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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!
Babies, at least those who are born into stable and safe environments, can teach us almost everything about joy. Their infectious smile and ready joy found in the simplest of things, their expressions of wonder and surprise discovered around every corner is a delight to watch and a reminder of what we frequently lose as we age.
I am living a “Yes” to life today by being in it, and being fully aware of life’s joys, challenges, hurts, injustices, and life’s splendor. Our collective inhumanity one to another, and our demonstrated compassion and care one to another, move me to tears in equal measure. A consequence of membership worth paying.
I seldom think of people living past or present as heroes in my life. I admire many people for different reasons depending on who they are, what they did or how they may have influenced my life. I would not have enough time within an hour to list them all here. But for sure, I know who they are, and for that and their place in my life I remain grateful indeed.
Oh, by just being my wonderful and adorable self! How else? 🙂
I don’t equate the vulnerabilities in others as a catalyst for taking action or of being of service on my part. I see vulnerabilities in others (and myself) as a part of, and consequence of, their humanity. We are all vulnerable. When vulnerabilities in others leads to victimization and/or suffering in some way, that’s when I take action in ways that are available to me.
My Quaker and rowing communities. I help both thrive by committing myself wholeheartedly. One provides me with spiritual sustenance, life-balance and joy, and the other comradely, friendships and exercise. Sometimes, the gifts that each brings me are indistinguishable one from the other.
If I do my best to remember that everything and everyone I see today, as today unfolds, is a gift just as it is precisely because it is a new day and I have the privilege of being in it.
To greet and seize each new day and all that it brings without reserve, without dread and without hesitation. I have but one ticket on this merry-go-round and I intend to ride full circle ‘til it stops. Given the options, why not?
Oh sure, at a deeper level I get all this and there is not an hour that goes by that my body is not teaching me something, whether the student is listening or not!
I basically stunk at art during grade school. I used my body to fish out an old rusty motor from a swamp, dragged it home to dry, then brought it to school and set it on the corner of my 8th grade art teacher’s desk because I liked the abstract qualities in the thing. I figured I’d get an after-session for the stunt, but...
I basically stunk at art during grade school. I used my body to fish out an old rusty motor from a swamp, dragged it home to dry, then brought it to school and set it on the corner of my 8th grade art teacher’s desk because I liked the abstract qualities in the thing. I figured I’d get an after-session for the stunt, but instead my art teacher kept it all year, and gave me a “B” for the year as well. That was my first awareness of body and art.
My science teacher, a strange character if there ever was one, kept a stack of chalk-laden erasers on the corner of his desk. When kids daydreamed or fell asleep in class, as I did, he’d hurl an eraser at his target and laugh when it struck in a cloud of white and yellow dust. That’s how I learned science.
As for mystery, it’s a marvel how this rack of 67 year-old bones finds his way to the gym in the morning, gets on a machine and manages not to fall and land on my face―yet. With a nod to the art, science and mystery of my own body, I consider it a blessing and wonder that the pieces keep working and that I am still here making noise.
By cherishing the existence of all life and striving to be thankful and prayerful, for the life forms I consume as shelter, food and fiber.
Oh let me count the ways! I live less than a mile from the ocean, which makes beach going, seaside walking, rowing, boating and swimming in summer all available to me and my family. My wife and I are blessed even further as our three daughters, their husbands and our six grandchildren all live close by also. We live close enough to urban centers to enjoy various cultural events, yet live within minutes of numerous conservation tracks of land that feature a variety of ecosystems and terrains. ...
Oh let me count the ways! I live less than a mile from the ocean, which makes beach going, seaside walking, rowing, boating and swimming in summer all available to me and my family. My wife and I are blessed even further as our three daughters, their husbands and our six grandchildren all live close by also. We live close enough to urban centers to enjoy various cultural events, yet live within minutes of numerous conservation tracks of land that feature a variety of ecosystems and terrains. We moved here forty-one years ago and have no intention of ever leaving!
That after back surgery seven months ago, and bi-lateral SI joint nerve blocks just weeks ago, that I am in relatively little to no back pain at this moment! I am very grateful, and fortunate, that good health care is available to me.
Oh gosh, I have the joy of knowing a number of very kind people, (Jerry C., Randy W., Marybeth T., Doretta L., Steve S., to name a few) and each hail with their own personalities and ways of being in the world. It’s impossible to apply one attribute that would fit them all, however. What I take away from and benefit by knowing these people, by their example, is that kindness is a moving, gentle force that opens doors and frequently makes smooth the rough edges of living in this world.
To the best of my recollection, I am at peace with all of the days I have lived and can’t think of any that I’d like to do over. What is past is behind me and I am focused on today and the days to come.
My desire to live a fulfilled and meaningful life at points intersects with and then veers widely from what I might want for the world. I view it as a realistic, if not sad, reality. I want and seek shelter, security, human rights and proper health care for myself and for my fellow global sisters and brothers. In ways that I can, I support causes and organizations that help to make this happen. Beyond those basics, I may desire, for example, a new automobile or a more cost efficient air condi...
My desire to live a fulfilled and meaningful life at points intersects with and then veers widely from what I might want for the world. I view it as a realistic, if not sad, reality. I want and seek shelter, security, human rights and proper health care for myself and for my fellow global sisters and brothers. In ways that I can, I support causes and organizations that help to make this happen. Beyond those basics, I may desire, for example, a new automobile or a more cost efficient air conditioner, and with planning I can afford both. I would very much like the same opportunity to exist for all people but I know that many people the world over have more pressing and immediate needs. They may be waiting for a safer road to be built to their village and new poles to carry electricity into their homes for the first time.
What is this moment offering? Life. And I’ll take it with gratitude
Thank you, Sheila.
Thanks, Antoinette. Wishing you and yours the very best this holiday season too!
Hello Erich, And I might add another expression that helps in this situation, too. “Bloom where you’re planted.” I take that to mean that I should strive to do the most good that I can with the resources that I have, wherever I happen to find myself. …Thanks for your comment.
Wishing you the best of luck with your 9 PM bedtime goals, Mary! I am an early riser, but also I head to bed every night at 9 PM. Most nights I have little choice, as my brain pretty much shuts down about that time and my body is not far behind! I think though in time the inner clock can be trained to retire at an earlier time….but it does take time!
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