Connecting to gratitude, instantly puts my life in a broader perspective. Really, this should all be so simple, and then my brain over complicates things and I spiral. Coming back to gratitude brings me back to the simple but important things.
Today was a hard day. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. Focusing on gratitude was hard today, I did try. Mostly, I was in the moment (it was a pretty day), I was unhappy about feeling overwhelmed, or I was doing something to distract myself. Sometimes staying in the moment is easier for me than feeling grateful. It’s now after 8 pm. The day is over, and I’m feeling better. I am grateful that it is night time and I will be able to get some rest.
Some days,
dear Mary,
gratitude
is harder to find than others . . .
don’t beat yourself up.
Today is a new day.
We learn our lessons when we are ready. ♥
(I should take my own advice)
Ah, 35! So young! Being the opposite age (53), I’d take my skin at 35 in a heartbeat. It’s not that bad for my age, but it certainly changes over time 🙂
When i’m focused on gratitude, I recognize how much goodness and abundance I have in my life. I also think of people who don’t have all that I have and am reminded again to do what I can to make a difference in the world.
Gratefulness allows me to take a step back from fear, escape, and anger. These sensations can quickly become actions, especially in our digitized world. When I respond to these sensations without reflection, I become immersed or hypnotized in things that don’t matter. Gratitude opens up space to back off, appreciate, and consciously steer my day.
Like Sparrow and Barb, I love your phrase, “gratitude opens up space.”
“Gratitude opens up space to back off, appreciate, and consciously steer my day”
Just wonderful, Drea. 💕
When my attention is focused on gratitude, I am able to respond rather than react to whatever the day may bring. I’m more loving. I’m more caring with myself and others. Love Richard Rohr’s meditation today. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-time-for-growth/
Today’s meditation is profound,
dear Carol Ann.
I resonate deeply with the concept of Nepantia . . .
thank you for opening my eyes to this. ♥
“During nepantla our world views and self-identities are shattered. Nepantla is painful, messy, confusing and chaotic; it signals unexpected, uncontrollable shifts, transitions, and changes. Nepantla hurts!!!! But nepantla is also a time of self-reflection, choice, and potential growth.”
—AnaLouise Keating
Thank you for sharing Richard Rohr’s meditation. In our world of technology, we are so far from real wilderness, most of the time. It struck me, though, that wilderness might be any place or period in our life that’s tough to survive in and that requires us to transform as we move through.
Barb, I definitely think that in scripture wilderness is a metaphor for a challenging time in our lives. I have found that much of scripture needs to be seen and understood as metaphorical.
What matters in my life is loving God and others (my neighbor) as I love myself. It is out of a sense of gratitude that I am able to do that to any degree. Without gratitude, I could do none of that, I don’t think – not truly.
Same, Katrina. without loving god, it’s harder to love anyone else. He’s the creater who just loves to give and has every technique in the book. Everything that comes from man is finite, but all things that come from him is infinite.
Focusing on gratitude has singlehandedly changed my energy. When gratitude is present there is no room for doubt, worry or negativity. It puts everything in perspective for me.
I love today’s question. It reminds me that I am blessed. When I focus on gratitude, I realize how fortunate I am to have my loved ones with me, both physically and digitally. I am not alone! 😍
My Ngoc, it’s tempting to think that we’re alone when things are not going well. The reality is that there’s plenty of people out there. We’re either too busy dopamine hunting or depressed to see all that and end up reacting defensively even with the gentlest approaches handed to us. Dopamine, depressions, and defensiveness are from the same family. It all comes down to “You help you.” Being centered goes a long ways. It’s that sweet spot.
What matters in my life are the things I have nurtured throughout my life, that seems clear. Not taking them for granted is the result of deep appreciation that arises when I am present to each and all. Slowing down, being present to these wonders, to actually feel this in my body, mind, and spirit serves to deepen my gratitude. It’s a beautiful circle.🩷
It, gratitude, often makes me think that my problems are nearly always “FIRST WORLD” and not even comparable to the “THIRD WORLD” problems of so many of those around us: hunger, homelessness, poverty and the like. Gratitude tweaks the volunteer in me.
John, the modern Americanized way of thinking is complicated. We’ve become too good at making ponds out of puddles. 10 out of every 10 times, when we look back at our problems, it’s just a puddle.
No problem, Barb. I’ve certainly done a fair share of that having been raised and grown up in the American system. Not taking things personally and letting go are a couple things we can learn from Traditional Asian collective cultures. Blunt correction from elders is normal. No time for kids to live in their feelings and have agendas. Feelings, charm, and agendas go together. Twisting truths for personal gain is easy to do.
I become more grateful for the cards I’m dealt with including 2s and 3s rather than pulling strings to get what I want. String pulling is cheating. Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win. It all evens out from the grand scheme of things.
It simply reminds me that I have all that I need. I am alive. I am safe. I have a husband and two dogs who love me dearly, and I them. And I am also reminded of my own divine light, that light that lives in my heart space. That connection to myself and my Self and all that is. When I feel that, I know that all is well.
I love it, Sunnypatti. Basic needs are often overlooked in an age where everything is accessable within the palm of our hands. If we have food, shelter, water, family, and electricity, we’re good to go. It’s easy to forget that not everyone can afford these items even closer to home in the US.
Being able to live a comfortable life is something so many take for granted. But having that love, the family, whether those we are born connected to or those we find on our paths and learn to call family, is also a key factor in a meaningful life.
It sure is, Sunnypatti. Angela and I were saying the same thing on socialability this morning on how extroverts have always gotten the upperhand and mentioned fair or foul, the world favors socialable people. This brings me to the hierarchy of needs. To put in a nutshell, we go from basic needs to connections to wanting what others have that we don’t. Eventually, we end up back to the beginning satisfied with basic needs.
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Connecting to gratitude, instantly puts my life in a broader perspective. Really, this should all be so simple, and then my brain over complicates things and I spiral. Coming back to gratitude brings me back to the simple but important things.
Today was a hard day. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. Focusing on gratitude was hard today, I did try. Mostly, I was in the moment (it was a pretty day), I was unhappy about feeling overwhelmed, or I was doing something to distract myself. Sometimes staying in the moment is easier for me than feeling grateful. It’s now after 8 pm. The day is over, and I’m feeling better. I am grateful that it is night time and I will be able to get some rest.
Some days,
dear Mary,
gratitude
is harder to find than others . . .
don’t beat yourself up.
Today is a new day.
We learn our lessons when we are ready. ♥
(I should take my own advice)
I hesitated to post this, but it was true so I did. Thank you for your encouragement, Sparrow. 🥰
I’m glad that you did,
dear Mary. ♥
♥️♥️♥️
I echo SunnyPatti – I hope you have a better day.
Thank you, Michele. I appreciate you. ♥️
I’m sorry you had a hard day, Mary. I hope you got some good rest and have a better day today.
Today was better, SunnyPatti. Rest always helps! Thank you. ♥️
🤗
Just helps me focus on what matters and not dwell on the negatives.
My daughter will be 35 on Sunday! She was so cute this evening texting me about concerns of looking old and skin care. So adorable!
Ah, 35! So young! Being the opposite age (53), I’d take my skin at 35 in a heartbeat. It’s not that bad for my age, but it certainly changes over time 🙂
When i’m focused on gratitude, I recognize how much goodness and abundance I have in my life. I also think of people who don’t have all that I have and am reminded again to do what I can to make a difference in the world.
Thank you Barb – you do make a difference.
❤️
Gratefulness allows me to take a step back from fear, escape, and anger. These sensations can quickly become actions, especially in our digitized world. When I respond to these sensations without reflection, I become immersed or hypnotized in things that don’t matter. Gratitude opens up space to back off, appreciate, and consciously steer my day.
Like Sparrow and Barb, I love your phrase, “gratitude opens up space.”
“Gratitude opens up space to back off, appreciate, and consciously steer my day”
Just wonderful, Drea. 💕
Thank you Mary.
I like this too,
dear Drea . . .
that ‘Gratitude opens up space…’
it has helped me today
in an unpleasant situation.
Thank you. ♥
Glad it was helpful, Sparrow. May all unpleasant situations take the weekend off.
I like “gratitude opens up space, ” Drea. Thank you for this.
Thank you Barb.
When my attention is focused on gratitude, I am able to respond rather than react to whatever the day may bring. I’m more loving. I’m more caring with myself and others. Love Richard Rohr’s meditation today.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-time-for-growth/
Today’s meditation is profound,
dear Carol Ann.
I resonate deeply with the concept of Nepantia . . .
thank you for opening my eyes to this. ♥
“During nepantla our world views and self-identities are shattered. Nepantla is painful, messy, confusing and chaotic; it signals unexpected, uncontrollable shifts, transitions, and changes. Nepantla hurts!!!! But nepantla is also a time of self-reflection, choice, and potential growth.”
—AnaLouise Keating
Thank you for sharing Richard Rohr’s meditation. In our world of technology, we are so far from real wilderness, most of the time. It struck me, though, that wilderness might be any place or period in our life that’s tough to survive in and that requires us to transform as we move through.
Barb, I definitely think that in scripture wilderness is a metaphor for a challenging time in our lives. I have found that much of scripture needs to be seen and understood as metaphorical.
Respond rather than react–yes, that is a good way of putting it.
When I focus, I feel balanced and a calm enters my being.
What matters in my life is loving God and others (my neighbor) as I love myself. It is out of a sense of gratitude that I am able to do that to any degree. Without gratitude, I could do none of that, I don’t think – not truly.
Same, Katrina. without loving god, it’s harder to love anyone else. He’s the creater who just loves to give and has every technique in the book. Everything that comes from man is finite, but all things that come from him is infinite.
Focusing on gratitude has singlehandedly changed my energy. When gratitude is present there is no room for doubt, worry or negativity. It puts everything in perspective for me.
I love today’s question. It reminds me that I am blessed. When I focus on gratitude, I realize how fortunate I am to have my loved ones with me, both physically and digitally. I am not alone! 😍
My Ngoc, it’s tempting to think that we’re alone when things are not going well. The reality is that there’s plenty of people out there. We’re either too busy dopamine hunting or depressed to see all that and end up reacting defensively even with the gentlest approaches handed to us. Dopamine, depressions, and defensiveness are from the same family. It all comes down to “You help you.” Being centered goes a long ways. It’s that sweet spot.
What matters in my life are the things I have nurtured throughout my life, that seems clear. Not taking them for granted is the result of deep appreciation that arises when I am present to each and all. Slowing down, being present to these wonders, to actually feel this in my body, mind, and spirit serves to deepen my gratitude. It’s a beautiful circle.🩷
It, gratitude, often makes me think that my problems are nearly always “FIRST WORLD” and not even comparable to the “THIRD WORLD” problems of so many of those around us: hunger, homelessness, poverty and the like. Gratitude tweaks the volunteer in me.
John, the modern Americanized way of thinking is complicated. We’ve become too good at making ponds out of puddles. 10 out of every 10 times, when we look back at our problems, it’s just a puddle.
Thank you for the phrase “making ponds out of puddles,” Loc. I’m keeping that for future use!
No problem, Barb. I’ve certainly done a fair share of that having been raised and grown up in the American system. Not taking things personally and letting go are a couple things we can learn from Traditional Asian collective cultures. Blunt correction from elders is normal. No time for kids to live in their feelings and have agendas. Feelings, charm, and agendas go together. Twisting truths for personal gain is easy to do.
I become more grateful for the cards I’m dealt with including 2s and 3s rather than pulling strings to get what I want. String pulling is cheating. Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win. It all evens out from the grand scheme of things.
By focusing on gratitude it makes me very thankful to what matters in my life.
Short and sweet . . .
beautifully said,
dear Michele. ♥
💗
It simply reminds me that I have all that I need. I am alive. I am safe. I have a husband and two dogs who love me dearly, and I them. And I am also reminded of my own divine light, that light that lives in my heart space. That connection to myself and my Self and all that is. When I feel that, I know that all is well.
❤️
💜
Patti, yes…my Self
That big “S” Self makes the difference 💜
I love it, Sunnypatti. Basic needs are often overlooked in an age where everything is accessable within the palm of our hands. If we have food, shelter, water, family, and electricity, we’re good to go. It’s easy to forget that not everyone can afford these items even closer to home in the US.
Being able to live a comfortable life is something so many take for granted. But having that love, the family, whether those we are born connected to or those we find on our paths and learn to call family, is also a key factor in a meaningful life.
It sure is, Sunnypatti. Angela and I were saying the same thing on socialability this morning on how extroverts have always gotten the upperhand and mentioned fair or foul, the world favors socialable people. This brings me to the hierarchy of needs. To put in a nutshell, we go from basic needs to connections to wanting what others have that we don’t. Eventually, we end up back to the beginning satisfied with basic needs.