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

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Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/25/2007 8:59:04 AM)

Today I feel gratitude challenged about all poor who survived Katrina[&o][&o]. As I watch all the immediate response to the victims of the western fires in the U.S., I wonder what it must feel like for those who survived the hell of Katrina and are still living in total devastation with little or no assistance other than mostly church groups and private help[&:][&:]. For them to know how many died in those first days with little or no help coming to them and still so little help for them, it must be very painful to watch all that is being done immediately for the victims of the fires. I am not denying that those devastated by the fires need immediate assistance. The question just arizes "if they were poor and black, would there be such an outpouring from the government?"



J1937 -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/27/2007 5:04:48 PM)

Today I feel gratitude challenged because of various issues.
I share your view, Betty --- as soon as one puts oneself in somebody else´s place, things look very different from looking at them in a general, abstract way.
According to "Christliche Soziallehre" (sorry, I lack the technical term in English), it has always to be the individuals and their fates which count, and EVERYTHING, religion, economics, politics, art, culture... has to SERVE them. 
Only a few days ago I said in a posting on the Business thread that my son had overcome depression --- today, after several refusals of job applications, he had a relapse. Gratitude challenged once more...

Juliana
______________________________
"Speak Peace in a World of Conflict"



buttington -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/27/2007 5:33:07 PM)

Dear Juliana,
this must be very worrying for you. Once again you are called upon to be strong and positive for your son, but he has come through it before and he will again. I do hope he finds a suitable job very soon.

Sending lots of Love,  Jude



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/27/2007 10:55:25 PM)

Dear Juliana,

I am sorry about your son's relapse. It is not surprising after so many refusals over such a long time period. I pray that he will come out of his depression again, especially with your wonderful support.

I think the term you were looking for above would be "Christian social teaching".

With much love,
Edda



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/28/2007 10:26:40 AM)

Dear Juliana I am sorry about your son's employment disappointments. Such constant rejection can certainly do much to damage one's self-esteem. I am glad you could not find an exact translation into English of your expression. Your definition is much more appropriate
quote:

it has always to be the individuals and their fates which count, and EVERYTHING, religion, economics, politics, art, culture... has to SERVE them.
It reminds me of something a friend told me after returning from giving a retreat in India to a group of priests. The order was building a new complex and he asked the superior why he was doing the building in such a "backward" manner when there was so much modern equipment that could be bought to speed up production, etc. The superior told him that he could either spend the money on the new equipment or the labor. If he spent it on the equipment, many of the families of those working there would be totally unemployed with no income. The superior felt it much better to keep the individuals employed even though it may take longer to complete the project.

Juliana, dear, At times like this it is so difficult to trust. Even Jesus on the cross called out "My God, My God, why have YOU FORSAKEN ME?May you be "sustained" in supporting your son and may he be "sustained" in his job search until he finds the dream the Holy One has for him. I am sure the future for both you and he right now is unclear and may even be scary, but I also know that the Holy One has a dream for your son, as long as it takes, as imperfectly and painfully that it is happening, the Holy One truly has a dream for your son that has been dreamed for all eternity. You both will be held in prayer that the Holy One's dream for your son will come to light no matter how paradoxical it might seem on a human level. NAMASTE!



J1937 -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/28/2007 1:02:58 PM)

Thank you warmly for your comforting words, thoughts and prayer, Edda, Betty and Jude! I can gratefully report that today things look different already. While last night my son refused to write any more applications and sounded very negative, he has now completed two more applications. A thought has come to me: maybe sometimes "living (completely) in the present" has its disadvantages --- one may get stuck in a negative mood. [:(]   Trusting in a better future and "throwing your heart across the fence" (translation of a German idiom) towards it can give new strength and a positive attitude.[:)]
Namaste!

Juliana
______________________________
"Speak Peace in a World of Conflict"



garysgirl1010 -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/29/2007 12:07:25 AM)

Dear Betty,

As you know, my husband and I have spent a great deal of time in New Orleans since Katrina.  We plan to spend Thanksgiving there as we have the last two Thanksgivings since the storm.  With so many of our friends and family who are there, we will have much for which to give thanks.  But you're so right.  Many, many people still suffer, still live in terrible conditions and still relive the nightmare each time a raindrop falls.  More and more people are finding themselves struggling with deep depression.  Overall, there's a feeling of pessimism, and the only news crews that seem interested are the local ones.

The people who wouldn't leave New Orleans feared the criminals that would be left behind more than they feared the storm.  And the news footage we saw following the flooding showed us they had a right to fear. (In some areas of town, I'm a little fearful even now!)  It may be more an indictment of the blight on our inner cities as it is a testament to the failures of emergency management.

In so many ways, the difference between the Katrina-afffected Gulf Coast and the burned areas of California is basic.  It comes down to money, to education, and to culture.  The people of California heeded the warnings to leave, they have been properly processed into and out of shelters, and FEMA appears to be johnny-on-the-spot with help.  It also comes down to leadership, to preparedness and (hopefully) to our Government learning from a very bad experience.

It also comes down to magnitude.  Remember that (while absolutely terrible) less than 2000 homes were destroyed in the fires  I heard of only one death.  A staggering 275,000 homes and nearly 2000 lives were lost in Katrina (with thousands still reported missing).

I must admit that it was amusing to hear that the evacuees were enjoying massages, getting haircuts and having their dogs groomed!  [:D]   Even still, I am so thankful that they got what they needed during the evacuation, pray they will get what they need for the rebuilding; and my heart aches for those who lost anything/everything.

Thank you, Betty, for keeping your prayers and attention focused on the people of New Orleans.  They will need it for a long time to come!

Love,
Lolly



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (10/29/2007 10:56:17 AM)

Dear Lolly,

I admire your generous spirit! Thank you for your thoughtful and fair-minded assessment of the disasters due to Katrina and the wildfires in California. You make excellent points about the differences. We tend to be more mindful of the most recent disasters, be they here on in other parts of the world, and put the ongoing suffering due to earlier ones in the back of our minds. When I think of the devastation wrought by Katrina, even though having seen it only on T.V., it is hard to even imagine how all this can be cleared and restored, and how people can remain hopeful.

I wish you a great Thanksgiving with your family,
Much love,
Edda



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/2/2007 9:18:28 AM)

Today I am saddened when I think of "Mr. Man's" heart surgery Tuesday morning.[&:] "Mr. Man" is the three year old grandson of a very dear friend. Please remember him, his family, the surgeon and the medical staff who will care for him in your prayers. The closeness of "Mr. Man's" surgery reminds me of all those little ones world-wide who are suffering severe medical problems, and their families.[&:][&:] May the Good Shepherd gently hold the little lambs[;)] and their families, heal them and make them whole.



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/2/2007 10:55:06 AM)

Dear Betty, I'll light a candle in the ALL group for Mr. Man and all who care for him.

Edda



J1937 -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/2/2007 1:43:52 PM)

The same from my side, Betty. I am praying for Mr. Man and his parents. I am reminded of the time when my son was operated on at age 6, and all went well.
Juliana
______________________________
"Speak Peace in a World of Conflict"



buttington -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/2/2007 4:35:05 PM)

I'm lighting a candle for all young children with medical problems, and especially those facing surgery.

Betty, my Son also had surgery twice between the ages of 6 and 9. I remember how scared I was, but he was fine.

Jude



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/3/2007 11:34:11 AM)

Edda, Jude, Juliana, thank you for your prayers and candles for "Mr. Man" and all the other litttle ones who are suffering[:(]. His grandma asked that I please thank all of you and ask you to keep praying. Surgery is Tuesday, Nov. 6. I will let you know how it went when I know.



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/7/2007 11:28:35 PM)

Thank you all for all your prayers and candles. "Mr. Man" came through the heart surgery with flying colors.[:D][:D] Now all he wants is to go to McDonalds.



buttington -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/8/2007 1:36:56 PM)

Bless him !!!![:D]

Jude



Hope coach -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/8/2007 6:45:44 PM)

Hi Edda
I was on my way to post when this thread caught my eye I was saying I did not personally
feel gratitude challenged however still opened this How minor and unimportant my worries and anxious feelings are. God Bless Mr. Man and his family...I request God's angels surround him with their wings of comfort and healing...And I'll briefly add today I was grateful for prayer which helped me manage all the anxious feelings and worries Im experiencing today..We are all on various levels of recovery from either physical, emotional, fianancial or spiritual stressors of the world turning to God can always bring calming, and eventually solutions.
warmly
Hope coach
Barbara t.



Hildegard -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/8/2007 11:50:04 PM)

Dear Barbara, we probably all have days when we feel gratitude challenged. It has been recommended to see waiting time as a gift, an opportunity to pray. This isn't that easy, when on one and the same afternoon the buses are especially slow and crowded, the dentist runs late, the sales person has to go to the storeroom to find what is needed...and someone is expecting your return home.

Wishing you well,
Edda



Imenuff -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/9/2007 4:16:17 AM)

This has not been the best week of my life (nothing to do with "Mr. Man").
quote:

How minor and unimportant my worries and anxious feelings are.
Barbara and Edda, when I read your posts, the first thing that came to my mind was It's Ok to be me! Yes, maybe others have much worse problems than I and from the outside what is really frustrating or worrisome [:@][:@], or for me, what I have had a not so nice "pity party"[&:] [&:]about this week has been difficult for me, no matter how others would look at it and say "what's your problem?" As Paul says,"In my weakness is my strength" This is how I have felt this past week and this is what I can bring to Jesus and give away. The Holy One knows who I am with all my weaknesses and while my "problems/weaknesses" may seem a "cake walk" for others , they are not for me, but that's ok--In my weakness is my strength. To me, these are the things I can openly and freely give to the Holy One with the little prayer of "I am really not dealing with this very well by my judgment, so I give it to you." I am quite sure you both have strengths that others are totally in awe of where they look at each of you and just say "Wow, I could never be that strong." For me, the Holy One is most willing to see and accept where I am and how I am no matter what that might look like when I compare myself to others because truly,to paraphrase Paul "In my weaknesses I can bring me, warts and all, into the Holy One's strength," from the tiniest frustration[>:] to the most giant pity party[:'(]. I am reminded of the quote I just posted from Desmond Tutu paraphrased --there is nothing that can't be changed by love of the deepest sort, the love of the Shepherd who is my Divine Physician who diagnoses my specific illnesses and then begins to heal them.

I hope this doesn't sound harsh, because it is not meant that way. Because of doing spiritual companioning, I have often experienced individuals doing real surgery on themselves in comparison to others or "what or how or whom I should be." The Holy One already knows all my faults and failings and weaknesses and yet responds "You are my beloved child in whom I am well pleased"



celtic star -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/9/2007 11:00:41 AM)

I am going through an " extended period" of feeling "gratitiude challenged" at the moment. It's just one of those times when I feel overwhelmed by responsibilities and half the people I hold dear and/ or whom I have daily contact with, in addition to complete strangers, are adding to my failure to gain a sense of perspective!
No doubt this phase will pass and I will once again realize and receive the blessings that I am given daily. Namaste Glenys



buttington -> RE: Today I Feel "Gratitude Challenged...." (11/9/2007 3:39:49 PM)

Dear Glenys,
It's strange how, when we feel 'gratitude challenged' every other little challenge seems much bigger than it really is.[&:] As if life is ganging-up on us. I'm not sure if I know why this happens, but maybe it's partly our perception and partly life trying to make sure we get the message.

I know when one thing is irritating me. or going wrong, everything else appears to be going the same way. (as if to doubly annoy me[;)] )

But I agree, things do seem to come in at least threes.

This too will pass.

Love Jude



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