Gratitude Reflections
In this season of thanksgiving, please enjoy these reflections from a few BWA members on topics which include:
What is a simple pleasure that you are grateful to have today that you didn’t have a year ago?
What are you grateful for at this moment?
What is a small thing that you are grateful for, like receiving a smile from someone?
Every Step Forward
Every step forward
Removes me from my past
That has taken me
To where I am today.
With time the steps stretch
Into miles marked by joy and pain
That never stop me from
Embracing all that awaits.
For I am grateful for a life
Though filled with loss and gain
Grows richer with each step forward
With hope that always remains.
© Rüdiger Herzing Rückmann
Just the other day I was in a hurry to get home after shopping at Kailua Longs. A man started to dash across the parking lot. I stopped the car for him to cross he also stopped. I waived my hand to let him know it was okay to cross in front of me. He gave me a thumb’s up crossed then pulled down his face mask to show me his smile. I continue to drive home that gloomy afternoon but now with a smile on my face.
by Liane Wong
when I get up in the morning,
everyday is new to me
to take the first breath
to take the first step
everything I do is such a pleasure.
what I did yesterday is old
to repeat those things
makes a new experience
in whatever I do
today, I do everything for the first time.
by Fujiko Motobu
Today’s Gratitude
A year ago, a simple gratitude was to take my trusty and loyal companion for his daily walk. However, the walk would be short lived due to my own inability to walk a short distance. Shortly afterwards, because of modern day medical intervention and by the skill and compassion of the health care workers, my walks are now like a “walk in the park”. Big Mahalo to all who helped me through this journey.
Instead of focusing inward, I can now focus outward in my walks.
The cool early morning fresh air and the gentle breezes, bring the smells of neighboring gardens wafting my way. The twittering of birds and dogs barking, like music to my ears. So invigorating and energizing! The varied beauty of the gardens, some meticulously manicured and some not so. But the simplicity is still interesting and beautiful. The sounds of vehicles transporting people to work and/or school makes me feel very grateful that I no longer belong to this group of people.
A simple wave of the hand or a nod to passers-by, exercising and also enjoying their daily routine, makes me grateful to see them also happy, behind their mask and squinting eyes telling me they are smiling at me.
A walk in the park can bring so much joy and gratitude and a renewed appreciation and awareness of all the things we take for granted in our busy lives.
by Claire Groom
At this moment, I am grateful for movement. From the time I awake until I fall asleep, I am able to, within my limitations, accomplish my chores and other tasks with renewed energy. I feel alive and well in body, mind, and spirit!
Most appreciatively & in gassho,
Namo Amida Butsu
by Carol Ogino
Gratitude 2021 -- Array of Six-Word Memoir**
Eyes open
New day
Gratitude abounds
World in crisis
Gassho
Peaceful gratitude
Covid-19
Vaccine available
Grateful heart
Frontline workers
Food service
Forever grateful
Betsuin Friends
Work together
Smiling Gratitude
BWA Sisters
Helping Others
Grateful Blessings
Healthy body
Healthy mind
Double gratitude
Beauty in Imperfection
Wabi-sabi
Gratitude
Never alone
Amida near
Gratitude forever
by Arlene Matsubara
**Six-Word Memoirs is a project founded by the U.S.-based online storytelling magazine, Smith Magazine. Like that publication, Six-Word Memoirs seek to provide a platform for storytelling in all its forms.
During the pandemic, our in-person social interaction has been much more limited. Perhaps it's because we've been spending so much time at home that I've come to treasure, more than ever before, our granddaughters' blog. Their blog is called JEMY, for Joy, Emi, and Mia Yumori and it features almost daily electronic postings of photos, videos, and text about their activities. I check the blog first thing in the morning to see what's been posted and, still smiling, I write my responses on the blog.
The girls' parents started the blog 11 years ago so that the girls would have a photo/video/written record of their growing-up years. The photos are simple and spontaneous, enabling us to see Joy, Emi, and Mia always in the process of learning and becoming. How pleased I was to see photos of the girls improving in their mochi-making skills! A photo that made me laugh out loud recently was that of Emi with her friend, also named Emi, dressed as the breakfast duo, Bacon and Egg, for Halloween! The girls' videos bring us front and center into their world of hip hop, basketball, Girl Scouts, holiday and birthday celebrations, and taiko classes. When I FaceTime with them, I'm always referring to their activities on the blog.
I so appreciate the conscientious efforts of the girls' mom, Jasmine, who does the majority of posting on the JEMY blog. I can't thank her enough for this continuous source of joy.
by Wendie Yumori
The Dharma is the key for life’s joyful moments with family and friends.
With gratitude we awaken each day with the light of Amida in our hearts.
Namo Amida Butsu!
by Barbara Brennan
