RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (Full Version)

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Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/14/2007 11:34:34 AM)

Dear Betty, last evening our pastor's homily was all about gratitude. Everything is gift. When he had asked the kids at school mass during the week, "What do you do with a gift?' they answered, "Use it!" And that was his message to us!. And just for the record, in his column in our church bulletin he mentioned Brother David's, "Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer" and the gratefulness website!

Have a blessed Sunday,
Love,  Edda



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/15/2007 9:33:30 AM)

Reading your post here,Edda, and Juliana's in the Gratitude thread, seems like all of us what used to be called "Mackerel Snappers" (slang for Catholics back in the days when Friday abstinence from meat was mandatory), kind of heard the same thing with a little different spin. I have used the "What did I do to earn" concept when working with kids if there was a racism or clique problem. I am glad your pastor mentioned Bro. David's book. Hope your prayer group went well on Saturday.



zenmember -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/15/2007 11:06:15 AM)

There is a calmness to a life lived in Gratitude, a quiet joy.
                                                               — Ralph H. Blum



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/15/2007 3:08:58 PM)

Thank you, Betty! We had a good Saturday morning with two sits and a meditative walk in between. Then we pondered another chapter in Merton's "New Seeds of Contemplation" concerning "Tradition and Revolution". Merton's somewhat dated language (definitely not inclusive) proves difficult for some, and one as to be careful to note how he uses various terms.

Edda



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/17/2007 3:09:43 PM)

Edda, your Saturday morning prayer group sounds like a very special gift,[;)] especially with all that you have going on now. I am so pleased it gives you a good break for you time to refresh and replenish yourself.

Betty



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/17/2007 3:49:43 PM)

Yes, Betty, definitely something to be grateful for!

Edda



J1937 -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/17/2007 5:14:42 PM)

Dear Edda,
I have just read your comment on Merton´s language which proves difficult for some. Have you come across James Finley´s "Path to the Palace of Nowhere"? He has an excellent way of bringing Merton´s message across, with many examples from his own experience, as a friend of Th.M.´s and as a leader of workshops. My Oregon friend is so impressed by the book as well as by the CDs.

Juliana
__________________
"Speak Peace in a World of Conflict"



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/17/2007 6:31:04 PM)

Thank you, Juliana, for reminding me of this book! I think the problem with what we are reading concerns mostly those who are not familiar with Catholic teachings and tradition(s) which Merton presupposes. Trying to explain this helps, in a way, to clarify our own thinking.

Edda



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/21/2007 1:10:03 PM)

Juliana, Again, thank you for another practical Book.

Edda, our sister web site <spirituality and practice.com> offers a 40 day E-Course/retreat using the writings of Thomas Merton. Each day a different portion of his writing is sent with a spiritual practice suggestion for the day on that particular portion of his writings. Some in your prayer group might be interested in it since it is offered to those of all faiths and is not set out specifically as a "Catholic" E-Course.



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/21/2007 4:32:55 PM)

Thank you, Betty! I had subscribed to the course on Merton, though I did not have time to interact with others as would be ideal. Your suggestion to bring it up to members in our group is a good one. The next course offered is on Henry Nouwen starting on November 1! There are SO many things I'd like to do, if only I had more time!

Edda



nikkilynn -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/22/2007 11:13:19 PM)

Hello everyone...I am a new member as of tonight...what a wonderful place this website is...I was feeling very gratitude challeneged due to personal and professional struggles. I work in a crisis oriented job (at a homeless shelter) and lately a few clients seem very gratitude challenged as well[:@]. After reading some of the quotes and other things on this website and sitting with the Hour Angels it feels better...perhaps life and career saving. Compassion Fatigue/burn out, stress and severely ungrateful clients and family really put living with an attitude of gratitude to the test. I look forward to future discussions and postings and readings. And I pray for those who have been gratitude challenged today that tomorrow may be a better day! [:D]

Blessings!
k.k.



Solomon -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/23/2007 7:02:29 AM)

Welcome to the party, nikkilynn. Something I use when life gets to much is Rescue Remedy. It's an extremely mild herbal preparation that really helps me chill out when I'm having one of those days.



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/23/2007 9:19:25 AM)

Welcome to the forum Nikki! We are so glad you stopped by and hope you will return often.[:D]
quote:

I work in a crisis oriented job (at a homeless shelter) and lately a few clients seem very gratitude challenged as well.
I can't even imagine how "Gratitude Challenged" I would feel is I were homeless.[:o][:(]
As I "listened" to your post, a thought popped in. You said
quote:

After reading some of the quotes and other things on this website and sitting with the Hour Angels it feels better...perhaps life and career saving.
. It is so obvious from your post what a caring giving person you are even to the point of "Fatigue/burnout." The quote that begins "After reading" said that things may have changed a little since finding this website/doing something just for You!![:)] The question popped in to mind "Nikki" you seem to fill your life with so much compassion and caring for others but what about compassion and care of Nikki. What I am hearing you say is that after giving Nikki just a little compassion and care, "it feels better!"[:D][:D]. May you come back often and "bless" Nikki often with the same compassion and care that you seemingly so freely give to others.



nikkilynn -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/23/2007 6:41:24 PM)

hi solomon...i'm curious about herbal rememdies. i am currently working on my master's degree in counseling and have started studying some therapeutic options that are alternatives or work in conjunction with the traditional therapies (which is how I stumbled on to this incredible site!)[:D]  what kind of herbs do you use? can you give me some more info?  thanks so much!

blessings!
k.k.



nikkilynn -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/23/2007 6:44:57 PM)

imenuff...
thanks for the insight...yes taking care of one's self is often difficult and many times in a ministry nonprofit setting it becomes increasingly challenging. but God is great because this site really did have an refreshing impact me. today I WAS NOT gratitude challenged...in fact I found my mind having difficulty keeping up with the beauty and blessings in my life. i'm not trying to be too "polyanna like"...but it is amazing the miracles that are put in our paths daily if we just look around and wait on the Lord.

I hope that your day was not gratitude challenged either![:)]

k.k.



Solomon -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/23/2007 7:02:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: nikkilynn

can you give me some more info?  thanks so much!


Rescue Remedy is made up from 5 different plants - Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star Of Bethlehem and Cherry Plum. Each flower (the Remedies are made from the flowers of the plants) corresponds with a specific emotional state. Taking the remedy brings one back into harmony.

More infor here - http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/38/rescue.htm.



artemis611 -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/23/2007 7:10:18 PM)

Hi, nikkilynn!  Welcome to the forum. 

I'm a therapist in a residential program, and I do the trauma group for young women who have had physical or sexual trauma.  Most of the time this is satisfying work, but sometimes they displace the anger they feel toward their abusers onto their helpers.  I have found this at times to be difficult to cope with.  Betty (a/k/a "Imenuff") is right, you have to take care of you.  My personal "medicine" is meditation.  It has helped me be present to my patients regardless of the circumstances, and to feel grounded and centered in myself (which seems to help them feel a little more grounded and centered too).  Good luck!  You're doing hard work.

Hugs,
Lori



bookdragon -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/24/2007 4:07:14 AM)

Hi, everyone and welcome nikkilynn. I, too, work in a "crisis oriented" facility. A women's treatment center. Most of these ladies have PTSD or something close to it along with alcohol/drug problems. While I work at night, I still have a couple that get up because of night terrors or nightmares. Sometimes, when I get home from work, I could just scream. Then I remember that I have a Higher Power to take care of me and I believe that He will see to all of my needs.

Looking at what I have to be grateful for makes it that much easier. When I work with my student-I am a reading tutor-and seeing the joy on her face when she gains a new understanding, or when my husband and I take AA meetings to the state prison, I am so grateful that God gave me the gifts that He has and that I can share them with others.

When working in a high stress job-it is IMPERATIVE that we take care of ourselves. I worked on a locked pysch unit for almost 5 years-talk about stress!! My AA sponsor told me I needed more meetings and I went to church faithfully. I am Catholic and find much solace in the rituals and prayers of my childhood.

Practicing gratitude is so important to my life-without it I have nothing. If I can't give away what I been given-then that is just plain selfish and I will lose whatever I have that is good.

Be selfish, sometimes, nikki and take care of yourself. If you burn out before you finish school, then you won't be able to share what you have learned. Take a bubble bath, watch a favorite movie, talk to someone, pick one day to do nothing but pamper yourself. If you do something for yourself once in a while-you will have that much more to give.

Love to everyone, Lyla



J1937 -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/24/2007 9:06:55 AM)

I am worried about "MightyMarie". She lives in TEMECULA, and I do not know whether that area is afflicted by the fires in S.California. Finding her profile and responding to the request "Welcome Marie!" I had written to her and had a grateful reply. Lately she has not answered my mail, and I wonder how she is doing.  Please say a prayer for her and all the people suffering due to the fires!

Juliana
______________________________
"Speak Peace in a World of Conflict"



buttington -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/24/2007 1:57:22 PM)

Dear Juliana,
I will light a candle for your friend and all affected by the fires.
I understand your concern.
Love Jude



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