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What do I value? And how might it benefit from my investment?
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I value meditation, alone as well as mediating together with other kindred people. For quite some time, I was not able to center very well in awareness and stillness. Intensifying meditation will hopefully allow to run deeper, possibly contributing to the source as well as be of benefit for all concerned. Thank you for this question and for your kind replies!
I value time alone to reflect and just be. Quiet time can regenerate me to better handle the world around me and to appreciate with gratefulness what has been placed in front of me.
I value the qualities found in every enlightened being I have ever found,
whether it be Siddhartha,
Christ,
Mohammad,
Ghandi,
Tich Nhat Hanh,
Charlotte Yoko Beck,
or the more numerous souls
who have been able to catch glimpses behind the veil,
and have shared their knowledge with me.
There are people in the world
who know things . . .
the benefits are beyond description.
That I don’t always get what I want but get what I need. And, my new favorite mantra – “I just might be wrong”. It softens and opens entrenched perspectives.
Today was one of these days were I thought that everything and everybody is working against me. but everything is as it is. it shows me that I was against everything and everybody … What a fool I am sometimes! But I value this guy, who is me , because i choose to live with him. The benefit is that I am in peace with myself.
I value wisdom, love, forgiveness, knowledge, justice, solidarity, and liberty. Investing in these values allows me to learn how to love and forgive others, especially when it is difficult; how to live with solidarity with all sentient beings, but especially those most marginalized; and how to ensure that everyone’s liberties and rights are protected.
Relationships…As one of my mentors used to say: “There is nothing more real than a relationship. I find that concentrating on individuals instead of the groups with which they identy helps me appreciate each one’s gifts even if I don’t agree with say their politics. Groups can be very tribal but when you work on knowing each member individually you can always find beauty.
The first thing that comes to mind is that I value my relationship with my husband and it absolutely will benefit from more and deeper investments in paying attention both to the relationship and to what I bring to it.
I value the world and the people and natural systems in it and those both will benefit from me continuing to put my time, attention, and energy into the issues where I can make a difference.
In that spirit I offer a poem I found thanks to Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg that had me crying in a Seattle light rail car last night after a long work conference day: http://www.auroralevinsmorales.com/blog/vahavta
“Don’t let despair sink its sharp teeth
Into the throat with which you sing. Escalate your dreams.
Make them burn so fiercely that you can follow them down
any dark alleyway of history and not lose your way.
Make them burn clear as a starry drinking gourd
Over the grim fog of exhaustion, and keep walking.
Hold hands. Share water. Keep imagining.
So that we, and the children of our children’s children
may live”
hmm I invest in what I value– hmm- only invest if there is a perceived benefit– physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual–or the body-heart-mind
I value my happiness, belonging/inclusion, my physical well being( safety, health), making a contribution that benefits others, human rights, fairness, kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity, mindfulness, patience, generosity, guidance and support, relationships/ connection, learning, beauty… being human, …. hmm now I’ve come back to my values benefit me and the benefits are the investment. As I re-read this– change is what I need to place a higher value on
I value equanimity, balance, a mind not racing. This doesn’t come at the expense of engagement with the world but through maintaining my boundaries and accepting my limits.
I value making time for myself in my meditations and prayers. By doing so, my frame of mind , love,compassion, peace and gratitude arise and stay at the surface. Others as well as me benefits..
I value my peace of mind. It was a long road to find it, and I do everything I can to maintain it. Times are scary, and it’s been especially challenging lately. This is a great reminder to keep doing the work.
I value today’s question! But what would make it more valuable to me is direction, as in; how might it benefit from my investment of time, energy, and commitment? These are key areas of consideration for me.
Today’s question is timely for me for a specific reason also. I am approaching what feels like a potentially critical crossroads for me personally and spiritually. With the help of a support and oversight committee that guides my ministry among Quakers, unless some critical factors fall into place by this coming August, I will begin moving away from a ministry of pastoral care that began forty years ago to the month. Though the clarity of thought rising from today’s question is helpful, I’m realizing that it is difficult for me to put this into words.
Those times in our life when big calls bubble up that cannot be ignored are, as you say, crossroads. Stepping into the unknown does put faith to the test. My own life experience has taught me to seek the counsel of family, friends and colleagues but in the end, it is your decision alone. I have come to trust those calls. May peace and joy be your companion.
Dear Kevin, you are so nice. I think 40 years of pastoral care is in your being. I wish for you a fantastic quiet time without pain and new things around the corner.
Thank you, Christine, for your kind words here. “Around the corner” reminds me that when I was young I took those corners at lightning speed! As I age, the “corners” take more time!
Sounds like a door closing on one area in your life, and most likely, as things do go, another door opening for you. I keep you in my prayers as you move on to this new adventure. I am grateful that you have a loving family and friends to be there with you. May you continue to be surrounded by love.
This is a huge shift, Kevin. Much to contemplate in where your investments will go with such a change– such wide fields of potential. I so appreciate your investment of time here as a part of this community and hope *that* doesn’t change.
I value my job – I’m grateful to have work and work for a company with great benefits. It will benefit from my investment by hopefully having a long term employee.
I sometimes hear the music in your words here, too, Christine. So thank you! One of my rowing teammates is a director of bands for an entire school. All through Covid, he says that that his students have been “blowing their horns in my face,” so even with masks on the end of the wind and brass instruments, and students and he wearing masks, he finally got Covid himself not long ago. He’s fine now, and regrets not one minute of what he loves doing for a living.
I understand that in America there is a band culture in schools. We don’t have that in the Netherlands unfortunately. Your teammate does a great job in my opinion. So nice that he was able to convey the joy to you. Have a nice day, kevin.🌷
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I value meditation, alone as well as mediating together with other kindred people. For quite some time, I was not able to center very well in awareness and stillness. Intensifying meditation will hopefully allow to run deeper, possibly contributing to the source as well as be of benefit for all concerned. Thank you for this question and for your kind replies!
I value time alone to reflect and just be. Quiet time can regenerate me to better handle the world around me and to appreciate with gratefulness what has been placed in front of me.
I value the qualities found in every enlightened being I have ever found,
whether it be Siddhartha,
Christ,
Mohammad,
Ghandi,
Tich Nhat Hanh,
Charlotte Yoko Beck,
or the more numerous souls
who have been able to catch glimpses behind the veil,
and have shared their knowledge with me.
There are people in the world
who know things . . .
the benefits are beyond description.
That I don’t always get what I want but get what I need. And, my new favorite mantra – “I just might be wrong”. It softens and opens entrenched perspectives.
I value peace of mind. Everything flows from there.
Today was one of these days were I thought that everything and everybody is working against me. but everything is as it is. it shows me that I was against everything and everybody … What a fool I am sometimes! But I value this guy, who is me , because i choose to live with him. The benefit is that I am in peace with myself.
Clean fresh water ! Please keep it clean ! Mother Earth and all her species! Please keep her strong !
I value wisdom, love, forgiveness, knowledge, justice, solidarity, and liberty. Investing in these values allows me to learn how to love and forgive others, especially when it is difficult; how to live with solidarity with all sentient beings, but especially those most marginalized; and how to ensure that everyone’s liberties and rights are protected.
Relationships…As one of my mentors used to say: “There is nothing more real than a relationship. I find that concentrating on individuals instead of the groups with which they identy helps me appreciate each one’s gifts even if I don’t agree with say their politics. Groups can be very tribal but when you work on knowing each member individually you can always find beauty.
The first thing that comes to mind is that I value my relationship with my husband and it absolutely will benefit from more and deeper investments in paying attention both to the relationship and to what I bring to it.
I value the world and the people and natural systems in it and those both will benefit from me continuing to put my time, attention, and energy into the issues where I can make a difference.
In that spirit I offer a poem I found thanks to Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg that had me crying in a Seattle light rail car last night after a long work conference day:
http://www.auroralevinsmorales.com/blog/vahavta
So beautiful,
and so powerful,
dear Barb…
“Don’t let despair sink its sharp teeth
Into the throat with which you sing. Escalate your dreams.
Make them burn so fiercely that you can follow them down
any dark alleyway of history and not lose your way.
Make them burn clear as a starry drinking gourd
Over the grim fog of exhaustion, and keep walking.
Hold hands. Share water. Keep imagining.
So that we, and the children of our children’s children
may live”
hmm I invest in what I value– hmm- only invest if there is a perceived benefit– physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual–or the body-heart-mind
I value my happiness, belonging/inclusion, my physical well being( safety, health), making a contribution that benefits others, human rights, fairness, kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity, mindfulness, patience, generosity, guidance and support, relationships/ connection, learning, beauty… being human, …. hmm now I’ve come back to my values benefit me and the benefits are the investment. As I re-read this– change is what I need to place a higher value on
I value equanimity, balance, a mind not racing. This doesn’t come at the expense of engagement with the world but through maintaining my boundaries and accepting my limits.
I value making time for myself in my meditations and prayers. By doing so, my frame of mind , love,compassion, peace and gratitude arise and stay at the surface. Others as well as me benefits..
I value my peace of mind. It was a long road to find it, and I do everything I can to maintain it. Times are scary, and it’s been especially challenging lately. This is a great reminder to keep doing the work.
I value my children and grandchildren. Time spent with them is a huge investment for all of us and benefits our hearts and souls always.
I value today’s question! But what would make it more valuable to me is direction, as in; how might it benefit from my investment of time, energy, and commitment? These are key areas of consideration for me.
Today’s question is timely for me for a specific reason also. I am approaching what feels like a potentially critical crossroads for me personally and spiritually. With the help of a support and oversight committee that guides my ministry among Quakers, unless some critical factors fall into place by this coming August, I will begin moving away from a ministry of pastoral care that began forty years ago to the month. Though the clarity of thought rising from today’s question is helpful, I’m realizing that it is difficult for me to put this into words.
Those times in our life when big calls bubble up that cannot be ignored are, as you say, crossroads. Stepping into the unknown does put faith to the test. My own life experience has taught me to seek the counsel of family, friends and colleagues but in the end, it is your decision alone. I have come to trust those calls. May peace and joy be your companion.
Thank you, Don.
Dear Kevin, you are so nice. I think 40 years of pastoral care is in your being. I wish for you a fantastic quiet time without pain and new things around the corner.
Thank you, Christine, for your kind words here. “Around the corner” reminds me that when I was young I took those corners at lightning speed! As I age, the “corners” take more time!
Sounds like a door closing on one area in your life, and most likely, as things do go, another door opening for you. I keep you in my prayers as you move on to this new adventure. I am grateful that you have a loving family and friends to be there with you. May you continue to be surrounded by love.
Thank you, Mary Pat, for your words and prayers. I have indeed been blessed with family and friends through all kinds of doors opening and closing.
Hi Kevin, The only thing permanent in life is change. May you hear your own voice in this matter and find it pleasing to you.
Thank you, Carol, for these words, “May you hear your own voice in this matter and find it pleasing to you.,” is a mantra I can carry forth.
This is a huge shift, Kevin. Much to contemplate in where your investments will go with such a change– such wide fields of potential. I so appreciate your investment of time here as a part of this community and hope *that* doesn’t change.
We shall see, Barb, but for sure, as long as Gratefulness.org is here, I will be also, God willing!
I value my job – I’m grateful to have work and work for a company with great benefits. It will benefit from my investment by hopefully having a long term employee.
My investment for playing music is practice, practice, practice. It’s a gift to myself that I really appreciate. It gives a lot of joy.
I sometimes hear the music in your words here, too, Christine. So thank you! One of my rowing teammates is a director of bands for an entire school. All through Covid, he says that that his students have been “blowing their horns in my face,” so even with masks on the end of the wind and brass instruments, and students and he wearing masks, he finally got Covid himself not long ago. He’s fine now, and regrets not one minute of what he loves doing for a living.
I understand that in America there is a band culture in schools. We don’t have that in the Netherlands unfortunately. Your teammate does a great job in my opinion. So nice that he was able to convey the joy to you. Have a nice day, kevin.🌷