Friday
(October 11’19) marked a beautiful
warm and sunny day of autumn, when I was delighted to meet with a groups of
good friends to share, ponder and discuss special life situations which
emphasize gratitude, thankfulness and appreciation.
This time I’ve greeted my friends with a piece of classical music, called “Ode to Joy” (Romanian: "Oda bucuriei"), composed by Ludwig van
Beethoven, which
brought upon a relaxing wave of peace, totally appropriate for the occasion.
After we all settled in, our program continued with a number of life related stories
my guests openly and candidly shared, which in essence I will list below:
- Firstly, our friend Dorina Aldea
shared with the group an essay featuring the enormous gratitude she had in her
heart when her first grandson was borne (13
years ago, on January 1st),
after a very challenging period of 10 hours of intense labour, where 2 lives
were at risk, but saved by a very competent and devoted medical doctor on duty
at that time. When the new baby came into this world, all the pain has been
forgotten by everyone, being replaced by joy and gratitude. Nowadays Julian is
a lovely, smart and athletic teenager who defines happiness as the time spent
with family and the freedom to choose his favorite playing activities…through
his eyes, both his grandparents (Dorina
& Stefan) are wonderful heroes; at the same time, his grandparents are
reaching every day higher and higher realms of sincere appreciation for all
what life has to offer.
- After that, our dear Asiza D. shared with the entire group a significant chapter of her life, when after 30 (thirty) years she reunited with her
tween sister. A life story which emphasizes courage, love, compassion, dignity,
respect and above all gratitude. The entire audience was truly touched, while
we all were listening to Asiza’s words in deep silence, with misty weeping
eyes.
- Further, our friend John S.,
who is also a medical doctor in his professional life, graciously shared with the group how rewarding it
is to be able to help people in need and how important it is to remain positive
under harsh life circumstances. Also, he reminded that in life the true
satisfaction is given by the dedication you put into your profession, rather
than focusing on the secular aspect of it.
-
Next, Sandu O. enumerated several
modalities of how a person could reach and maintain a balanced state of happiness
and content, mentioning that in fact the meaning of these two desired feelings are
very different from person to person.
-
Then, our dear Emilia approached the
subject from a different angle wondering if happiness is really an option,
especially if one is facing a controversial life situation; in other words, how
far you need to push and when you need to let it go, without compromising
gratitude (the subject of discussion)
or hurting your feelings while staying true to yourself.
-
At this point, Anca P. reminded
how important and challenging it could be at the same time to continue to
remain happy and grateful about something when you can’t control the situation.
-
Additionally, Camelia refreshed that life taught her that for each difficult situation (generally regarded as ‘insoluble’)
there could be found at least two solutions if you are willing to change
perspective. Also, she shared that in her experience, during the most
challenging situations of her life a strong bonding between parties involved occurred,
which lead to lasting unforgettable memories.
-
Furthermore, Ilena shared a
number of old precious memories and then recited for the group the beautiful
poem called “Autumn“, by Rainer Maria Rilke (which
is published in comments section, both in English & Romanian languages).
-
Also, our dear friend Lidia reminded
that we can create our own happiness by being simply grateful. To her,
gratitude feels like a flame which grows the more you spread it, and the
further it goes the bigger it gets.
-
Subsequently, Mioara told
us that after she moved to Canada she is still thinking of her home country (Romania), and how it is to live in
between two worlds, but nonetheless grateful to be close to her two sons.
-
After that, our friend Maria commented
seemingly along the same lines, expressing her gratitude for Romania (the homeland where most of us were formed
& reached a certain level of expertise in our professions), which she
left with a suitcase (like most of us)
and then moved to Canada (the adopted
country, which is allowing us a continuous growth in a balanced climate of
peace and respect).
-
Then, our dear friends Dana and Adrian S. , who just returned from a
vacation in Romania share their recent experience in home land – an experience filled
with lots of family memories when both further realized how time is changing
people and perceptions; moments to ponder and be grateful for the present.
Our group conversations were open, genuine, lengthy and full of spark…as usual
by now, we wrapped up the night with light refreshments brought for the occasion,
good cheer and heartfelt greetings we extended to each other for the coming
Thanksgiving Day!
While at the page of "giving", this time we also gathered few donations so in
December we could put together a number of bags for homeless people, when the
cold weather will strike.
On the other hand, I feel it is
important to refresh that the essence of "giving" could touch the core of every
human being, while bringing along joy and peace, because generosity has the
capability to create a stronger community and ultimately a happier society for
everyone!
Without any doubt, we all had a rewarding evening, filled with a very special
sense of togetherness, for which I’m sending along my sincere gratitude to each
guest.
Until we meet again, my best wishes
to all for a pleasant rest of autumn!
Alice
