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Gratefulness
For some odd reason, the word “express” in today’s question made me think of “express mail”, which made me think of how quickly, spontaneously and joyfully a young child can sometimes “express” his or her gratitude. There is no delay, no wondering about how the gratitude might be received. I hope I can, at least occasionally, “express” my gratitude to Creator or another person in such a “childish” manner.
It’s the proverbial “trick question”. Like many others, I have experienced a day that, by all rights, probably should have been my last. At least that’s what all the medical experts said at the time about the extensive injuries I received in a near fatal head-on auto collision. Since that evening nearly nine years ago, I do have an increased awareness that EVERY day might, in fact, be my last. Does it change the way I live each day? I wish I could say it does, but I don’t think I ca...
It’s the proverbial “trick question”. Like many others, I have experienced a day that, by all rights, probably should have been my last. At least that’s what all the medical experts said at the time about the extensive injuries I received in a near fatal head-on auto collision. Since that evening nearly nine years ago, I do have an increased awareness that EVERY day might, in fact, be my last. Does it change the way I live each day? I wish I could say it does, but I don’t think I can honestly say that it impacts every single day. The stark, existential reality for all of us is that today might, in fact, be our last, and however we choose to live THIS day could turn out to be how we lived our last day.
As the late, great Canadian poet Leonard Cohen wrote, “there is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in”. So, we celebrate our imperfections and try our best to see the light that those imperfections let in to illuminate our paths.
Regret can be one of my best teachers, but I am often a slow learner. When I hear that “still, small voice” saying “you are going to regret this”, and I allow that voice to inform or change my words or actions, THEN I know that I have actually learned something from my regrets. Until this happens, my regrets are only a tormentor from my past rather than a teacher for the present moment.
So many of the people I encounter in the course of a day seem so starved for graciousness that the smallest gesture of kindness on my part seems to catch them off-guard and disarm them. Sadly, it’s easy to surprise others with grace because they do NOT expect to encounter it. When someone cuts me off in traffic and I manage somehow to muster the grace to simply wave and smile at the person, the surprise is so evident in their face that I can sometimes actually SEE it behind a closed car w...
So many of the people I encounter in the course of a day seem so starved for graciousness that the smallest gesture of kindness on my part seems to catch them off-guard and disarm them. Sadly, it’s easy to surprise others with grace because they do NOT expect to encounter it. When someone cuts me off in traffic and I manage somehow to muster the grace to simply wave and smile at the person, the surprise is so evident in their face that I can sometimes actually SEE it behind a closed car window. Even if I can’t see their facial expression, I can be fairly sure that they were just surprised by grace!
I associate The term “cultivate” with agrarian practices, and most agricultural practices are processes. Just as I would not think of planting my garden in the middle of a violent thunderstorm, neither can I imagine starting to cultivate peace in the midst of chaos. However, just as a well planted, well cared for garden can withstand a storm, so can a sense of peace that I started to cultivate BEFORE the chaos remain with me THROUGH the chaos. The chaotic moments can even strengthen my co...
I associate The term “cultivate” with agrarian practices, and most agricultural practices are processes. Just as I would not think of planting my garden in the middle of a violent thunderstorm, neither can I imagine starting to cultivate peace in the midst of chaos. However, just as a well planted, well cared for garden can withstand a storm, so can a sense of peace that I started to cultivate BEFORE the chaos remain with me THROUGH the chaos. The chaotic moments can even strengthen my confidence in the abiding nature of peace that has been carefully nurtured and well tended every day.
Having been diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease nearly 20 years ago at the age of 40, I now understand why Creator prompted me over ten years ago to begin journaling daily and, more recently, to include gratitude in my entries. It all makes sense now. I am grateful for this kind of research and for researchers willing to take the time to summarize their important work in a forum such as this.
So beautifully stated Aine! Thank you for sharing today!
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