I just finished a terrific book (Find Me Unafraid) by a young Kenyan man who grew up in extreme poverty in the Kibera slums in Nairobi. bY his mid 20's he built a school for girls, a health clinic, water tower, public toilets, a safe house for girls, and brought hope to people who had little. This book helped me realize that here in the US we have our basic human needs met daily and I often don't give it much thought. So my shift is to be grateful for a toilet that flushes, running water, ple...
I just finished a terrific book (Find Me Unafraid) by a young Kenyan man who grew up in extreme poverty in the Kibera slums in Nairobi. bY his mid 20’s he built a school for girls, a health clinic, water tower, public toilets, a safe house for girls, and brought hope to people who had little. This book helped me realize that here in the US we have our basic human needs met daily and I often don’t give it much thought. So my shift is to be grateful for a toilet that flushes, running water, plenty of food, a comfortable bed, shoes for my feet, a life free from violence, and a culture that supports women to pursue their dreams.
I need to look at the life of someone waiting for a kidney transplant, because it is a miserable and truncated “life.” And I recognize that I have a choice, that biology has allowed me a choice. And in gratefulness for that choice, and my life, I say “yes.”
Today I was told I am a compatible tissue match for a living kidney donation. Today I said yes.
I need to take the time to relax, make a few decisions, and then enjoy spending some quality time with my cats. Nothing like petting my cats to bring me into the moment and into gratefulness.
Thanks for the question because I was stressed, but now I have taken a few moments to be conscious and to follow my advice. I feel light and grateful as I watch my cat, Marvin, luxuriate as I pet him.
Peace and love,
Mary
Surrender or be grateful with all my emotions feelings sensations in me. Remind myself what is given to me, remind myself life is a gift and all things that come with it. Thank you brother David for the word life is a gift. Reminding me of Peace immediately when I think of this sentence.
Right now I need to shift my body, get up out of this chair and go workout, take in some lovely sunshine and nature. I also need to shift my focus on what’s right instead of what’s wrong in this day, this moment. I need to promote what I love instead of bashing what I hate. That’s a hard one for me.
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more gratitude?
I have to shift my focus. When I am focused on all there is to do, my mind lands in this negative space, where all I dwell on is how overwhelmed I am, how tired I am and how late it will be when I finally get to lay down tonight. But, when I shift my focus to the present moment, I begin to notice, rather than muddle through. I notice that my children enjoy my company and that giving them one more hug is more important than being...
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more gratitude?
I have to shift my focus. When I am focused on all there is to do, my mind lands in this negative space, where all I dwell on is how overwhelmed I am, how tired I am and how late it will be when I finally get to lay down tonight. But, when I shift my focus to the present moment, I begin to notice, rather than muddle through. I notice that my children enjoy my company and that giving them one more hug is more important than being on time at work. I notice the beauty of the sunshine, and the feel of breeze on my face. I notice how cozy my sweater is, as I sit in my cool, air conditioned office. I pay attention to the small things that are easy to forget when I am so busy. Shifting my focus, not only increases my gratitude, but also decreases my stress. It reminds me that I have joy; all I have to do is pay attention.
I think coming back to noticing throughout the day, appreciating the ordinary miracles of my body - my breath, the fact that I can think and see and hear and speak, the muscles of my legs and across my body that somehow move and balance in a thousand ways, and all that nature has given me.
And to sing a song that moves me, any time I stray into negative thought patterns focused on all I seem to lack. That so often puts me back in a space of readiness to notice and take in the beauty around...
I think coming back to noticing throughout the day, appreciating the ordinary miracles of my body – my breath, the fact that I can think and see and hear and speak, the muscles of my legs and across my body that somehow move and balance in a thousand ways, and all that nature has given me.
And to sing a song that moves me, any time I stray into negative thought patterns focused on all I seem to lack. That so often puts me back in a space of readiness to notice and take in the beauty around me…
It is amazing to me how quickly and dramatically music can change my mood.
So simple, and yet so powerful!
Thanks for the reminder.
Peace to you, Ben.
Mary
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more grateful?
Even the slightest “shift” in the direction implied in Br David’s words here below ( copied from “Deeper the Words”) …the “shifting deeper in to the depth of “Being””….. would do nicely … deeper into the un-manifested source ….so that it becomes “Manifested”. After all that is what Human’s role in the Divine Plan IS. First come AWE and then profound Gratitude.
Start quote
“Your body, as Saint P...
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more grateful?
Even the slightest “shift” in the direction implied in Br David’s words here below ( copied from “Deeper the Words”) …the “shifting deeper in to the depth of “Being””….. would do nicely … deeper into the un-manifested source ….so that it becomes “Manifested”. After all that is what Human’s role in the Divine Plan IS. First come AWE and then profound Gratitude.
Start quote
“Your body, as Saint Paul tells us, is a temple of the Holy Spirit, but where does your body end? Is it interwoven with the whole universe? And if so, is not the whole universe your body-Christ’s body, temple of the [Holy Spirit,] body of God?
“It is so dense and apparent-thatbody of God“, says Mary Oliver- “and all the same I am still unsatisfied. … Where, do you suppose, is His pale and wonderful mind?”
“Show us the Father,” says Philip in John’s Gospel, and Jesus replies, “Whoever sees Me, sees the Father.” Christian tradition calls the manifestation of God in all that exists “the Cosmic Christ.”
The whole universe is God’s body. But if we are in this way surrounded by God’s manifestation, from where springs our longing for God un-manifest? Could this longing itself be a divine urge in the depth of our being?
The last paragraph always intrigues me……but slowly understanding it…….
Developing an insight within to see the play of the unmanifested in the manifested around us
My greatest downfall is putting too much pressure on myself, which results in being less effective in the things I want to accomplish. If I take just a moment to go easy on myself, I find my productivity and my gratitude soars. Just a tiny shift in perspective changes so much
“To feel MORE gratitude?
Why is more better? Why do we strive for more of anything? It seems we are encouraged to possess or have more time, money, patience, love, more virtues, more gratitude…..and the list goes on…….
I am grateful. Period. (Well, actually Exclamation mark!) No more, no less.
I be grateful.
Good Morning, This quote presented on demo.gratefulness.org a few days ago hit the bulls-eye with me. I’m an A-Personality type. Neurons fire in my monkey-mind in so many directions that I miss what is right in front of me or I become aware of every ache and pain that my physical and emotional history has garnered. I get bored way too easily. It is a red flag that always brings me to a need for stillness.
I recently joined eckharttolle.com�...
“Boredom is a lack of attention.” Fritz Perls
Good Morning, This quote presented on demo.gratefulness.org a few days ago hit the bulls-eye with me. I’m an A-Personality type. Neurons fire in my monkey-mind in so many directions that I miss what is right in front of me or I become aware of every ache and pain that my physical and emotional history has garnered. I get bored way too easily. It is a red flag that always brings me to a need for stillness.
I recently joined eckharttolle.com’s Awakening to the Presence site and have been watching and listening to some of Eckhart’s recorded and live sessions. I say listening and watching because Tolle is unlike any teacher I have ever known. Stillness permeates his being. It defies distance and drives every word he utters and every pause he takes on my computer screen. It challenges my EGO which is prone to impatience! I’m not always comfortable with his sometimes lengthy pauses. I find my mind saying, “Get on with it!” But when I consciously choose to hang in there, I start experiencing an inner stillness, a presence that I sense has always been there.
Tolle makes a point of accenting the fact that silence and stillness are not the same thing. Silence is an outward experience—an awareness of a time of quiet in the environment. Stillness is inward and is a calm that words fail to capture. He says we all possess this stillness but seldom claim it.
This I know. In the presence of this inner stillness, gratitude blossoms big time for me in spite of the fact that cervical surgery in 1998 has limited my ability to do many things I love and I have grieved several losses. It was very hard to learn to ask for help to accomplish some of what most of us see as simple tasks.
This is what that has taught me. Life is about letting go. If we accept that fact, we will be prepared for the final letting go of the gift of life and every day we have been given will become precious to us no matter what our situation. An attitude of gratitude makes this possible or as my son reminds me from time to time, “Every day’s a good day, Mama.”
I need to shift my thoughts from what I am wanting to happen to what I’ve already got, which is a lot. Some times we get too impatient with the waiting, loose sight of the progress already made and miss enjoying the ride. Today I will count my blessings and forget about the waiting, thanks for the question
I came just back from a Walk together with my grown up daughter. She ‘s drawn my attention to an unpleasant behavior that I’m showing more and more in the last time. It wasn’t encouraging. But now I’ve thought about it for some time, I must admit, that I’ve to be grateful for this discussion.
I guess go with the flow. I have a very changeable job. I’m getting better with going with the flow; but I think it’s what I need. Look forward to seeing others’ responses.
I just finished a terrific book (Find Me Unafraid) by a young Kenyan man who grew up in extreme poverty in the Kibera slums in Nairobi. bY his mid 20's he built a school for girls, a health clinic, water tower, public toilets, a safe house for girls, and brought hope to people who had little. This book helped me realize that here in the US we have our basic human needs met daily and I often don't give it much thought. So my shift is to be grateful for a toilet that flushes, running water, ple...
I just finished a terrific book (Find Me Unafraid) by a young Kenyan man who grew up in extreme poverty in the Kibera slums in Nairobi. bY his mid 20’s he built a school for girls, a health clinic, water tower, public toilets, a safe house for girls, and brought hope to people who had little. This book helped me realize that here in the US we have our basic human needs met daily and I often don’t give it much thought. So my shift is to be grateful for a toilet that flushes, running water, plenty of food, a comfortable bed, shoes for my feet, a life free from violence, and a culture that supports women to pursue their dreams.
I need to look at the life of someone waiting for a kidney transplant, because it is a miserable and truncated “life.” And I recognize that I have a choice, that biology has allowed me a choice. And in gratefulness for that choice, and my life, I say “yes.”
Today I was told I am a compatible tissue match for a living kidney donation. Today I said yes.
As someone waiting for a kidney transplant, and dealing with dialysis 3 times a week, this did my heart SO MUCH GOOD. Thank YOU!
A simple shift. Look at what I DO have; not at what I don’t.
A simple shift, Always Learning, but probably the most powerful one that I know of.
Blessings to you.
Mary
I need to take the time to relax, make a few decisions, and then enjoy spending some quality time with my cats. Nothing like petting my cats to bring me into the moment and into gratefulness.
Thanks for the question because I was stressed, but now I have taken a few moments to be conscious and to follow my advice. I feel light and grateful as I watch my cat, Marvin, luxuriate as I pet him.
Peace and love,
Mary
My resistance. And apparently the only way to shift it is to listen with attention to it and allow it to express what is really going on.
Surrender or be grateful with all my emotions feelings sensations in me. Remind myself what is given to me, remind myself life is a gift and all things that come with it. Thank you brother David for the word life is a gift. Reminding me of Peace immediately when I think of this sentence.
Thanks for an uplifting post Gargi.
Life is a gift. Truly words to remember.
Love the beautiful blue birds in your new icon!
Mary
Thank you Mary. love and peace.
Gargi
Enter gratefulness practice into my everyday habit list.
Right now I need to shift my body, get up out of this chair and go workout, take in some lovely sunshine and nature. I also need to shift my focus on what’s right instead of what’s wrong in this day, this moment. I need to promote what I love instead of bashing what I hate. That’s a hard one for me.
Thank you Jill your reflection helped me too
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more gratitude?
I have to shift my focus. When I am focused on all there is to do, my mind lands in this negative space, where all I dwell on is how overwhelmed I am, how tired I am and how late it will be when I finally get to lay down tonight. But, when I shift my focus to the present moment, I begin to notice, rather than muddle through. I notice that my children enjoy my company and that giving them one more hug is more important than being...
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more gratitude?
I have to shift my focus. When I am focused on all there is to do, my mind lands in this negative space, where all I dwell on is how overwhelmed I am, how tired I am and how late it will be when I finally get to lay down tonight. But, when I shift my focus to the present moment, I begin to notice, rather than muddle through. I notice that my children enjoy my company and that giving them one more hug is more important than being on time at work. I notice the beauty of the sunshine, and the feel of breeze on my face. I notice how cozy my sweater is, as I sit in my cool, air conditioned office. I pay attention to the small things that are easy to forget when I am so busy. Shifting my focus, not only increases my gratitude, but also decreases my stress. It reminds me that I have joy; all I have to do is pay attention.
I think coming back to noticing throughout the day, appreciating the ordinary miracles of my body - my breath, the fact that I can think and see and hear and speak, the muscles of my legs and across my body that somehow move and balance in a thousand ways, and all that nature has given me.
And to sing a song that moves me, any time I stray into negative thought patterns focused on all I seem to lack. That so often puts me back in a space of readiness to notice and take in the beauty around...
I think coming back to noticing throughout the day, appreciating the ordinary miracles of my body – my breath, the fact that I can think and see and hear and speak, the muscles of my legs and across my body that somehow move and balance in a thousand ways, and all that nature has given me.
And to sing a song that moves me, any time I stray into negative thought patterns focused on all I seem to lack. That so often puts me back in a space of readiness to notice and take in the beauty around me…
It is amazing to me how quickly and dramatically music can change my mood.
So simple, and yet so powerful!
Thanks for the reminder.
Peace to you, Ben.
Mary
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more grateful?
Even the slightest “shift” in the direction implied in Br David’s words here below ( copied from “Deeper the Words”) …the “shifting deeper in to the depth of “Being””….. would do nicely … deeper into the un-manifested source ….so that it becomes “Manifested”. After all that is what Human’s role in the Divine Plan IS. First come AWE and then profound Gratitude.
Start quote
“Your body, as Saint P...
What do I need to shift today, in order to feel more grateful?
Even the slightest “shift” in the direction implied in Br David’s words here below ( copied from “Deeper the Words”) …the “shifting deeper in to the depth of “Being””….. would do nicely … deeper into the un-manifested source ….so that it becomes “Manifested”. After all that is what Human’s role in the Divine Plan IS. First come AWE and then profound Gratitude.
Start quote
“Your body, as Saint Paul tells us, is a temple of the Holy Spirit, but where does your body end? Is it interwoven with the whole universe? And if so, is not the whole universe your body-Christ’s body, temple of the [Holy Spirit,] body of God?
“It is so dense and apparent-thatbody of God“, says Mary Oliver- “and all the same I am still unsatisfied. … Where, do you suppose, is His pale and wonderful mind?”
“Show us the Father,” says Philip in John’s Gospel, and Jesus replies, “Whoever sees Me, sees the Father.” Christian tradition calls the manifestation of God in all that exists “the Cosmic Christ.”
The whole universe is God’s body. But if we are in this way surrounded by God’s manifestation, from where springs our longing for God un-manifest? Could this longing itself be a divine urge in the depth of our being?
End Quote
The last paragraph always intrigues me……but slowly understanding it…….
Developing an insight within to see the play of the unmanifested in the manifested around us
My greatest downfall is putting too much pressure on myself, which results in being less effective in the things I want to accomplish. If I take just a moment to go easy on myself, I find my productivity and my gratitude soars. Just a tiny shift in perspective changes so much
Amen!
“To feel MORE gratitude?
Why is more better? Why do we strive for more of anything? It seems we are encouraged to possess or have more time, money, patience, love, more virtues, more gratitude…..and the list goes on…….
I am grateful. Period. (Well, actually Exclamation mark!) No more, no less.
I be grateful.
Beautiful, I guess also to remind us if we are not all grateful. For some of us strong emotions pull us in all directions.
my attention
maybe shift nothing, just be with what is……
my speed. instead of rushing around with daily activities i should slow down and notice things
"Boredom is a lack of attention." Fritz Perls
Good Morning, This quote presented on demo.gratefulness.org a few days ago hit the bulls-eye with me. I’m an A-Personality type. Neurons fire in my monkey-mind in so many directions that I miss what is right in front of me or I become aware of every ache and pain that my physical and emotional history has garnered. I get bored way too easily. It is a red flag that always brings me to a need for stillness.
I recently joined eckharttolle.com�...
“Boredom is a lack of attention.” Fritz Perls
Good Morning, This quote presented on demo.gratefulness.org a few days ago hit the bulls-eye with me. I’m an A-Personality type. Neurons fire in my monkey-mind in so many directions that I miss what is right in front of me or I become aware of every ache and pain that my physical and emotional history has garnered. I get bored way too easily. It is a red flag that always brings me to a need for stillness.
I recently joined eckharttolle.com’s Awakening to the Presence site and have been watching and listening to some of Eckhart’s recorded and live sessions. I say listening and watching because Tolle is unlike any teacher I have ever known. Stillness permeates his being. It defies distance and drives every word he utters and every pause he takes on my computer screen. It challenges my EGO which is prone to impatience! I’m not always comfortable with his sometimes lengthy pauses. I find my mind saying, “Get on with it!” But when I consciously choose to hang in there, I start experiencing an inner stillness, a presence that I sense has always been there.
Tolle makes a point of accenting the fact that silence and stillness are not the same thing. Silence is an outward experience—an awareness of a time of quiet in the environment. Stillness is inward and is a calm that words fail to capture. He says we all possess this stillness but seldom claim it.
This I know. In the presence of this inner stillness, gratitude blossoms big time for me in spite of the fact that cervical surgery in 1998 has limited my ability to do many things I love and I have grieved several losses. It was very hard to learn to ask for help to accomplish some of what most of us see as simple tasks.
This is what that has taught me. Life is about letting go. If we accept that fact, we will be prepared for the final letting go of the gift of life and every day we have been given will become precious to us no matter what our situation. An attitude of gratitude makes this possible or as my son reminds me from time to time, “Every day’s a good day, Mama.”
Beautiful insight on letting go.
Thanks so much Carol.
Mary
I need to shift my thoughts from what I am wanting to happen to what I’ve already got, which is a lot. Some times we get too impatient with the waiting, loose sight of the progress already made and miss enjoying the ride. Today I will count my blessings and forget about the waiting, thanks for the question
I came just back from a Walk together with my grown up daughter. She ‘s drawn my attention to an unpleasant behavior that I’m showing more and more in the last time. It wasn’t encouraging. But now I’ve thought about it for some time, I must admit, that I’ve to be grateful for this discussion.
I guess go with the flow. I have a very changeable job. I’m getting better with going with the flow; but I think it’s what I need. Look forward to seeing others’ responses.
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