Actually, everything. It’s the small things, like waking up, watching the sky and the ability to go on with my day. Whether it be going to the gym, grocery shopping and then attending lectures, or the slow mornings with me just cuddling in bed with my cat and browsing through my ebook-section. Once you realize that life could be over at any given moment, even when you least expect it, is when you realize that every tiny thing is so easy to break and has to be seen as a gift.
The fragility of life. Life is truly a gift that some have cut short. My friend who recently passed gave my children a book when my Mother died called The fall of Freddie the leaf. It is a beautiful story about the circle of life. It was such a comfort for me to even read. Practicing grateful living and my faith help me balance life yet always keeping in mind loved ones no longer with us and life lessons/wisdom they taught me and left instilled.
The fragility of life.
So true Robin Anne, so true.
I still struggle with this one.
Perhaps the balance lies in living fully
and continually returning to being in the moment.
♥️
The fact that I could be dead at any given moment makes me so grateful to be able live a new day ! Thank you universe for this blessing ! I love you ! 🥰
Just looking out the window or taking a walk on this very brisk day reminds me to treasure life. My three pets make me very grateful that I have them and they have me. We know life is short ….and we never know when our time is…so now is the time to do all we can to enjoy each day.
My first thought
was death,
losing someone,
because it reminds me that I am alive,
but in the truest sense
I don’t believe that is true for me.
When I lost my first child
the sun was too bright . . .
it hurt my eyes.
It was spring time
and the cows were calving,
the sheep were lambing . . .
little fluffy chicks
were running all over the place.
Flowers were bursting into bloom
and the world was greening all around me . . .
all of this beautiful new life
and I couldn’t bear it.
I wanted to die.
It took me a long time
to be healed by Grace.
Now,
what I think makes me treasure life
is that I can see the beauty
in all that pained me
after my child died . . .
Now
I rejoice in the spring,
loving the return of colour,
being present to all of the seasons
and finding beauty in every one of them.
I am transported
by the silent hissing of snow
falling on my face,
and drink in the scent of decaying leaves in the fall.
Of course I complain on the hot days,
I complain on the rainy days,
I complain on the cold days . . .
it’s what people do
when they speak casually
while I’m shopping for groceries
or buying gas.
Those ‘pleasantries’
are a part of the culture here,
but now and then
I stick in a little intervention
and say,
‘You know?
I like a rainy day once in awhile.’
It makes them think . . .
they are not used to that answer.
I take my candle out from under the bushel,
and shine it for a quick moment.
And then I’m gone. ♥
Dear Sparrow,
Thank you so much for sharing so generously and beautifully from your life.
You have been through so much, and are so wise.
You inspire me.
Sending love to you.
♥️♥️♥️
What reminds me to treasure life?
I stepped outside this morning and noticed the air was chilly,
the sun, bright and warm.
The sky bright blue and lots of green everywhere.
I’m in Florida, so we stay pretty green.
Stepping outside reminded me to treasure life.
So my breathing naturally slows
Inhale, exhale and then I notice a clearing
A clearing for savoring?
Yes!
And now indoors I’m enjoying (savoring) the unique personalities
of my four furry children, my cats.
My very pretty, wide-eyed, orange big boy is meowing at me,
wondering if I’ll give him a snack.
I call him the baby.
My newest girl, formerly homeless, is a charcoal, gray, and white, tabby
all eyes, ears, legs and tail.
When the “baby” gets cranky around meal time and starts bothering her
she will engage in a lightening fast round of one pawed face-smacking with him.
He doesn’t like it at all, and decides to leave her alone for a bit.
Too much for those who don’t love cats to the moon and back?
I love them so much sometimes I can’t help myself.
Inhale, exhale,
savoring the moment
at this sweet present moment in my life.
♥️
I love reading about your cats and everyone else who talks of theirs, too! I miss the cats who have been in my life, most recently BC, who passed almost two years ago on January 7. I have a small shrine in my yoga room with photos of him and the two boys I had before him, Buddy the Wonder Cat and Moke. Cats are very special little zen masters, like no other pets we can have. My dogs know how much I love them, but maybe another day down the road it’ll be time to have a feline family member again 🐈⬛
Thanks for responding SunnyPatti.
I’ve never had a dog, but I’ve had cats since I was about 12 years old.
I find cats to be easy to live with and I love their feline beauty.
The group I have now are especially funny.
And I love to watch them rest. They are the masters of relaxing.
Like the others, I am a cat lover too. I was brought up with Siamese cats and have always had them in my life. My current cat, Daphne, was an outdoor cat who showed up in my yard and I started feeding her and slowly gained her trust. She is now indoors and I have had her for 3 yrs now. She has the most beautiful eyes – her pic is my phone’s wallpaper/screensaver.
Cats are family – we love and mourn them the same.
I know we can post pics in the Community Forum but it would be nice if they could incorporate that here. I don’t have time to visit both areas on this site and just do this one.
I would love to be able to post pictures here too!
I’ve thought that many times.
I would love to see a picture of your beautiful cat!
We have a female Siamese named Coco.
She is our very good, very cute, very smart, very bad cat.
Into everything always!
Thanks for reaching out , Michelle!🙋🏻♀️😸
Oh Mary! What a beautiful posting!! I too am a hopeless cat lover…I have two. I am also a dog lover…my boy, Clancy is not doing well….but each day we have him is a gift! Thank you for your uplifting words today!
Here in WV it is very cold 22 degrees now and we have about 4 inches of snow! We are hopefully headed to warmer weather next week…if the snow stops and we can navigate our motorhome down our driveway…AND if the roads are clear of snow…But we have another day to be thankful for!
Dear Nannette.
I read your post about your dear boy Clancy a few days ago.
I was so moved. I am so sorry for all that you and your dear Clancy are going through.
I remember the first time I lost a beloved animal.
Paul was a big beautiful cat with soft gray fur and large luminous eyes.
He had a cancerous mass in his jaw bone, which caused swelling, drooling, and then bleeding.
Paul started sitting under the dining room table, so I would lie under the table with him.
I’d softly sing to him My Favorite Things (Raindrops and Roses and Whiskers on kittens…)
from the movie The Sound of Music. I sang to him, talked to him,
and sometimes just laid with him to keep him company.
The life you have given Clancy has been a great gift to him.
And the time you spend with him while he is sick is your gift to him when he needs you most.
Because he’s been your beloved boy,
you will know when he’s had enough and it’s time to let him pass. You will know.
Losing Paul hit me harder than losing any of my other cats since.
I remember sitting outside thinking about him and missing him so much.
Then one afternoon as I sat outside,
I got this strong clear image of Paul, who had been an indoor cat,
running through tall grass joyfully, his golden eyes shining brightly.
He had never looked so beautiful.
And all I could think of was
He’s free, he’s healthy and strong and running with such joy.
And those gorgeous eyes! My beautiful boy is truly free!
I have never forgotten that image of him.
Eyes glowing, fur blowing in the wind as he practically flew through the grass.
If there is a glorious afterlife for cats he had certainly arrived.
Dear Nannette, as I write about a wonderful picture I still have in my mind of Paul,
I am feeling the sadness you must be feeling now.
I am feeling deeply for you, and hope you will be posting about how you are doing
and allowing I/we at our Gratefulness sit can be there for you.
I hope you can find joy in being there with Clancy, loving him and comforting him during this time.
Sending you and Clancy so much love.
♥️♥️♥️
What reminds me to treasure life is my breathe, I am grateful to every breathe I take without struggle because there are some days when it is difficulty for me to breath due to being asthmatic, and I am gasping to receive good air in from nature (oxygen) and give nature what I don’t need (carbon dioxide). I am grateful for the days I can and for the gift of nature and for all beings who are working to make and keep the environment clean. May all beings know the importance of good air quality and do not allow laws that protect air to be disbanded for object(s) that benefit only few beings but shine light to improve and maintain air quality in all areas of the universe. For me, life is treasured one breathe at a time with all the spectrum of life’s challenges and blessings. Shine your light that all beings will benefit today.
My children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as my ancestors. We are all part of the evolutionary spiral and hopefully will learn not to choose revolving doors!
Honestly, I’m reminded to treasure life, when I am confronted with death. Of course there are other less dramatic things that remind me, but the big one is being exposed to mortality. Embracing non permanence is also helpful. For me anyway.
When I see the awful event that took place in New Orleans on the 1st day of 2025.
My heart hurts for all that died & their loved ones. My heart hurts for all who are injured.
My heart hurts for all who witnessed this terrible tragedy.
Everyday is a gift. Give thanks. ✨🙏🏻✨
I read an AP article the other day about that tragedy in NOLA, and a young man spoke of how he saw his friend after she’d been hit and how scared he was, how scary it all was. I have prayed for those people and their loved ones. Truly heartbreaking.
Thinking of those I knew and loved who have died, and how when they were alive, it seemed like they would never die. Reminding myself that death happens to everybody, including myself.
I have been cleaning out and getting ready for 2025. As I looked at my journals and notebooks of quotes, I was pleased to have all of that in 2 years. A life lived and reflected on. I blessed it and now to tackle today.
My son was lamenting that he is going from NO glasses to progressive. I said welcome to the privilege of putting on years of living.
When I hear of a person younger than me who is killed senselessly, I stop and say thank you and treasure.
When it is cloudy and cold outside, it is the sun which reliably is always there, causing all life to unfold and to flourish; the beautiful pic i just received showing the conjunction of moon and venus last night; beauty of any kind, outside, in nature and in people of kind heart always inspire to treasure life; gaps inbetween offering opportunity to become still, like the gap at the end of expiration giving rise to inspiration and so much more. A joyful weekend to all!
Yes Ose, I witnessed the beautiful 🌙 & Venus last evening too. Took my breath away. A short time later I saw Jupiter in the night sky as well. So so beautiful. I am thankful I experienced the Divine’s work of art. 🙏🏻✨🙏🏻
Thursday evening 6 of us gathered around our table for dinner. The age range of our guests was 16-72. This question was placed on the table; what were 3 wins and 3 challenges you experienced in 2024, and where are they taking you in the new year. It was really fun to hear about the wins. And I was blown away by our guests willingness to be vulnerable regarding their challenges. I saw life from each person’s experience, many different from mine. And because of our beautiful age range, unique perspectives. I was reminded up close how glorious and how hard life can be. My heart opened a little wider that evening for our guests experiences. And the richness and rawness of life of each person was received without question or correction. Respectfully. To be in this life is to experience all of it To savor it. Certainly, not all in the moment, and yet, I know each experience can take us to another level. That is a much easier reflection at 72 than 16.😉
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Pain. When I’m in so much pain I think I might literally be dying. That makes me stop what I’m doing and I assure you that’s not pretty
Actually, everything. It’s the small things, like waking up, watching the sky and the ability to go on with my day. Whether it be going to the gym, grocery shopping and then attending lectures, or the slow mornings with me just cuddling in bed with my cat and browsing through my ebook-section. Once you realize that life could be over at any given moment, even when you least expect it, is when you realize that every tiny thing is so easy to break and has to be seen as a gift.
The fragility of life. Life is truly a gift that some have cut short. My friend who recently passed gave my children a book when my Mother died called The fall of Freddie the leaf. It is a beautiful story about the circle of life. It was such a comfort for me to even read. Practicing grateful living and my faith help me balance life yet always keeping in mind loved ones no longer with us and life lessons/wisdom they taught me and left instilled.
The fragility of life.
So true Robin Anne, so true.
I still struggle with this one.
Perhaps the balance lies in living fully
and continually returning to being in the moment.
♥️
The fact that I could be dead at any given moment makes me so grateful to be able live a new day ! Thank you universe for this blessing ! I love you ! 🥰
Just looking out the window or taking a walk on this very brisk day reminds me to treasure life. My three pets make me very grateful that I have them and they have me. We know life is short ….and we never know when our time is…so now is the time to do all we can to enjoy each day.
I think that is exactly it, Nannette!
What reminds me to treasure life?
My first thought
was death,
losing someone,
because it reminds me that I am alive,
but in the truest sense
I don’t believe that is true for me.
When I lost my first child
the sun was too bright . . .
it hurt my eyes.
It was spring time
and the cows were calving,
the sheep were lambing . . .
little fluffy chicks
were running all over the place.
Flowers were bursting into bloom
and the world was greening all around me . . .
all of this beautiful new life
and I couldn’t bear it.
I wanted to die.
It took me a long time
to be healed by Grace.
Now,
what I think makes me treasure life
is that I can see the beauty
in all that pained me
after my child died . . .
Now
I rejoice in the spring,
loving the return of colour,
being present to all of the seasons
and finding beauty in every one of them.
I am transported
by the silent hissing of snow
falling on my face,
and drink in the scent of decaying leaves in the fall.
Of course I complain on the hot days,
I complain on the rainy days,
I complain on the cold days . . .
it’s what people do
when they speak casually
while I’m shopping for groceries
or buying gas.
Those ‘pleasantries’
are a part of the culture here,
but now and then
I stick in a little intervention
and say,
‘You know?
I like a rainy day once in awhile.’
It makes them think . . .
they are not used to that answer.
I take my candle out from under the bushel,
and shine it for a quick moment.
And then I’m gone. ♥
Thank you, Sparrow.
♥
Dear Sparrow,
Thank you so much for sharing so generously and beautifully from your life.
You have been through so much, and are so wise.
You inspire me.
Sending love to you.
♥️♥️♥️
I don’t feel like I am wise,
dear Mary…
it’s just that hard lessons
have taught me much. ♥
♥️
That was…………..I am unable to put into words what I conceptualize. Thank you so much, dear Sparrow.
Most of the time,
dear Joseph,
I feel terribly inadequate
trying to put into words
what is in my brain and heart.
Thank you for understanding this. ♥
What reminds me to treasure life?
I stepped outside this morning and noticed the air was chilly,
the sun, bright and warm.
The sky bright blue and lots of green everywhere.
I’m in Florida, so we stay pretty green.
Stepping outside reminded me to treasure life.
So my breathing naturally slows
Inhale, exhale and then I notice a clearing
A clearing for savoring?
Yes!
And now indoors I’m enjoying (savoring) the unique personalities
of my four furry children, my cats.
My very pretty, wide-eyed, orange big boy is meowing at me,
wondering if I’ll give him a snack.
I call him the baby.
My newest girl, formerly homeless, is a charcoal, gray, and white, tabby
all eyes, ears, legs and tail.
When the “baby” gets cranky around meal time and starts bothering her
she will engage in a lightening fast round of one pawed face-smacking with him.
He doesn’t like it at all, and decides to leave her alone for a bit.
Too much for those who don’t love cats to the moon and back?
I love them so much sometimes I can’t help myself.
Inhale, exhale,
savoring the moment
at this sweet present moment in my life.
♥️
Inhale, exhale
I love reading about your cats and everyone else who talks of theirs, too! I miss the cats who have been in my life, most recently BC, who passed almost two years ago on January 7. I have a small shrine in my yoga room with photos of him and the two boys I had before him, Buddy the Wonder Cat and Moke. Cats are very special little zen masters, like no other pets we can have. My dogs know how much I love them, but maybe another day down the road it’ll be time to have a feline family member again 🐈⬛
Thanks for responding SunnyPatti.
I’ve never had a dog, but I’ve had cats since I was about 12 years old.
I find cats to be easy to live with and I love their feline beauty.
The group I have now are especially funny.
And I love to watch them rest. They are the masters of relaxing.
Like the others, I am a cat lover too. I was brought up with Siamese cats and have always had them in my life. My current cat, Daphne, was an outdoor cat who showed up in my yard and I started feeding her and slowly gained her trust. She is now indoors and I have had her for 3 yrs now. She has the most beautiful eyes – her pic is my phone’s wallpaper/screensaver.
Cats are family – we love and mourn them the same.
I know we can post pics in the Community Forum but it would be nice if they could incorporate that here. I don’t have time to visit both areas on this site and just do this one.
I would love to be able to post pictures here too!
I’ve thought that many times.
I would love to see a picture of your beautiful cat!
We have a female Siamese named Coco.
She is our very good, very cute, very smart, very bad cat.
Into everything always!
Thanks for reaching out , Michelle!🙋🏻♀️😸
Oh Mary! What a beautiful posting!! I too am a hopeless cat lover…I have two. I am also a dog lover…my boy, Clancy is not doing well….but each day we have him is a gift! Thank you for your uplifting words today!
Here in WV it is very cold 22 degrees now and we have about 4 inches of snow! We are hopefully headed to warmer weather next week…if the snow stops and we can navigate our motorhome down our driveway…AND if the roads are clear of snow…But we have another day to be thankful for!
Dear Nannette.
I read your post about your dear boy Clancy a few days ago.
I was so moved. I am so sorry for all that you and your dear Clancy are going through.
I remember the first time I lost a beloved animal.
Paul was a big beautiful cat with soft gray fur and large luminous eyes.
He had a cancerous mass in his jaw bone, which caused swelling, drooling, and then bleeding.
Paul started sitting under the dining room table, so I would lie under the table with him.
I’d softly sing to him My Favorite Things (Raindrops and Roses and Whiskers on kittens…)
from the movie The Sound of Music. I sang to him, talked to him,
and sometimes just laid with him to keep him company.
The life you have given Clancy has been a great gift to him.
And the time you spend with him while he is sick is your gift to him when he needs you most.
Because he’s been your beloved boy,
you will know when he’s had enough and it’s time to let him pass. You will know.
Losing Paul hit me harder than losing any of my other cats since.
I remember sitting outside thinking about him and missing him so much.
Then one afternoon as I sat outside,
I got this strong clear image of Paul, who had been an indoor cat,
running through tall grass joyfully, his golden eyes shining brightly.
He had never looked so beautiful.
And all I could think of was
He’s free, he’s healthy and strong and running with such joy.
And those gorgeous eyes! My beautiful boy is truly free!
I have never forgotten that image of him.
Eyes glowing, fur blowing in the wind as he practically flew through the grass.
If there is a glorious afterlife for cats he had certainly arrived.
Dear Nannette, as I write about a wonderful picture I still have in my mind of Paul,
I am feeling the sadness you must be feeling now.
I am feeling deeply for you, and hope you will be posting about how you are doing
and allowing I/we at our Gratefulness sit can be there for you.
I hope you can find joy in being there with Clancy, loving him and comforting him during this time.
Sending you and Clancy so much love.
♥️♥️♥️
You can talk about your cats,
dear Mary,
until the cows come home,
me being a hopeless cat lover
myself. ♥️
Thanks Sparrow!
Just like birds,
Cats are people too!
Am I right?
🐥🦉🦜🦆
😸😸😸😸
♥️♥️♥️♥️
What reminds me to treasure life is my breathe, I am grateful to every breathe I take without struggle because there are some days when it is difficulty for me to breath due to being asthmatic, and I am gasping to receive good air in from nature (oxygen) and give nature what I don’t need (carbon dioxide). I am grateful for the days I can and for the gift of nature and for all beings who are working to make and keep the environment clean. May all beings know the importance of good air quality and do not allow laws that protect air to be disbanded for object(s) that benefit only few beings but shine light to improve and maintain air quality in all areas of the universe. For me, life is treasured one breathe at a time with all the spectrum of life’s challenges and blessings. Shine your light that all beings will benefit today.
Beautiful!
Thank you S R!
My children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as my ancestors. We are all part of the evolutionary spiral and hopefully will learn not to choose revolving doors!
Honestly, I’m reminded to treasure life, when I am confronted with death. Of course there are other less dramatic things that remind me, but the big one is being exposed to mortality. Embracing non permanence is also helpful. For me anyway.
Me too, Charlie.
When I see the awful event that took place in New Orleans on the 1st day of 2025.
My heart hurts for all that died & their loved ones. My heart hurts for all who are injured.
My heart hurts for all who witnessed this terrible tragedy.
Everyday is a gift. Give thanks. ✨🙏🏻✨
I feel the same – it is just so shocking, unreal, and scary. I lit a candle on this site for all affected by it.
I read an AP article the other day about that tragedy in NOLA, and a young man spoke of how he saw his friend after she’d been hit and how scared he was, how scary it all was. I have prayed for those people and their loved ones. Truly heartbreaking.
Thinking of those I knew and loved who have died, and how when they were alive, it seemed like they would never die. Reminding myself that death happens to everybody, including myself.
I have been cleaning out and getting ready for 2025. As I looked at my journals and notebooks of quotes, I was pleased to have all of that in 2 years. A life lived and reflected on. I blessed it and now to tackle today.
My son was lamenting that he is going from NO glasses to progressive. I said welcome to the privilege of putting on years of living.
When I hear of a person younger than me who is killed senselessly, I stop and say thank you and treasure.
When it is cloudy and cold outside, it is the sun which reliably is always there, causing all life to unfold and to flourish; the beautiful pic i just received showing the conjunction of moon and venus last night; beauty of any kind, outside, in nature and in people of kind heart always inspire to treasure life; gaps inbetween offering opportunity to become still, like the gap at the end of expiration giving rise to inspiration and so much more. A joyful weekend to all!
Yes Ose, I witnessed the beautiful 🌙 & Venus last evening too. Took my breath away. A short time later I saw Jupiter in the night sky as well. So so beautiful. I am thankful I experienced the Divine’s work of art. 🙏🏻✨🙏🏻
Last night the sight of that sliver of moon with the bright Venus nearby stopped me in my tracks when I went outside. Beautiful.
I learned there’s a meteor shower right now that I didn’t see, but I’ll go out and look for it tonight: https://starwalk.space/en/news/quadrantid-meteor-shower.
Thursday evening 6 of us gathered around our table for dinner. The age range of our guests was 16-72. This question was placed on the table; what were 3 wins and 3 challenges you experienced in 2024, and where are they taking you in the new year. It was really fun to hear about the wins. And I was blown away by our guests willingness to be vulnerable regarding their challenges. I saw life from each person’s experience, many different from mine. And because of our beautiful age range, unique perspectives. I was reminded up close how glorious and how hard life can be. My heart opened a little wider that evening for our guests experiences. And the richness and rawness of life of each person was received without question or correction. Respectfully. To be in this life is to experience all of it To savor it. Certainly, not all in the moment, and yet, I know each experience can take us to another level. That is a much easier reflection at 72 than 16.😉
How refreshing and interesting idea Mary Mantei.
Thank you, Joseph. The people make the party, right?
Love this idea!
🙏
It’s wonderful that you provided a place and an atmosphere where your guests were willing to be vulnerable.
Thank you, Carol.