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I like that this topic has led to a discussion Well, in my opinion, the emotion of gratitude is also derived from love. I give an example to show my point of view. You might be grateful for owning a new phone that you bought recently. But think about why you appreciate a new mobile device. You might want more stable and clearer video calls with your friends and loved ones. Such video calls are in fact expressions of love. Or you might want to be able to play more resource-intensive games. I actually see gaming as a way of expressing self-love; after all, you appreciate yourself for your skills. This is almost what I wrote before, but try to think of something that you are grateful for, that doesn't have its roots in love.

So true. I find one more reason for happiness is when I show/feel gratitude for everything in my life

Today is the last day of my 4th week. I want to share with all a part of my Mid-way Self -Assessment, on the specific incident that stands out in my life related to work in this course. It was one night that I was going through the pain in my cuff muscle and feeling cold and finding difficulty in getting sleep. My sweetheart asked me if I need anything. She went to the kitchen and brought the hot waterbag filled and placed on my feet. It gave me such a relief, it warms my body, the pain seems to slowly go away and I went to sleep in no time. Next morning at breakfast I said ‘Thank you’ to her, sincerely looking at her eye. Her eye immediately got filled with tears. This emotional experience and reaction made me realise the appreciation & gratitude people deserves for the extra mile service they have done towards me. I have learned to practice more showing kindness and compassion with this course so far. I’m so happy about big changes happening in my life.

I couldn't agree more. As I wake up from the illusion of endless growth, the need to have more/ "better"/ newer/ trendier things experiencing sufficiency is so rewarding. It brings and abundance of peace and gratitude to my life rather than an abundance of things.

you MUST believe in order for it to be. Send out what you want to be served. Service your frequency with clarity of intentions that what you ordered is on its way. Imagine holding it, smelling it, feel the energy of having it. Know that whatever you ordered is for your highest good. May you fulfill the orders of all you desire. Happiness is gratitude. Happiness is knowing you can soothe your thoughts into a better feeling flow. Have a wonderful joyful day! ~evie~

I believe that it depends on what you mean by luck. Because looking at the context, it seems like with luck you wanted to express the gratitude you feel for being in Barcelona. If that is the case, you can always allow yourself to feel lucky, because there are always reasons to feel grateful. So yes, luck is a choice. Yet, personally I believe that it doesn't really matter if one was born in lucky circumstances or not. We cannot change the circumstances that we where born with. Therefore, it's a matter of what kind of use we make out of life rather then what kind of life we posses. Worrying about what we cannot change will bring us to unhappiness. Focusing on what we can change and, if we have the courage, take on the journey in changing it is what can bring us happiness. Looking at your example, it didn't really matter where you came from (Germany). What mattered is the decision you took to go to Barcelona in order to lead the life that you want to live. Being able to do that, to have courage to take a step no matter the circumstances is where real freedom and therefore happiness lies in.

Happy Earth Day! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the earth essentially being 'closed' to humans, this year's Earth Day seems to be a quiet one. Each year, millions of people are estimated to participate in environmental action to address the massive challenges facing the earth. Last year's theme was plastic pollution, while this year's focus is climate action. Earth Day celebrations would usually include community tree planting initiatives, beach and other cleanups, national park or forest visits, and other outdoor activities. This year, although most celebrations were cancelled, some are still holding virtual events. Earthday.org is going digital with a full programme of activities for anyone interesting in joining. Although the pandemic is severe, tragic and scary for many, to me it also appears as a great reminder of what's at stake in the fight for our planet. The lockdowns have seen skies clear of pollution, wildlife returning to deserted places, and greenhouse gas levels reducing drastically as travel, commuting and other industries come to a halt. Venetians claim they haven't seen clear water in Venice's canals in approx. 60 years! In previous years, I loved being outdoors, preferably barefoot, doing a mindful walk, earthing/grounding, and taking deep breaths while sending love and gratitude to Mother Earth. This year I find it a bit sad not being able to do that, being on complete lockdown, but I encourage everyone who can leave their homes for an hour to do just that! Connecting with the earth and being out in nature is proven to have very many health benefits. What will you get up to today to celebrate and honour our beautiful, abundant Pachamama? Whatever it is, let us all on this 50th Earth Day anniversary, during this incredibly unique time in our lives, take time to reflect on our choices and acknowledge and take responsibility for our actions related to the earth and the climate. Remember also: "The earth is not an endless deposit of resources to exploit." Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

Yes! ? We should all show our bodies love and gratitude instead of focusing on what we consider to be flaws and imperfections.

Here's a link to the earth gratitude project and eZine Online classes from Insight Meditation Center LA The online offerings from the Spirit Rock Meditation Center

I am reading posts concerning anxiety, stress, sexual release, depression, etc. There is only one way out of these insecurities and that is by understanding that there is a spiritual resource. We must have knowledge, faith and trust in a higher dimension that oversees our well being. Of course we must take responsible action and learn from our experiences. In time we become more intuitive to what serves our highest good. Gratitude to God for Love and what's in the highest good of all concerned.?

I keep coming across wonderful poems which open my eyes to the beauty in the world, remind me of lessons I have long forgotten, make me smell the flowers and open my heart with gratitude. So I thought we could start a collection here:

I think you could start by having a bit more faith in yourself :) For many years, I thought the same as you. I was very indecisive (sometimes I still am), and when I did make a decision, it always felt like the wrong one. Looking back now, I see that my decisions led me to where I am today, which is not a bad place to be. Learn to tap into and trust your intuition. Make decisions from your HEART, not your head, and one of the most important lessons I have learnt is that YOU ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS. A daily gratitude practice might help with the feeling you have of being a failure. It could be something small, by finding 5 things at the end of the day that you're grateful for, that made you smile, or that you did well or are good at. Within a few days of doing this exercise you might already see a positive change. I wish you all the best. ✨

Life After Death After death every soul who comes toward the Light when they leave the body is welcomed with Unconditional Love. After death each soul goes through a review, like a holographic experience, in which they experience the feelings of those who came in contact with them - the ones who felt love and the ones who were hurt, and they will feel those feelings exactly as the other people felt them, in real time. This teaches a profound lesson in empathy, compassion, understanding and forgiveness and so on. The soul, set free of the bounds of a constricting material container, is able to expand as it rises gently toward the Light, which is the Light of Unconditional Love, generated and sustained, with the help of our Legions of Angels and Master Guides, for the purpose of welcoming and enveloping the Homecoming soul. Each soul is welcomed, as the prodigal son was welcomed in the Bible story, regardless of the quality of the life lived. Every one of God's Precious Creations is welcomed with celebration and joy. After a period of rest, as needed depending upon the circumstances surrounding the departure from the body, the individual soul will go through a process of review which encompasses all the events and emotional connections which were made during the past life, under the mentorship of a highly evolved Guide. This process includes a reversal of roles, in real time, so that the soul may experience the feelings and thoughts of all the others who came in contact with him/her in any important way. S/he will feel all the disappointment, pain, anguish and anger which resulted from his/her own actions, as well as the actions of Love and community, compassion and forgiveness which led others to positive turns in their paths. The process of reviewing and feeling the darkness one has caused leaves the soul with greater understanding of the effect of dark actions on others, and inspires deeper empathy, compassion ad forgiveness. It also encourages the attitude of taking responsibility for one's actions, which tends to carry forward into subsequent lives. You can see now why the experience of living many lives, in many different circumstances and historical periods, would tend to hone a soul of greater integrity, depth and virtue. The optimal soul path is one which carries the person along a trajectory toward greater and greater challenges, by living lives of greater degrees of difficulty as the soul grows in stature and confidence. "If it doesn't kill you (or even if it does) it will probably make you stronger" From Spirit's perspective, "death" is just a familiar transition from one plane to another, characterized by great learning and evolution of the soul - a thing to be celebrated. Of course, there are sometimes occasions where an ambitious soul takes on more than s/he can bear, or unforeseen shifts in the trajectory of a life may bring devastating hardship. Because of our free will contract, nothing is absolutely predetermined, although possibilities can often be seen in advance of an event. Therefore, a lifetime on Gaia has always held a sense of mystery, anticipation and great excitement for the brave souls who venture here. There is nearly unlimited variety in the possible choice of experiences - rich or poor, male or female, black, white, yellow or red - all options are encouraged as the soul works their way along the Ascension path through hundreds, even thousands of lifetimes. Many of those souls who were born in the early days of Planet Earth are now working their way up the Ascension ladder to positions of responsibility as Ascended Masters in the higher realms of the 7th through the 13th dimension. Although inexperienced souls do not have access to the higher realms because the frequencies there would not be tolerable for them, souls from higher dimensions can descend to be of service to those who follow, as they most often do in some form. God, Holy Spirit, Ascended Masters, Spirit Guides, Angels and Archangels of the high realms oversee with compassion and deepest love as their dear children struggle through enormous challenges which test their valor, their integrity and their capacity for Love and Forgiveness. Some lifetimes may be more successful in one area or another, but all are fodder for learning and advancement, and all are looked upon with the utmost respect, because those in Spirit Realm are well aware of the inherent level of difficulty which is inevitable in a life on Gaia in 3D, where even the privileged and well-loved individuals encounter difficulties. The goal of this process is to elevate yourselves to higher expressions of Love, Compassion, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Empathy, nothing else. In terms of soul evolution, it matters not at all whether you achieve great wealth or fame. Money, awards and accolades may make the journey more pleasant for a time, but they are not a measure of soul value or progress at all, in spite of the way you have pursued those things in your Western cultures above all else. These pursuits are unfortunate distractions, except in rare circumstances where the individual uses their position of wealth and fame to lift others from despair, poverty, and injustice. As you can probably discern from this description, the process of soul evolution is largely reviewed and understood at the end of a life, in the Bardo, that place in the 4th dimension where planning and evaluation has taken place in the past. From there, souls have had the option to pursue training, teaching and learning in progressively higher realms, with or without further sojourns to "Boot Camp" on Gaia. However, it is understood throughout the Multiverse that soul-training on Gaia is the most perfectly-tailored testing ground to develop the higher frequency Light-filled qualities of Love and other virtues, which are considered the God qualities. Consider yourselves courageous, no matter how bogged down and confused you might be feeling at present. Please ponder this carefully and pass it on to your family members and acquaintances. Many will find this information enlightening, since it has been largely unavailable to those who are still in a body. Thank you for reading, God Bless You, Enjoy the ride, Love & Light, Namaste, OM Ω

I just read this thread on Quora, and thought it a great piece of advice to share: What are the lessons people most often learn too late in life? Sharyn Wolf (LCSW-R, Psychotherapist in private practice in New York City) writes the following: I am 67 years old. These are among the best things I have ever learned: You spend your first 20 years worrying what people think about you. You spend your next 20 years swearing that you don’t care what people think about you. You spend the next 20 years realising that they aren’t thinking about you. A liberation! Any day on this side of the dirt is a good day. Some people didn’t make the cut last night. I was hit by a speeding taxi as I was walking to a bus stop. I spent a month in rehab with two broken legs, a brain injury, multiple back injuries and other fractures. The night before I was hit, a young, married couple was also hit. They both died. Practice gratitude. A woman I know spends most of her time thinking about how much she hates her thighs. She can give you a detailed report on what is wrong with them. She forgets all the places those legs have taken her, all the miles they have walked for her. It doesn’t occur to her that when she gets up in the middle of the night to pee, those very thighs walk her to the toilet. Spend more time appreciating what you’ve got— a heart that beats, a way to pick up your cup of coffee, the eyes that see that cup and know what colour it is. Blessings abound. There are two kinds of people in this world – those who believe there is enough to go around, and those who don’t. Here is an example: If Margo is leaning up against the car kissing her boyfriend, and I think how nice that must feel, do I try to steal Margo’s boyfriend or do I go out and get my own boyfriend? I go out and get myself a boyfriend. I don’t need to steal Margo’s. I know that there is enough to go around. An old Native American woman was asked why she was always so happy. She said that she has two wolves in her heart and they are both hungry— one wolf is angry and evil, the other wolf is filled with love, and that's the only one she feeds. Happy Friday, everyone!

I am sorry for what has happened in your life. Taking responsibility for what happened is very powerful. Now, you must move on. Accept your choices and realize what the lessons are. Your children need their mother. I don't know how old your children are, however you are setting them up with a "program" when they see and observe your reactions to what happened. Stay strong, count your blessings and keep making moves forward, no going back, no going over and over in your mind what happened, let it go. Stay in a attitude of gratitude for what you do have. You can't let your mistakes keep you from the wonderful life you are destined to have. Peace & Love.

Hello Gurudatt, how wonderful that you are back here to share your insights! Especially as we all need to be mindful of the time we spend online. With gratitude, Tine

So happy to read that I’m not the only one falling asleep during the body scan. I am at peace with that though and happy my body can rest. I was reading one of the other posts by Borahbestie about keeping the mind on task in yoga and being distracted in the body scan and sitting ted and I don’t know how to reply directly so I’m writing here. I was wondering if it has to do with the ‘doing’ element of movement versus the not moving and sense of not doing something? We are so conditioned to always be doing something productive that it’s hard to be still. Before this course I has a regular routing of one hour yoga followed by 45 mins - 1hr of sitting, but days that I had a lot on I was aware that I wasn’t enjoying the practices as much and there was a certain sense of rushing through them. If I was busy and chose to just sit, I felt like I hadn’t done enough and my body was uncomfortable not having stretched out first. My koan for a long time has been, ‘Who am I when I have nothing to do?’ It’s a real practice to not have a label and be content where we are. I’m noticing as I follow these practices that I also have a sense of not doing enough with just 30 mins of yoga and sitting. This is present in the stomach area. A sense of restlessness and some energy that wants to get up and go. Im so used to 1 hour of yoga that my mind is telling me it’s not enough. When I am able to let the thought go though I am actually enjoying the yoga and being told what to do. I know that I can’t count or breathe quicker and that I will be practising for the set amount of time of the video and so I let go into it and don’t try to rush. I guess that’s why people go to yoga classes instead of practice on their own. You give the body/mind permission to be in the moment for the time of the class. i still prefer silent sitting but I’m ok with that. I am aware of it and know that I will continue like that after the course and turn my mind to gratitude for those who he have put this course together to share. One day perhaps I will be sharing and others might not appreciate silence so it’s good to be exposed to many styles. The line from the Japanese song, ‘Good day? it’s up to you’ is really working for me. It’s my choice

Hi, Just did the first body scan and feeling a sense of stillness and happiness. As if the practice was soothing...just want to interact with anyone practicing and part of the same course.. with gratitude ... Ritika

Sorry; I saw 49 under you pic and assumed it was your age lol - classic newbie mistake. So it was your wife's idea for you to move in and she isn't there anymore? I would. encourage you to really think about what it is about being around your Mum that changes your behaviour negatively. I suspect that you are internalising some of the negativity around you and this is contributing to your shutting down/off. If you feel that you are taking on extra emotional stuff that can also impact on your other relationships making you feel more tired, frustrated, irritable etc. Your first reaction when you thought about moving in with her was a gut reaction of negativity - I trust this is based on previous experience and is worth listening to. I don't think you can do much about the silly arguments - besides say they could be a natural part of living closely. Maybe you and your son can get out of the house more before bickering starts. There is an exit strategy for everyone - but you may have to reach out to agencies that can put you in the direction of financial etc support. If you are going to accept your Mum's help; I think you are also choosing to accept any difficulties that come alongside. In which case; time outs, mindfulness practices, meditation etc may help with getting some headspace and balancing good and bad. Buddhism as a practice has plenty to say about being compassionate to those with faults in their characters (don't we all). It encourages people to give gratitude and compassion even if we are feeling negative things ourselves - a 'fake it till you make it strategy'. Also; have you ever sat your Mum down and asked her how she finds living with you? Could be a way to understand her better or correct anything which is negative.

Hello! I just signed up as well. I can totally relate to your post. Mental health in the black community is non existent. I have thankfully found people and sources that made me realize that God is inside of us not outside. I believe that love and happiness is something you have to attain through living in the present moment with gratitude. Easier said than done of course, but life is a journey we have to handle with grace. I listen to gospel songs and replace them with self loving words as well! Thank you for sharing your post! I love your authenticity! Namaste

Practice this every morning & before going to sleep. Have seen massive changes in my own mindset & it is reflected back in my life. All our power is within us what we think we become, as our thoughts go out into the universe and are then returned to us in our life's circumstances. Therefore we attract what we think, so if your thinking is negative and unloving. Then the universe will reflect that in your day to day life to reinforce your thinking. So by practicing Gratitude for all you have even when times are hard your life slowly gets better.It can be small changes like dealing with situations differently rather than using ingrained behaviours that don't serve our greater good. Find myself smiling a lot more now seem to be going through a spiritual awakening which has been going on for about a year now. Made changes to remove toxic people from my life & have removed myself from situations where I do not feel valued i.e work. When you acknowledge you deserve abundance then it becomes more difficult to accept certain people or situations the way you used to. I'm not saying this is easy because it is not & can be heartbreaking to remove people whom you care about because you realize they are toxic for you. shed many many tears throughout this process and probably have more to shed, but I feel empowered & confident that I will now achieve everything I want to through this. I will no longer accept a crap life because I deserve better therefore every day I affirm this to myself which I believe I will manifest into my reality.I should add that doing this half heartedly probably won't work you must believe in it totally because we cannot reprogram our brain or fool our subconscious into this if we then resort back to old negative coping skills. You will still have bad days, but it's about shifting your perspective in relation to life's problems. I try seeing them as a Glitch & when negative thoughts enter my head I replace them with a loving or happy thought that way I reduce their power over me. Still got a long way to go with this but enjoying it. Truly believe 2020 is going to be the best year for me when all my manifesting starts appearing in my reality. Love & Light to you & don't give up it's probably one of the kindest most loving things we can do for ourselves. We all need healing from past traumas or hurts & when we heal we become closer connected to our own divine self& it's awesome hope this help. ??

Thank you big hug straight back at ya lol spent the playing music & dancing round my kitchen always lifts my spirits , music & dance soothe the soul. I'm gonna manifest my perfect life through gratitude until it becomes my reality. We Are What We Think ?? ? Love & Light to u ?

Hey @aquachick! Sending a hug to you. Sure you will ride through this difficult moment. Showing gratitude really helps through tough times.

This popped on on my fb so I was happy of course to join. Ive studied many religions, philosophies, LOA books, motivational talks, Abraham, the classic books such as Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainence to Louise L Hay, Deepak Chopra and many, many more. They have all been a joy, a gift and enriched my life. Ultimately, I feel happiness can be found in gratitude and joy in the present moment. Its great and important to have dreams, visions and goals but the right energy invested in the present is the key to happiness (and the most joyous route to take you anywhere). I really believe we are just part of a huge energy source, vibrating according to our conscious and subconscious thoughts. Mindfulness matters and life is a journey through the evolution of this consciousness. Happy to meet like minded people here and share positive vibes.

I am also in real need of this and mine is Gratuity Journal (Gratitude, list, positivity journal) Tomorrows todo list Hair Teeth Face Outfit for tomorrow Fall asleep think about something that made you smile that day. And yeah I feel a lot better when I do these. Especially the outfit. That is to big a decision to make in the morning. And why don't I always do this, I don't know hot weather or boredom, surfing the net, laziness. It works well when I do though. I like to keep it pretty simple too.