To the one who hurt me and broke my heart – I would tell him i forgive him. For if it wasn’t for him and the immense mental and physical pain he caused me, i would not be on this spiritual journey of self discovery, self love and in search of happiness within.
Today's question resonates with me because I started the day feeling that I had something to say, but I am still processing it, trying to put my finger on it. I suspect it's the synthesis of what I have been experiencing for a while, but perhaps that synthesis is not complete.
I am reminded of Rilke's directive:
"Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't sear...
Today’s question resonates with me because I started the day feeling that I had something to say, but I am still processing it, trying to put my finger on it. I suspect it’s the synthesis of what I have been experiencing for a while, but perhaps that synthesis is not complete.
I am reminded of Rilke’s directive:
“Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything.”
I will share the experience that has led me here without any reflection. Perhaps others will draw some insight, or at least I will mark the question.
As I have mentioned in this space before, I live in the United States. If you are familiar with U.S. politics, you might know that the current climate feels very divisive. I will not say anything about my personal allegiances, but I will say that I do believe that the political process impacts people’s lives in very real ways. For that reason, I have always valued being politically involved, though I see the division created in our country by the two-party system as partially artificial and counterproductive.
Yesterday, we had an election in the U.S. that was seen as a bellwether, and I did some volunteer phone banking in the lead up. Yesterday, I also had the chance to participate in Burrito Project, a grassroots volunteer effort to make and distribute food to people living on the street. This is something I have done for many years now, and I was truly grateful for the experience last night.
Today’s quote (“Listen to your life…touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments and life itself is grace”) is so applicable to my experience. I do take satisfaction in helping others, but the reason that I am grateful for last night’s venture is that it was a chance to be engaged, to interact with people and my city in such unique ways. We deliver food to areas that empty out at night because that is where people on the street can sleep without too much disturbance (though there is still plenty). Just being present in that moment to experience everything around me is deeply fulfilling.
Normally, the leader of Burrito Project posts a thank you on Facebook honoring everybody who took part, and I take pride in that, so I checked Facebook when I got home (quite late) to see what was there. All the posts I saw from my friends were about politics, many vitriolic or anguished. One wrote, “This is a dark time for our country,” and it cut me like a knife in the heart. The world certainly didn’t feel dark, but here I was being told that it was. My experience was vanquished by this 50-word opinion rendered in pixels on a screen.
I have had some time to reflect on this and process.
I have said before that I am dealing with some demands in my personal life. It's nothing terribly unique or arduous, but it's where I am now, and it takes a toll on me. I actually had a very productive conversation last night, and that alleviated my burden a bit.
I also have some insight on what I wrote about here and thought I would share. Clearly, my social network (or, at least, the digital manifestation of my actual, personal social ...
I have had some time to reflect on this and process.
I have said before that I am dealing with some demands in my personal life. It’s nothing terribly unique or arduous, but it’s where I am now, and it takes a toll on me. I actually had a very productive conversation last night, and that alleviated my burden a bit.
I also have some insight on what I wrote about here and thought I would share. Clearly, my social network (or, at least, the digital manifestation of my actual, personal social network) has gotten to me. It’s not just online, though. Conversations can have the same impact.
I suspect the issue is that people are not living in the questions as Rilke advised. When I look at social media, all I see is short bursts of outrage about some current event that is beyond just about anybody’s control. Nobody seems to be willing to say, “I don’t know the answer,” just “Here’s the problem, and everybody is talking, so I’d better say it even louder than them!”
It creates a feeling of helplessness–and to what end? It’s just rage, no gratitude, no reflection, just shouting into the void.
Today is my first day in this group. I am scared because I’ve lost my way. I am putting this out to the universe in hopes that a new path of gratefulness will open up to me.
Some things should not be said and I ask for the wisdom to discern what is better left unsaid. I try to speak in a timely fashion so there aren’t lapses where I feel the need to go back to speak.
I suppose what I would say again is “I am sorry.” Sorry I let you down. Sorry you see me as you do……..
What could I say today that I have been wanting to say for a long time?
Well if just one day qualifies as "a long time" that I reply to this question just as I did to the previous "question of the day". ( 2017 12 10) "If I could live ONE day over, what day would it be? Why?"
EACH earthly life is but one more day in the 'Classroom of LIFE", and this current earthly life contains all the best of all previous lives so I am “living them over” right now!
Re: "Why?"
It is because, ...
What could I say today that I have been wanting to say for a long time?
Well if just one day qualifies as “a long time” that I reply to this question just as I did to the previous “question of the day”. ( 2017 12 10) “If I could live ONE day over, what day would it be? Why?”
EACH earthly life is but one more day in the ‘Classroom of LIFE”, and this current earthly life contains all the best of all previous lives so I am “living them over” right now!
Re: “Why?”
It is because, as Butchner says in todays ‘Word or the day’, “Life is grace” and staying aware, observing Life’s graces is the way Home, “to the Holy”-ness of Being-ness.
“Listen to your life…touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments and life itself is grace.
I would like to say a deep and heartfelt thank-you to everyone on The Gratefulness Team and to all who share their reflections and replys! The energy that comes through this site is so beautiful, loving, caring and uplifting, I have been so blessed and enriched by it!!! THANK-YOU TO ALL!!!
Peace????
That I’m sad because people do not realize the suffering they cause or even worse intending ill will towards one another. I am grateful today that I have the wisdom to move on and realize I can not change peoples behaviors only my own. I my grateful to the universe for giving me such challenges and welcome new opportunities with open arms embracing movement and change. So many stay stagnant in careers, relationships, and life fearful of change instead of moving with the possibility of h...That...
That I’m sad because people do not realize the suffering they cause or even worse intending ill will towards one another. I am grateful today that I have the wisdom to move on and realize I can not change peoples behaviors only my own. I my grateful to the universe for giving me such challenges and welcome new opportunities with open arms embracing movement and change. So many stay stagnant in careers, relationships, and life fearful of change instead of moving with the possibility of h…That I’m sad because people do not realize the suffering they cause or even worse intending ill will towards one another. I am grateful today that I have the wisdom to move on and realize I can not change peoples behaviors only my own. I my grateful to the universe for giving my such challenges and welcome new opportunities with open arms embracing movement and change. So many stay stagnant in careers, relationships, and life fearful of change instead of moving with the possibility of hope to change for the better.
More and more I am able to look around the world and say, Brothers and Sisters, I am soooo proud of you, what you’ve been through and what you are doing now. We have so many wondrous, kind, Loving, caring and understanding brothers and sisters in the family of Love and growing everyday!
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.
Good for you Kevin! Good health care is so important. I am very grateful as well for having good health care. Thank you for posting this. Happy holidays to you and your family!
I forgive and love myself and all others. I embrace life and all its opportunities with an open heart. Feel free and let go of whatever is not serving. Cherish each moment with an attitude of gratitude.
I could say thank you — again and again — to the people who helped me stay at the ashram, so that one month turned into fourteen months.
Live Simply……Simply Live
To the one who hurt me and broke my heart – I would tell him i forgive him. For if it wasn’t for him and the immense mental and physical pain he caused me, i would not be on this spiritual journey of self discovery, self love and in search of happiness within.
Eu queria ser uma filha melhor para vocês…
I am sorry for I haven’t listened, You have been knocking, i have been looking in the wrong direction.
Today's question resonates with me because I started the day feeling that I had something to say, but I am still processing it, trying to put my finger on it. I suspect it's the synthesis of what I have been experiencing for a while, but perhaps that synthesis is not complete.
I am reminded of Rilke's directive:
"Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't sear...
Today’s question resonates with me because I started the day feeling that I had something to say, but I am still processing it, trying to put my finger on it. I suspect it’s the synthesis of what I have been experiencing for a while, but perhaps that synthesis is not complete.
I am reminded of Rilke’s directive:
“Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything.”
I will share the experience that has led me here without any reflection. Perhaps others will draw some insight, or at least I will mark the question.
As I have mentioned in this space before, I live in the United States. If you are familiar with U.S. politics, you might know that the current climate feels very divisive. I will not say anything about my personal allegiances, but I will say that I do believe that the political process impacts people’s lives in very real ways. For that reason, I have always valued being politically involved, though I see the division created in our country by the two-party system as partially artificial and counterproductive.
Yesterday, we had an election in the U.S. that was seen as a bellwether, and I did some volunteer phone banking in the lead up. Yesterday, I also had the chance to participate in Burrito Project, a grassroots volunteer effort to make and distribute food to people living on the street. This is something I have done for many years now, and I was truly grateful for the experience last night.
Today’s quote (“Listen to your life…touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments and life itself is grace”) is so applicable to my experience. I do take satisfaction in helping others, but the reason that I am grateful for last night’s venture is that it was a chance to be engaged, to interact with people and my city in such unique ways. We deliver food to areas that empty out at night because that is where people on the street can sleep without too much disturbance (though there is still plenty). Just being present in that moment to experience everything around me is deeply fulfilling.
Normally, the leader of Burrito Project posts a thank you on Facebook honoring everybody who took part, and I take pride in that, so I checked Facebook when I got home (quite late) to see what was there. All the posts I saw from my friends were about politics, many vitriolic or anguished. One wrote, “This is a dark time for our country,” and it cut me like a knife in the heart. The world certainly didn’t feel dark, but here I was being told that it was. My experience was vanquished by this 50-word opinion rendered in pixels on a screen.
I have had some time to reflect on this and process.
I have said before that I am dealing with some demands in my personal life. It's nothing terribly unique or arduous, but it's where I am now, and it takes a toll on me. I actually had a very productive conversation last night, and that alleviated my burden a bit.
I also have some insight on what I wrote about here and thought I would share. Clearly, my social network (or, at least, the digital manifestation of my actual, personal social ...
I have had some time to reflect on this and process.
I have said before that I am dealing with some demands in my personal life. It’s nothing terribly unique or arduous, but it’s where I am now, and it takes a toll on me. I actually had a very productive conversation last night, and that alleviated my burden a bit.
I also have some insight on what I wrote about here and thought I would share. Clearly, my social network (or, at least, the digital manifestation of my actual, personal social network) has gotten to me. It’s not just online, though. Conversations can have the same impact.
I suspect the issue is that people are not living in the questions as Rilke advised. When I look at social media, all I see is short bursts of outrage about some current event that is beyond just about anybody’s control. Nobody seems to be willing to say, “I don’t know the answer,” just “Here’s the problem, and everybody is talking, so I’d better say it even louder than them!”
It creates a feeling of helplessness–and to what end? It’s just rage, no gratitude, no reflection, just shouting into the void.
I wish you Peace, my friend.
Thank you.
Today is my first day in this group. I am scared because I’ve lost my way. I am putting this out to the universe in hopes that a new path of gratefulness will open up to me.
Welcome to this wonderful site, Teresa! Sending you caring thoughts and blessings. Peace be with you.????
You will be most welcome here. I come by from time to time for a visit, while others are here almost daily.
Placing you in my heart.
Patrick
Some things should not be said and I ask for the wisdom to discern what is better left unsaid. I try to speak in a timely fashion so there aren’t lapses where I feel the need to go back to speak.
I suppose what I would say again is “I am sorry.” Sorry I let you down. Sorry you see me as you do……..
I can tell others how much I appreciate them being in my life journey and that I love them!
No more school for the rest of the year
Meeha
It is nearly time for Christmas 2017
Jojo
What could I say today that I have been wanting to say for a long time?
Well if just one day qualifies as "a long time" that I reply to this question just as I did to the previous "question of the day". ( 2017 12 10) "If I could live ONE day over, what day would it be? Why?"
EACH earthly life is but one more day in the 'Classroom of LIFE", and this current earthly life contains all the best of all previous lives so I am “living them over” right now!
Re: "Why?"
It is because, ...
What could I say today that I have been wanting to say for a long time?
Well if just one day qualifies as “a long time” that I reply to this question just as I did to the previous “question of the day”. ( 2017 12 10) “If I could live ONE day over, what day would it be? Why?”
EACH earthly life is but one more day in the ‘Classroom of LIFE”, and this current earthly life contains all the best of all previous lives so I am “living them over” right now!
Re: “Why?”
It is because, as Butchner says in todays ‘Word or the day’, “Life is grace” and staying aware, observing Life’s graces is the way Home, “to the Holy”-ness of Being-ness.
“Listen to your life…touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments and life itself is grace.
FREDERICK BUECHNER
I think I have every book Buechner has written plus a couple of letters he wrote!
I would like to say a deep and heartfelt thank-you to everyone on The Gratefulness Team and to all who share their reflections and replys! The energy that comes through this site is so beautiful, loving, caring and uplifting, I have been so blessed and enriched by it!!! THANK-YOU TO ALL!!!
Peace????
I could say Kathleen you are ok just the way you are .Relax and enjoy life.
Cool, I would say that too, so here goes! “Kathleen, you are ok, no scratch that, you are so awesome just the way you are, relax and enjoy life.” :)))
Sounds so good! thank you! Patjos
I could say, “I don’t have to feel that way anymore.”
I forgive, I love and I’m so sorry. I really love you exactly how you are.
Now I can say to myself (and try to live it): let it be!
That I’m sad because people do not realize the suffering they cause or even worse intending ill will towards one another. I am grateful today that I have the wisdom to move on and realize I can not change peoples behaviors only my own. I my grateful to the universe for giving me such challenges and welcome new opportunities with open arms embracing movement and change. So many stay stagnant in careers, relationships, and life fearful of change instead of moving with the possibility of h...That...
That I’m sad because people do not realize the suffering they cause or even worse intending ill will towards one another. I am grateful today that I have the wisdom to move on and realize I can not change peoples behaviors only my own. I my grateful to the universe for giving me such challenges and welcome new opportunities with open arms embracing movement and change. So many stay stagnant in careers, relationships, and life fearful of change instead of moving with the possibility of h…That I’m sad because people do not realize the suffering they cause or even worse intending ill will towards one another. I am grateful today that I have the wisdom to move on and realize I can not change peoples behaviors only my own. I my grateful to the universe for giving my such challenges and welcome new opportunities with open arms embracing movement and change. So many stay stagnant in careers, relationships, and life fearful of change instead of moving with the possibility of hope to change for the better.
More and more I am able to look around the world and say, Brothers and Sisters, I am soooo proud of you, what you’ve been through and what you are doing now. We have so many wondrous, kind, Loving, caring and understanding brothers and sisters in the family of Love and growing everyday!
Lately I have been able to look in the mirror and hold my gaze. I can say I Love you and am proud of you!
Truly inspiring. I will hold this in my heart and aspire to do this also.
Thank you.
Well, you are so worth it! (I’m proud of you already!)
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.
Kevin, you are an inspiration with your attitude! Sending you thoughts and prayers for healing. Bless you.
Thank you, Sheila.
Good for you Kevin! Good health care is so important. I am very grateful as well for having good health care. Thank you for posting this. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Thanks, Antoinette. Wishing you and yours the very best this holiday season too!
I forgive and love myself and all others. I embrace life and all its opportunities with an open heart. Feel free and let go of whatever is not serving. Cherish each moment with an attitude of gratitude.
wonderful!
So beautiful!
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