Comments on: Don’t Forget to Replenish the Source http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/ Happiness As a Spiritual Practice Tue, 22 May 2012 01:59:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-685 Jean Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:41:45 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-685 <strong>Al</strong>, I agree about doing things freely and not expecting anything in return. When I wrote "I’ve also seen cases where people who do too much are treated poorly", I was thinking of a work situation where some of us did a lot to recognize birthdays and organize group functions. It did wonders for group morale, and the group leader appreciated and encouraged it. Then the leadership changed and the new leader expected the volunteer efforts to continue and clearly felt superior to the people who were doing the work. The obvious thing to do was to bow out gracefully and volunteer in other areas. And to start looking for another job. I'm a volunteer at heart, so I sometimes have trouble deciding how much of a sacrifice I'm willing to make for the causes I believe in. That's why I keep focusing on "Find what you love to do and find a way to share it with others." There are all sorts of ways to contribute to the world, so we might as well pick ways that feed our spirit as well as our conscience. :) Thanks again for the conversation. Al,
I agree about doing things freely and not expecting anything in return. When I wrote “I’ve also seen cases where people who do too much are treated poorly”, I was thinking of a work situation where some of us did a lot to recognize birthdays and organize group functions. It did wonders for group morale, and the group leader appreciated and encouraged it. Then the leadership changed and the new leader expected the volunteer efforts to continue and clearly felt superior to the people who were doing the work. The obvious thing to do was to bow out gracefully and volunteer in other areas. And to start looking for another job.

I’m a volunteer at heart, so I sometimes have trouble deciding how much of a sacrifice I’m willing to make for the causes I believe in. That’s why I keep focusing on “Find what you love to do and find a way to share it with others.” There are all sorts of ways to contribute to the world, so we might as well pick ways that feed our spirit as well as our conscience.

:) Thanks again for the conversation.

]]> By: Al at 7P http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-682 Al at 7P Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:54:06 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-682 Hi Jean - thank you for the stumble on my article! This is a great thread. The point about giving but not being taken advantage of... that's an important one. My first rule is that I always prioritize what I give & share to those that count on me the most... my family, my closest friends, etc... Then, if what I give doesn't conflict with that, I give freely to others. I can't be taken advantage of if I don't expect anything in return. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that. Hi Jean – thank you for the stumble on my article!

This is a great thread. The point about giving but not being taken advantage of… that’s an important one.

My first rule is that I always prioritize what I give & share to those that count on me the most… my family, my closest friends, etc… Then, if what I give doesn’t conflict with that, I give freely to others.

I can’t be taken advantage of if I don’t expect anything in return. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-677 Jean Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:02:35 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-677 <strong>Eduardo</strong>, Thanks! We both operate the same way. I do think that sometimes we need to nurture ourselves, too. My guess is you're also doing that. Eduardo,
Thanks! We both operate the same way. I do think that sometimes we need to nurture ourselves, too. My guess is you’re also doing that.

]]> By: Truthteller http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-675 Truthteller Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:50:56 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-675 Showing kindness has become a habit for me. Give me an opportunity whether it be to open a door, smile at a homeless person or lend a hand to someone in need and I will try to show kindness. This doesn't mean that I let people take advantage of me. We are all aware of others who love to let us solve their problems and make their life easy on the backs of our kindness. I'm not about letting anyone take advantage of my kindness. If it's tough love they need, then I'm willing to oblige. I have discovered though, that when I go through a day being kind to everyone and everything, that I go to sleep at night feeling good about myself and my life. I'm not drained, I'm replenished. I have a card I made for myself that says..... "the amount of joy I experience is directly related to the amount of kindness I show" I trust this will clarify a little what I'm trying to convey Jean! Eduardo Showing kindness has become a habit for me. Give me an opportunity whether it be to open a door, smile at a homeless person or lend a hand to someone in need and I will try to show kindness.

This doesn’t mean that I let people take advantage of me. We are all aware of others who love to let us solve their problems and make their life easy on the backs of our kindness. I’m not about letting anyone take advantage of my kindness. If it’s tough love they need, then I’m willing to oblige.

I have discovered though, that when I go through a day being kind to everyone and everything, that I go to sleep at night feeling good about myself and my life. I’m not drained, I’m replenished.

I have a card I made for myself that says…..

“the amount of joy I experience is directly related to the amount of kindness I show”

I trust this will clarify a little what I’m trying to convey Jean!

Eduardo

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-674 Jean Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:44:08 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-674 <strong>Eduardo</strong>, I'm glad that works for you, but I've also seen cases where people who do too much are treated poorly. I think it's a bit more complicated than what you're saying. Could you be more specific about what exactly you do to give love? And how much of your time and energy you spend on this? Thanks! Eduardo,
I’m glad that works for you, but I’ve also seen cases where people who do too much are treated poorly. I think it’s a bit more complicated than what you’re saying. Could you be more specific about what exactly you do to give love? And how much of your time and energy you spend on this? Thanks!

]]> By: Truthteller http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-673 Truthteller Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:27:36 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-673 Your article really set my mind a spinning. How do I replenish my source? At one time I was confused about love, because I thought it was a feeling. I now understand that it is an action. I came to the conclusion that the best way to replish love is to give it. The way to give love is through kindness, to everything and everyone. So, the more I give, the more I get....simple! Eduardo Your article really set my mind a spinning. How do I replenish my source?

At one time I was confused about love, because I thought it was a feeling. I now understand that it is an action.
I came to the conclusion that the best way to replish love is to give it. The way to give love is through kindness, to everything and everyone.

So, the more I give, the more I get….simple!

Eduardo

]]> By: Jean http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-667 Jean Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:58:06 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-667 <strong>Al</strong>, <strong>Ellen</strong> and <strong>Jonathon</strong>, Thanks for joining the conversation. I've Stumbled your posts. Yours too, Robert. Thank you, too, bikehikebabe! I like your affirmation, Al. One of my favorite ways of replenishing love is to recite a poem by Raymond Carver: And did you find what you wanted in this life even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved. To feel myself beloved on this earth. Somehow that poem makes me feel so loved and supported that it can't help but spill out to others. Al, Ellen and Jonathon,
Thanks for joining the conversation. I’ve Stumbled your posts. Yours too, Robert. Thank you, too, bikehikebabe!

I like your affirmation, Al. One of my favorite ways of replenishing love is to recite a poem by Raymond Carver:

And did you find what you wanted in this life even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved.
To feel myself beloved on this earth.

Somehow that poem makes me feel so loved and supported that it can’t help but spill out to others.

]]> By: Jonathan Mead http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-666 Jonathan Mead Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:47:41 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-666 The best way I find to keep my source of happiness replenished is by doing things that feed my soul. This may be anything from drumming, to reading a good book, to being inspired, sharing my creativity with others, etc. I'm also trying to practice doing these things as a ritual before bed and in the morning. The best way I find to keep my source of happiness replenished is by doing things that feed my soul. This may be anything from drumming, to reading a good book, to being inspired, sharing my creativity with others, etc. I’m also trying to practice doing these things as a ritual before bed and in the morning.

]]> By: Ellen | Positive Communication http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-664 Ellen | Positive Communication Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:14:25 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-664 Hi Jean, Thanks for this post again. Being aware of that I actually have to take the time to 'replenish my source' is really something I'm still working on. Writing in my journal is definitely one of those ways, fully appreciating the moment, e.g. that precious time with my kids is another one. But something that can easily slip through your fingers, in the rush of things.. Mindfulness is really the trick, but something I need to remind myself of often. I totally agree with Robert too (thanks for the great article, and indeed, also the music, I copied it on my blog!) that saying NO is such an important step. And one that should be possible in an intimate relationship.. Something the persons involved should grant each other, or even better desire from each other! All so very true, and all uhmmm... let's say 'challenges' ;-)) Hi Jean,

Thanks for this post again. Being aware of that I actually have to take the time to ‘replenish my source’ is really something I’m still working on.
Writing in my journal is definitely one of those ways, fully appreciating the moment, e.g. that precious time with my kids is another one. But something that can easily slip through your fingers, in the rush of things.. Mindfulness is really the trick, but something I need to remind myself of often.

I totally agree with Robert too (thanks for the great article, and indeed, also the music, I copied it on my blog!) that saying NO is such an important step. And one that should be possible in an intimate relationship.. Something the persons involved should grant each other, or even better desire from each other!

All so very true, and all uhmmm… let’s say ‘challenges’ ;-) )

]]> By: Al at 7P http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/comment-page-1/#comment-663 Al at 7P Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:44:19 +0000 http://cheerfulmonk.com/2008/02/18/dont-forget-to-replenish-the-source/#comment-663 Hi Jean - in one of my earlier posts in my own blog, I actually wrote about <a href="http://7pproductions.com/blog/2007/08/17/red-bull-for-the-soul/" rel="nofollow">using love itself</a> to replenish one's self. This is the mantra I tell myself to replenish myself: "Only Love can create something from nothing." Also, I like the great excerpt for this week's St Francis project. Very inspiring! Hi Jean – in one of my earlier posts in my own blog, I actually wrote about using love itself to replenish one’s self. This is the mantra I tell myself to replenish myself:

“Only Love can create something from nothing.”

Also, I like the great excerpt for this week’s St Francis project. Very inspiring!

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