Bliss

To my dear friends, Becca and Will, Noelle and Nick.

I begin every morning by writing in my gratitude journal. I would like to share what I wrote this morning

Friday 6/6/25 3:30 AM

Becca

Becca is the bride mentioned above. I was so absorbed in the celebration of new friends and later, when Becky and I were invited to attend Becca and Will’s wedding reception, that I neglected to get more photos.

I have often wondered what the state of Bliss feels like. Like most things where words attempt to describe a feeling, I’m sure the words are beyond inadequate to the task. The range and variability of feelings is huge. SadhGuru says he’s always in Bliss. I don’t know what that means for him. For me, I suppose it begins with things that are not. Absence of certain feelings. No stress, no worry, no pain, no hate and so on. On the positive side of the baseline are positive feelings that are, of course they include love for beauty, gratitude, a general satisfaction/love of life and self, supported by belief/faith that things are as they should be. In Sickness or health, abundance of things or lack, my experiences are for my good and learning.

When Things are out of control as they often are it’s knowing that I am completely in control of my emotions – peace. Finally, there’s flow. In the moment, time stands still and I’m doing/feeling exactly what I want to be doing/feeling/being.

Yesterday morning was spent with departing guests, newly beloved friends, Becca, and Will (Getting married on Saturday), Noelle and Nick (married Three years and working on a six-acre sustainable homestead).  Self described hippie/preppers. I had already spent a lot of time showing them around the place on Wednesday. Sharing the many experiments George and I did early on.(Biochar, Lister engines, wood gas, etc.) We just clicked. The hard experiences that had matured into wisdom once the attached negative feelings were healed and gone. There was a kind of kinship that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I felt loved and respected and, in turn, I loved and respected these beautiful young people.

Yesterday, evolved into something even far better. The girls paired up with Becky. She showed them her canning, tasted freeze dried foods, demoed the freeze dryer, and best of all, showed off her quilts as they oo’ed an awed over her many accomplishments. I took my leave and joined the men on the front porch. Discovered that Nick is an accomplished professional musician. That immediately became a jam session. Lovely! Then Nick and Noelle played the guitar and sang for us as I recorded it. Becky made sandwiches for lunch.

We continued sharing experiences, dreams, insights of life, and the divine. Somewhere in the midst of all that, I said I was experiencing a state of bliss. All the elements of bliss described above were there. Moments when you wouldn’t be anywhere but there. Fully engaged in life with people you hardly know, but deeply love. Making music and sharing love in life.

 This Is BLISS.

Today I won’t number five things I am grateful for, as I normally do in this “gratitude journal“.

There are too many things already named. Too many feelings that are all one Thing - bliss.

Tears of joy stream down my face now and I wonder, how can life get any better than this?

Jesus said, “be ye therefore perfect“, Which should have been translated “be ye therefore whole or complete”. Reflecting on the moment I announced yesterday, that I was in Bliss, I could have just as easily have said “I am perfect“, just as Jesus meant it, whole and complete – in bliss.

Please excuse my awkward, unedited writing. I wanted to share it just as it came out.

My gratitude journal was the perfect place to record my feelings for all of you. Just thankful for two perfect days.

I wish, at your young age, I had the wisdom that I observed in each of you. You are all just beginning your own beautiful journeys, each different and perfect.

Becca and Will, as you are “officially” married tomorrow, I wish you a lifetime of wedded bliss.  

Noelle and Nick, You are just a bit further down that path. Same wish for you.

Love, Grant