Daily Question, May 5 If I become still and remind myself that every “crisis” is also an opportunity, what new insights arise to guide my actions? 27 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. KC7 years agoKCAs I take the time for stillness each day, I surrender to a much larger truth and guidance. A path opens which is beyond the perceived crisis in my mind. Finding a / the opportunity in the tougher situations is often a/ the challenge. The stillness offers receptivity and insights when / as I listen and discern. The practice continues … 3 Reply Drew Blanton7 years agoDrew BlantonBeing grateful for every crisis and more courage. 2 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryEvery crisis is also an opportunity. I think that a crisis is an opportunity in that it’s an chance to make a change and with grace make a change for the better. My nephew might be quite sick. I will start visiting him more often, and stop taking him for granted. My work might be more than I can handle. I will start taking better care of myself and search out new methods to succeed with these children. My Mom isn’t going to be like she used to be anymore. I can love her the way she ... Every crisis is also an opportunity. I think that a crisis is an opportunity in that it’s an chance to make a change and with grace make a change for the better. My nephew might be quite sick. I will start visiting him more often, and stop taking him for granted. My work might be more than I can handle. I will start taking better care of myself and search out new methods to succeed with these children. My Mom isn’t going to be like she used to be anymore. I can love her the way she is and the way that she has always loved me. I can carry on her giving nature by making small acts of kindness to others. Sometimes I get so anxious that I don’t know what to do. I will come back to gratefulness and all the things that bring me comfort. Mary Read More5 Reply Linda7 years agoLindaSpending time each day doing breathing exercises, meditating, writing in my gratitude journal, and working out or walking help me greatly with any crisis in my life. Being in nature is a big factor in helping me cope. It’s important I practice these things daily. 5 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmI have been finding it difficult to become still for a couple of weeks now, because I have been deeply affected by the current crisis of the country I grew up in: Venezuela. The opportunity I have noticed that comes from personal and collective crises is bravery. Here, I am being brave to write again and say this. From there, I am astonished to be learning of countless acts of collective bravery. 5 Reply Debra Maddex7 years agoDebra MaddexEach crises is an opportunity to embrace another aspect of myself. Each opportunity is just that another opportunity to emerge stronger and wiser even when it feels like a cruel circle it is an unfolding spiral and I can choose which direction.. gratitude will take me upwards. Gratitude is a GreatAttitude! 3 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryYes gratitude is great attitude. I love it! 1 Reply Susan7 years agoSusanI can find a way, with God's insight, to 'bow out gracefully'. I have been walking (for exercise) every morning with a neighbor but she is so negative and judgmental and it is hard for me to keep our conversations positive and uplifting. I appreciate the exercise and fresh air and being able to have a 'walking partner' but I no longer feel comfortable around her. So, I am grateful for the past 6 months in which we walked together every morning, and now, I am seeking a way (which I know God w... I can find a way, with God’s insight, to ‘bow out gracefully’. I have been walking (for exercise) every morning with a neighbor but she is so negative and judgmental and it is hard for me to keep our conversations positive and uplifting. I appreciate the exercise and fresh air and being able to have a ‘walking partner’ but I no longer feel comfortable around her. So, I am grateful for the past 6 months in which we walked together every morning, and now, I am seeking a way (which I know God will reveal to me) to be graceful in bowing out of this ‘crisis’, so that I can exercise in a positive and enlightening atmosphere. And hopefully, she will find her own way to exercise that brings her peace as well. Read More2 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaSticky situation, Jill. I can identify. I have a “negative one” at work. It’s dispiriting. 1 Reply 7 years agoWow…not easy indeed. May you be gracefully guided, for your own peace of mind, body and heart! 1 Reply Ben7 years agoBenWhat arises (at times) is a sense of gratefulness that there’s a presence or awareness which holds these crises – or the feelings they bring up – in love. And the crisis can be a way of remembering that this loving, tender presence is there, and is a deeper aspect of myself than the mind, which seeks to escape the ups and downs of life, or to have everything in control (which never really works, and seems to cause more suffering and physical contraction). That’s my best answer for today! 3 Reply Aine7 years agoAineThe attempt to control always seems to backfire, doesn’t it? I agree — it causes “more suffering and physical contraction.” 0 Reply Amor fati7 years agoAmor fatiI respectfully submit that this is a poorly worded question. The “new insights” gained through meditation are always changing, depending on the current crisis. My goal every day is to create space for wisdom to arise. To try to anticipate the guidance coming is to slid back into self will. 3 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteHI Amor fati, I really feel the same about my meditation regarding allowing whatever comes up to just be there are allow space to make room for wisdom around any giving situation. Peace, Antoinette 0 Reply kathleen7 years agokathleenIts a little counterintuitive to do this but when we do we flow with life. We trust life. We realize that there is a plan at work. Crisis to my instinctual way of thinking is oh no not that. When I resist that I suffer more. 4 Reply Aine7 years agoAineOh! This reminds me of one of my favorite plaques that hangs in the entry of a friend's office, which has blessed me many times. It consists of the Chinese character for Crisis, and this explanation: Crisis & Opportunity: Opportunity is always present in the midst of crisis. The Chinese word for Crisis carries two elements, danger and opportunity. No matter the difficulty of the circumstances, no matter how dangerous the situation...at the heart of each crisis lies a tremendous o... Oh! This reminds me of one of my favorite plaques that hangs in the entry of a friend’s office, which has blessed me many times. It consists of the Chinese character for Crisis, and this explanation: Crisis & Opportunity: Opportunity is always present in the midst of crisis. The Chinese word for Crisis carries two elements, danger and opportunity. No matter the difficulty of the circumstances, no matter how dangerous the situation…at the heart of each crisis lies a tremendous opportunity. Great blessings lie ahead for the one who knows the secret of finding opportunity within each crisis.” It can be such a challenge to look for that opportunity, but when I stick to this purpose, I find pearls in the mud, gold in the dustbin, and redemption in the most unlikely places. Read More5 Reply Ed Schulte7 years agoEd SchulteIf I take a few moments each day to become still and remind myself that every “crisis” is also an opportunity, what new insights arise to guide my actions? The 6th promise I make to my self each day energizes my conscious awareness to stay alert to every "opening" ( and not only a "crisis" ) because they are opportunities to serve in the Divine Plan. 6) To meditate and to contemplate daily Absolute Beingness, with the objective of total coordination of my thoughts, desires, w... If I take a few moments each day to become still and remind myself that every “crisis” is also an opportunity, what new insights arise to guide my actions? The 6th promise I make to my self each day energizes my conscious awareness to stay alert to every “opening” ( and not only a “crisis” ) because they are opportunities to serve in the Divine Plan. 6) To meditate and to contemplate daily Absolute Beingness, with the objective of total coordination of my thoughts, desires, words and actions with Its Divine Will. Read More2 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelopportunities reside in every situation. it goes to how we look at life in general. e.g. the “conflict cycle” diagram begins w how the person that has a stressful incident feels about themself. so yes, when I am mindful in every crisis, I gain wisdom, power, information about myself, and new abilities. 1 Reply Gina7 years agoGinataking those few moments each day are the key, but as mentioned , it is every moment that leads us into the next. each moment guides to the next and allows me to see what is a crisis only lasts as part of a bigger problem and also solution. right now I am telling myself, the old adage , this too shall pass and reminding myself that my centredness will remind me that this, is life, I have survived many times before and it will all change again, so to hold on to hope and to see all the good - w... taking those few moments each day are the key, but as mentioned , it is every moment that leads us into the next. each moment guides to the next and allows me to see what is a crisis only lasts as part of a bigger problem and also solution. right now I am telling myself, the old adage , this too shall pass and reminding myself that my centredness will remind me that this, is life, I have survived many times before and it will all change again, so to hold on to hope and to see all the good – will this all help to guide my actions?, if not it will be okay, because there will be more opportunities…….if I did not believe this then I feel I would be not living fully….accepting, forgiving, and being grateful for it all!!! Read More2 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteI am going to take a perhaps strong approach to the thought of the day and say hope doesn't make the good reveal itself. Hope robs us of our present moment and makes us believe something better could be happening. Whereas gratefulness, in contrast, allows us to be fully open to our present moment with all its imperfectness and impermanence. Gratefulness, unlike hope, makes us take radical responsibility for seeing the truth in what is. Whatever may be or may not be going on in our lives is... I am going to take a perhaps strong approach to the thought of the day and say hope doesn’t make the good reveal itself. Hope robs us of our present moment and makes us believe something better could be happening. Whereas gratefulness, in contrast, allows us to be fully open to our present moment with all its imperfectness and impermanence. Gratefulness, unlike hope, makes us take radical responsibility for seeing the truth in what is. Whatever may be or may not be going on in our lives is really just what this present moment is. We could say our situation is like the weather in Minnesota if you don’t like it, wait a minute and it will change. Everything is always changing and not believing in hope means we are truly free in love with our imperfect situation. So, to answer today’s question, I would say taking radical responsibility to whatever is happening whether it be a crisis or a pleasant event is the same. We can embrace gratefulness in whatever comes our way and know that impermanence is a given. Read More4 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinAs I consider this question, it’s difficult to know what specific opportunities and insights might arise without knowing what kind of crisis we’re dealing with. That said, for many years the nature of my work in both secular and non-secular settings included responding to crisis situations. In fact, I frequently said, as hard as that work was, that some of my very best work was in crisis response. Being “still,” or as I prefer to call it, “centered,” with my own breath and inner pray... As I consider this question, it’s difficult to know what specific opportunities and insights might arise without knowing what kind of crisis we’re dealing with. That said, for many years the nature of my work in both secular and non-secular settings included responding to crisis situations. In fact, I frequently said, as hard as that work was, that some of my very best work was in crisis response. Being “still,” or as I prefer to call it, “centered,” with my own breath and inner prayer, were crucial components to practice at the start, middle and near ends of responding to a crisis situation. – Kevin Read More5 Reply Susan7 years agoSusanA 'crisis' doesn't have to be a big situation. I do not like grocery shopping when the store is crowded but sometimes, I find that on a weekend is my only opportunity to shop that week. When I remember, I practice being centered and 'grounded' and find inner peace and calmness, when I am in a hectic and crowded situation, even at a grocery store. And then, instead of driving on the highway, I find myself taking the back road home, which is slower but more relaxing for me, and I can enjoy the bea... A ‘crisis’ doesn’t have to be a big situation. I do not like grocery shopping when the store is crowded but sometimes, I find that on a weekend is my only opportunity to shop that week. When I remember, I practice being centered and ‘grounded’ and find inner peace and calmness, when I am in a hectic and crowded situation, even at a grocery store. And then, instead of driving on the highway, I find myself taking the back road home, which is slower but more relaxing for me, and I can enjoy the beautiful, peaceful scenery. Read More3 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaYeah! 0 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteBeing centered in the breath really resonates with me too. Just being present with whatever is happening in the most balanced way I can. When we are open and honest with whatever is happening we are really in the center and in the truth. We allow whatever is happing to be and make the best out of it. I think this is wise Kevin. Thanks. Have a wonderful weekend! 2 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaThis is such a good reminder. Fairly recently I had a major crisis: job change, new allied field, employment with family, new type of work. It touched off my major "buttons": performance anxiety, economic insecurity. I was off to the races. What did I learn, did God teach me? Still processing...I think for me, it was to really take a look at those core, core fears and to join a support group that deals with them specifically. My fears are easing and I am (finally!) "easing" into the situation! T... This is such a good reminder. Fairly recently I had a major crisis: job change, new allied field, employment with family, new type of work. It touched off my major “buttons”: performance anxiety, economic insecurity. I was off to the races. What did I learn, did God teach me? Still processing…I think for me, it was to really take a look at those core, core fears and to join a support group that deals with them specifically. My fears are easing and I am (finally!) “easing” into the situation! Tough, painful lesson. Read More4 Reply Karen7 years agoKarenThank you for sharing this as I too have had major changes which have brought forth what feels like unconscious fears into my consciousness, often painfully upon waking in the early morning. Like you, I ask what I am learning in this? And though I don't have the answers, I do know that I am learning not to abandon myself, rushing off into future or descending into past, but being present with myself as painful as it can be at times, learning to be my own best friend in a much deeper way than I'... Thank you for sharing this as I too have had major changes which have brought forth what feels like unconscious fears into my consciousness, often painfully upon waking in the early morning. Like you, I ask what I am learning in this? And though I don’t have the answers, I do know that I am learning not to abandon myself, rushing off into future or descending into past, but being present with myself as painful as it can be at times, learning to be my own best friend in a much deeper way than I’ve known before. I have a sweet dog who comforts me when I need it, and now the opportunity is that I am learning how to comfort myself in healthy ways. Still, it can be work to see that opportunity in the midst of suffering. I also appreciate that you’ve sought out the support of a group. I’m going to check that out here in Santa Fe. Read More3 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteEasing into the situation sound like a good balance to have in any crisis situation. 1 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started 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. CONTRIBUTE https://demo.gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png Community Engagement Guidelines Privacy Policy [email protected] Connect with us on Social Media: © 2000 - 2024, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb
