This is a real thing….It’s how Whoville disarmed the Grinch. I think the more fear and doldrums we emit, the more they prey on it. Let’s get some energy going!!
Laurie--A very helpful message popped up on Facebook recently by a woman named Jennifer Wright. She wrote:
“People talk about caterpillars becoming butterflies as though they just go into a cocoon, slap on wings, and are good to go. But it’s more complicated than that. Caterpillars have to dissolve into a disgusting pile of goo to become butterflies. So if you’re a mess, wrapped up in blankets right now, just keep going!”
John, I am constantly amazed by the way the Holy Spirit moves, especially when, like your post today, it echoes what I scribed in my morning pages:
'I know full well how the heaviness of life can keep you from living, keep you from joy, keep you isolated and feeling alone. There are seasons of our lives which are so heavy we think we will be crushed. And some of us are, and cannot find a way back from the abyss. I am keenly aware that one has moments where they wonder why they are fighting so hard when all seems lost.
I'm also aware another decision in those moments tempers the steal from which our spirit is made, the fire of the challenge doesn't destroy our spirit but instead makes us stronger than we were before.
I pray that forging process happens for us all, especially for friends and family (blood and chosen) and for all who will be placed in harms way in the coming years. That hope, love and gratitude will pave a new way forward for us all and that we will become stronger than we were before.'
May it be so, may it be so, may it be so. Amen, amen, AMEN
I clicked the heart to like this post, based only on the title. Now to read...which I am confident will be helpful, as always, to keep me grounded and going in these tough times.
I shared this on my Facebook page... Facebook, which I will soon have to leave because EVERYONE is bowing down... I'm going to express gratitude and BE SUBVERSIVE! Thank you!
Despite the uncertainty that awaits us, INDEED we must be grateful for so much within our personal lives and across the masses. It is this daily gratitude that nourishes our ability to forge ahead seeking solace and positive paths to deal with the negative aspects that surround us.
Thank you for your perapective and encouragement that we all need, in order to hold each other up, John. I appreciate you and others who reinforce 'sanity' & our need to take care of ourselves and each other. Yesterday I was trying to express a similar perspective to yours; conveying that our best focus and way to stay true to our values is to remember who we are as compassionate humans. Today, just before I came across your offering. I had just expressed outrage as I read some of the crazy news bits pertaining to the perpetuation of injustice. Your calming post reinforces what & who we need to focus on, to keep our hearts and minds tuned into loving our neighbors and continuing to work towards being the change we want to see in the world.
This is so timely and well said! Yes it is gratitude that can and will sustain us. What a lovely energy and state of being gratitude is. Gratitude made of joy, spontaneity and thankfulness is so powerful.
In my household, "Kindness or Be Kind" are the banners we work to follow and offer each day (24/7). Depending upon the storm each of us may run into on our day's journey, keeping the kindness banner flying is sometimes challenged. But our reserve/response can surprise many hardened hearts. Gratitude is the forerunner to kindness; and both gifts we receive and can give each day. Gratitude chimes upon our awakening to a new day (another new beginning). Gratitude hugs us when we may say, "Oh, that is cool!" Gratitude also chimes in when I realize that all who live under the same roof (of my home) are my neighbors too (not just the folks who live next door, downtown or around the world.) My beloved immediate to me are neighbors to love; and most immediate is me* whom I know I am called to love too! - *The most difficult at times. But I tell you, Gratitude is the carillon that awakens Love to embrace all of us.
I am old enough to remember John Lewis, Martin, Bobby, and so many others making “good trouble”. They went through hell and sacrificed so much to force change. And I have Ukrainian friends who are now going through hell to stay free. We can and will persevere by living joyfully together and standing up to the hate and ignorance of those who put this felon back into office.
Wow, interesting. I have a habit when one of my friends is looking down and they ask me how I'm doing. I say something like. " I'm alive, and healthy. And everyday that I am vertical is a good day". I find it's gratitude in the little things that make the crap more tolerable. Besides wearing a smile really pisses off hateful people
I am thankful for you,John and for the many people I’ve come across on Substack that have lifted me up. Because of all of you I’m able to go about my day and interact with others with a smile on my face. I’ve found out - it’s contagious!
This is a real thing….It’s how Whoville disarmed the Grinch. I think the more fear and doldrums we emit, the more they prey on it. Let’s get some energy going!!
I'm so discouraged. Depressed. Anguished.
I lost my dad 12 years ago today so that doesn't help.
I'm debating giving up all Meta accounts, but that will cost me some sense of community.
So reading this is a much needed balm. Thanks.
Laurie--A very helpful message popped up on Facebook recently by a woman named Jennifer Wright. She wrote:
“People talk about caterpillars becoming butterflies as though they just go into a cocoon, slap on wings, and are good to go. But it’s more complicated than that. Caterpillars have to dissolve into a disgusting pile of goo to become butterflies. So if you’re a mess, wrapped up in blankets right now, just keep going!”
Westleigh, many of us needed to read that. Thank you so much.
Thank you 💙❤️🩹
John, I am constantly amazed by the way the Holy Spirit moves, especially when, like your post today, it echoes what I scribed in my morning pages:
'I know full well how the heaviness of life can keep you from living, keep you from joy, keep you isolated and feeling alone. There are seasons of our lives which are so heavy we think we will be crushed. And some of us are, and cannot find a way back from the abyss. I am keenly aware that one has moments where they wonder why they are fighting so hard when all seems lost.
I'm also aware another decision in those moments tempers the steal from which our spirit is made, the fire of the challenge doesn't destroy our spirit but instead makes us stronger than we were before.
I pray that forging process happens for us all, especially for friends and family (blood and chosen) and for all who will be placed in harms way in the coming years. That hope, love and gratitude will pave a new way forward for us all and that we will become stronger than we were before.'
May it be so, may it be so, may it be so. Amen, amen, AMEN
Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I clicked the heart to like this post, based only on the title. Now to read...which I am confident will be helpful, as always, to keep me grounded and going in these tough times.
I shared this on my Facebook page... Facebook, which I will soon have to leave because EVERYONE is bowing down... I'm going to express gratitude and BE SUBVERSIVE! Thank you!
I’ve come to notice how “Give-A-Damners” inspire others to become “Give-A-Damners”. Give-A-Damners Unite!
I'm grateful for you, John. And for so many of the people here.
Absolutely, John. Thank you. 🙏🏻
Despite the uncertainty that awaits us, INDEED we must be grateful for so much within our personal lives and across the masses. It is this daily gratitude that nourishes our ability to forge ahead seeking solace and positive paths to deal with the negative aspects that surround us.
THIS is how we resist whatever lies ahead. Thank you!
Thank you for your perapective and encouragement that we all need, in order to hold each other up, John. I appreciate you and others who reinforce 'sanity' & our need to take care of ourselves and each other. Yesterday I was trying to express a similar perspective to yours; conveying that our best focus and way to stay true to our values is to remember who we are as compassionate humans. Today, just before I came across your offering. I had just expressed outrage as I read some of the crazy news bits pertaining to the perpetuation of injustice. Your calming post reinforces what & who we need to focus on, to keep our hearts and minds tuned into loving our neighbors and continuing to work towards being the change we want to see in the world.
And this is how we resist - with gratitude and kindness.
This is so timely and well said! Yes it is gratitude that can and will sustain us. What a lovely energy and state of being gratitude is. Gratitude made of joy, spontaneity and thankfulness is so powerful.
Yes!
In my household, "Kindness or Be Kind" are the banners we work to follow and offer each day (24/7). Depending upon the storm each of us may run into on our day's journey, keeping the kindness banner flying is sometimes challenged. But our reserve/response can surprise many hardened hearts. Gratitude is the forerunner to kindness; and both gifts we receive and can give each day. Gratitude chimes upon our awakening to a new day (another new beginning). Gratitude hugs us when we may say, "Oh, that is cool!" Gratitude also chimes in when I realize that all who live under the same roof (of my home) are my neighbors too (not just the folks who live next door, downtown or around the world.) My beloved immediate to me are neighbors to love; and most immediate is me* whom I know I am called to love too! - *The most difficult at times. But I tell you, Gratitude is the carillon that awakens Love to embrace all of us.
Frank, that is so beautiful. It’s how I’m trying to live now…
Thanks, John, with gratitude and heartfelt love for your support during this tough time.
I am old enough to remember John Lewis, Martin, Bobby, and so many others making “good trouble”. They went through hell and sacrificed so much to force change. And I have Ukrainian friends who are now going through hell to stay free. We can and will persevere by living joyfully together and standing up to the hate and ignorance of those who put this felon back into office.
We will not go back!
Wow, interesting. I have a habit when one of my friends is looking down and they ask me how I'm doing. I say something like. " I'm alive, and healthy. And everyday that I am vertical is a good day". I find it's gratitude in the little things that make the crap more tolerable. Besides wearing a smile really pisses off hateful people
I am thankful for you,John and for the many people I’ve come across on Substack that have lifted me up. Because of all of you I’m able to go about my day and interact with others with a smile on my face. I’ve found out - it’s contagious!