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Gratefulness
My oldest son, who is very artistic, spend many hours sketching a map of Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings) on parchment paper. In June, he gave it to my husband as a birthday gift. Last night, both our sons came to visit and our youngest son bought a picture frame for this hand-crafted map (as his birthday gift) and alas, my husband and I could not find where we had put this art work. We knew we had stored it away in a safe place but last night, we couldn’t remember where. We looked everR...
My oldest son, who is very artistic, spend many hours sketching a map of Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings) on parchment paper. In June, he gave it to my husband as a birthday gift. Last night, both our sons came to visit and our youngest son bought a picture frame for this hand-crafted map (as his birthday gift) and alas, my husband and I could not find where we had put this art work. We knew we had stored it away in a safe place but last night, we couldn’t remember where. We looked ever…My oldest son, who is very artistic, spend many hours sketching a map of Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings) on parchment paper. In June, he gave it to my husband as a birthday gift. Last night, both our sons came to visit and our youngest son bought a picture frame for this hand-crafted map (as his birthday gift) and alas, my husband and I could not find where we had put this art work. We knew we had stored it away in a safe place but last night, we couldn’t remember where. We looked everywhere and then I stopped to pray and yes, lit a candle, to offer us light and guidance to find this precious gift. (sorry, couldn’t help myself) and soon after, I was divinely guided to where we had stored it for safe keeping.
In worldly events, this may seem trivial, but my husband and I felt so devastated that both of us could not remember where we had carefully stored our son’s art work and his gift to his dad. To me, it is a sense of wonder that these little events have so much meaning and are indeed part of the wonder of the world. Every person is a wonder!
I plan to teach a class in my neighborhood on how to make paper flowers made from old magazines, a recycled and re-purposed soda can as the vase, old buttons and floral wire.
As I live in a 55+ community, I would like to give these flowers to those who are sick, shut-in, or just in need of flowers to brighten their day. This will be one of my ways to ‘love my neighbor’.
In reflection, this question brings to my mind, 1 Corinthians 13, especially 1 Corinthians 13:1
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
If we don’t take the time to replenish and restore our hearts, souls, minds and even our bodies with Divine Love, what do we have to offer of ourselves when we reach out to help others?
I am sitting here, holding my 6 month grand-daughter. She is asleep in my arms. Totally at peace. That makes me very happy.
Prayer. Praying for others. Praying for myself. And faith in knowing that God is good, loving and compassionate.
Just coming here to Gratefulness for a moment of reflection and connection with all that is good and caring.
My grey hair. I have never dyed my hair but leaving it to grey naturally. It shows off my maturity and wisdom, I hope. And it reminds me to be mature and wise!
A relative of mine is dying. My Uncle Bob, is who I thought of, when I reflected on this Daily Question. Not ‘what’ but ‘who’ is ending their life now. My Uncle, who is only 60 years old, has cancer and although I don’t know the details, my sister told me it is terminal. I hold my uncle up with love and compassion, along with his wife, my Aunt Jen, and their two grown daughters. My uncle does not believe in God nor prayer, so I light a candle, here at Gratefulnes...
A relative of mine is dying. My Uncle Bob, is who I thought of, when I reflected on this Daily Question. Not ‘what’ but ‘who’ is ending their life now. My Uncle, who is only 60 years old, has cancer and although I don’t know the details, my sister told me it is terminal. I hold my uncle up with love and compassion, along with his wife, my Aunt Jen, and their two grown daughters. My uncle does not believe in God nor prayer, so I light a candle, here at Gratefulness, for him. A candle of light in hopes that he will not be in pain but that he will find comfort, as our family holds him up and supports him with compassion and love.
When I take the time to reflect to connect to the higher Source and to my higher self.
In my neighborhood, there is one woman who just doesn’t get along with another neighbor and his wife. I try to find ‘common ground’ with others and to be kind, careful and ‘tender’ in this situation. I am not interested in taking sides but to appreciate all my neighbors. It is a difficult situation but it is a situation in which I can tend to the tenderness of all my neighbors. To be kind and compassionate to everyone.
To go beyond what I can’t change and instead of complaining about it, let go of what is bothering me (there are many things and situations where I can choose to step away from) and reach out to what brings me joy, harmony and peace.
And if I am in a chaotic situation that I don’t like, I can take a deep breath and let it out slowly to ground myself and find a sense of inner calmness.
It is our everyday life that is a wonder. It is our family, our neighbors, our community that are wonders. You reminded me that it is not only ‘out there in worldly events’ nor ‘out there in the cosmos’ somewhere, but within each of us, the sense of inner peace, that is a wonder.
I have found that it helps to light a candle for people I can’t talk to at the present time because of some conflict or issue I have with the. Either I don’t know how to express it or they are not open to discuss it. By lighting a candle, either a virtual one here at Gratefulness or a real candle, it just brings a sense of light and hope to the situation.
This is just a thought that you might find helpful.
You will miss your mother when she is gone. I certainly miss my mother. She passed away 10 years ago. You reminded me how important it is to forgive. I realized that I hadn’t really forgiven my mother about her lack of understanding about the creative side about me. As I write this, I do feel my mother’s presence and know she now understands me better.
I do want to do my part in volunteer work or social action but find that I need to first seek God’s guidance or a spiritual ‘leading’ and sometimes, I have felt the answer is ‘No, this is not your place or time to volunteer or for social action, this is your time to spent in ‘inner works’ or in prayer, meditation or reflection.’
For example, our church was asking for volunteers to help out at Vacation Bible School, last month. In years past, when my children were young, ...
For example, our church was asking for volunteers to help out at Vacation Bible School, last month. In years past, when my children were young, I have volunteered at VBS, but this year, I prayed about it and felt that the answer for me was ‘No, not you, let the younger generation and the parents volunteer, it is their time to help out in VBS.’ And they did get all the volunteers they needed. I was needed to just spiritually and prayerfully offer my support.
That Divine ‘no’ always surprises me but what it has taught me is that is it not all up to me to save the world. I am just one person and I have my place and time for ‘social action’ but what is more important for the foundation of my life is the inner works; faith, inner reflection, meditation and prayer.
I love green tea and also matcha. I make iced green tea with a little matcha. So refreshing during the hot, summer months. But you have reminded me to sip it slowly with an emphasis on mindfulness. 🙂
I do think we women need to STOP comparing ourselves to models or Barbie dolls. We can embrace who we are and know that we are indeed beautiful. Treasure your body, your children and I smile back to you!
I am definitely in my autumn years. In my post, I shared about my uncle, who is dying of cancer. He is 60 years old, the same age that I am. And all I can do is light a candle for him. And to treasure each day, even as I get older. Old age is something to be grateful for, especially as it is a time for reflection and to gain wisdom.
Sometimes, when I first read the ‘Daily Question’, I react and think ‘what kind of question is that?’ then I start to reflect and find that it is indeed a very profound and deep question. This second question really did have me ponder – it is OK to have enough at any given moment or phase in our lives?
I am almost a ‘Senior Citizen’ and if I do live another 30 years or so, I don’t want doctors or family members to ‘drag out’ ...
I am almost a ‘Senior Citizen’ and if I do live another 30 years or so, I don’t want doctors or family members to ‘drag out’ my life with ‘advanced medical procedures, etc.’ – I would like to be able to decide myself, when the time comes – ‘It is enough’ and let my life be my story and legacy to pass on to my family. And to let go and let God.
Even though I don’t have any pets, I do understand the depth of love and care in a home with pets. It is a beneficial relationship that people, dogs and cats share together. There is so much learning but it is indeed learning based on lots of love. I can just picture your dogs and cat, asleep in a sunbeam of a window, relaxed, well care for, and thus at peace.
Isn’t what you are learning from your dogs and cat a reflection of the TLC that you are giving to your pets? They...
Isn’t what you are learning from your dogs and cat a reflection of the TLC that you are giving to your pets? They are able to sleep peacefully in a sunbeam, because they live in a home where they are accepted, cared for and loved.
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