“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” ~ Maya Angelou
I went waking through a nature center. I paused for a moment and looked at the clear blue south Texas sky. I spotted red-tailed hawk gracefully gliding through the endless sky. Each of the hawk’s movements were a testament to the hawk doing what it was designed to do. I think that’s the way it is with each of us when we discover what are destined to do. We do it effortlessly and with a deep sense of joy. It no longer is work. It becomes passion set to music.
I took this photo of the past week’s super moon. It was the last super moon for 2024. If I wasn’t aware that there was going to be a super moon I’d have missed my opportunity to witness it. The photo doesn’t capture how I felt when I saw it. I felt awe, a sense of peace, and grateful all at the same time. Life is good.
These habits foster a mindset focused on positivity and resilience, supporting an overall optimistic outlook.
In this inspiring episode, we explore the profound power of gratitude and how it can transform our lives. Set on a beautiful September day in South Texas, we reflect on the everyday gifts that surround us—like a gentle breeze, a gecko changing color, or a delicious cup of coffee. These small, often overlooked moments hold immense value.
Through the wisdom of poets like Mary Oliver and Rumi, we dive deep into how gratitude helps us heal from grief. We’ll discuss how moving toward gratitude brings peace and helps us see the loved ones we’ve lost as eternal gifts that remain with us always. We also explore how gratitude fosters humility, strengthens our relationships, and allows love to flow freely into and out of our lives.
Join us as we navigate the journey from grief to healing, uncovering the beauty in the everyday and embracing love as the greatest gift of all.
Keywords: gratitude, healing, gifts, grief, love, Mary Oliver, Rumi, humility, peace, spiritual growth, South Texas, poetry
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
Lo! where the Moon along the sky
Sails with her happy destiny;
Oft is she hid from mortal eye
Or dimly seen,
But when the clouds asunder fly
How bright her mien!
Far different we–a froward race,
Thousands though rich in Fortune’s grace
With cherished sullenness of pace
Their way pursue,
Ingrates who wear a smileless face
The whole year through.
If kindred humours e’er would make
My spirit droop for drooping’s sake,
From Fancy following in thy wake,
Bright ship of heaven!
A counter impulse let me take
And be forgiven.
Listen to my Podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, Episode 133 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 133
Episode 133: Transforming Grief into Gratitude: A Journey in Three Poems
Where are you on your grieving journey? In this heartfelt episode, we explore the three stages of grief: from gasping for air in the depths of sorrow to transitioning into a place where the ache remains but healing begins, and finally, reaching a state of gratitude for both what was and what is to come.
We can’t bypass the hard parts; we must go through the process to transform our grief into something more—a deep appreciation for life’s gifts. Drawing on the powerful words of poets William Stafford, Mary Oliver, and W.S. Merwin, we examine how poetry helps us understand and navigate the journey from sorrow to serenity. Discover how grief can eventually be transformed into a peaceful state of gratitude.
Keywords: grief, grieving journey, stages of grief, gratitude, healing after loss, poetry on grief, William Stafford, Mary Oliver, W.S. Merwin, overcoming grief, personal growth, emotional healing
I don’t get it. Why don’t more folks choose to be happy? There are so many things around us that make me smile. I saw men and women dancing in a zumba class this morning. There were having a great time moving to the music. They made me smile. A daughter called while I was eating lunch. Not a problem, lunch can always wait. We had a great conversation. I saw two squirrels chasing each other in circles in my yard – that’s got to make you smile. It feels good to be happy, to look on the bright side. I’m not traveling down the tunnel of doom.
I went to mass this morning. I go because there is something I don’t understand that is greater than what I understand going on. I don’t see it. I feel it. I sense it. Some days it is aa if I am touched by it. Every once in a while I’ll catch a glimpse of it and know. That moment doesn’t last long, It lasts long enough for me to know there is something I call God and it’s as real to me as my right leg. When i catch a glimpse my heart overflows with gratitude.
