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Gratefulness
A recent one for me is NonViolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg. There was a group studying it (NVC) at the ashram where I lived last year. I wasn’t able to attend all the sessions but felt immensely grateful and hopeful that this small group was diligently learning/practicing the technique just as millions of other people around the globe have and will. It is what our world needs, from the family unit to the workplace to the political theatre. Just the oth...
A recent one for me is NonViolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg. There was a group studying it (NVC) at the ashram where I lived last year. I wasn’t able to attend all the sessions but felt immensely grateful and hopeful that this small group was diligently learning/practicing the technique just as millions of other people around the globe have and will. It is what our world needs, from the family unit to the workplace to the political theatre. Just the other day, in an interview about a different subject, I heard NVC described as “a spiritual practice masquerading as a communication system” (Sarah Peyton) and I was gratefully reminded of my intention to return to studying it.
Hello Palm, I’ve never understood exactly why, but vacuum cleaners have always struck me as being funny. So I am giggling inside as I read your description of what you saw on the street. It is a gift to, as you say, see the silly of everyday life. A delightful surprise when it happens. Something to cultivate. I love the Vaclav Havel quote and will copy it in my journal, to remind myself. Look for laughter. See the silly 🙂
It is beautiful, Eva Liu. An eight stone koan.
Rest well, Sylvie and Awinchen.
Sun-sparkled snow light filling the eyes, bathing the brain, flowing down and around and lifting the heart. I have experienced before and it sounds like, I hope dear Ose it is similar for you. And to be there in good company of a dear friend. I am so glad for you!
Some things you mentioned in your post of the other day that I am still thinking about, things that help us move through sadness. Being in nature and trusting, joining in fellowship. Also meditation. I tried to write ...
Some things you mentioned in your post of the other day that I am still thinking about, things that help us move through sadness. Being in nature and trusting, joining in fellowship. Also meditation. I tried to write a reply several times and kept getting garbled, then very tired. When you wrote about taking a pause, I felt that was very strong insight and brought me to tears.
In the pause, we can allow our heart to speak and in the pause we can choose to listen. Then in the next step, we can choose love. By doing whatever love is calling us to do in that moment.
What these thoughts bring me back to is walking meditation. Something I have done in the past, I first learned from the writing of Thich Nhat Hanh. From your sharing, I have an idea. So now I look forward to practicing walking meditation with awareness on the pause between steps and the choice to love with each new step. Today there is sun and less wind, so I may try outside in the open. Thank you, my friend.
The image and the words, the universal love coming through them… I hold as a promise of healing. Thank you, Ose.
Llama Lyft? Makes me laugh too! And reminds me of a time in my life when I transported long-eared goats in my old honda civic hatchback, with hay bales stacked on the roof rack 🙂
Good morning, Nancy. So glad you found this space. I want to tell you that I am still thinking, dreaming of your magnificent bristlecone pines, wishing someday to visit these ancient tree beings. I had fun reading a bit about the grove in the White Mountains and believe that I will find myself there, maybe in winter, my favorite season in the high country. Blessings to you this day.
Oh, Aine, you make me laugh. Good idea not let Wilbur drive, teehee. Yes, I know the word catalepsy but hadn’t’ thought about how funny… that it is the very essence of Cat. I hope Wilbur’s test is ok. If I remember right, a change in diet can often revert diabetic cats. It is amazing to me how powerfully healing food is. I love the image of little three-year old you happy to be knocked over by a giant, slobbery dog. Weird in a wonderful way.
Dear Manda, hugs to you and your gentle barking bear. I have always found it an honor to accompany dogs through their old age but never easy on the heart. Yes, grateful for every day. Oh, I can see, hear, smell your snowy Ponderosa Pine forest in my mind. Thank you for sharing your magical world.
He is lab, looks very much like your sweet, snoozy dog there. And hello, Wilbur! How is he doing? Your photo makes me smile. It is an odd thing, this reluctance of people to. There is a wonderful group called Black Dog Rescue where I used to live in Wyomgin
I love it too! Used to grow it in my salad garden and also had a homemade salve. Yes, smiling yellow and orange rays of healing sunshine. I remember someone called it “poor man’s saffron” for the bright color it can add to dishes.
Thank you, Nancy. I look forward to meeting you.
Ahhh, this makes me happy, to think of your little daughter seeing and drawing big, beautiful birds!
Thank you, Saoirse, for the reference. I did not know the origin of Dr. King’s quote and appreciate being able to trace back intellectual provenance. I had the quote with a photo of an arcing rainbow on my office wall when I worked in the social services field (in DC on MLK Blvd!) many years ago. It takes a telescopic view that is at times a sorely needed heart lift. Thanks again for a beautiful tribute, and for all the love, time, and talent you and the rest of the Gratefulness Tea...
Thank you, Saoirse, for the reference. I did not know the origin of Dr. King’s quote and appreciate being able to trace back intellectual provenance. I had the quote with a photo of an arcing rainbow on my office wall when I worked in the social services field (in DC on MLK Blvd!) many years ago. It takes a telescopic view that is at times a sorely needed heart lift. Thanks again for a beautiful tribute, and for all the love, time, and talent you and the rest of the Gratefulness Team pour into this site.
May I ask about your icon? I imagine it like a bird displaying its beautifully intricate fan of tail feathers?
Dear Cintia, bless you. That you choose to stay calm in this moment and through the day speaks so powerfully of the gift of grateful living. I light a candle for you here and keep you in my prayers. Sending a warm hug too.
This handful of seeds you share, I take in as powerful nourishment. Thank you.
Aww, so sweet. Purrs and ‘head bumps’ to you both.
❤️
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