Gratitude

Dakini

What are you grateful for?

I'm grateful for this forum, and for old-time members who have stuck with us through thick and thin (hi, Cinorjer! :wave: Vajraheart, Jeffrey, and is SimonthePilgrim still around? And Mountains, Cloud, etc. Hey, Leon--you, too ) I'm also grateful for our newer members: MindGate, and Talisman, who seems to've inhaled an awful lot of Buddhism and its complexities in a short time, and others who come and go, and grace us with their wisdom when they drop in' and our newest members as well, who add a bit of their own punch: VIX! Love ya!, AHeerdt, StoicBuddhistAlex, there are too many names to remember. I've learned a lot here, and am still learning. Thanks to the Admins for creating NB, and to the mods for maintaining it. :clap:

Jeffrey

:: Enters party with a bowl of cider for old and new posters ::

:clap:

compassionate_warrior

Hey, where is everyone? And where's the Halloween candy and cookies? I'll go get some cookies. (exits, stage left)

ginab

I'm also grateful for this forum, I learn something every day here. Also grateful that the doorbell did not ring and now I have to eat all of the candy myself :-)

AMH

Wow it is cool to be noticed. That is awesome. This is my al time fave holiday, really. I have already worn the ren faire costume, the cowgirl witch costume on Thursday, the goodwill halloween sweater on Friday. Today my kids went out as Bride of Frankenstein, a couple ghosts and a type of kittie/werewolf. The best part was they made the fake legs dripping with blood to put on the front lawn before they left, they are so good. I will figure out posting pics at some point. The legs actually freaked out some teenage boys who just came to the door.

Okay that was my halloween excitement and i am very grateful for any holiday that makes my family seem normal for a day!

Dakini

Well, this thread wasn't about Halloween, exactly, but that's fine--you can be grateful for this holiday, and all holidays. A toast to holidays! *clinks mugs of cider with Jeffrey*

AMH

Okay, I am grateful for almost any holiday that involves food, and chocolate is a good food.

compassionate_warrior

(re-enters, with cookies for all) I'm grateful I have a roof over my head, and my health. A lot of people don't have one or the other of those things, or both. We're living in challenging times. Let us take nothing for granted, and be grateful for all we have, even if it isn't much.

Where's MindGate?

Jeffrey

Where is Sherab Dorje? I miss him, hope he is practicing and well

Hubris

I am grateful for having my faculties intact when I wake each day,even that I do wake for that matter.

It helps me to remember that even though I am unemployed, lost my relationship recently, and my money is dwindling. I am still here to dust myself off and keep going.

This forum too, because when I tire of looking for work I can read,learn,and contribute. It keeps me from otherwise being bored and stir crazy.

You folks are just fine! :om:

Jeffrey

Its been great to have you aboard, Hubris!

Tosh

A mind of gratitude is strongly encouraged in Alcoholics Anonymous and 'Gratitude Lists' are even written regularly by some of its members; though I don't do them.

But I'm grateful to have found A.A., to have a brilliant A.A. sponsor (whose a Christian), grateful to have found Buddhism, and grateful for having a great teacher. I'm also grateful to be a recovered alcoholic, since this gives me a great opportunity to help other alcoholics recover, using my own experience of recovery. It's kind of a niche experience I think, and one that's extremely useful.

I'm also grateful to my dog, 'cos he's lovely.

And lots of other stuff too.

Ada_B

Three years ago, following severe injuries, related to my joint condition, I was unable to walk more than a few steps and forced to use a wheelchair. It was awful not being able to just walk through a shop and having to get my chair out of the car for every errand. I found myself just giving up and sitting there, like a sack of spuds, while being pushed, and my pain was out of control.

Today, I have returned to my beloved karate class, even though I am limited in what I can do; I can walk round the shop and my pain is largely under control. My life isn't what it was, but at least now I have a life. I am grateful every day that I don't have to use a wheelchair currently. Being able to just get out of the car and walk into the shop is *so* much easier, I cannot express it. Being even partially able-bodied is wonderful. Everything is so *easy* when you can move: making a cup of tea, having a shower, even walking the dog (I waddle, he runs after the ball, we're both happy). So many things I will never take for granted again.

Hubris

@Ada_B People like you inspire me, on so many levels! That is why I say I am grateful for my faculties being intact. I cannot do naught but imagine how terrible it must be to go from being able-bodied to getting around in a wheelchair. The mind goes places that our body wants to go too, and if you have known that ability and suddenly it is taken away it has to be crushing to your spirit.

It is truly wondrous that you have been able to overcome that as well as dealing with Asperger's. You are obviously very intelligent and accomplished despite these obstacles.

I keep things like that in mind as I age. My body is less and less capable than it was when I was younger - partly because I get little physical activity,much less a gym! Also due to arthritis in various places. However if I want to I can improve upon that, unlike some who cannot. Next to them, I am good.