tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701267910813474066.post7255618138265651442..comments2023-09-19T11:32:34.072-04:00Comments on Lil's Book of Questions: Do I Need a Near-Death Experience to Become Bold and Grateful?Lil Blumehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590816428802923708noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701267910813474066.post-40036460731370316342013-04-08T18:06:38.096-04:002013-04-08T18:06:38.096-04:00from Stuart Berkowitz: Gratefulness does not requ...from Stuart Berkowitz: Gratefulness does not require a near-death experience. As a scientist and nature lover, I expose myself to situations where my mouth hangs open in a state of AWE. This could be at the top of a mountain snowboarding or climbing, realizing a beautiful idea in math or science thru work, or taking a course, or reading, or seeing my grandchildren discovering knowledge and wisdom. Children grow and learn as if by magic. AWE leads to humility and this leads to happiness, for me. That AWE experience in my view that you and Ron felt is that he survived a near-death experience. But the humility and happiness follows however AWE is perceived. <br /><br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701267910813474066.post-50315311117334491322013-02-22T11:20:52.509-05:002013-02-22T11:20:52.509-05:00I sure can relate to that as I had a near death ex...I sure can relate to that as I had a near death experience when I was 22 and died six years ago but was saved only by the skill of my surgeon and his hard work.<br /><br /><br />It certainly makes one appreciate the little things in life and above all, the people in one's life.<br />Wilmahttp://writingandpublishingblog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701267910813474066.post-80720206735093030472013-02-22T07:24:56.653-05:002013-02-22T07:24:56.653-05:00Thanks for prompting me in the direction of this b...Thanks for prompting me in the direction of this blog. I am grateful both for Ron's recovery and for my friendship with you and with him. It is so gratifying (a word that seems so apt here) to hear about the shift toward gratitude in his way of being. By the way, I like the fact that the words grace and gratitude are linked, and that grace (avec un accent circonflex) is in fact the word for thankfulness in French. <br /><br />I think after Alain died, I (immediately in some ways and eventually in others) came to an attitude of greater gratitude toward the blessings in my life (i.e. mostly the people I love and care about and those I have loved) but paradoxically both greater and lesser anxiety about losing them. But I definitely understood that the anxiety is great waste of time.<br /><br />When I saw you in Key West the first time, I had convinced myself I was gravely ill, and when I learned I wasn't, I felt of course relieved, elated and very, very grateful. I immediately felt much more appreciative of the world with its beauty and delights and experiences of all kinds but within a few months became aware of how it does wear off in a way, and petty concerns once again assert themselves. Nonetheless, I think these experiences lead to deeper transformations that are never really undone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701267910813474066.post-6066434926497520062013-02-22T05:16:10.491-05:002013-02-22T05:16:10.491-05:00Hi Lil. This is beautiful, beautifully written. I ...Hi Lil. This is beautiful, beautifully written. I am thrilled to hear Ron is doing so well! What a wonderful turn of events. Love, ChaiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5701267910813474066.post-7660171372147126402013-02-21T21:49:01.436-05:002013-02-21T21:49:01.436-05:00Thanks Lil -- and Ron. Maybe this will help peopl...Thanks Lil -- and Ron. Maybe this will help people be bold and grateful even without their own near-death experience. <br />Ellen JaffeEllen Jaffehttp://www.ellen-s-jaffe.comnoreply@blogger.com