I think, for myself, it's best for me to write in my journal as I do everyday. I write out my thoughts and feelings of what I am dealing with and usually by the end of my journaling for the day, I am looking for another viewpoint and then trying to write out what I am grateful for. So I guess, I am also using positive affirmations to get myself in the right thinking space.
I am enjoying all the comments posted here. I believe the awe comes into play when we are truly present, in the moment and aware of our surroundings. Paying attention to all things, even the gentle ripples on the water, the little lizards that scurrying about, the butterfly that comes to pay a visit to your flowers, the tingling of the wind chimes, the smell of jasmine coming into the window, the play of light and shadows across the floor. Oh, to look at the world through a child's eyes and see wonderment, as others have said. Thank you for this post as a reminder to keep looking for the awe in life!
"When you've fallen into your heart-beat and realized that every breath is a gift to be received, not taken, then offer the gift back to the Giver, slowly breathe out, and listen."
I love this! It can be a meditation for me, thank you. I am sending you deep compassion, love and peace for your offering. "Friendship with your own heart". Beautiful 🙏🏼
I was with someone just yesterday that I'd had some issues with and was called to come over. I went because I didn't want the tension there and I come to find out this person needed to be listened to as she has so many problems of deep worry in her life currently. I didn't really have much to offer in solutions but I compassionately listened to and empathized with her. She needed some to listen to her so I listened and hopefully gave her comfort and some release of her fears.
I had difficulty with this definition as well. "Low view of one's importance." We are all important beings in this existence and have something to offer to make a difference. We make a difference each and every day, even we are unaware. I align with the definition of humility as freedom from pride or arrogance, too. I wish you well, Mariette~
Thank you, for sharing and bringing this wonderful word into my vocabulary! This is what we all should be doing, coddiwompling through life with no expectations or we set ourselves up for disappointment and sadness when things are not what we had hoped. We recently took a road trip out of town to a place we'd only briefly been before and wanted to explore more. We were very nicely surprised to find hidden gems that we were unknown to us previously. I've gone to the beach in a turmoil in my mind and it ended up being one of the best experiences as I relaxed into watching the beauty and nature unfold around me. I had no expectations but just let it unfold. I love this word, coddiwomple!
Just yesterday morning, I was deep into some clerical work mode working on something and my husband suggested we go to the beach to throw a line in the water to fish. He was asking me to get out of my head and all the stuff going on inside to go outside and get in nature. As I was sitting on the beach looking at all the beauty around me, gratefulness came to me. The shore birds were going along the beach seeking their nourishing tidbits oblivious to the turmoil in my head. I became so grateful to be experiencing those moments there in nature and with my husband by my side. It truly became a magical time for us both as we got involved with our fishing experience. I won't bore anyone with what we caught, haha, but it is quite memorable for me and I am grateful for that.
I have to agree with all the points you have made here, Hareshwar Singh. It seems disrespectful to shut down listening or trying to learn a different perspective.
David Doane, I love this reminder to listen to the whispers of the earth. Each creature, each thing of Mother Nature is speaking to us...we need to just stop and listen and thank you them for being there.
I love your share and that is so very true about the empty gifts we receive. My husband and I have not bought each other gifts in so long, I cannot remember when was the last time. His presence is the gift I cherish. Just to be near and exchange our energies is a gift.
I am in a second marriage after my first ended having gotten married at 21 thinking this is what I am supposed to do. It only lasted 3 years or so and I felt so very stifled and felt I couldn't breathe with this person under the same roof. I have now been remarried for 33 years and cannot be happier as we allow each other to grow and expand individually but also walk this journey together. We both were talking just yesterday about how we feel the need to be near each other energetically, emotionally, physically. This article points out the fact that we need to grow as individuals or we become static. That is exactly right and what we've done. We are retired and spend most of our time together but also realize when we need time to ourselves. I love to journal and meditate each day as he does his own spiritual care. It is the greatest gift to walk this earth with someone who inspires you to be a better person. I am blessed and so very grateful.
Nika, I think motivation also matters. If we are being of service to others only to get accolades, then it's time to step back away from the service and re-evaluate ourselves. Even though your service is helping others, it 's not perhaps as it should be fully if our hearts are not in a good place. I was a volunteer at a food shelter for some time but stepped down as I saw many ungrateful people come in and I began to feel jaded and perhaps resentful to their greed so I could not participate anymore.
Oh, goodness, this brought tears to my eyes! I am sure just your presence and allowing him to listen to some favorite tune allowed him to be at peace. Bless you and thank you for the reminder to just be there for others so they don't feel alone, even if they cannot be heard. We can be a calming presence for them.
Thank you, David, I love this response. Yes, different types of silences for sure. Awkward, uncomfortable silence, the calm peaceful and soulful silence, the tense silence; they are all very different.
The silence between the sounds, between breaths is where we should focus during meditations. I hear a bird sing with my eyes closed and then wait for another between the silence. I have chimes outside my window that break the silence. Just stopping to listen to the silence throughout the day and being in the moment is difficult at times but can bring such peace.
What a beautiful reflection to share here! Finding joy in the nonphysical way of dancing with your son is wonderful for you. When you meditate you can experience this deeply and find joy. I am happy that you were able to choose to close that gap when you consciously choose to not twirl your hair. I am sure we all have those things we wish not to do. Namaste~
Dear Genoveva Dimcheva, please know that you are deserving of love as we all are. I see you and recognize your pain. Look within yourself and find that love that you have to share with others. In that, you will find connection to all beings in some way and you will find peace. Know that we are all human and perhaps may not live up to your expectations but in that, know that you can find compassion for them and for yourself. You are a beautiful soul here for a purpose. I wish you peace and lovingkindness. Namaste~🙏🏼
For me, this is another form of mindfulness. Being awake to what is happening in this moment is mindfulness and vigilance both. This is what I strive for and am lacking so many times in life. So being vigilance, being mindful, meditating on the NOW in this moment is key to living in a happy existence. Even pain and suffering in the moment but also knowing that this will change as well as nothing ever remains the same. We must suffer to also learn what happiness is.
I just wanted to say I enjoyed the story of the masons and all the comments here resonate with myself. I have nothing really to add to these wonderful people's reflections other than I agree with each one. Thank you!
This is a beautiful post on mindfulness and meditation. To observe the thoughts and letting them continue on there way so we can be mindful in this moment, not being attached to those thoughts.
Thank you, Carrie, for this post and suggestion. Yes, I try to send Metta as often as I can and I love the idea of reaching out to someone if you are thinking of them with little notes. ~Bless
Very thoughtful beautiful post, Japdish P Dave. We do what we can in sending our vibrations of higher frequency of love and compassion. Sending love and light to both Ukraine and to Russia that this may end soon and healing begins. ~Namaste
I love this beautiful poem and affirmation! Sending love out into the world that is chaotic, may all have love and peace and compassion in their hearts 🙠~Namaste
Dear Bob, this is it exactly! Where has the consideration and compassion for our common humanness gone? I think you are right in that those who are here on this site have a deeper understanding or wish to understand more and connect more to those around us. We all need to be that "light" and example to plant seeds of love and compassion in the hearts of our fellow caretakers of this beautiful earth. Blessings~ Namaste~
Dear Jagdish, You and the above poster are very wise and I appreciate both of your comments and reflections. We must all be responsible for ourselves but also for alleviating others’ suffering in any way we can. Things are getting better with Covid so I am grateful and people can soon once again, connect with humanity in ways we are meant to. Meaningful and spiritually connected because that is what our nature needs. Be well, dear friend! Namaste 🕉ï¸
Kristin Pedemonti, I respect this post tremendously and my heart goes out to you in your strength to share. You have truly grown from that experience and are such an inspiration. I am grateful for you sharing and for all these responses posted here, thank you!
Beautiful post, Jagdish P Dave! I love how you are learning and teaching your grandson at the same time. We should all be learning from each other and teaching at the same time.
So very interesting about choiceless living perspective. Life, just IS, and we are the observers and can find peace in each moment if we do not strive to always be changing things around us. Things will change as they always do on their own.
On Apr 9, 2024 Barbara wrote on The Inward Sea, by Howard Thurman: