Did you know why I chose Grateful4you as my username?
GOOD FRIDAY EVERYONE! While this will be a rather long post, I will try and not let it become cumbersome. My username carries a message and I wanted to take the time to explain the reasons why. I hope at least a few of you will take the time to peruse this. It could make a difference, it could in fact, change your life if you allow it.
I don't want to sound "preachy" and I'm by no means a well known motivational speaker, I'm just a simple guy with a few ideas, more than that I am one of the Elders e.g "old guy' In native American tradition, the term "Elders" implies respect and honor of experience. And many believe experience is the best teacher.
A few years ago, I was injured at the hospital I worked at and had to be airlifted to Eisenhower hospital for emergency back surgery. I was told I would never walk again. Wrong! I forced myself day after day, eye's tearing through the searing pain, but I continued and after many months I was again walking again albeit a bit painfully.
I started taking an assessment of my life. Given my injury, I took early retirement. Decided, it was time to "simplify, simplify" quite a dramatic turn of events from someone who has alway's been a driven work driven perfectionist.
It was so hard saying goodby to a lifelong career in the medical field, everything from the E.R, surgery, and general hospital work wherever. I also worked with PsychPatients, kids with spinal chord injuries, and geriatrics.
In my private life, I restored a beautiful ranch style house in Joshua Tree, complete with swimming pool, fountains, and of course, remodeled the entire inside. Did the Mexican pavered tiles throughout the whole house.
Also Built a nifty 3 level geodesic dome house in the Black Hills of So. Dak. (near Mt. Rushmore)
When not doing remodeling jobs, I loved hiking our wonderful Nat.Park here at Joshua Tree. Or taking small roles in local theatre. I also loved Native American drumming (a lot like meditating actually)
Most of this activity I had to give up due to my spine injury. I gave up both of those homes, it's just too much when you start slowing down.
I have moved with my partner, (Kevin) into a "Senior Retirement Village" Our apartment is small but comfy. and In the 5 years I've been here have made some wonderful friends, so even folks who live alone don't need to be lonely.
Yet, something was missing, I found myself with nothing to do, other that YOUTUBE or reading. Cleaning takes all of 5 minutes. I became depressed, sad, and worst of all utterly useless. I didn't want to do anything.
One day, I came back to our complex with some groceries, one of the residents "Ben" asked. "Whats wrong David?"...I replied, "Nothing, just kind of down" Ben then said something that has now totally changed my life. He said, "David, things aren't always great, BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE GRATEFUL FOR"
Bens words hit me like a ton of brinks. Sort of an Epiphany, I realised I've just been having this old mans pity party and not even seeing the beauty around me.
This has been many months ago, since then, I have my daily ritual of sitting out on my balcony that looks out over our local park, (such a nice view) and to what I call my "Gratitute Check".....you see, if you consistantly perform a chore or ritual for at least 3 weeks straight it automatically becomes a behavoral pattern of life.
I sit quietly, with hands folded and begin to VERBALLY recite all the things I am grateful for. I won't go through the entire list, (It's long) But I start out with, "I am Grateful for Kevin, for his health, happiness and well being" I do the same with my two cats Sawyer and Becky, for there, "health happiness and well being"
I included the apartment and the nice things we have collected, the comforts we enjoy, the food on hand, and food stocked away for emergency.
I send my gratitude check of love, happiness, to every neighbor in this building.
I do the same with the 2nd residential building. I express gratitute for my health, physically and mentally. I express this gratitude to the people out there helping others, firemen, police, Doctors, nurses, etc.
I bless and send gratitude to all those helping animals all over the world, the domestic animals being rescued and given homes. Gratitude to the waters that sustain us. Gratitude to those who oppose those would encourage hatred to others. For the waters that sustains us. For people all over the world promoting peace and happiness I am grateful. Those helping the homeless. and of course,
THIS BEAUTIFUL GREEN PEARL WE CALL EARTH
Lastly, my affirmation of having NO fear whatever happens. I am grateful to be strong for others.....So this a sample. What a person is grateful for is personal. Only you know.
I do have one important gratitude affirmation, that abundance and prosperity is finding me. I do have a NEW goal in life and that is a house on the Beach in Mexico the universe will provide and show me the way.
And last of all, I am grateful for all the folks on Similar Worlds!
~Namaste~ David
I don't want to sound "preachy" and I'm by no means a well known motivational speaker, I'm just a simple guy with a few ideas, more than that I am one of the Elders e.g "old guy' In native American tradition, the term "Elders" implies respect and honor of experience. And many believe experience is the best teacher.
A few years ago, I was injured at the hospital I worked at and had to be airlifted to Eisenhower hospital for emergency back surgery. I was told I would never walk again. Wrong! I forced myself day after day, eye's tearing through the searing pain, but I continued and after many months I was again walking again albeit a bit painfully.
I started taking an assessment of my life. Given my injury, I took early retirement. Decided, it was time to "simplify, simplify" quite a dramatic turn of events from someone who has alway's been a driven work driven perfectionist.
It was so hard saying goodby to a lifelong career in the medical field, everything from the E.R, surgery, and general hospital work wherever. I also worked with PsychPatients, kids with spinal chord injuries, and geriatrics.
In my private life, I restored a beautiful ranch style house in Joshua Tree, complete with swimming pool, fountains, and of course, remodeled the entire inside. Did the Mexican pavered tiles throughout the whole house.
Also Built a nifty 3 level geodesic dome house in the Black Hills of So. Dak. (near Mt. Rushmore)
When not doing remodeling jobs, I loved hiking our wonderful Nat.Park here at Joshua Tree. Or taking small roles in local theatre. I also loved Native American drumming (a lot like meditating actually)
Most of this activity I had to give up due to my spine injury. I gave up both of those homes, it's just too much when you start slowing down.
I have moved with my partner, (Kevin) into a "Senior Retirement Village" Our apartment is small but comfy. and In the 5 years I've been here have made some wonderful friends, so even folks who live alone don't need to be lonely.
Yet, something was missing, I found myself with nothing to do, other that YOUTUBE or reading. Cleaning takes all of 5 minutes. I became depressed, sad, and worst of all utterly useless. I didn't want to do anything.
One day, I came back to our complex with some groceries, one of the residents "Ben" asked. "Whats wrong David?"...I replied, "Nothing, just kind of down" Ben then said something that has now totally changed my life. He said, "David, things aren't always great, BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE GRATEFUL FOR"
Bens words hit me like a ton of brinks. Sort of an Epiphany, I realised I've just been having this old mans pity party and not even seeing the beauty around me.
This has been many months ago, since then, I have my daily ritual of sitting out on my balcony that looks out over our local park, (such a nice view) and to what I call my "Gratitute Check".....you see, if you consistantly perform a chore or ritual for at least 3 weeks straight it automatically becomes a behavoral pattern of life.
I sit quietly, with hands folded and begin to VERBALLY recite all the things I am grateful for. I won't go through the entire list, (It's long) But I start out with, "I am Grateful for Kevin, for his health, happiness and well being" I do the same with my two cats Sawyer and Becky, for there, "health happiness and well being"
I included the apartment and the nice things we have collected, the comforts we enjoy, the food on hand, and food stocked away for emergency.
I send my gratitude check of love, happiness, to every neighbor in this building.
I do the same with the 2nd residential building. I express gratitute for my health, physically and mentally. I express this gratitude to the people out there helping others, firemen, police, Doctors, nurses, etc.
I bless and send gratitude to all those helping animals all over the world, the domestic animals being rescued and given homes. Gratitude to the waters that sustain us. Gratitude to those who oppose those would encourage hatred to others. For the waters that sustains us. For people all over the world promoting peace and happiness I am grateful. Those helping the homeless. and of course,
THIS BEAUTIFUL GREEN PEARL WE CALL EARTH
Lastly, my affirmation of having NO fear whatever happens. I am grateful to be strong for others.....So this a sample. What a person is grateful for is personal. Only you know.
I do have one important gratitude affirmation, that abundance and prosperity is finding me. I do have a NEW goal in life and that is a house on the Beach in Mexico the universe will provide and show me the way.
And last of all, I am grateful for all the folks on Similar Worlds!
~Namaste~ David
