Daily Question, April 18 Caring for others is a blessing. For whom do I care? 37 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. Donna Devillez7 years agoDonna DevillezI care for those less fortunate than I. I live a meager humble life, but there are those who have less than I. I care for people and animals who suffer and pray that God will protect his creation. 1 Reply Freda Heagerty7 years agoFreda HeagertyI am grateful for the person that cared enough for me to introduce me to this site. It has opened my heart to a new awareness of the joy around me . We all have moments of sadness and yet to take that moment , feel it and let it go. 1 Reply Malag7 years agoMalagI must say I found this difficult; not the question but the statement. I have lots of people I care for from close family to wider family, friends, work colleagues and pets. I find difficulty in seeing it as a blessing. For me it's so much tied up with obligation and sucking my energy and resources. Is the blessing that I care about people ie that I love them enough to care? I see that as a blessing - who doesn't need to give love? But not necessarily just caring for someone. I feel I am missing... I must say I found this difficult; not the question but the statement. I have lots of people I care for from close family to wider family, friends, work colleagues and pets. I find difficulty in seeing it as a blessing. For me it’s so much tied up with obligation and sucking my energy and resources. Is the blessing that I care about people ie that I love them enough to care? I see that as a blessing – who doesn’t need to give love? But not necessarily just caring for someone. I feel I am missing and resisting something. Read More1 Reply Pilgrim7 years agoPilgrimCare could probably be looked at variously. At this moment, I'm not caring for someone in terms of being a caregiver, though I have been so. I can see the mixture you talk of, Malag, as often enough caring feels quite obligatory and energy draining, and in fact we ourselves would be grateful for some of that coming to us. I am inclined to think of it as caring about people, and doing so freely. Only when caring about, or for, someone out of the freedom of my heart and humanity feels noticeably l... Care could probably be looked at variously. At this moment, I’m not caring for someone in terms of being a caregiver, though I have been so. I can see the mixture you talk of, Malag, as often enough caring feels quite obligatory and energy draining, and in fact we ourselves would be grateful for some of that coming to us. I am inclined to think of it as caring about people, and doing so freely. Only when caring about, or for, someone out of the freedom of my heart and humanity feels noticeably like blessing. Maybe feeling the blessing in other situations would come later – for example, after Mom died of Alzheimer’s, I was better able to see her care and that complexity of relationship as blessing that could not be noticed in the midst. Read More1 Reply Anna7 years agoAnnaThank you Malag and Pilgrim. I have the same doubt of Malag, and Pilgrim’s reply offers me an advice. Yet, sometimes the routine lessens .my kindness and I often think that I am not so good in my caring for my family and my parents. 1 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmI join you Anna to thank Malag for her honesty and Pilgrim for shedding light on this, I feel the same duality and that’s why the blessing of caring comes as a new realisation for me 1 Reply Ineunt7 years agoIneuntI care for my loving wife more than anything. She is by far the best person I’ve ever met in my life. Her love is a blessing. I love and adore her with all I am. 2 Reply Deb Waites7 years agoDeb WaitesI care for me, and all who refer to themselves as “me”. “Life is too short to experience everything, but the human heart is big enough to resonate with everything that any other human heart has experienced.” Br. David Steindl-Rast “The second greatest command is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus. 2 Reply Kim SD7 years agoKim SDI care for my sister and my husband, for their health and well-being, and also for about 150 students and their families, in many ways, teaching and encouraging and giving opportunities. In the case of my students, I often feel clearly that they are presented to me as a gift for me to give care to; I often forget that my family members are also a gift.I have three children for whom I care emotionally, but who as adults have rejected me and my husband out of their lives–so odd and painful to c... I care for my sister and my husband, for their health and well-being, and also for about 150 students and their families, in many ways, teaching and encouraging and giving opportunities. In the case of my students, I often feel clearly that they are presented to me as a gift for me to give care to; I often forget that my family members are also a gift.I have three children for whom I care emotionally, but who as adults have rejected me and my husband out of their lives–so odd and painful to continue to love and care for people whom you spent 28 years parenting, but who no longer want a relationship with you. I can’t stop the love and care going out, nor would I want to, but it has no receivers. Is this a blessing removed, lost? Or a different blessing given by their leaving my life. In a very strange and painful way, the loss of my children in my life has also been a blessing. A blessing to have them to care for, and a blessing to have them no longer needing my care. I cannot begin to understand this; it’s a total mystery. I do know that their departure opened the way for a new part of my life to open up, and gave me the opportunity to care for many more people, in my students and their families. I acknowledge this as both a blessing and a great loss. I struggle to understand–I have come to know this: “God breaks our hearts to crack them open.” Looking toward Mother’s Day this year, I am trying to accept that joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin…how to process blessing as ephemeral, and not fear the pain of loss when we are given someone to love. I tell myself that I have been given some very difficult people to love because I am especially good at loving difficult people. I hope that is true. Right now I seem to be hurting a lot, even while being grateful for my blessings. I didn’t realize that this pain and sense of loss was quite so fresh; it has been ten years since my children cut off all contact with no explanation, and I truly have no idea why they don’t want us in their lives. How do I “lean into” this pain? Should I? What do I do with the message they have given me that they don’t want my love and care? This issue of being UNWANTED has returned over and over again in my life. I could use some help…what does this mean? What can I create with this, learn from this? Read More4 Reply Anna7 years agoAnnaDear Kim, this is a true pain. I pray for for your inner peace, i think this is so important for your work, because the pain you are feeling can be overwhelming. Like Palm, I try to say “all shal be well”, though it has to be very hard for you and your husband. If you feel comforted here, you can speak, like now. I believe that this is a supportive community ; first of all dear Kim, don’t feel alone. 1 Reply Deb Waites7 years agoDeb WaitesKim, I understand some of how you feel. My beloved daughter has treated me in a similar way. Rejection is a difficult thing to live with. It hardly matters at all the acceptance you might have from others, the one who rejects you, especially from one you gave life to, pains deeply. Forgiveness of them and yourself is a daily practice. With Palm, blessings of mercy and gentleness be yours. -Deb- 1 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmKim, this must be heartbraking, I pray for mercy and gentleness to yourself as you seemed to also have quite a big new task at work and it must be all so overwhelming, blessings to you, all shall be well 0 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmThis is timely as I have been thinking what a blessing caring for others is. It occurs to me thou that, for caring to be sustainable, I first need to care for myself. Seems obvious but sometimes it’s easy to forget. 2 Reply Ben7 years agoBenHi gratefulness community, it's been awhile since I've been here! I've been absorbed in activism and various practices to help heal my body - since the inauguration it's been harder for me to slow down enough and set aside time to write in this space. But I deeply appreciate the chance to be here and reflect on the gift of life, and to share in this journey with you all! I hope my absence hasn't caused anyone to worry for my well-being. Just the usual storms of life blowing me this way ... Hi gratefulness community, it’s been awhile since I’ve been here! I’ve been absorbed in activism and various practices to help heal my body – since the inauguration it’s been harder for me to slow down enough and set aside time to write in this space. But I deeply appreciate the chance to be here and reflect on the gift of life, and to share in this journey with you all! I hope my absence hasn’t caused anyone to worry for my well-being. Just the usual storms of life blowing me this way and that – hoping to maintain more of an even keel these days. 🙂 Last night I was reminded how grateful I am to be able to care for the clients I work with as a therapist, and then for friends at a potluck after work. It seemed apparent in a new way how tender everyone’s hearts are, how much we all want to remember that we belong with each other, in our own skins, and in life. And I saw that I could open that door to belonging so simply – with a kind word, by sharing a laugh, with empathy, helping a client set up their phone, singing a song with friends, or by just really being present, in this relaxed knowingness that we all (as far as I can tell) suffer from the fear of not belonging, and love to receive signs that we do belong, as we are, in our messiness and differences and loneliness and confusion, right here in a little moment of genuine contact. I’m grateful for how many times I’ve been reminded of the power of these moments by others on this site, and I hope to keep coming back to this awareness, to keep remembering! Thank you for sharing the journey! Read More6 Reply Ose7 years agoOseSo lovely that you are here again writing and sharing! You, like several others who have shared regularly have been missed. So good you are back! 1 Reply Ben7 years agoBenThank you, it means a lot to hear I’ve been missed! I’ve missed the sharings here myself and find it powerful to realize how much it changes my experience of life to read and share and connect here! 0 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryBen, -open the door to belonging by a kind word, by sharing a laugh, or doing a small favor. So this is belonging by connecting. This is different from the way I usually think about belonging which involves fear of rejection. This sounds like we already do belong, we just need to connect in simple ways to be a part of one another’s lives. So this is meeting others with love instead of fear. I sometimes feel I don’t belong, which feels lonely, but looking at belonging through the eyes of lo... Ben, -open the door to belonging by a kind word, by sharing a laugh, or doing a small favor. So this is belonging by connecting. This is different from the way I usually think about belonging which involves fear of rejection. This sounds like we already do belong, we just need to connect in simple ways to be a part of one another’s lives. So this is meeting others with love instead of fear. I sometimes feel I don’t belong, which feels lonely, but looking at belonging through the eyes of love changes everything. It feels like the peace of knowing that we all are one and are not separate in the first place. This is a whole new way for me to think about belonging. Thanks fo the beautiful and insightful sharing,Ben. Much love, Mary Read More2 Reply Ben7 years agoBenThank you so much for this reflection Mary! I think that's a beautiful way to say what I was grasping for - connecting in simple ways to be part of one another's lives, remembering we already do belong. I appreciate you helping me hear my own intuitive searching a more deeply, and sharing your experience as well. I relate to the feeling of not belonging, the loneliness. I think it's so healing for me to see that that feeling also belongs - it seems so deeply human and universal. Maybe there... Thank you so much for this reflection Mary! I think that’s a beautiful way to say what I was grasping for – connecting in simple ways to be part of one another’s lives, remembering we already do belong. I appreciate you helping me hear my own intuitive searching a more deeply, and sharing your experience as well. I relate to the feeling of not belonging, the loneliness. I think it’s so healing for me to see that that feeling also belongs – it seems so deeply human and universal. Maybe there’s nowhere to go but belonging. 🙂 Thank you for connecting. Much love! Read More0 Reply KC7 years agoKC…my husband, family, close friends, extended family, friends, community, Mother Earth … with ongoing practices of prayer and self-care, which make it all possible. A blessing indeed … 3 Reply Gina7 years agoGinacare…lots…..and as a result, a lot of suffering for me and not much of a blessing right now or ever, really! so the blessing must be in the letting go that in caring and putting my love for others out there in the world is all that matters… so for all those I love , and all those who suffer who I do not know ….love and care….and the courage to be loving and caring no matter what! 2 Reply kathleen7 years agokathleenI care for those close to me. I care for myself when I recognize the pain I am in. I care for my students. I care for people everywhere when I see the news and think about the world situation. The world is now a small place. 5 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelCaring is not always doing,sometimes it is just prescence, sometimes it is smiling at someone you’ve never seen before. 8 Reply Linda7 years agoLindaI do a lot for my older husband who is in assisted living. He has confusion, memory problems, poor balance, sleep apnea, glaucoma, a mood disorder, bad knee and hip, hearing loss, etc. He is getting a cornea transplant in his only good eye May 17. I’m risking taking him to a symphony concert tonight because I want him to be able to still enjoy things. It will be a challenge, but I’m trying it. 5 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryI would love to know how that turns out. You are very good to your husband Linda. Best wishes to you Mary 0 Reply Linda7 years agoLindaSomeone on the Symphony lobby staff saw me trying to help my husband up 2 flights of stairs. By the second step the guy had a wheel chair over there and escorted us to ground level seats. Boy, was I rewarded for taking Jack to the concert. From 10th row on the aisle I got to see the greatest violinist in the world play a beautiful Bruch concerto .The staff even wheel chaired Jack to our car in the parking lot next door. Jack and I had a great time. 0 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryLinda, that went so well! It is hard to tell how things will turn out. I am glad you took a chance! Mary 0 Reply Anna7 years agoAnnaI admire you, Linda. 0 Reply Francine Marie Tolf7 years agoFrancine Marie TolfLinda, this does sound challenging, and it sounds like you are doing a marvelous job. I hope someone cares for YOU sometimes. 2 Reply Linda7 years agoLindaI have good supportive and helpful neighbors and friends. I have no family in town, and they have their own problems. Mostly I do a lot of self care like getting massages, counseling, have learned to say NO, exercising, gardening, walking outdoors, classical , native flute, and New Age very relaxing nature music, meditating, coloring in my adult coloring books, reading, a glass of wine in the evening looking at my fireplace or looking at my gardens on my swing. I am working on not bein... I have good supportive and helpful neighbors and friends. I have no family in town, and they have their own problems. Mostly I do a lot of self care like getting massages, counseling, have learned to say NO, exercising, gardening, walking outdoors, classical , native flute, and New Age very relaxing nature music, meditating, coloring in my adult coloring books, reading, a glass of wine in the evening looking at my fireplace or looking at my gardens on my swing. I am working on not being so busy. Friday I have someone coming over to dig 40 dayllies I’m donating ( sick of all the work of keeping deer out of them) to Civic garden Center’s Spring fundraiser and Saturday I’m supervising a team at church to plant and clean up the memorial garden for which I designed the placement of plants and shrubs. I’ve learned to hire help at home and in my yard. I’ll be glad when things slow down a little. Thank you for your support. Read More1 Reply Deb Waites7 years agoDeb WaitesLinda, I hope you have a cat. Dogs are great but they are a bit needy and it sounds like you give a lot to your husband. Cats are more independent and it feels like an honor when they curl up with you and purr. Dogs love everyone (they are kind of like God in that respect; God spelled backwards is Dog!) 0 Reply Linda7 years agoLindaI have 2 precious cats, a Hemmingway tabby rescue cat ( big extra thumbs) named Puccini and Mozart, a blue lynx mitted rag doll with blue eyes. 1 Reply Anita7 years agoAnitaI’ve been caring for others for as long as I can remember. At this particular time, there is close attention given to my father-in-law who is 97, and my husband who currently has a sinus infection. And this morning, a little self care is needed. Caring also includes a very long and universal prayer list for peace in every heart and home. Blessings and peace to all of you today all days. 7 Reply Ursula7 years agoUrsulaThank you, Anita! BLessings to you as well, Ursula 0 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinCaring for others is indeed a blessing. And I have my list that I keep close by. Some I share time with one-to-one and others I communicate with via text, phone and through the Internet. I consider it a sacred trust and one that I pray into for guidance. – Kevin 6 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelI truly try n care for everyone that comes in my path. For those whose care I am entrusted (family, students, faculty, friends) I truly try n give equal care. 5 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaI care most deeply for my triplet nieces, who are now juniors in college. They were such beautiful babies. I didn’t even like kids until they were born in ’96. They have changed my life, put me in touch with just how much I can and do care. They’re fraternal; I never tire of seeing the ways they are beautifully different. 5 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteI care for all beings everywhere. My heart is full of compassion for beings everywhere. I obviously have my family and friends whom I care for on a daily basis. I also have colleagues and students, as well that I care for. This website has also been a place that I reach out and care for others. All of these relationships I feel blessed for having in my life. I'm grateful for helping them as much as I can and I am ever grateful for how much support and love they give to me. I care deeply ... I care for all beings everywhere. My heart is full of compassion for beings everywhere. I obviously have my family and friends whom I care for on a daily basis. I also have colleagues and students, as well that I care for. This website has also been a place that I reach out and care for others. All of these relationships I feel blessed for having in my life. I’m grateful for helping them as much as I can and I am ever grateful for how much support and love they give to me. I care deeply and I am grateful for how much is given to me. It’s truly amazing at how much generosity is everywhere. Thank you. Read More6 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
