Daily Question, June 12 Reflecting upon how I feel at this moment: might I behave differently if I knew this was the last time I would ever feel this way? 33 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. Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteFeelings come and go like the clouds in the sky. If I don't like how you I'm feeling I can wait a minute . The same holds true for any type of emotions or feelings. Carol was talking about Buddhist teachings. Right thinking says we let go and stop labeling all of our emotions as "good" or "bad" rather we allow space between our feelings by not clinging to them. This helps to free up the grasping mind. How I behave due to a feeling is my choice so, yes, I would have behaved differently oft... Feelings come and go like the clouds in the sky. If I don’t like how you I’m feeling I can wait a minute . The same holds true for any type of emotions or feelings. Carol was talking about Buddhist teachings. Right thinking says we let go and stop labeling all of our emotions as “good” or “bad” rather we allow space between our feelings by not clinging to them. This helps to free up the grasping mind. How I behave due to a feeling is my choice so, yes, I would have behaved differently often, in that I would try practice grace. Right thinking is grace. It’s letting go of the egos grasping mind and allowing grace in. Read More3 Reply kathleen7 years agokathleenI’m not sure how to read the question. So I am thinking I have a background hum of anxiety that is there. I know the something that has been on my mind bothering me. I would be crazy excited to know I would not feel that nagging any more. That leaves me with the realization that I have an opportunity to nurture some other mind quality. – loving kindness, equanimity. I am not trying to get rid of the feeling but I can bring forward a certain response. 3 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinI didn’t know how to read this question either, Kathleen! But I have enjoyed the responses of several others that approached it more deeply than I was able to do! 0 Reply KC7 years agoKCImagining that this is the last time I will ever feel this way, I choose to hold my thoughts and feelings with kindness, and to imagine being held in a sea of love. I am feeling triggered by a conversation I just had, so will ask that we both be held in that greater loving kindness and carry on with the next steps of my day. 2 Reply Malag7 years agoMalagI started reading in reverse order and got to the answer that I was thinking which is Kevin’s. Feelings are generally repeatable. However what also occurred to me was that my range of feelings is probably quite limited. There are probably many hundreds. So it prompted me to want to explore that much bigger menu. Then when I do breathe my last I will have tasted much. 5 Reply Ben7 years agoBenWhat comes to mind for me is to think how I would hold the feelings in me now if I knew I was about to die, which I’ve experienced really can happen any day, at any time, to anyone. What I’m feeling now is mostly anxiety and sadness, so I think if was about to die, I would lovingly hold these feelings as part of my aliveness, breathe into them, and choose to keep seeing the sunlight and appreciating the simple fact of being alive - the miracle of this body with all it senses. Even these ... What comes to mind for me is to think how I would hold the feelings in me now if I knew I was about to die, which I’ve experienced really can happen any day, at any time, to anyone. What I’m feeling now is mostly anxiety and sadness, so I think if was about to die, I would lovingly hold these feelings as part of my aliveness, breathe into them, and choose to keep seeing the sunlight and appreciating the simple fact of being alive – the miracle of this body with all it senses. Even these feelings might be experienced with wonder, as I’ve seen can happen in the presence of acceptance, surrender and compassionate witnessing. My best two cents on this question! ???? Read More3 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinI like your approach a lot better than my own, Ben! Thanks. 1 Reply Ben7 years agoBenThanks Kevin! 0 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteAnd a lovely way to add your thoughtfulness Ben. Thank you. 1 Reply Ben7 years agoBenThank you Antoinette! 0 Reply KC7 years agoKCBeautiful Ben. Thanks for your thoughtful answer. 1 Reply Ben7 years agoBenThanks KC! 0 Reply Deb7 years agoDebAs of my writing there are nine reflection and each one holds something of what I agree with. It will be interesting to see other responses at the end of the day. I don't think we have any "last times" of anything in our lives. Be it anger, fear, cheer, love, etc., it all comes around again albeit in a different form or intensity. If we responded to our feelings in a way that brought peace, we can do it again. If we found our response less satisfactory we will have an opportunity to do it di... As of my writing there are nine reflection and each one holds something of what I agree with. It will be interesting to see other responses at the end of the day. I don’t think we have any “last times” of anything in our lives. Be it anger, fear, cheer, love, etc., it all comes around again albeit in a different form or intensity. If we responded to our feelings in a way that brought peace, we can do it again. If we found our response less satisfactory we will have an opportunity to do it differently. Read More4 Reply Ed Schulte7 years agoEd SchulteReflecting upon how I feel at this moment: might I behave differently if I knew this was the last time I would ever feel this way? My reaction to this question is…..Yes do a reflection first……and know and accept….. that I am, as a Soul, ….a never changing Infinite Being experiencing something the lower mind calls “existence.” In that experiencing,….. feelings, emotions, thoughts, bodies, (every kind of form imaginable), are constantly changing and that temporary part of my p... Reflecting upon how I feel at this moment: might I behave differently if I knew this was the last time I would ever feel this way? My reaction to this question is…..Yes do a reflection first……and know and accept….. that I am, as a Soul, ….a never changing Infinite Being experiencing something the lower mind calls “existence.” In that experiencing,….. feelings, emotions, thoughts, bodies, (every kind of form imaginable), are constantly changing and that temporary part of my personality, the egoism, is constantly trying to convince itself that, “O’ my “feeling” are Sooo Important!!” So the critical point within this question is to first establish …. Who is doing this “reflection” and what is it reflecting on?. Is it a refection done on egoism’s “feeings” by egoism itself? ….OR…. is it Soul sensing the infinite beauty it is? If it is the former ( the egoism) then, weather it is a pleasant feeling or an uncomfortable feel, its reaction will be one of fear and/or remorse because the one thing egoism knows (and resists energetically) is it temporariness ….IOW it’s, ( as it is implied in the question) “Oh, I might not ever feel is way again.” BooHoo!! ???? If it is the latter, ( the Soul ) then the only response will be, not to itself but to the egoism’s silly antics, a smiling “So What ?!” Be Well Be Present in the, “So What !” Read More1 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaSo what, so soulful yet so irreverent in my daily dealings of life…. So what? 1 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinOh, I love this, Gina! Yes! 0 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaThanks, Kevin. Unfortunately I am not able to convey the meaning of what I was hoping for which is in the spiritual realm all is so insignificant, and all my daily strivings and tribulations in the end will be so insignificant. my parents deaths have been a striking reminder of this.....my mother will always be with me for her love and kindness, my father has really made me aware of how important legacy is....he strived so hard in life and in the end, it was a whole lot of suffering.... for ... Thanks, Kevin. Unfortunately I am not able to convey the meaning of what I was hoping for which is in the spiritual realm all is so insignificant, and all my daily strivings and tribulations in the end will be so insignificant. my parents deaths have been a striking reminder of this…..my mother will always be with me for her love and kindness, my father has really made me aware of how important legacy is….he strived so hard in life and in the end, it was a whole lot of suffering…. for all the suffering in the world, there will never be enough shame…… so what really matters?, so what? only love prevails…..in some pure form Read More1 Reply Ose7 years agoOseSorry, dear Gina, if I ask, but did you really mean irreverent?? 0 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaHi Ose, well, guess I did…cause some of my thoughts, monkey mind are often not so much of the spiritual nature but of mine own immediate yearnings and needs….in the long run does it all really matter?? I strive but am often overtaken with crazy thoughts and fear and anger….so yeah, these are really not part of the whole cosmic reality …. in the end, so what?, What are your thoughts?- suppose the heat and bugs are making me cranky and hard on myself??? 1 Reply Anna7 years agoAnnaGina, be kind with yourself, we are not always the same. Maybe inside we are challenging with something that we are not aware about, or maybe we are tired, or maybe our body is not in its best form. It is a normal thing Gina. Oh think to the Olympus….those men and women almost gods, with fear, anger, envy, jealousy… they were our images, and we are not God, we are not perfect, oh dear, but there is forgiveness, love, tomorrow it will bee another day! (Go with the wind Gina!). Yet, these “a... Gina, be kind with yourself, we are not always the same. Maybe inside we are challenging with something that we are not aware about, or maybe we are tired, or maybe our body is not in its best form. It is a normal thing Gina. Oh think to the Olympus….those men and women almost gods, with fear, anger, envy, jealousy… they were our images, and we are not God, we are not perfect, oh dear, but there is forgiveness, love, tomorrow it will bee another day! (Go with the wind Gina!). Yet, these “almost gods” have told us wonderful stories …dear Gina, don’t worry, this is what I truly think. I am writing when outside there are maybe 33 celsius, and yesterday there were 31 at 8 pm, wow such a summer ….;-). when it is so warm, I feel more tired, and when I come home after my work, GIna, it is so hard to start my home tasks, starting with cooking! Read More0 Reply Ose7 years agoOseHi Gina, so if you are often overtaken by anger and fear, it is not us to answer your question but you should, nobody else can. 0 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaFor me, this question speaks to impermanence.....nothing lasts....so feelings are fleeting...I may feel tired, down, elated, calm.....whatever and I put values on them unnecessarily What matters is that all is right with the world, and for my short time, I mu st look for that in myself and outside too, as mentioned by Carol, right is complete and if I remind myself constantly then I can live fully in the moment and be okay with it.....because this is all there is.......acceptance is my gift fo... For me, this question speaks to impermanence…..nothing lasts….so feelings are fleeting…I may feel tired, down, elated, calm…..whatever and I put values on them unnecessarily What matters is that all is right with the world, and for my short time, I mu st look for that in myself and outside too, as mentioned by Carol, right is complete and if I remind myself constantly then I can live fully in the moment and be okay with it…..because this is all there is…….acceptance is my gift for knowing this might be the last time….no regrets for anything different….that adventure called life…l get this hot weather that is too hot for this time of year and the bugs and……….tomorrow, I cannot tell, live for today…. Read More3 Reply Pilgrim7 years agoPilgrimSince every moment is actually unrepeatable, the way I feel in that moment seems as if it would also be unrepeatable. The way I feel is always such a mixture of things, like what am I adding to the recipe of this point in the day/my life, and what shows up from that. I am trying to stay away from the morbid or depressing these days to keep myself going, so I choose to ask what is best, inspiring, inviting, in this moment and this day? How can I best live and appreciate that? Often, that means st... Since every moment is actually unrepeatable, the way I feel in that moment seems as if it would also be unrepeatable. The way I feel is always such a mixture of things, like what am I adding to the recipe of this point in the day/my life, and what shows up from that. I am trying to stay away from the morbid or depressing these days to keep myself going, so I choose to ask what is best, inspiring, inviting, in this moment and this day? How can I best live and appreciate that? Often, that means staying away from grand hopes and expectations, and noticing the mundane or simple. Or something like that. Read More5 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelI take today’s question the same as if today is your last day on earth. if we don’t live with passion…if we don’t appreciate each moment to its fullest…if we don’t do our best (which is definitely at different levels all the time but w the same intent) in each moment, we are missing out. 3 Reply Carol7 years agoCarolAt this moment, I feel relaxed. Why, because I have just listened to a Buddhist teaching on “right intention” which was followed by a short 10 minute guided meditation. It was a great way to start my day. I learned that the word, “right” in Buddhism is not the opposite of the word “wrong.” Instead it means “complete.” This definition discourages dualistic thinking—labeling everything right or wrong and though it does not discourage holding on to my longings, it asks me to e... At this moment, I feel relaxed. Why, because I have just listened to a Buddhist teaching on “right intention” which was followed by a short 10 minute guided meditation. It was a great way to start my day. I learned that the word, “right” in Buddhism is not the opposite of the word “wrong.” Instead it means “complete.” This definition discourages dualistic thinking—labeling everything right or wrong and though it does not discourage holding on to my longings, it asks me to enter the situations of my life with no preconceived notions. It reminds me to relax. I suffer from anxiety and it gives me the courage to commit. Maybe, I’m afraid but my intention to be open and stay open to “what is” shouts freedom to my soul. I may never overcome psychological fear because I doubt that I will ever be permanently egoless. However, reflecting on how I feel in this moment, knowing that I am more that my “sense perceptions, thoughts, and emotions,” I can choose to let go of my fear-filled story line (if only briefly) and relax. It reminds me of a quote from Helen Keller that I’ve shared before and which is very helpful to me.. I turn to it often: “Life is a daring adventure or it’s nothing at all.” Feelings come and go. “Right Intention” responds rather than reacts when they arise. Read More4 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteCarol, This is so wonderful! I’m touched by your heartfelt post. I feel for you and I can relate at the same time. Thank you. 0 Reply Ose7 years agoOseBut what about feelings like anger? Would I behave differently if this would be the last time I would ever feel this way? Without feeling anger I would appreciate and be grateful for whatever comes my way. Thanks for this question, as I currently sort out quite old anger. Without feeling greed I would behave on a basis of being enough, and my focus of deeds is directed towards the other when I do not feel alone. So just to let go of these negative feelings as if they would be there for the la... But what about feelings like anger? Would I behave differently if this would be the last time I would ever feel this way? Without feeling anger I would appreciate and be grateful for whatever comes my way. Thanks for this question, as I currently sort out quite old anger. Without feeling greed I would behave on a basis of being enough, and my focus of deeds is directed towards the other when I do not feel alone. So just to let go of these negative feelings as if they would be there for the last time and focus on the other side of the coin is the way for the moment being. Thanks a lot! Read More1 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaThis morning I feel a little shaky. I spent yesterday facing a long-held, deeply rooted fear. I think I got to the bottom of it. It isn’t there this morning after so very long. I am grateful but a little off-balance. I would hate it if I never felt this way again. It would mean I might not overcome other fears. 5 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinWell, given the nature of the human psyche, of course I would most likely repeat how I am feeling right now at some time in the future, that is, unless I was about to die. And if I was about to die then why would I care about this question? That’s my take on today’s question. I’m especially eager to read how others respond to it. Hopefully, I’m missing another, more optimistic approach to this question! – Kevin 3 Reply Pilgrim7 years agoPilgrimHow is your healing process going, Kevin? 0 Reply Ose7 years agoOseMy feelings define how I am doing what I am doing. Currently, I feel calm. So if it would be the last time I would ever feel this way, what would I do? If this does not mean that I am dead at that moment, I would just breathe and stay alert as much as possible. One of the findings of my exercise so far, which I started two days ago is that immediate “brighter” moments occur, astonishingly even up to more clearness of eyesight in the very moment of becoming aware of the moment through observ... My feelings define how I am doing what I am doing. Currently, I feel calm. So if it would be the last time I would ever feel this way, what would I do? If this does not mean that I am dead at that moment, I would just breathe and stay alert as much as possible. One of the findings of my exercise so far, which I started two days ago is that immediate “brighter” moments occur, astonishingly even up to more clearness of eyesight in the very moment of becoming aware of the moment through observing space accompanied by conscious breathing. Read More2 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinThanks for your take on today’s question, Ose. You certainly found a way to give it a deeper and more meaningful consideration than I was able to do! 0 Reply Ose7 years agoOseThanks dear Kevin for appreciating the considerations. The depth and meaning so different? I am sorry, but cannot see it like this. We all just name other aspects, as far as I can see it. 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
