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Gratefulness
… and remember how as a child your arms could rise and your palms turn out to bless the world. (Tobar Phadraic, David Whyte)
I am on vacation (yay!) and the brisk waves of Lake Michigan, lots of trees outside windows erupting with birdsong, all inspire and invite. It was a grueling drive, but I have a week to relax.
My daughters and son-in-law, parents and grandparents. Music and writing teachers along the path. My trinity of women professors in seminary. A couple of wonderful friends. Mother Earth and the Great Spirit. Myself.
Each of us is vulnerable, porous – emotionally, physically, etc. None of us wants to feel or show that vulnerability in a dangerous or threatening situation, even though it is a reality. Yet our own vulnerability also connects us to others who are vulnerable. It is part of our shared humanity. When I gathered with others as the leader in teaching or spiritual gatherings, there were ways in which my own willingness to share my vulnerability (in appropriate and particular ways) was often ...
Each of us is vulnerable, porous – emotionally, physically, etc. None of us wants to feel or show that vulnerability in a dangerous or threatening situation, even though it is a reality. Yet our own vulnerability also connects us to others who are vulnerable. It is part of our shared humanity. When I gathered with others as the leader in teaching or spiritual gatherings, there were ways in which my own willingness to share my vulnerability (in appropriate and particular ways) was often a help to others in knowing they were not alone, or in their trusting the environment as safe if they cared to share verbally. I think our own vulnerability also helps us respond to others on so many levels. We can relate at some level to hunger, or loneliness, or even joy, and respond appropriately, as our hearts are moved to share something of ourselves. We stand with others because we are all human together.
Also, Brene Brown has done a lot of work and speaking/writing on vulnerability, including a TED talk. This can be found on her website which is her name with a .com.
I have every basic need met in my life – a good and secure living space, food to eat, clean water to drink (well, I filter it first), a good retirement income, a good health care team and insurance, family and friends who care about me. So a really hard day for me cannot compare to the hard days of those who struggle in more ways than I can count or imagine. This is always good to remember, and an important remembering that leads to action.
A lot of people. Lately, the people on this page and in the gratitude lounge in particular.
I don’t know that I measure my life, actually. And I’m not sure it would be of any use or benefit for me to pull this fabric apart, separating clock time from moments. Maybe this is the “retirement” in me. But I want to be aware of moments as they are unfolding, and yet I don’t want to lose the structure of clock and calendar. My Mom had Alzheimer’s, and eventually didn’t know day, time, month, etc. There was no structure at all. This is not my desire...
I don’t know that I measure my life, actually. And I’m not sure it would be of any use or benefit for me to pull this fabric apart, separating clock time from moments. Maybe this is the “retirement” in me. But I want to be aware of moments as they are unfolding, and yet I don’t want to lose the structure of clock and calendar. My Mom had Alzheimer’s, and eventually didn’t know day, time, month, etc. There was no structure at all. This is not my desire. Truth be told, it is more my fear than anything.
Truth, trust, and reverence for life as the path opens along the way.
Trees, spring bulbs coming into bloom, children at play when they don’t know anyone is watching, puppies, the first strawberries of summer.
I sense that there is a great, collective Wisdom, Beauty, Energy, and Light that holds somehow in memory all that has occurred in our lives, remembering beyond our individual memories, and cherishing the good with a vast tenderness and grace. We tap into this sometimes, when hope arises unbidden, when there is love beyond all expectation, when an impossible forgiveness shows up in our hearts. We may disconnect from this, or forget to seek/ask, but it cannot be lost.
In the woods & forest, and at the shore. Also, when I wake up and realize that I actually had a full night of sleep – so rare.
In my small hands, where the story of my life is written.
The weeds teach me that, even in less than ideal conditions, surviving, thriving and even blooming are possible. Plant roots where I am, and reach toward the light. Allow tenacity along with vulnerability. Leave the rest in God’s hands.
Deb, I have watched for your return and am glad to find you here today! You are dealing with so much transition! Letting go of yoga at this time is a major thing for you. But you are attending to your need for limitations and self-care, even with so much change going on. May you find healing and wellness in this journey of letting go of one home to invest your lives in another. And welcome back!
Me too, Kevin. I have to admit that sometimes I am just so tired of learning the lessons of life, and I just want to float for awhile.
This is a brave choice. Know that I will be part of your circle of prayer in the weeks ahead.
Thank you Kevin, Mary and Anna.
Care could probably be looked at variously. At this moment, I’m not caring for someone in terms of being a caregiver, though I have been so. I can see the mixture you talk of, Malag, as often enough caring feels quite obligatory and energy draining, and in fact we ourselves would be grateful for some of that coming to us. I am inclined to think of it as caring about people, and doing so freely. Only when caring about, or for, someone out of the freedom of my heart and humanity feels not...
Care could probably be looked at variously. At this moment, I’m not caring for someone in terms of being a caregiver, though I have been so. I can see the mixture you talk of, Malag, as often enough caring feels quite obligatory and energy draining, and in fact we ourselves would be grateful for some of that coming to us. I am inclined to think of it as caring about people, and doing so freely. Only when caring about, or for, someone out of the freedom of my heart and humanity feels noticeably like blessing. Maybe feeling the blessing in other situations would come later – for example, after Mom died of Alzheimer’s, I was better able to see her care and that complexity of relationship as blessing that could not be noticed in the midst.
🙂
My favorite words from Rumi. Thank you, Ed.
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