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Have Hope
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Default Nov 24, 2021 at 03:05 PM
  #1
I move in and out of having a deep feeling or sense of gratitude, and typically based on whether my current circumstances are more negative or more positive.

When my circumstances are tough and when I'm struggling through life and am feeling far more negative as a result, I get swallowed by that negativity and it practically swallows me whole. It isn't until I come out of a challenging or bad experience, that I feel a sense of gratitude for having made it to the other side, and for still standing in one piece, with both feet on the ground.

And God does this. God wants us to grow from our difficulties and from our struggles. God places those difficulties in our path on purpose.

Last night I was thinking what a quirky sense of humor.... I was in fact thinking that the higher power is twisted, given all that we go through and given all our suffering. BUT, I know that it's ALL for a higher purpose, and is serving a higher purpose - all our suffering is for the evolution of our soul's path and our soul's growth. And I believe that we choose to have such experiences on earth so that we CAN grow.

So, in moments when I am down and negative, I need to take a step back and regain an eagle's viewpoint of this fact of life.

And in those positive moments when I am feeling gratitude, I realize that it's all for my own benefit, really. And then, I feel even more grateful in knowing this... it's comforting, in fact. My suffering is not wasted energy or time - it's all for my growth and for a higher purpose I am serving. And if my suffering can help another in their time of need? Well, then it's served a purpose. And I can turn and lend a helping hand to someone else going through a similar struggle as myself. And perhaps I can be a shining beacon of hope and inspiration for that person.

So, I am grateful - for each and every struggle I've had in life. And for each and every time that God has come in to save me - just in the nick of time and just before I've lost ALL hope. I am MOST grateful for that.

What are you grateful for?

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Last edited by Have Hope; Nov 24, 2021 at 04:14 PM..
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Default Nov 30, 2021 at 02:31 AM
  #2
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Originally Posted by Have Hope View Post
And God does this. God wants us to grow from our difficulties and from our struggles. God places those difficulties in our path on purpose.

Last night I was thinking what a quirky sense of humor.... I was in fact thinking that the higher power is twisted, given all that we go through and given all our suffering. BUT, I know that it's ALL for a higher purpose, and is serving a higher purpose - all our suffering is for the evolution of our soul's path and our soul's growth. And I believe that we choose to have such experiences on earth so that we CAN grow.
I feel that, more than anything. Twisted more than quirky. Perhaps our souls grow, but to what end? What end but his end? What of our ends? Why create us at all? I am perpetually disappointed that he did that, if he did that, if he even exists.

Sorry for my negativity.

I am grateful for my neffew and my sister. I am grateful for the candles on my window sill that make this room so much cosier. I am grateful for the food in my fridge, that I prepared yesterday, so I don't have to cook today, unless I want to. I am grateful for Hello Fresh for providing such a convenient service. I am grateful that I have a co-student that does much of the work in one of the subjects I have this semester. I am greatful that I can in turn help others in the other subjects I have. I am grateful for many things, as they make life somewhat bearable, I just wish I were never created in the first place.

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Default Nov 30, 2021 at 05:58 PM
  #3
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I feel that, more than anything. Twisted more than quirky. Perhaps our souls grow, but to what end? What end but his end? What of our ends? Why create us at all? I am perpetually disappointed that he did that, if he did that, if he even exists.

Sorry for my negativity.

I am grateful for my neffew and my sister. I am grateful for the candles on my window sill that make this room so much cosier. I am grateful for the food in my fridge, that I prepared yesterday, so I don't have to cook today, unless I want to. I am grateful for Hello Fresh for providing such a convenient service. I am grateful that I have a co-student that does much of the work in one of the subjects I have this semester. I am greatful that I can in turn help others in the other subjects I have. I am grateful for many things, as they make life somewhat bearable, I just wish I were never created in the first place.
It sounds like you have much to be grateful for, and despite feeling so negative about a higher power.

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Default Dec 01, 2021 at 05:20 AM
  #4
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It sounds like you have much to be grateful for, and despite feeling so negative about a higher power.
That is true

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Default Dec 02, 2021 at 07:27 AM
  #5
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That is true
It's good to feel grateful - a grateful heart makes a happy heart.

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Default Dec 21, 2021 at 07:34 AM
  #6
Gratitude is the only emotion that can get me out of my pity pot.
When I think that I’m in an unbearable pain I also start to think about
how many millions of people are worse off than I am. Not that my pain
is diminished , but it’s put in a different perspective. BTW …. I stopped trying
to figure out all that existential stuff a long time ago. I just am.

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Default Dec 24, 2021 at 07:55 AM
  #7
Thank you for your post.

I am trying to count my blessings over my problems..... it does help to think of things from this perspective.

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Default Dec 28, 2021 at 02:53 AM
  #8
Have Hope,

Thank you for this thread!

I am grateful for my health, my parents, and my life. I also found another job so will have two and a half jobs- Two teaching jobs and a sales job. I am happy overall.

I am free from major responsibilities. I don't have that much stress because of this. I love life.

I am alone but don't feel lonely since I am so busy.

Cheers!

Have a Happy New Year!!

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Default Dec 29, 2021 at 07:11 AM
  #9
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Have Hope,

Thank you for this thread!

I am grateful for my health, my parents, and my life. I also found another job so will have two and a half jobs- Two teaching jobs and a sales job. I am happy overall.

I am free from major responsibilities. I don't have that much stress because of this. I love life.

I am alone but don't feel lonely since I am so busy.

Cheers!

Have a Happy New Year!!

Smiles!
@bpforever1, I'm so glad for you! And you've helped to teach me about gratitude too!!!

Happy New Year to you too!

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Default Dec 30, 2021 at 10:31 AM
  #10
Someone once told me that gratitude isn't necessarily about looking for the silver lining in a situation (.e well I've got no legs but at least I've got my arms) but looking for what is still good when things are awful. It isn't trying to talk oneself out of feeling bad but looking for the aspects of our lives that work. There's a subtle difference, at least for me, and it has helped me focus more on gratitude without trying to minimise the pain and loss.
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Default Dec 31, 2021 at 07:58 AM
  #11
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Someone once told me that gratitude isn't necessarily about looking for the silver lining in a situation (.e well I've got no legs but at least I've got my arms) but looking for what is still good when things are awful. It isn't trying to talk oneself out of feeling bad but looking for the aspects of our lives that work. There's a subtle difference, at least for me, and it has helped me focus more on gratitude without trying to minimise the pain and loss.
I like this perspective and hadn't thought of it like that. Thanks for your post! I appreciate your thoughts.

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Default Jan 03, 2022 at 11:22 PM
  #12
I think people with mental illness, they get it.

There's certain frequencies and dimensions added to the psyche of human experience - A spiritual experience is needed for science, math.. It's all sense making and the universe expressing - Maybe nonsense at times... But a higher meaning is always there..

We are travelling, through space and time.. I talked to a theologin.. I started explaining existence (Like I always do) and we were sitting by the fire, open sky - He said "Look at up at the stars"... It was a beautiful moment. I was with my dad - and later, he said "You're doing good.. You can have a conversation with a smart guy like that... Wow!".

My dad is like a shaman to me (He can be a little nutty sometimes) but he's helped me through my mental illness - He cut my nails in the psych ward when I wasn't taking care of myself. Now I have grown - So I'm grateful for that.

We go through immense, unimaginable pain.. But once you see why it was needed (And it can even be in this lifetime! - Not in the afterlife, as we are constantly reincarnating every second), it's a beautiful thing.
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Default Jan 05, 2022 at 07:35 AM
  #13
Well, I think anyone who has gone through some pretty tough struggles in life can appreciate the good moments and the good things when they do occur, which lends to feelings of gratitude. I have a girlfriend (and we separated as a result of this) who had been handed everything in life with a silver spoon. Life was an easy road for her because her parents always provided for her and she never had to struggle on her own. She got mad at me because I could not afford a trip to Bermuda for her bachelorette party, and as a result, we parted as friends at that point in time. She is now a professor at Harvard University and lives a life of ease, with plenty of money, while I've always struggled financially. I don't think she gets it and I believe it's because she's never had to struggle a day in her life except maybe through graduate school. Those who have struggled with any issues in life have a way of finding greater appreciation and subsequently, gratitude.

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