Anxiety, Gratitude, and Compassion with Better Than I Deserve

I am still picking up on the Better Than I Deserve Youtube channel. I think that the guy hosting this knows what he's talking about and I think that he's orienting towards people struggling with substance abuse disorders, recovery, and the kind of stress working-class people go through every day. These are short videos with lots in them. Please join me in checking him out and learning together.

Dealing with anxiety

Gratitude

Compassion

On Gratitude

A friend of mine posted this today:

Gratitude is a practice...from "The Naked Mind" newsletter:

"The practice of gratitude is so transformative. I’ve seen the impact it has had on my life and the lives of thousands of others as well.

Practicing gratitude is easy to do when everything is going right in our lives. However, when things go pear-shaped it can be difficult to find anything to be grateful for. Yet those times are when we most need to practice gratitude.

During hard times seeing all of the negatives around us is natural. When we're consumed by grief, anxiety, depression, and the other emotions that accompany hard times finding the silver lining just doesn’t seem important.

Gratitude isn’t about that though. Gratitude is really about awareness. It’s tuning into yourself and finding things to be thankful for while accepting that everything else in life is tumultuous and chaotic.
Practicing gratitude and feeling grateful are two separate and distinct things. Even when you don’t FEEL grateful, try to be observant and find just three things you appreciate that day. This simple daily exercise continues to reshape your mindset and attitude towards making gratitude your default response.

Last week I touched on how gratitude allowed me to find the positive even when faced with adversity. Every challenging event in my life has brought changes that I have nothing but gratitude for now. In these times even expressing the hope that something good will emerge from this situation is a practice of gratitude.

Life is a roller coaster and sometimes we find we’re on the downhill portion. In those times we can commit to curiosity. Look for seeds of positivity that may be scattered among the difficulties. Have you learned from the experience? Did you find a new appreciation for things you previously took for granted?

Gratitude isn’t always big grand gestures. Sometimes it’s finding something small to hold on to that sustains us until life restores itself to order again."

I am grateful for you

 

Jabez - Drinking from my Saucer (Official Music Video)

 

Do you remember older generations drinking from their saucer?

I borrowed this from the Appalachian Americans Facebook page.

My grandmother always drank her coffee like this! I thought it was because it was too hot.
Do you remember older generations drinking from their saucer? Then today I came across this poem that made me feel there was symbolism to the coffee ritual.

Drinking from My Saucer
by John Paul Moore

I’ve never made a fortune and it’s probably too late now.
But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.
And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.
I don’t have a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough.
But I’ve got loved ones around me, and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer, ’Cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.
So God, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I’ve hoed.
I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage, when the way grows steep and rough.
I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads.
Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

Some good things for prayer and meditation...

 

Daily gratitude...

 

Blessed are they who...

 

Gratitude is the key...

 

Gratitude and God's gifts...

 

Blessings and thankfulness

 

Scream if you have to...

We return to a suffering world after celebrating Easter. Sins are forgiven, reconciliation abounds, we have an opportunity to try again---or I hope that we do. Please don't crash and burn when you meet the hard wall that sometimes is life. We're human, and we have human joys and sorrows. Some days begin with tears and end in laughter. If you can't carry your burdens, ask for help. Everyone makes mistakes, but try to put your mistakes and those of others in perspective. It may help to take every mistake as an opportunity to learn how to analyze without over-thinking. Try living in an "I get too..." instead of a "I have to..." world as much as you can. This is is really difficult if you work for a living or have a family or responsibilities to others, but some of your responsibilities liberate you and strengthen you and give you much to be proud of. Ask yourself if you can make what you have to do into an art or into something of beauty. 

  

"An old soul is a spiritual soul who tends the headwaters of their being, flowing and watering the garden of God in their hearts. This is your spiritual practice, that you might become the change your heart longs to see, living heaven on earth."
~Bob Holmes

From the Native American/Indigenous Ministries of the Episcopal Church

"Some sad old rainy day I will sit by the window and let my thoughts turn to the memories I keep like pressed flowers between the pages of my book of life. I will count again my losses and say again my many goodbyes. But not today. Not today. No matter what the weather may be like, today I will open my spirit to the bright sun of my highest hope and let its warmth fill me with an even warmer healing. Today I will embrace the Earth as though she were a long lost friend. I will give thanks for the chorus of life that sings around me and dance in my mind as I once did, long ago, when the world was such a smaller place, and my dreams were just learning to fly. Sadness may come again. But not today. Not today."

The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston

(The Office of Indigenous Ministries celebrates the longstanding presence and influence of Native Americans throughout the history of The Episcopal Church. Go here for more information.)

Some positive thoughts for those who are hurting and lost, for workers, for busy people who need rest and compassion

Not everyone has these things, but if you do have them...

 

Gratitude at the beginning and end of every day...

 

Gratitude And Good Night!