Dear Friends,
We hope this blog finds you safe, well, and supported within your community.
As we've been working out ways to diversify our offerings to ensure the survival of Gratitude Vietnam without tourism - yet continue to stay within the values of what and how we offer our retreats and resources - we have come to realise that even though so much feels out of our control, there are so many things we can actively manage in the present moment.
This has provided us with focus and grounding and helped us to stay optimistic in spite of the many challenges that can, at times, feel insurmountable. Combined with taking many moments in the day to find and acknowledge the things we are grateful for in the now, (a loving cuddle with Poppet and Bobo, the sunshine, family, community, friendship, food on the table...), this is really enabling us to find some balance and equilibrium.
We would like to share a free downloadable pdf. with you in the hope it may offer comfort and a helpful perspective. Please feel free to share this with friends, family, colleagues, neighbours if you find it to be of use to you! I hope you also enjoy the memes that have brought a smile or moment of reflection for me over the past week, in place of our own photographs!
As we continue to share resources, we will update the linked page above, and have also included information about a free online writing course and online mindfulness meditations, hosted by our wonderful friends and fellow retreat leaders, Kerstin Pilz and Victoria Nhan. We have also now opened up the availability of online workshops for those isolated at home and looking to develop their mindfulness practice, find direction, reduce anxiety, or simply learn something new!
Over the coming weeks, I will also be offering some free downloadable guided 30-minute meditations, so if you haven't already, please sign up to our blog to make sure you don't miss out!
To sign off today, I would like to share with you words that I have seen circulating on Facebook amongst friends - a gentle reminder that 'this too shall pass' and that there is so much to lean into whilst 'this' is here.
"Conversations will not be cancelled. Relationships will not be cancelled. Love will not be cancelled. Songs will not be cancelled. Reading will not be cancelled. Self-care will not be cancelled. Hope will not be cancelled.
May we lean into the good stuff that remains."
Words by Jamie Tworkowski
With gratitude and love always,
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." – Coretta Scott King
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