I'm Grateful

“Gratitude can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

--Melody Beattie [i]

Thinking about spirituality and religion

There is only one highest reality and many teachers.

All humans and life arise from the same one source.

All countries, religions and institutions arise from that.

There are many books of wisdom from many ages.

Thinking there is only one way comes from ignorance.

Coercive conversion is violence against other peoples.

The goal of life is found within, not in institutions.

Wisdom, joy and freedom come from the inner stillness.

Love all, as we are all waves of the one ocean.

 --Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati 

From: http://swamij.com

Three Gratefuls

When I am feeling sad or down, which is more frequent these days, I try to think of three things that I am grateful for...They don't have to be prioritized or thought over--just whatever comes to mind. This practice came from a good friend, via gratefulness.org. It works sometimes, giving me a positive boost!
I am grateful for my weekly bath.
I am grateful for the positive decisions on marriage and healthcare by the US Supreme Court.
I am grateful for the morning showers that ride over the mountians on summer Tradewinds.

A Father's Thoughts

A father's thoughts

My son is 25 this week. Have I done all that is possible?

On the surface he has grown into a fine man. How much of that is me?

I wonder what scars my disease has left on him?

I'm grateful for the memories, mostly loving, proud and joyful.

They give me solace, as I lay here unable to make more.

I'm left with the knowledge that I tried my best.

It's his life now.

Beatiful June sunset from my window!

Priorities

I noticed early this morning just before sunrise, when I often have the deepest and darkest thoughts, that my priorities of day-to-day living have changed. Eight years ago, just after ALS entered my life, I focused on doing as much as possible…work, play, family. I was in a fight against the slow but steady loss of my physical abilities. Staying physically active was a priority. That battle lasted less than two years. When my legs and my arms no longer responded to the commands of my brain, I was forced to adjust my priorities. I retreated to my imagination. I still strove to be active, but my paralyzed body gave me just one outlet…my voice. This wonderful tool allowed me to stay active and productive. Writing stories became my daily priority. For nearly six years, putting my thoughts onto the page overwhelmed everything. I was blissfully ambivalent of my body's frozen condition. I gladly allowed my voice, my imagination, and the words take me. Late last year, I lost that magical ability…I am forced to reprioritize. I now focus on daily comfort, fighting to stay clear of congestion, and keeping depression at bay. My priority is to breathe, to love my family and friends, to seek spiritual balance and to stay mentally active. Strange, the manifestation of my daily priorities look different, but maybe they are still the same.

What are your daily priorities? 

Orchid From my friends

Many of my friends give me orchids. I love these flowers. They only bloom once a year, but the flowers last many weeks. They remind me of the importance of friendship. Friendship takes years to develop, but when it does the beauty of the relationship lasts.