Daily Question, April 16 What struggles are offering me opportunities to grow right now? 35 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. Violet Gray7 years agoViolet GrayMalag, I feel the same way. The honesty is astounding. It takes a lot of courage to speak so frankly and I'm honoured to be "present". My biggest struggle has to do with a deep, deep loneliness. I have thought about this a lot, and prayed, and tried to connect with others, but I seem to be cut from a different sort of cloth. Not many would guess this about me, either. I have a job in a "helping profession", where I speak to people all the time. I'm kind of a social introvert so I manage in publ... Malag, I feel the same way. The honesty is astounding. It takes a lot of courage to speak so frankly and I’m honoured to be “present”. My biggest struggle has to do with a deep, deep loneliness. I have thought about this a lot, and prayed, and tried to connect with others, but I seem to be cut from a different sort of cloth. Not many would guess this about me, either. I have a job in a “helping profession”, where I speak to people all the time. I’m kind of a social introvert so I manage in public, but I feel like a free-floating satellite. Like, one of these days I’ll drift away and no one will even know I’m gone. It’s very painful. So…what opportunity? I guess I feel like I need to look up. To grab hold of hope, and to keep moving forward. Like Karen, that space feels vast and unknown. But it’s better than staying where I am. Read More3 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmViolet Gray, I can relate to this and may I dare say you would be surprised how many people are feeling the same way... a "normal" social persona on the outside and isolated inside, you are not alone. I have been reading about people facing this and the way out seems to be having the courage to tell your truth, showing who you are and finding likehearted souls, which I think we are doing in this community. Plenty of self care too. I also read "Quiet" by Susan Cain and follow her fb page about in... Violet Gray, I can relate to this and may I dare say you would be surprised how many people are feeling the same way… a “normal” social persona on the outside and isolated inside, you are not alone. I have been reading about people facing this and the way out seems to be having the courage to tell your truth, showing who you are and finding likehearted souls, which I think we are doing in this community. Plenty of self care too. I also read “Quiet” by Susan Cain and follow her fb page about introversion, it has helped me. Blessings to you, Palm Read More2 Reply Violet Gray7 years agoViolet GrayThank you so much for your comment. It really helped. The worst part about being this lonely is that it becomes all too easy to blame myself. Like, what’s wrong with me? I have “Quiet” on my Amazon wishlist. I guess I should go ahead and order it. I also have signed on to Susan Cain’s website “The Quiet Revolution” 1 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmI am glad I could be of help 🙂 and I agree, it’s easy to think there is something wrong with us and forget our own strengths, which are many 1 Reply Karen7 years agoKarenLast night, I was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Church. As I look out into the future, I am struck by the anxiety of uncertainty. The spiritual path I have walked the past 30+ years of life is well worn, full of knots, holes, and crushing walls where I defined what my faith was and wasn't, the places God was and wasn't, the compartmentalized spaces that separated my mind, body, and soul. This path provided an the comforting illusion of control. Last night marked my recognition that ... Last night, I was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Church. As I look out into the future, I am struck by the anxiety of uncertainty. The spiritual path I have walked the past 30+ years of life is well worn, full of knots, holes, and crushing walls where I defined what my faith was and wasn’t, the places God was and wasn’t, the compartmentalized spaces that separated my mind, body, and soul. This path provided an the comforting illusion of control. Last night marked my recognition that the path of my past had come to an end. This morning, I awoke knowing that I don’t know what my future path will look like. The space is vast. There is no well tread path, the walls are down, and the freshly tilled soil shows evidence of freshly planted seeds in need of care and water to root down and sprout. The anxiety to leave the familiar for something foreign and new is a tremendous opportunity. I once hid my fear behind walls of control. Today is the opportunity to let the light of faith, hope, and love warm the freshly planted seeds of a reformed heart. The gnawing anxiety of being inside my self made prison is now replaced by a softer anxiety, one that urges action to nourish, to grow, to tend to the garden of my soul. For this change, I am grateful. Read More6 Reply Malag7 years agoMalagI am awed by the contributions today and moved by what has been shared. My own struggles at the moment are modest in comparison (though I have my downs as well as ups). These daily questions and the answers that are shared are a significant growth opportunity for me right now. 3 Reply George Paul7 years agoGeorge PaulFinancial and relationship troubles have shown me how ungratefull I have been for my family and what I had as well the focus on myself my pride and boastful heart 3 Reply kathleen7 years agokathleenI struggle with how to connect with my adult son. He has social anxiety and non verbal communication disorder which is on the spectrum of autism and adhd. He struggles with how to be successful in life. He is almost 28. He has academic ability and completed difficult college courses but nothing comes of any of them. He retreats and loses himself in reading. He loses jobs easily and he can't find another one easily. A few months ago he was offered a job in a family business but it didn't work ou... I struggle with how to connect with my adult son. He has social anxiety and non verbal communication disorder which is on the spectrum of autism and adhd. He struggles with how to be successful in life. He is almost 28. He has academic ability and completed difficult college courses but nothing comes of any of them. He retreats and loses himself in reading. He loses jobs easily and he can’t find another one easily. A few months ago he was offered a job in a family business but it didn’t work out. Now he is depressed understandably. I want him to be self supporting and I really want him to be happy. My opportunity is to practice equanimity. ” No matter how I might wish for things to be otherewise, Things are the way they are.” Also, “All beings are owners of their actions. Their happiness or unhappiness depend upon their actions and not upon my wishes” Also,I care for you but I can’t control your happiness or unhappiness” Also “M ay my heart open to this experience with balance and ease” These prayers offer me an opportunity to put worry and anxiety aside. Read More6 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaKathleen, Thank- you for these prayers…to reach equanimity would be so great…..and so I keep practising….. and practising…. Gina 1 Reply Palm7 years agoPalm6 months ago I decided to reduce my working hours to better take care of my daughter and I am currently struggling to make ends meet. I was the sole bread winner of the family and I am still covering most of the living exenses by drawing from my retirement savings. I have been living with anxiety and poor sleep since I took this decision, although I still feel it was the only choice possible and do not regret it. I am working to come out of this situation and when I do I have promised to myself ... 6 months ago I decided to reduce my working hours to better take care of my daughter and I am currently struggling to make ends meet. I was the sole bread winner of the family and I am still covering most of the living exenses by drawing from my retirement savings. I have been living with anxiety and poor sleep since I took this decision, although I still feel it was the only choice possible and do not regret it. I am working to come out of this situation and when I do I have promised to myself to one day have authonomy of all aspects of my life, starting with the financial side. I have taken stewardship over my daughter’s upbringing, which I had hoped others could do (luckily I have woken up about this). Still a long way to go and I need to do things gradually to take into account other people in my life, but I don’t feel stuck any more because as little as they are, there are steps being taken, and the answers to “what if” have been thought in advance. I pray that love will still prevail, but so healthy boundaries too. Read More5 Reply Trevor James7 years agoTrevor JamesToo many. One too many. Sigh. 4 Reply Kim SD7 years agoKim SDI have been led, called, to become a leader of a program for young musicians that has grown very quickly and has been very thrilling and satisfying to be part of, but now I am waking every day with the fear, the anxiety, that I am not adequate to lead such a large organization, and that I do not have the skills to teach at this level, or the help and support I need; in fact, I am in anxiety because I am aware of not knowing what I need to learn, or which way to go, and I am afraid I will let my ... I have been led, called, to become a leader of a program for young musicians that has grown very quickly and has been very thrilling and satisfying to be part of, but now I am waking every day with the fear, the anxiety, that I am not adequate to lead such a large organization, and that I do not have the skills to teach at this level, or the help and support I need; in fact, I am in anxiety because I am aware of not knowing what I need to learn, or which way to go, and I am afraid I will let my students and their families down in some way through ignorance or incapacity. I have gotten this far by simply trusting where I was led, and accepting the path of growth that has been shown to me, and walking it in love and gratitude. I don’t know why I now feel so anxious and fearful. I am afraid of being embarrassed by my unworthiness–it is a struggle to let go of my fears every morning. Read More10 Reply John7 years agoJohnI am currently in my tenth month of unemployment. I am 55 years old, have a BSEET, MSDS, PMP and an Advanced Certificate in Project Management from the University of Chicago. This is my second time going through the "grinder". I also took a hit from the 03 dot com bubble. I currently have a survival job at my friends ACE hardware store. I am grateful to a friend for giving me some some work to address some of the bills and... I am learning what it is like in retail. There is significant downward... I am currently in my tenth month of unemployment. I am 55 years old, have a BSEET, MSDS, PMP and an Advanced Certificate in Project Management from the University of Chicago. This is my second time going through the “grinder”. I also took a hit from the 03 dot com bubble. I currently have a survival job at my friends ACE hardware store. I am grateful to a friend for giving me some some work to address some of the bills and… I am learning what it is like in retail. There is significant downward pressure on prices, some customers are really nice and others not so much. In addition I am very grateful for those individuals (sometimes complete strangers) who have tried to help me get a job Read More9 Reply Trevor James7 years agoTrevor JamesWay to weather the storm! Hey that’s not a bad retail store compared to some others. The grass is not always greener. I’ve come to learn we create our own worlds and a job is just a duty to be fulfilled it’s not who we are. It is never too late to do and be who you want to. 2 Reply Gina7 years agoGinamy struggle with self-care- being well, being healthy - with this very erratic weather it is challenging to stay positive and to be able to ward off flu and bugs. one day it is warm and sunny , another damp, rainy and cold- it reminds of life but I am wishing for better weather... I will eat well, meditate, get proper sleep, drink lots of water, exercise ( swimming, walking Tai Chi, stretch ) and most importantly maintain positive outlook.. thanks...guess I will be held accountable......and ... my struggle with self-care- being well, being healthy – with this very erratic weather it is challenging to stay positive and to be able to ward off flu and bugs. one day it is warm and sunny , another damp, rainy and cold- it reminds of life but I am wishing for better weather… I will eat well, meditate, get proper sleep, drink lots of water, exercise ( swimming, walking Tai Chi, stretch ) and most importantly maintain positive outlook.. thanks…guess I will be held accountable……and I will go listen to birds…. Read More6 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteMy struggle right now is the huge adjustment of my divorce. After a 20 year marriage, everything has changed and been turned upside down! One example of my current struggle is to become a master at budgeting! Wow, I’m super anxious over all of this and how to make it all work! Therefore, my current challenge is to look at budgeting as my friend. I am learning to have an attitude of gratitude that I can even have a budget. Lucky me! I can work on planing my life and make real choices about ho... My struggle right now is the huge adjustment of my divorce. After a 20 year marriage, everything has changed and been turned upside down! One example of my current struggle is to become a master at budgeting! Wow, I’m super anxious over all of this and how to make it all work! Therefore, my current challenge is to look at budgeting as my friend. I am learning to have an attitude of gratitude that I can even have a budget. Lucky me! I can work on planing my life and make real choices about how to best use money. This struggle is offering me an opportunity to grow into accountability. Clearly being in the dark about my financial situation is over! This struggle is teaching me to have an attitude of gratitude for the opportunity to take control over my own life! I’m going to face fear in the face and have confidence in my ability to make solid choices. Read More6 Reply Deb Waites7 years agoDeb WaitesI know your pain, Antoinette. Six years ago my husband of 35 years decided we needed to go our separate paths. I lived at a Benedictine monastery 18 months, which helped me immensely. I also took a course called Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey which was incredibly helpful in learning how to manage what little money I had. I am so sorry for your losses. God’s blessings of peace, comfort and new birth be yours. 1 Reply Trevor James7 years agoTrevor JamesHope everything smoothes out. Divorces are never wished for but I hope you come out unscathed and full of hope and love. 2 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinAt the moment I am experiencing a major uptick in lower back pain. It’s a chronic S.I. Joint issue that has its ups and downs. When my pain levels spike and I need to take more medication and do far less physical activities, I struggle with how to remain creative and most especially positive emotionally. Fortunately, I will go in for another series of nerve blocks within two days which will greatly reduce the pain for another few months. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have the best... At the moment I am experiencing a major uptick in lower back pain. It’s a chronic S.I. Joint issue that has its ups and downs. When my pain levels spike and I need to take more medication and do far less physical activities, I struggle with how to remain creative and most especially positive emotionally. Fortunately, I will go in for another series of nerve blocks within two days which will greatly reduce the pain for another few months. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have the best medical care available to me. So many other people who suffer greatly do not have the access to healthcare that I am privileged to enjoy. When my pain levels are elevated I try, and sometimes fail, to listen for what the pain might be teaching me. Sometimes it just hurts like hell, and other times little nuggets of joy come my way precisely because I am forced to sideline doing other things I would rather be doing. To folks observing Passover this week and Easter today, blessings of spiritual peace to all. And to everyone else, happy blessed new day that we all share together. – Kevin Read More7 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteI’m sorry to hear you have a lot of pain Kevin. Have you been practicing yoga for lower back pain? If you have a mat at home and even try YouTube to watch yoga for lower back pain poses. This can make a huge difference by just practicing for 10-15 min for 4 days a week. Try it! Peace and love, Antoinette 2 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinYes, I presently do several stretched and a few yoga poses also on my mat about 4 times daily, even when my back is in decent shape. Some yoga moves though I cannot do if they involve any twisting side to side of the spine as I have L4 and L5 disk issues also. Thanks for the encouragement! My best to you. 1 Reply George Paul7 years agoGeorge PaulHey Kevin, I have also been suffering from lower back pain due to incorrect golf swing. The aim is to improve your strength and physique as well as overall body awareness. I’ve discovered the amazing ability of the body to self heal, hope you can do this and good luck! 1 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinThanks, George. I’ve been dealing with back issues for almost 8 years now and go through ups and downs now and then. I also exercise regularly also which helps. Thanks again. 0 Reply Trevor James7 years agoTrevor JamesQigong and Tai Chi too! Take your pick Kev! 0 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinI did Tai Chi years ago and loved it….been thinking about going back again sometime soon. Thanks Trevor. 0 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaI actually am starting to reap the benefits of some extreme struggles over a job change that sent me reeling. It’s been 3-1/2 years and I’m finally starting to see some growth: am more proactive on the job, seeking assignments rather than waiting for them; a little more self-confidence. Jobs & work have always been issues for me: the fear of being fired, of economic insecurity. It’s been a tough road but it’s getting better now. So grateful for the calm after the storm! 5 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteCongrats to you! Enjoy the calm you deserve it. 1 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaThanks Antoinette! Although I’ve never been married, I can imagine how wrenching your divorce must be. I especially can identify with the financial piece! 2 Reply Deb Waites7 years agoDeb WaitesMy current struggle is the rejection I feel of a beloved daughter who belongs to a very literal interpretation of the Bible church. She believes me to be a vile sinner who would contaminate her family. So, I have two grandchildren who I do not know nor will they know me. This is teaching me forgiveness on a daily basis and respect for her decision to exclude me. I am also learning patience and acceptance without bitterness. And to live in the tension of great sorrow but also gratitude for all ... My current struggle is the rejection I feel of a beloved daughter who belongs to a very literal interpretation of the Bible church. She believes me to be a vile sinner who would contaminate her family. So, I have two grandchildren who I do not know nor will they know me. This is teaching me forgiveness on a daily basis and respect for her decision to exclude me. I am also learning patience and acceptance without bitterness. And to live in the tension of great sorrow but also gratitude for all that is going well in other areas of my life. Read More4 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinMy goodness, Deb. Such a difficult walk here for you. I marvel at your ability to frame this pain in ways that allow you to continue with your life in positive ways. I pray that a softening and opening will arise in time with your daughter and grandchildren. 1 Reply Deb Waites7 years agoDeb WaitesThank you, Kevin, for your prayers. I think M. Scott Peck’s opening words in his book The Road Less Travelled are very true: “Life is hard.” I have never expected it to be easy, but sometimes I am amazed and stunned at it’s difficulty. Thank you. 1 Reply John7 years agoJohnAnother motivation to keep an open heart is to be ready to help her if she should become disillusioned with faith in general. 2 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteJohn, I like the word choice. Disillusioned/ it means to lose illusions . Which is always a good thing. Think to lose all illusions and become illuminated. Beautiful. 0 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaJohn, I like what you say about keeping an open heart. I am realizing with my own family that those who are hardest to love, are the ones who need my love and willingness to keep an open heart the most. It would be nice if faith could always provide us with love all in this way…….. 3 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteI am sorry about your daughter Deb. Maybe someday there will be hope that your daughter will be able to be more open minded and hearted about the universe. Love is the way . Rumi said it best: “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” Peace and Love to you. 3 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. 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