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Gratefulness
An amazing essay – one of the best I have read. It inspires me to get out and do something, everything I can, in this wonderful world of ours.
Everything that’s bugging me. The bugging bit I mean, because it’s the wrong attitude to take to a problem.
I sit here paralysed at the thought of writing my comment. Tell it how it is now comes to my mind. I look across my room at a magnificent bouquet of flowers sent to me on my birthday last Wednesday. Never in my life have I received such beautiful flowers – roses, lilies mainly, their natural beauty enhanced by the florist’s art. They symbolise to me the hidden beauty of all the people on the planet and I can only gaze on them in wonder – the whole universe present in a bouqu...
I sit here paralysed at the thought of writing my comment. Tell it how it is now comes to my mind. I look across my room at a magnificent bouquet of flowers sent to me on my birthday last Wednesday. Never in my life have I received such beautiful flowers – roses, lilies mainly, their natural beauty enhanced by the florist’s art. They symbolise to me the hidden beauty of all the people on the planet and I can only gaze on them in wonder – the whole universe present in a bouquet of flowers sent to me by a group of lifelong friends. The only response is joy, gratefulness and solidarity with all life.
I let go of my complaints some time ago. Underneath was deep contentment for what I had/have and enjoyment of all the little things.
I would just keep on living each moment to the full with thankfulness for what is. And maybe, just maybe, definitely, I would dissolve into pure joy.
After yesterday’s meditation to discover beauty within, without and to affirm it with a resounding ‘yes’, today’s ‘be surprised’ is a delight, and I have enjoyed being surprised all day by the bright sunshine and the rejoicing plants after two days of rain (the cause of the plants’ rejoicing). The skillful organisers may have planned it that way but surprises don’t have to be organised, they’re ready made for the moment.
I want to discover where beauty is in me. I have the recipe: be still, open myself to reality and let go of preconceived notions, say the yes of blessing, the essence of worship. I have the method: live in the now with courage and perseverance, then the splendour will break forth without limit. What am I waiting for? I’m serious about this because this is what I was given my life for, moment by moment.
the beauty of these reflections takes my breath away. Thank you everyone.
The privilege of: being born at all – my mother died a year after my birth spending the first year of my life with my mother, who was dying of cancer – unnoticed back then until too late my father and Aunty Lily between them finding a housekeeper of great skill and kindness who restored things to ‘normal’ in the household my upbringing in the wilds of New Zealand in a timber milling village called Waituhi … Those were my starting pri...
The privilege of: being born at all – my mother died a year after my birth spending the first year of my life with my mother, who was dying of cancer – unnoticed back then until too late my father and Aunty Lily between them finding a housekeeper of great skill and kindness who restored things to ‘normal’ in the household my upbringing in the wilds of New Zealand in a timber milling village called Waituhi … Those were my starting privileges. I am now at the other end of my life, still here as Ram Das would say. Which brings up a host of other privileges, such as being educated and able to read Ram Das, meeting Brother David in New Zealand during his first visit here, deciding to Google his name when I first got a computer, and despite my first grade skill in using it, have found this web site. And there are MILLIONS of priviliges in between, each of the ordinary/extraordinary kind.
Yes, but describing it is another matter. I felt a sense of oneness that I wanted to hold on to. But I couldn’t. It is like watching a sunset. Look away and the colours fade leaving grey clouds.
I always write my answer before I read anyone else’s and then I read all the answers. Every one of them today was very helpful to me. Thanks everyone. Love to Eff and the terror cats. I had a terror cat once. Neighbours called him the baby faced assassin.
when did I offer authentic forgiveness? A long time after the event. What did I learn? The power of compassion for all weaknesses including my own.
The day for me is two thirds over. 4.30 pm, so what have I done? I have been shopping at the supermarket with my shopping assistant, who called for me at 11 am It is midsummer and very hot, so I offered her a glass of cool water. She was grateful for that. We drove to the supermarket and found a parking place near the entrance and were grateful for that and the cool air conditioned interior of the supermarket, all of this was pure gift without any effort on our part. We were soon back at my ...
The day for me is two thirds over. 4.30 pm, so what have I done? I have been shopping at the supermarket with my shopping assistant, who called for me at 11 am It is midsummer and very hot, so I offered her a glass of cool water. She was grateful for that. We drove to the supermarket and found a parking place near the entrance and were grateful for that and the cool air conditioned interior of the supermarket, all of this was pure gift without any effort on our part. We were soon back at my small flat, my helper drove off to enjoy an hour’s free time and I put away the shopping. prepared my midday meal, ate it and had a rest. I am now here wondering how I was of service. The answer lies somewhere in the interconnectedness of all people.
It’s the alimentary canal. I never think about it except when I put something in it that it really objects to and the resulting bilious attack or bout of diarrhea lets me know that it’s really angry, or some lasting discomfort nudges me to call in the health professionals. Day in and day out 24/7 it is beavering away processing food, sending nutrients all over the body, cleaning up, disposing of rubbish – the equivalent of the infrastructure of a great city. AC I’m gr...
It’s the alimentary canal. I never think about it except when I put something in it that it really objects to and the resulting bilious attack or bout of diarrhea lets me know that it’s really angry, or some lasting discomfort nudges me to call in the health professionals. Day in and day out 24/7 it is beavering away processing food, sending nutrients all over the body, cleaning up, disposing of rubbish – the equivalent of the infrastructure of a great city. AC I’m grateful to you and will take every opportunity to feed you the very best and keep in mind what you are doing for me.
Saying grace would take on a whole new meaning, like sitting on a magic carpet and visiting all the people and places that had a hand in preparing what is on my plate There is a special scratch behind the ears for the sheep who provided the milk for the delicious feta cheese.
If I really saw them. Saw them as brothers and sisters instead of people to pass by on the way to somewhere else. If I recalled the word for the day of over a year ago: ‘Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.’ Philo of A,exandria.
Have you ever read Psalm 131 (or 130): ‘…I have stilled and quieted my soul like a child in its mother’s arms…’
I felt serene when I read your words and a great reverence for life.
Thanks Aine. Your answer is a great help to me, and has given me a lot of confidence.
Thank you Sylvie. I love the thought of a crowd of chilcren being on the magic carpet with me.
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