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Gratefulness
Today I am grateful to be alive, to feel, see and know the grace and power of something we call Spirit. That alone is joy and gift enough!
This is an interesting question that uses, in my view, a broad-brush assumption of how gifts come into our lives. I get the premise and the type of answer the question is attempting to point us towards. But for myself, I usually choose to associate and build connections with people who share similar values and interests as my own. (Isn’t this why most of us enjoy being on this site?) That’s just human nature. If I have ever “excluded” anyone from my circle of acquaintances it is becau...
This is an interesting question that uses, in my view, a broad-brush assumption of how gifts come into our lives. I get the premise and the type of answer the question is attempting to point us towards. But for myself, I usually choose to associate and build connections with people who share similar values and interests as my own. (Isn’t this why most of us enjoy being on this site?) That’s just human nature. If I have ever “excluded” anyone from my circle of acquaintances it is because their behavior or values, in my view, are an affront, if not a threat, to the norms of behavior or social decorum that I have chosen to live my life by. Is that a judgment on my part? Indeed it is. I sometimes interact for brief periods of time with people whose lifestyle and values are opposite of my own, and I might even enjoy it, though briefly. But it doesn’t mean that I bring them into the core of my life and being because I am expecting them to bring me some kind of a “gift.” I think that’s unrealistic, if not silly.
With that said, I try to be on the lookout for new kinds of experiences and ones that involve people that widen my circle and interactions that get me out of my usual comfort zone. I am blessed with a rich and full life that includes many people, so it is easy for me not to intentionally widen my circle. This, as I see it, is a gift that can be limiting, too. When my routines and people-circle does expand, it typically happens around areas of doing service work, faith exploration, pursuing musical interests or undertaking political action of some kind. And even this has a ring of commonality to it of which we all seem to seek, does it not? – Kevin
A great many things seem magical to me. The human body, and how it works, would be high on my list for sure, followed by newborn babies, children as they grow, how ants, bees and birds live and thrive. Heck, even the computer I’m using, and all the things it does, seems magical to me. And then there’s that magic in a smile seen or delivered, or the wonder of touch itself. My list of what’s magical could be very long indeed.
By continuing to keep myself informed on the most egregious social and humanitarian issues facing my nation and our world today, and then sharing my own resources in ways that would make a difference. It might be a small thing that I can do overall, but it is at least something, to which others will do the same to make a deeper and wider impact, hopefully. That said, I usually feel like I don’t do enough, or can’t do what I would like to do to alleviate suffering when I am made aware of i...
By continuing to keep myself informed on the most egregious social and humanitarian issues facing my nation and our world today, and then sharing my own resources in ways that would make a difference. It might be a small thing that I can do overall, but it is at least something, to which others will do the same to make a deeper and wider impact, hopefully. That said, I usually feel like I don’t do enough, or can’t do what I would like to do to alleviate suffering when I am made aware of it. I do what I can, but wish it was more. How much of my “wishing” is just an excuse for not taking action, or represents honest limitations, is something I think about often. – Kevin
Not to rub it in, but I can answer today’s question in three words; I am retired. I enjoyed my working years very much, but I also like having more time to do the things that I enjoy doing most.
By trying to keep uppermost in mind not just all that I have, but how little many other people actually have and who seldom let on that they have significant needs unmet. Every now and then I realize that I missed an opportunity to help another person or be of service in some way because nothing was said outright, or seen visually. And frequently, the moment had passed and “going back” was not an option. It makes me feel disappointed in myself for not having been more aware and more prese...
By trying to keep uppermost in mind not just all that I have, but how little many other people actually have and who seldom let on that they have significant needs unmet. Every now and then I realize that I missed an opportunity to help another person or be of service in some way because nothing was said outright, or seen visually. And frequently, the moment had passed and “going back” was not an option. It makes me feel disappointed in myself for not having been more aware and more present to the actual moment.
Today I finish up staffing a three day children’s retreat that I founded over 30 years ago. I retired from running the year round event approximately four years ago, but continued staffing up to the present time. These days, I am remembering with some astonishment just how easily I did all this way back when and how much extra work it requires doing nearly the same things today! That may not be the kind of remembrance that today’s daily question was encouraging but that is ...
Today I finish up staffing a three day children’s retreat that I founded over 30 years ago. I retired from running the year round event approximately four years ago, but continued staffing up to the present time. These days, I am remembering with some astonishment just how easily I did all this way back when and how much extra work it requires doing nearly the same things today! That may not be the kind of remembrance that today’s daily question was encouraging but that is precisely what I am feeling!
Fortunately, my wife and I have six grandchildren who all live nearby. So I get a chance to play with them quote oftern. When I was working, I also made it a point to play from time to time with my clients, as individuals and with children and teems in my supports groups that I ran for decades. Playing, in my view, is a vital part of understanding the whole person.
I don’t know. I guess I’ll just need to wait and find out. Today’s question, in my view, is right up there with a few other nonsensical (but more humorous) ditties such as: “If a goldfish should want a vacation, who would know?” “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.” And… “The future is very much like the present, but longer.”
(Quotes from the silly and satirical book called the Profit, by Kehl...
(Quotes from the silly and satirical book called the Profit, by Kehlog Albran, a spoof on The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.) 🙂
The aroma of fresh-cut hay curing in a field reminds of my farming years. There’s a farm that I drive by frequently and whenever they’re making hay it brings me back instantly to a time when I was younger and more connected to the land and livestock for my livelihood. I know too that I don’t want to return to that way of life but I don’t want to forget what it was like, either. – Kevin
Dogs. And more specifically, I am grateful for our dog Gracie. There are days when she “sees” better than I do, and she’s blind. She’s a loving and faithful companion and all she asks is to be fed and be loved in return.
I think that envy is a great teacher, actually. It informs and teaches me about wants and desires that I otherwise might not know that I had. I may want something that someone else has, be it a possession, talent or life circumstance, but that doesn’t mean that I “need” to have it, “should” have it or even ultimately want to have it. I may envy someone else’s situation or possession but when I think about why I don’t have that particular thing, it’s usually because I made othe...
I think that envy is a great teacher, actually. It informs and teaches me about wants and desires that I otherwise might not know that I had. I may want something that someone else has, be it a possession, talent or life circumstance, but that doesn’t mean that I “need” to have it, “should” have it or even ultimately want to have it. I may envy someone else’s situation or possession but when I think about why I don’t have that particular thing, it’s usually because I made other choices which in the end were better for my personal wants and/or needs. – Kevin
Many things make my heart sing. But today, on the anniversary of 9/11 in the US, my heart pauses in prayer for all the lives lost on that day, whose hearts didn’t sing, but stopped beating forever.
I consider myself a life-long student of mindfulness with no possibility of ever graduating. When I am not practicing mindfulness, which on some days happens every other minute, those precious moments lost, of lost awareness, of lost presence, will not return and I am left to say within, “Kevin, be here now and pay attention!” – Kevin
I do not want to “let go” of summer until I absolutely have to! I do not want to miss opportunities to hear good, live music, and enjoy other arts when available. I do not want to miss opportunities to travel while my health is still good. I do not want to become, ever, stuck in my ways and unwilling to try new things.
People that I know and see on a regular basis are not waiting for me to be kind because they already know that I am kind and expect it. When meeting people for the first time kindness and courtesy begins with the first hello and handshake. Whether they are waiting for me to be kind or not is irrelevant. – Kevin
Literally, waking up after a good night’s sleep, followed by strong tea, then rowing early in the morning with fellow teammates. In addition, what makes me come alive emotionally and spiritually is being aware of the work of the Spirit in my life, spending time with my wife and our entire family who live nearby, the grandkids, our dog Gracie, and capturing it all with words and/or photography. So many blessings! – Kevin
Wow, Aine, amazing. So you are located in the impact area of Harvey?
Yes indeed, including those with rebuilding skills who load up their tools, jump in their trucks and just drive to help with rebuilding wherever that need may be. These every-day people just do it without fanfare or media attention over and over again.
Yes indeed, Pilgrim. Our oldest daughter left on a plane out of Logan Airport headed to LA with work one hour before one of the planes left that would fly into the Twin Towers.
Thanks Gina. And as for Gracie, there are times when I think she “sees” better than I do, regardless of her blindness!
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