Wednesday, November 24, 2010

GRATITUDE

When I was young, I couldn't understand my grandmother's pride at displaying her full refrigerator and stock piled pantry. Later, I realized it was not pride she felt, rather she was full of gratitude for things she had lacked in the poverty of her youth.

I've always had my basic needs met and perhaps the level of my gratitude cannot have the depth of someone who hasn't. Still, I hope to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for everything that has had purpose in my life, and for life itself.

I think it's great that here in the U.S we celebrate Thanksgiving. It's wonderful to stop and take note of all that life has offered us.

Today and everyday I try to focus on what I perceive to be going well in my life. It's still too hard for me to be thankful for my trials and tribulations, though I know they are due to my own choices and to a Universal perfection that I am not wise enough to understand. Perhaps someday, when I am more evolved, I will be grateful even for my sorrows.

Though I appreciate my material comforts, I am most grateful for an intangible wealth that stems from love. I have so much love in my life - I receive it and hopefully I'm getting better at giving it away.

I think the circle of friends I've come to know on the blogosphere is centered on love. Clearly the very human characteristic of connectedness is here, as well as a fundamental giving of oneself, of support and genuine warmth and good wishes for others.

I am so glad to have ventured into this expanded world of writing, comments, memes and all that comprises what for me has been a veritable life saver. I assure you my life is so much fuller now.

So I am truly grateful for all of you my friends and I hope life is full of gratitude for you too.

And what do we expect from friends? Forgiveness. Don't know if you've noticed, but I've been absent for a while. Just enough time to give undivided attention to my immediate family. We celebrated Thanksgiving early due to work schedules. We ate too much, joked around (There's plenty of material for jokes when you get vegetarians and carnivores together at such a food filled time.) and had tons of fun.

I apologise for being away. But I'm back and can't wait to read what you have been up to.

14 comments:

  1. Myrna it is nice to see you back here again. It was not the same without your posts coming up on my page.
    I wish you a very Happy Thanks Giving and more love....

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  2. Myra, thank you so much for sharing your talent and your spirit with us. You are such a delight! I hope the holidays help to keep your spirit up. You are a woman who shows what "grace under pressure" is really all about.

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  3. Myrna, I did miss you! But figured that like me, life is taking up too much time to blog. I'm glad you're back!

    This is a wonderful post! I am also very grateful for the friends I've made here. I find it to be a place filled with people who believe in love and that's so heartening!

    Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  4. sounds like you had a great time with the family..and welcome back...good to have met you in the blogworld myrna

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  5. and i am grateful for you as well...good to see you!

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  6. We wrote the same post today :)



    Aloha from Waikiki

    Comfort Spiral

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  7. I did notice you were away ... missed you! What a loving post. Thank you.

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  8. Beautiful post summarizing the sentiments of being grateful in such an eloquent way.. I agree with you on the forgiveness...
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
    xoxo

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  9. Lovely post. To be thankful for our life is the best gift we can give to ourselves :)

    "For flowers that bloom about our feet;
    For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
    For song of bird, and hum of bee;
    For all things fair we hear or see,
    Father in heaven, we thank Thee!"
    ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Happy Thanks-given!

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  10. Your grandmother's gratitude for a well stocked pantry is reminiscent of many who lived through the Depression and knew the great sacrifices they endured. Some of the younger generation may not know about these valuable lessons.

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  11. Was wondering about you. Gratitude always makes us feel that we have so much in terms of love, money, food, friends and grace.

    Hope you are well and happy.

    Lots of love and warm hugs,
    Susan

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  12. A beautiful post. I remember my grandmother opening her fridge and cupboards to show us she was stockpiled and able to care for us through the next Depression. This was in the 1970s. She had a survivor's spirit, and the gesture taught me plenty.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on gratitude.

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  13. lovely post! I am grateful for you too. Thanks for being around and to be back! I missed you!!

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