See our Privacy Policy
Δ
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!
That life is sometimes hard and hurts and love is the only drug that works. That praying, staying with my breath, has carried me well through crisis. That some issues you meet head-on, and others you save for tomorrow. That learning and asking myself, “who owns the problem?” always pays off. That saying “I need help” and “thank you” opens heavy doors. That there is grace, wonder, joy and sometimes challenge in everyone I meet. That life itself i...
That life is sometimes hard and hurts and love is the only drug that works. That praying, staying with my breath, has carried me well through crisis. That some issues you meet head-on, and others you save for tomorrow. That learning and asking myself, “who owns the problem?” always pays off. That saying “I need help” and “thank you” opens heavy doors. That there is grace, wonder, joy and sometimes challenge in everyone I meet. That life itself is a gift but that we supply the Band-Aids. That in the end gravity wins, so keep moving and becoming with each sunrise.
My response to the Daily Question on January 18 basically works here too, which was, “Whenever I give something away, give of myself or make a gift in some way, I expect nothing in return. Expecting otherwise means it wasn’t a gift at all.” As for how it feels: it feels like “right action” was taken, period.
Actually, I only know that I have today to live, because I awoke into it and have a reasonably good chance of living the length of the day I’m in. Beyond today and into tomorrow, if I knew that I had only 364 days left, I’d get my photos in order, write more, spend even more time with family, hold my wife closer, buy better scotch and forget the diet.
Whenever I give something away, give of myself or make a gift in some way, I expect nothing in return. Expecting otherwise means it wasn’t a gift at all.
Okay, I am stumped by this question. As far as I know I have met, in one way or another, those who have helped me at various times of my life. I suppose it is possible that someone whom I’ve never met has helped me at some point, but it’s hard to recall someone if you haven’t met them.
Unless my longing helps me to attain the thing I have longed for, I don’t think it enriches my life in measurable ways at all. I hold a desire for several things, actually, even though I am aware that none of them are likely to happen at this stage of my life, usually for practical reasons such as physical ability, stamina and conflicts with other priorities which I hold dear. And for the most part, I am content with this reality, even though I may long from time to time for a particular th...
Unless my longing helps me to attain the thing I have longed for, I don’t think it enriches my life in measurable ways at all. I hold a desire for several things, actually, even though I am aware that none of them are likely to happen at this stage of my life, usually for practical reasons such as physical ability, stamina and conflicts with other priorities which I hold dear. And for the most part, I am content with this reality, even though I may long from time to time for a particular thing to come about.
I consider it a tall order, if not presumptuous, to assume that any sentiment of mine would always be healing for everyone I meet. But the words, “Hello,” “good to see you,” “thank you,” and in the right setting, “I love you” would get us going in the right direction.
My faith, my grandchildren and my blind dog Gracie.
I experience serenity anytime I am staffing a youth retreat of Quaker children. At this very moment with almost 30 junior-high aged young people still sound asleep for a little while longer it’s nice to sit quietly with a cup of tea before the commotion of the day
Many years ago my professional and my ministerial reputations were maligned by a person who struggled deeply with personal demons and very old hurts. Seven years later I received a thoughtful note of apology from this person, long after the damage had been done and I had moved on. I decided that the work of forgiveness was easier to undertake than carrying the weight of anger around with me each day. I run in to this person several times a year and the greeting is lighter and gentler than it ...
Many years ago my professional and my ministerial reputations were maligned by a person who struggled deeply with personal demons and very old hurts. Seven years later I received a thoughtful note of apology from this person, long after the damage had been done and I had moved on. I decided that the work of forgiveness was easier to undertake than carrying the weight of anger around with me each day. I run in to this person several times a year and the greeting is lighter and gentler than it once was, which I take as a gift I gave myself.
Still, for practical purposes and with a dose of reality from working with people all my life, I confess to also holding close the words of John F. Kennedy, who said, “Forgive your enemies but never forget their names.” So a higher plain of forgiveness yet exists, but I am content to leave that perch to the saints beyond.
I have a list of dear souls whose names and presence have guided and blessed my life down through the years. And that list grows as I age, a curious blend of sadness and gratitude
This is a question I ask myself often. Some days, I am at peace with whatever portion of service I was able to make happen the day before, and other times far less so. For me, ideally, it’s an emotional and spiritual process, and waiting upon what the Spirit may be calling me to do, so that whatever I undertake it is “right action” and one that meets the needs of the “other” over and above satisfying my own desire and need to be of service that merely checks off the question as comp...
This is a question I ask myself often. Some days, I am at peace with whatever portion of service I was able to make happen the day before, and other times far less so. For me, ideally, it’s an emotional and spiritual process, and waiting upon what the Spirit may be calling me to do, so that whatever I undertake it is “right action” and one that meets the needs of the “other” over and above satisfying my own desire and need to be of service that merely checks off the question as completed.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the question itself and know people who have this very question framed on their wall as a daily reminder to be of service. But there is a deeper journey here too that deserves attention, at least for me.
Honestly, as I age, there are fewer and fewer things about my body that I take for granted. When I wake up in the morning I’m saying to myself, “Okay, who’s with me today, what’s working, what’s not?” If there’s a miracle happening anywhere, it’s that my body puts up with what I ask it to do.
Ah…of course! Now why didn’t I think of that? And Kathy’s response below is also spot on….! Not sure why I was taking such a literal interpretation of the question. Thanks Cintia.
Yes indeed! Gracie does indeed collide with all sorts of things…though 90 percent of the time she misses everything else, too. She’s excited with each new day that comes and every place she visits on leash, too, whether she know’s the area or not….a constant source of inspiration for sure!
Thanks Carol, Both songs I know well and have sung many times over the years. “Here I am Lord,” is also beautiful to sing and hear sung in Spanish, too, even though I don’t speak it myself.
Ah, and this quote comes to mind here…
We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily difference we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee. – Marion Wright Edelman
Thank you for sharing here my friend. As a photographer myself, I find Johnstone’s example valuable when it comes to thinking about being of service to others. A quote that has sustained and guided me for many years is as follows:
“Have thy tools ready, God will find thee work.”. – The Reverend Charles Kingsley (1819-1875, England)
Amen and hallelujah, Aine!
Glad that you are able to manage it, Eva. Breathing is rather important!
Stay connected to the community by adding people to your list.
This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A.
© 2000 - 2024, A Network for Grateful Living
Website by Briteweb
