for nearly 25 years now. We connect so easily even after not talking for a long time! 💕

    1. Patti
      sunnypatti
      2 weeks ago

      Those friend calls are so nice 💗

  2. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    3 weeks ago

    Somewhere along the way
    I learned to keep my mouth shut . . .
    never tell,
    never ask.
    Perhaps that is how it was
    that I began to write and keep journals.
    It started when I was a young girl
    after I’d been given my first diary . . .
    a turquoise fake leather book
    with a goldtone lock and key.
    As a young adult
    I burned those diaries in an incinerator
    in the basement of an apartment building in Chicago
    in a neighborhood where I had been told
    when I moved in there,
    “they’ll slit your throat for a wooden nickel.”
    But I never stopped writing . . .
    I graduated to steno pads,
    composition books,
    and finally to little bound books
    of various shapes, sizes,
    and colours.

    Through some pretty terrible times
    I kept mum
    and lived my ‘public’ life around them,
    returning to write what really happened,
    how I really felt.
    I have hundreds of them now,
    piled away . . .
    oddly enough,
    since around 2005
    they became replaced
    with gratitude journals instead.
    That was a few years before I found gratefulness.org.

    I still have things that trouble me,
    and thoughts that I fight with,
    but still stay silent about most of my concerns.

    Last week
    I was approached by a friend
    who is close enough
    and brave enough,
    to broach a sensitive subject with me . . .
    my heart,
    caught unawares,
    opened up,
    and I told her how I was addressing the issue,
    and my thoughts about it
    and its hopeful outcome.
    It was so good
    to let it out to another human being,
    especially one I trusted
    and knew cared about me,
    and I feel so much freer
    for having been seen.

    Afterwards,
    I told her how very much it meant to me,
    and I hope that it made her day
    at least half as much as it made mine. ♥

    1. D
      Drea
      2 weeks ago

      What a gift this person gave you. I hope I can give that to my friends, too.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 weeks ago

        Me too,
        dear Drea . . . ♥

    2. Patti
      sunnypatti
      2 weeks ago

      Isn’t nice to have someone other than our spouses who we can be completely open with?
      💜

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 weeks ago

        Yes,
        dear SunnyPatti . . .
        it helps. 🙂

  3. L
    Loc Tran
    3 weeks ago

    An RLM member name Hayden has made my day lately on how he loves my bible verses and songs. There was a bible verse of the day on death and resurection. I talked about my addiction to business ventures and referencing Shaq as a cautionary tale. Hayden commented saying that he was met Shaq at Lowes hotel in Atlanta and saw how big he is. I replied to Hayden letting know how he made my day, and it’s a magical experience.

  4. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    3 weeks ago

    My young neighbor Denisse calls most days on her lunch hour to check on me. When she ends the call, she always says “Call me if you need anything. Love you. Bye.” It is so thoughtful and always leaves my mind and heart feeling warm and loved. I truly do my best to thank those who show their love and compassion for me.

    I also needed today’s quote from St. Teresa of Avila, “The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.” I have spent the morning for the most part in the future a bit overwhelmed by an upcoming major surgery. My mind’s been in its need to control mode! I’ve got a handle on it now!

    1. Y
      Yram
      2 weeks ago

      Blessings to you and your care team.

    2. Michele
      Michele
      2 weeks ago

      I ditto everyone – will want to wish you a successful sx and lots of healing energy.

    3. Patti
      sunnypatti
      2 weeks ago

      I love that you have such a sweet, caring neighbor.

      And, yes, please let us know when you are going in for surgery. We will all lift you up 🙏🏼

    4. Mary
      Mary
      2 weeks ago

      Dear Carol Ann, I am so glad to hear that you were able to move away from the feeling of being overwhelmed and into your loving heart. Those two spaces of being are worlds apart, aren’t they.

      Please let us know, Carol Ann, when your surgery is coming up. I’m sure everyone here will want to keep you in our thoughts, hold you in our hearts, and send you love and healing energy. Sending love. ♥️

    5. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      3 weeks ago

      I understand that control mode of not wanting surgery oh so well. Wishing all will be well and that u have lot of support!.

      1. Carol Ann Conner
        Carol Ann Conner
        3 weeks ago

        Thanks, Robin Ann

    6. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 weeks ago

      Your reflection
      made me think of a poem I saw the other day,
      dear Carol Ann,
      from Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.
      As it was in an email
      I don’t know how to send you a link,
      so here it is . . . ♥

      The Future Writes to Rosemerry

      I know I like to keep my secrets close. It’s who I am.
      That doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Doesn’t mean
      I don’t appreciate it when you plant larkspur
      and roses, lavender bushes and apricot trees,
      as if you believe in investing in a world years from now.
      Of course, I appreciate the way you call your congressmen
      to tell them about the world you believe we could live in.
      I love every time you put a letter in the mail with a stamp,
      every time you learn a new skill or make a ten-year-plan.
      How beautiful you are to me when you dream.
      It’s lonely here, of course. Everyone always coming toward
      but never arriving. I’m not complaining.
      Being the future has its perks. Like infinite potential.
      Like hope. I know it’s hard sometimes to believe
      you will ever get through this. But haven’t you learned by now
      that just because you don’t see the way forward
      doesn’t mean they way doesn’t exist?
      That is the only promise I can make you, sweetheart.
      You can’t see the path. But here it is.

      1. Barb C
        Barb C
        2 weeks ago

        I’ve learned that Rosemerry posts her daily poems after she emails them to people. I too go looking for one online that isn’t yet available there.

      2. Carol Ann Conner
        Carol Ann Conner
        3 weeks ago

        Thank you, Sparrow…very helpful

  5. Y
    Yram
    3 weeks ago

    My daughter in law. We were talking on their anniversary. She said to hold a minute. She turned on video chat. It was a feature I didn’t realize I had. What a delight.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 weeks ago

      🙂

  6. Mary
    Mary
    3 weeks ago

    In figure drawing class last Saturday the instructor told that my drawing would make a nice watercolor because of the fluidity of my lines. I was so pleased to hear her say that. I try to stay loose and fluid as getting tight tends to not be particularly lovely. I can tell her in the next class how much I appreciated and felt encouraged by her feedback. 😊

    1. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      3 weeks ago

      Wonderful on great feedback!

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      3 weeks ago

      Mary, I needed to hear your statement “I try to stay loose and fluid as getting tight tends to not be particularly lovely.” I assume you were referring to the way you paint but that line hit me right between the eyes! Well, I’ve been getting tight all morning and when I read your words my body felt them. I literally felt “loose and fluid.” That’s a helpful way of letting go!

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 weeks ago

        I didn’t even think of it that way, Carol Ann. I love that interpretation. I’m so glad it was helpful to you. I will copy my own words down for myself. Staying loose is important for a joyful life, as well as for good art. 😎

    3. D
      Drea
      3 weeks ago

      Ooh, will you turn it into a watercolor next?

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 weeks ago

        I didn’t have time to complete the drawing, but thanks for the tiny push, Drea. I just may do that!

    4. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 weeks ago

      I’m pleased,
      dear Mary,
      that you have such a kind and caring presence
      in your instructor. ♥

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 weeks ago

        Me too, Sparrow. Thank you. ♥️

  7. Mary
    Mary Mantei
    3 weeks ago

    I love this question and had to really think about it. My answer is my niece, Julie. She sent me a text a couple weeks ago, wondering if we could set up a time for a phone chat as she had some things on her mind she wanted to talk about. We did, and we had that conversation a week ago today. I felt honored that she trusted me with her confidences. As I listened, I heard her love and deep concern for someone we both love. We came to some conclusions, however really no solutions. Yet the process brought self-enlightenment to her, and a path forward. Her recognition of the depth of our relationship, built on the experience of trust , and what she might call wisdom, through my lived experiences is what made my day.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      3 weeks ago

      ☀️

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 weeks ago

      It is a huge gift,
      dear Mary,
      to hold someone’s trust. ♥

    3. Mary
      Mary
      3 weeks ago

      Love this!!! 🥰

      1. Carol Ann Conner
        Carol Ann Conner
        3 weeks ago

        Me, too!

  8. L
    Louise
    3 weeks ago

    I was having trouble finding references for job applications and the person I least expected agreed to be my reference. He was just a person I worked alongside during my school placement and he made my day! After I secure a position, I will send him a thank you note and a small gift for his time.

  9. D
    Deann
    3 weeks ago

    My children left me a sweet gift lately for no special reason – I told them both how the unexpected gesture made me feel and said thank you.

    I need to write my brother-in-law while visiting he and my sister he let me know he is there for me too during difficult times. It meant a lot to be reminded of our friendship and that it’s not out of family “obligation” for lack of a better word.

  10. Michele
    Michele
    3 weeks ago

    I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Hayden Panettiere’s death yesterday. I thought about it all day and it still lingers on. I lit a candle for her on this website. My girls were both cheerleaders and Bring It On movies are classics for me.
    RIP Hayden.

    https://nationaltoday.com/serendipity-day/

    1. Patti
      sunnypatti
      2 weeks ago

      Very sad. So young and with so many struggles. I hope her soul can be at peace.

    2. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      3 weeks ago

      ❤️

    3. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      3 weeks ago

      yes very sad. I heard on cnn today that she wrote a memoir of her struggles

  11. Patti
    sunnypatti
    3 weeks ago

    My new landlord made my day when she took time a few days ago to do a virtual tour of the house we’ve been interested in, approved our application later that day, and sent the lease last night. I thanked her on a call and promised we’d be good tenants.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      2 weeks ago

      Yay, Patti, so exciting!!!

      1. Patti
        sunnypatti
        2 weeks ago

        Right? It’s the one I told you about!! Beach life, here we come 🌊🌴🏄🏼‍♀️

        1. Mary
          Mary
          2 weeks ago

          ♥️♥️♥️☀️☀️☀️🏄‍♀️🏄‍♀️🏄‍♀️

    2. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      3 weeks ago

      Awesome!!

      1. Patti
        sunnypatti
        2 weeks ago

        I can’t wait to be on the water as much as you… just with different modality 🏄🏼‍♀️🙌🏼

        1. Robin Ann
          Robin Ann
          2 weeks ago

          Somehow I believe it is in one’s blood to need to be close to the Ocean!

    3. Michele
      Michele
      3 weeks ago

      yayyyy! Congrats 🙂

      1. D
        Drea
        3 weeks ago

        Second that, congrats!

        1. Patti
          sunnypatti
          2 weeks ago

          Thank you both! We found the perfect house and will be able to walk to the beach! Not only that, a beautiful, big backyard that our dogs are going to love. Yay!!

          1. D
            Drea
            2 weeks ago

            That sounds dreamy!

  12. Joseph
    Joseph McCann
    3 weeks ago

    About 8 days ago I received a card from our son, who has recently moved to Kunia, Hawaii. The card had a picture of a yellow duckling with the caption above in bold letters, “What The Duck!” It was a birthday card! The inside had some quip about accumulating time. I laughed and realized that our son’s, for at least a moment, sense of humor shined through this piece of cardboard from so may time zones away. I kept that card with all the others my lovely wife Cheryl, him and our daughter have given me over these many years. I told him I loved him and of this collection of cards. Their existence unknown to him.
    Peace. Love & Light.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      2 weeks ago

      What the duck, Joseph!!! 🐥
      Love this! 😄

    2. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      3 weeks ago

      Awe Adorable!!

    3. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol Ann Conner
      3 weeks ago

      I hope your son’s life was not impacted by the recent storms in Hawaii.

      1. Joseph
        Joseph McCann
        3 weeks ago

        Mostly inconvenienced by loss of power. No damage to the dwelling he is renting a room in. Thanks for asking Carol Ann.

    4. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 weeks ago

      My guess is,
      dear Joseph,
      that not only did he make your day,
      but you also made his. ♥

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 weeks ago

        Yes!

    5. Michele
      Michele
      3 weeks ago

      My daughter lived on Big Island for a few years. May your son enjoy his time there.🌺

  13. Christina Rossi75270
    Christina
    3 weeks ago

    I’ve had a lot of unexpected expenses lately. Sunday at church a woman who I know offered me money. I thanked her profusely. No one has ever offered that. I was touched and wanted her to know.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      2 weeks ago

      That’s lovely.

  14. Antoinette88615
    Antoinette
    3 weeks ago

    The universe has made my day and I’m eternally grateful. I don’t know what I would do without knowing the meditation method of elimination of the false human mind world. The images that I have taken since birth are overlapping the Truth /True Universe. Each moment is a new opportunity to discover or dis- cover Truth.
    When I die in the present moment I BECOME the universe mind which is our birth right and birth place – the original true nature is here in the present and I am forever grateful to be given this opportunity to live eternal, never dying- ALWAYS ALIVE. What a wonderful gift! 💝 thank you universe! I love you and you love me. We have never been separate.

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