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Hopeful maybes...

12/15/2017

33 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
Throughout this year of turmoil, I have had one recurrent feeling - gratitude. It sneaks up on me when I walk alongside the lake, but it also surprises me when I do the laundry. Whether involved with the extraordinary or the mundane, I am frequently overwhelmed by this sentiment. Like a child on a teeter totter, I move from laughter to tears and from tears to laughter in just seconds. Both erupt from joy. But why?

During an era when trust eludes us, when weather threatens us, when countries terrorize us, and when elected officials leave us gasping, why would any of us feel gratitude?

For the last six weeks, I’ve been dealing with a cerebrospinal fluid leak requiring a lot of bed rest. I know the ceiling of my bedroom very well now. I can tell you exactly where there’s been a bump or a misplaced stroke of a paintbrush. But, I can also tell you, that as I drifted between worlds, material and otherworldly, I saw that consciousness is distinct from the body. As much as our body defines us, it is not who we are.
 
One day when lying flat on my back counting the ceiling tiles, the book John W. Howell and I have co-authored came to mind. The Contract will be published in early summer, and as the title suggests, it involves a contract. In my supine position, I realized that just as the characters had a contract, so did I. And, because of my circumstances, I was provided the opportunity to imagine what my life contract might be.

I walked through the decades looking at what I had learned. Through sorrow came joy, through deprivation came generosity, through fear came hope. I realized the gift of life’s unique challenges, the gift of my CSF leak, for I understood how each hurdle brought me to a place of vulnerability, close to my heart.

We see differently when life brings us to our heart. 

During this season of hope, I am grateful to be alive. There is much yet to see and to experience, and there is so much I still need to do, books to write, grandchildren to hug, friends to embrace. The world needs my loving, your loving, our loving. But, loving requires us to be close to our heart. 

I might be a dreamer, but I can't help but wonder, if we could fast from negativity and re-frame our lives to ones of grateful living, wouldn't hearts soften and wouldn't dreams come alive?
 
I have been on quite a journey this year. I suspect you have as well. It's been one of those years that will claim its mark in history. But, thinking through the months, I've realized that there has been one constant - you. Thank you for accompanying me this year. You are family and from you, I have learned so much.

I have two wishes: that 2018 will surprise us with laughter and each of us will remember or find hopeful maybes. 
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

33 Comments
D.L. Finn
12/16/2017 03:23:38

Grateful is such a beautiful word and place to be in. I'm sorry to hear of your health issues and send you healing and love. I find it is times just like this though, where we are reminded just how wonderful and precious life is to be a part of it. Hope you have a blessed and amazing holiday, Gwen and feel better very soon.

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Gwen Plano
12/16/2017 04:03:08

Thank you very much, D.L. I feel much better and have learned a lot through the process. Life is a precious gift, as you've beautifully expressed. I'm ever so grateful. ♥

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John Howell link
12/16/2017 06:58:13

I think you have touched on the key to happiness, Gwen. As we reflect on the challenges of life, we use the sessions learned to enrich the time we have left. As you suggest, it would be well for all of us to soften our hearts and let the goodness around us move in to take up as much room as possible. I, for one, am so glad you embrace life. There are many stories that need telling and your talent needs to be exercised to the maximum. As you are grateful for those who read your messages, we are grateful to have you deliver them. Merry Christmas, Gwen and the best New Year yet.

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Gwen Plano
12/16/2017 07:15:35

Thank you, John. You've taught me a lot about living fully and rolling with the punches. Whatever the challenges ahead, gifts await us and laughter is not far behind. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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Jan Sikes
12/16/2017 07:12:10

Oh, Gwen, I am so sorry to hear of the health issues, but as you so beautifully expressed, everything brings to some point on our journey of re-remembering. To be able to feel gratitude for even what could be perceived as "bad," is truly a gift. It is living from the heart center and there couldn't be a more enlightened place to live. I am thankful for you, Gwen. You have touched my life in a beauty way. Merry Christmas to you and your family with hugs and much love.

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Gwen Plano
12/16/2017 07:58:02

Thank you so much, Jan. Some of the most remarkable people I know are disabled. I've come to appreciate them even more through this experience. I'm thankful for you as well, Jan. Merry Christmas, may your blessings abound.

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Harmony Kent link
12/16/2017 08:02:02

I’m sorry to hear about your health issues, Gwen, and wish you all the best. This is a lovely and inspiring post. Thanks so much for sharing. How we experience life really does come down to choice, and we choose moment by moment how full or not our lives are. Wishing you and everyone here all good things for 2018 😊

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Gwen Plano
12/16/2017 11:33:15

Thank you so much, Harmony. I agree wholeheartedly, moment to moment we create our happiness. Blessings! ♥

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John Fioravanti
12/16/2017 13:24:11

I'm so sorry to learn of your health issues, Gwen. Aging certainly has its challenges. Thank you for gifting us with this beautiful and inspirational reflection on your life which prompts us to look inward and contemplate our own journeys. Peace be with you and your family especially during this holiday season. Hugs!

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Gwen Plano
12/16/2017 15:45:09

Thank you, John. I couldn't agree with you more, aging definitely has its challenges. But, I'm much better, no worries. I hope you have an especially joyful gathering with your beautiful family. Hugs...

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Julie Watson
12/16/2017 13:38:08

Dear Gwen, so sorry to hear of your health issues but your attitude to life with all it's challenges will get you through I am sure. I admire that no matter what you are going through you look on the positive side. Take care and praying that you will soon be back to normal. Have a lovely Christmas.

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Gwen Plano
12/16/2017 15:47:18

Thank you very much, Julie. I'm much better, and one way or another, this will resolve. It's given me time to think, pray, and understand. Life brings us many surprises as you know so well. May your Christmas be especially blessed.

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Billy Ray Chitwood link
12/16/2017 14:49:43

God Bless You, Gwen! ♥♥♥

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Gwen Plano
12/16/2017 15:49:11

Thank you so much, Billy Ray. I hope your Christmas celebrations are especially tender this year. May God bless you as well.

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Karen Ingalls link
12/17/2017 06:14:03

A serious or life-threatening illness can either bring us to our knees and face it with fear and negativity OR it will lift us up to learn and grow from the experience. Gratitude is a powerful lesson open to everyone to learn from such events.
You are an amazing woman, Gwen who has touched the hearts of so many. God bless you and I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs, Karen

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Gwen Plano
12/17/2017 09:20:58

Your kindness brings me to tears, Karen. Thank you for your wisdom and tenderness. Blessings, my friend. ♥

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Kathleen Pooler link
12/17/2017 17:36:02

I am so sorry to hear of your health challenges, Gwen but you show us with such grace how gratitude is a gift. Wishing you a warm and Merry Christmas and renewed health in 2018.

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Gwen Plano
12/18/2017 04:20:56

Thank you very much, Kathleen. May you have an especially blessed Christmas with your loved ones. Thank you for everything. ♥

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Beem Weeks link
12/17/2017 23:49:07

Gwen, you are in my prayers. Being grateful is a blessing in and of itself. So often we lack gratitude for the things we have, choosing to focus on what we don't have. God bless you, Gwen.

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Gwen Plano
12/18/2017 04:22:46

Thank you so much, Beem. You are one of the many blessings in my life. God bless you.

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Wendy Scott link
12/18/2017 01:43:38

Hi Gwen,
I'm so grateful I have your gracious presence in my life. Thank you xxx.

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Gwen Plano
12/18/2017 04:23:58

Thank you so much, Wendy. I feel the same gratitude for you. Blessings to you and yours. ♥

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Pavlina
12/18/2017 02:22:52

Dear Gwen,

Thank you for a heartwarming post. What an inspiring and hopeful thing to read at 4:00 a.m. when sleeps eludes me! Sending love and healing energy your way. I'm so grateful for what you wrote.

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Gwen Plano
12/18/2017 04:26:36

Thank you, Pavlina, for your note and your healing energy. May your holidays be filled with joy. ♥

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Yvette M Calleiro link
12/18/2017 19:55:23

I am a big believer that a grateful heart and a happy soul help the physical body to heal. It sounds like you are surrounded with positive energy, and I will continue to send you healing energy as well. This year has been a journey for many of us, and I can tell you've chosen the right path. ;-) I wish you a healthy and peaceful new year. :-)

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Gwen Plano
12/19/2017 03:33:26

Thank you, Yvette. I wish you a healthy and peaceful new year as well. Blessings! ♥

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Davy D link
12/20/2017 01:02:37

Gwen, sorry to hear about your health issues and will have in you in my thoughts as you recover. I would like to thank you for the support you have given me this year and your comments and writing are always an inspiration. Happy Holidays and hope 2018 brings much happiness to you and your family and friends.

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Gwen Plano
12/21/2017 08:42:33

Happy Holidays to you as well, Davy. About a year ago, I read one of your beautiful Haiku poems and said to my husband, "I want to learn to do this." It's taken me a while to actually attempt the art form, but I'm finally trying, thanks to you. Another reason for gratitude. :)

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Tina Frisco link
12/20/2017 15:15:27

Gwen... This is one of the most beautiful posts I've ever read. Sitting in gratitude opens all doors ~ some fleeting; some greeting; all showing the way to limitless possibility. I hope you are healing, and healing well. My heart is with you. I know we have traveled this earthwalk together many times. Wishing you joy, peace, laughter during this Holiday Season and into the New Year. Hugs, my friend ♥

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Gwen Plano
12/21/2017 08:45:47

Thank you very much, Tina. Like you, I think we've traveled together many times. Wishing you all the best during this beautiful season, my friend. ♥

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Joyce
12/20/2017 22:03:51

AAAAAAAAAAAAAh, my friend… the ceiling…laying flat on your back…counting the tiles. Oh, how I remember looking at the ceiling and finally connecting the dots to understand and surprising myself by saying aloud. And I mean LOUD, Jesus, I love you! And then the thought I could not love Jesus more than my husband or our son, my parents. But, I felt a gentle touch that said, “yes...yes, you can.”

Thank you for sharing and reminding me of “hopeful maybes”… remembering what I do KNOW, please continue on the journey.

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Gwen Plano
12/21/2017 08:51:01

You are a blessing, dear Joyce, an angel for so many. I'm so very grateful we share common ground and common hopes/dreams. Sisters in our loves, friends through our journey. May your Christmas be glorious. ♥

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Shirley Harris-Slaughter link
12/29/2017 16:50:03

Gwen, I wasn't aware of your illness. It certainly can leave you with too much time on your hands. You used the time wisely. Your thoughts leave us with something constructive to think about. Get well my friend and I hope you had a nice holiday.

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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