What a beautiful piece, Bonnie. I so agree it takes willingness and maturity to find happiness and joy even when things don’t go our way. We, especially in the Central Coast, have so much to be thankful for. Best to you this holiday season.
Bonnie, a much needed reminder for all of us as we go about our daily lives. So much time spent on computers and phones and perhaps not enough time on actual human interaction and actually seeing the beauty of nature around us. Thank you for this timely article.
I realize how screwed up many aspects of living in Southern California are, but take a deep inhalation of fresh sea breeze and look around where you are. It’s a magnificent place.
This is so true . This may make me sound like an old boomer, but when I do say “thank you” to anyone and the reply is “ no problem” I feel slightly deflated
You are welcome or we are happy to be able to serve you should not be responses limited to the Chik fil A drive through
What a beautifully written essay. Today is my birthday, and every year I enjoy that it is coincident with Thanksgiving, sometimes ON the same day, because it makes me stop and be grateful for the gift of continued life. I feel so remarkably fortunate to have chosen to come live in Santa Barbara 50 years ago, where our local problems, while evidence of a pervasive malaise, are so small compared to the tragedies going on in so much of the rest of the world. I applaud your calling attention to the need for attention in the moment. I watched a physics lecture recently that was making the point that the past does not exist, it is gone, and the future does not exist, it hasn't happened, so we are left with the pinch point of the hourglass, the spec of time that is the current moment. The ONLY time there is. And this brief lifetime, our occupancy of this dream, is what we make of it.
the "ever-present now" and Taoism are deeply connected, as Taoism emphasizes living in the present moment to connect with the Tao, the eternal "now" which is seen as the only reality. This involves acting spontaneously and effortlessly, focusing on current activities, and letting go of worries about the past and future, which are considered illusory distractions. By dwelling in the present, one can shed illusions, find simplicity, and connect with their true, unchanging self.
Perfect summation: “the older we get, the more we realize that the things we once assumed were guaranteed—health, friendships, a steady job, the presence of certain people—are never permanent. Gratitude grows when we stop treating the everyday parts of life as a given. Nothing is owed to us; everything is a gift.” How exceptionally lucky is every American.
How I wish every American could experience daily life, not simply visit, other countries. Our country would be stronger, more civil, and perhaps decency would become the norm.
Good one Bon Bon - I couldn’t agree more. The older I get the more thankful I am for the little stuff. Seeing Boots, my cat do something cool, a call from my son with some great little news, waking up and jumping out of bed feeling like a million bucks, the infrequnt time I see somebody do something classy, and most of all, _living in America_!
What a beautiful piece, Bonnie. I so agree it takes willingness and maturity to find happiness and joy even when things don’t go our way. We, especially in the Central Coast, have so much to be thankful for. Best to you this holiday season.
Bonnie, a much needed reminder for all of us as we go about our daily lives. So much time spent on computers and phones and perhaps not enough time on actual human interaction and actually seeing the beauty of nature around us. Thank you for this timely article.
Thoughtful article.
I realize how screwed up many aspects of living in Southern California are, but take a deep inhalation of fresh sea breeze and look around where you are. It’s a magnificent place.
Too many of us let our desire for perfection get in the way of being grateful for the good.
I’m thankful for many things:
• I was born on planet Earth and not someplace, like the moon.
• Out of the millions of competing sperms I beat all my rivals into the egg. That makes me a Champion.
• I was born an entitled white male.
• I was born into a middle class family, not in poverty or the ghetto.
• I was born a free man, in this country, the wealthiest in the world.
• I live in Santa Babara County which boasts a climate only found on one percent of the Earth’s surface.
• Although a stumbling old man, I can still play golf.
Way to go, Michael. You provided me a visual of sperm wearing boxing gloves.
This is so true . This may make me sound like an old boomer, but when I do say “thank you” to anyone and the reply is “ no problem” I feel slightly deflated
You are welcome or we are happy to be able to serve you should not be responses limited to the Chik fil A drive through
What a beautifully written essay. Today is my birthday, and every year I enjoy that it is coincident with Thanksgiving, sometimes ON the same day, because it makes me stop and be grateful for the gift of continued life. I feel so remarkably fortunate to have chosen to come live in Santa Barbara 50 years ago, where our local problems, while evidence of a pervasive malaise, are so small compared to the tragedies going on in so much of the rest of the world. I applaud your calling attention to the need for attention in the moment. I watched a physics lecture recently that was making the point that the past does not exist, it is gone, and the future does not exist, it hasn't happened, so we are left with the pinch point of the hourglass, the spec of time that is the current moment. The ONLY time there is. And this brief lifetime, our occupancy of this dream, is what we make of it.
Happy Birthday Pat🎈🎂🎁
also one of my brother’s birthday…Happy Birthday!
Have a Great Time today, in the Ever Present Now…
the "ever-present now" and Taoism are deeply connected, as Taoism emphasizes living in the present moment to connect with the Tao, the eternal "now" which is seen as the only reality. This involves acting spontaneously and effortlessly, focusing on current activities, and letting go of worries about the past and future, which are considered illusory distractions. By dwelling in the present, one can shed illusions, find simplicity, and connect with their true, unchanging self.
So well said Bonnie…I’m grateful for you being here, Thank You!
Perfect summation: “the older we get, the more we realize that the things we once assumed were guaranteed—health, friendships, a steady job, the presence of certain people—are never permanent. Gratitude grows when we stop treating the everyday parts of life as a given. Nothing is owed to us; everything is a gift.” How exceptionally lucky is every American.
How I wish every American could experience daily life, not simply visit, other countries. Our country would be stronger, more civil, and perhaps decency would become the norm.
Thank you Bonnie.
A timeless piece. This should be copied and read again, at least once a month. Berney
Beautiful thoughts, Bonnie. Thank you.
Amen.
Good one Bon Bon - I couldn’t agree more. The older I get the more thankful I am for the little stuff. Seeing Boots, my cat do something cool, a call from my son with some great little news, waking up and jumping out of bed feeling like a million bucks, the infrequnt time I see somebody do something classy, and most of all, _living in America_!
Right on, Earl!
Thank you for the inspiration of how to live a life, Bonnie.
What a wonderful reminder, thank you Bonnie.
Religious services are a constant reminder of being grateful.
Our prayers at every meal and bedtime are prayers of gratitude.
We’re all truly blessed in more ways than we can possibly count.