*UNCONVENTIONAL NON-SECTARIAN TABLE GRACE* When we had guests at the B&B, back in Iowa, I used to introduce an unconventional non-sectarian table grace without asking. After giving it there were several times that Fundamentalists said, “Alright, now let’s say a prayer!” I finally realized that I needed to ask permission to give an unconventional non-sectarian table grace. I have now adopted the practice of doing so. It goes as follows. David Steindl-Rast wrote a book entitled GRATEFULNESS; THE HEART OF PRAYER. In the book he says that he watches people go through life looking for a way to be happy so they can be grateful for their lives. But, he says, “It isn’t happiness that makes you grateful. Its gratefulness that makes you happy.” When I read that I looked into my own life to find out where gratefulness comes out spontaneously. (Holding my hand over my heart with an outward gesture to include the meal table, I continue) I realized that the mealtime is one of those places: because I’m on the receiving end of things, (gesture to include the food) and I’m with family or friends. So I invite you to share the things for which you’re grateful. We’re grateful to have you as guests. What kinds of things have you found yourself grateful for in the past 12 to 24 hours? (Sharing takes place) Alright. Let’s eat and be grateful. Amen. *I've finally made a transition to BLESSINGS & CELEBRATIONS This comes from YES Magazine* *Special Table Grace* *[very appropriate at every meal—especially appropriate at Thanksgiving*]. Once all are present, call on each member to o Say what we are grateful for o Who or what we want to send special energy to o Where we wish for peace Gratitude; Blessings; Peace. Amen. David
Thanks, David! Ellie -----Original Message----- From: David Zahrt <4deezee@gmail.com> To: dialogue <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> Sent: Wed, Nov 21, 2012 11:22 am Subject: [Dialogue] THANKS GIVING UNCONVENTIONAL NON-SECTARIAN TABLE GRACE When we had guests at the B&B, back in Iowa, I used to introduce an unconventional non-sectarian table grace without asking. After giving it there were several times that Fundamentalists said, “Alright, now let’s say a prayer!” I finally realized that I needed to ask permission to give an unconventional non-sectarian table grace. I have now adopted the practice of doing so. It goes as follows. David Steindl-Rast wrote a book entitled GRATEFULNESS; THE HEART OF PRAYER. In the book he says that he watches people go through life looking for a way to be happy so they can be grateful for their lives. But, he says, “It isn’t happiness that makes you grateful. Its gratefulness that makes you happy.” When I read that I looked into my own life to find out where gratefulness comes out spontaneously. (Holding my hand over my heart with an outward gesture to include the meal table, I continue) I realized that the mealtime is one of those places: because I’m on the receiving end of things, (gesture to include the food) and I’m with family or friends. So I invite you to share the things for which you’re grateful. We’re grateful to have you as guests. What kinds of things have you found yourself grateful for in the past 12 to 24 hours? (Sharing takes place) Alright. Let’s eat and be grateful. Amen. I've finally made a transition to BLESSINGS & CELEBRATIONS This comes from YES Magazine Special Table Grace [very appropriate at every meal—especially appropriate at Thanksgiving]. Once all are present, call on each member to o Say what we are grateful for o Who or what we want to send special energy to o Where we wish for peace Gratitude; Blessings; Peace. Amen. David _______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH: A Brief Overview What is posttraumatic growth? It is positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event. Although we coined the term posttraumatic growth, the idea that human beings can be changed by their encounters with life challenges, sometimes in radically positive ways, is not new. The theme is present in ancient spiritual and religious traditions, literature, and philosophy. What is reasonably new is the systematic study of this phenomenon by psychologists, social workers, counselors, and scholars in other traditions of clinical practice and scientific investigation. What forms does posttraumatic growth take? Posttraumatic growth tends to occur in five general areas. Sometimes people who must face major life crises develop a sense that new opportunities have emerged from the struggle, opening up possibilities that were not present before. A second area is a change in relationships with others. Some people experience closer relationships with some specific people, and they can also experience an increased sense of connection to others who suffer. A third area of possible change is an increased sense of one’s own strength – “if I lived through that, I can face anything”. A fourth aspect of posttraumatic growth experienced by some people is a greater appreciation for life in general. The fifth area involves the spiritual or religious domain. Some individuals experience a deepening of their spiritual lives, however, this deepening can also involve a significant change in one’s belief system. Some Clarifications Most of us, when we face very difficult losses or great suffering, will have a variety of highly distressing psychological reactions. Just because individuals experience growth does not mean that they will not suffer. Distress is typical when we face traumatic events. We most definitely are not implying that traumatic events are good – they are not. But for many of us, life crises are inevitable and we are not given the choice between suffering and growth on the one hand, and no suffering and no change, on the other. Posttraumatic growth is not universal. It is not uncommon, but neither does everybody who faces a traumatic event experience growth. Our hope is that you never face a major loss or crisis, but most of us eventually do, and perhaps you may also experience an encounter with posttraumatic growth. Jim Wiegel "Life has got a habit of not standing hitched. You got to ride it like you find it.. You got to change with it." Woody Guthrie 401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353-2401 +1 623-363-3277 skype: jfredwiegel jfwiegel@yahoo.com www.partnersinparticipation.com Upcoming public course opportunities: ToP Facilitation Methods Coming in February. Ask about an inhouse course ToP Strategic Planning, Oct 9-10, 2012 The AZ Community of Practice meets the 1st Friday of every month Facilitation Mastery : Our Mastering the Technology of Participation program is available in Phoenix in 2012-3. Program begins on Nov 14-16, 2012 See short video http://partnersinparticipation.com/?page_id=55 and website for further details.
Dear David, Thanks so very much for sharing the UNCONVENTIONAL NON_SECTARIAN TABLE GRACE. Even though for our community it could become a tradition. It is so like what we have done with a bit of a wonderful twist. Here at Songaia we have about 65+around several tables on Thanksgiving day. Family and friends gather with us for a dialogue, Iroquois Thanksgiving Address (as Jann describes), history of our community with old timers present, songs, songs and more songs before the feast, gathering around the serving table for a more specific blessing, then the FEAST! It is a pot luck meal so the food is an amazing assortment of incredible vegan, vegetarian, omnivorian, salt free, gluten free, you name it ... we have it on our table! To top that off, there is newly pressed Songaia cider and wine. Again, thanks for sharing the "questions" or context for a memorable conversation. For the past couple of years we have had people talk around their table and then offer some of the responses for the whole group. We did it this way because the list of things folks were thankful for were so long, not wanting to leave anyone out of their "I am thankful for ....". May the earth community live from their hearts, May the earth community be free from suffering May the earth community be healed, May the earth community live in peace. With love, Nancy On Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 9:19 AM, David Zahrt <4deezee@gmail.com> wrote:
*UNCONVENTIONAL NON-SECTARIAN TABLE GRACE*
When we had guests at the B&B, back in Iowa, I used to introduce an unconventional non-sectarian table grace without asking.
After giving it there were several times that Fundamentalists said, “Alright, now let’s say a prayer!” I finally realized that I needed to ask permission to give an unconventional non-sectarian table grace. I have now adopted the practice of doing so. It goes as follows.
David Steindl-Rast wrote a book entitled GRATEFULNESS; THE HEART OF PRAYER. In the book he says that he watches people go through life looking for a way to be happy so they can be grateful for their lives. But, he says, “It isn’t happiness that makes you grateful. Its gratefulness that makes you happy.”
When I read that I looked into my own life to find out where gratefulness comes out spontaneously. (Holding my hand over my heart with an outward gesture to include the meal table, I continue) I realized that the mealtime is one of those places: because I’m on the receiving end of things, (gesture to include the food) and I’m with family or friends. So I invite you to share the things for which you’re grateful. We’re grateful to have you as guests. What kinds of things have you found yourself grateful for in the past 12 to 24 hours? (Sharing takes place) Alright. Let’s eat and be grateful. Amen.
*I've finally made a transition to BLESSINGS & CELEBRATIONS This comes from YES Magazine*
*Special Table Grace*
*[very appropriate at every meal—especially appropriate at Thanksgiving*].
Once all are present, call on each member to
o Say what we are grateful for
o Who or what we want to send special energy to
o Where we wish for peace
Gratitude; Blessings; Peace. Amen.
David
_______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
Dear Colleagues, Larry and I are here in Taiwan and it is not really an official holiday today, November 22, 2012, but we are celebrating Thanksgiving today and will think of you all celebrating tomorrow. Thank you for this GRATEFULNESS, THE HEART OF PRAYER BLESSING! We may use it for our gathering of friends and colleagues on Sunday when we have our potluck and turkey together! Evelyn On 11/22/12 1:19 AM, David Zahrt wrote:
*UNCONVENTIONAL NON-SECTARIAN TABLE GRACE*
When we had guests at the B&B, back in Iowa, I used to introduce an unconventional non-sectarian table grace without asking.
After giving it there were several times that Fundamentalists said, "Alright, now let's say a prayer!" I finally realized that I needed to ask permission to give an unconventional non-sectarian table grace. I have now adopted the practice of doing so. It goes as follows.
David Steindl-Rast wrote a book entitled GRATEFULNESS; THE HEART OF PRAYER. In the book he says that he watches people go through life looking for a way to be happy so they can be grateful for their lives. But, he says, "It isn't happiness that makes you grateful. Its gratefulness that makes you happy."
When I read that I looked into my own life to find out where gratefulness comes out spontaneously. (Holding my hand over my heart with an outward gesture to include the meal table, I continue) I realized that the mealtime is one of those places: because I'm on the receiving end of things, (gesture to include the food) and I'm with family or friends. So I invite you to share the things for which you're grateful. We're grateful to have you as guests. What kinds of things have you found yourself grateful for in the past 12 to 24 hours? (Sharing takes place) Alright. Let's eat and be grateful. Amen.
*I've finally made a transition to BLESSINGS & CELEBRATIONS This comes from YES Magazine*
*_Special Table Grace_*
/[very appropriate at every meal---especially appropriate at Thanksgiving/].
Once all are present, call on each member to
oSay what we are grateful for
oWho or what we want to send special energy to
oWhere we wish for peace
Gratitude; Blessings; Peace. Amen.
David
_______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
participants (5)
-
David Zahrt -
Ellie Stock -
Evelyn Philbrook -
James Wiegel -
Nancy Lanphear