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Gratefulness
When my father was in the last year of his life and in a lot of pain with cancer, he apologized to me for his angry behavior toward me in a long past conflict situation I had forgiven him for his comments. I was surprised and grateful that my father was honest and humble enough to apologize thereby resolving any lingering thoughts and feelings about the incident. Resolving old conflicts and restoring loving relationships is work I am inspired to do because of this incident.
I would live Sunday April 14, 1974 over. I deeply regret that I did not get ready in time to accompany my father to Easter Mass that day. He died May 5, 1974 so this was my last opportunity to accompany him to church in the last three weeks of his life. I would spend every moment of Easter 1974 with my father if I could.
I am enjoying a more varied and vigorous participation in Well Connected programs and talking w/family & friends using zoom or messenger. These newer activities are expanding and enriching my daily life during the coronavirus quarantine. I am growing spiritually by participating in an online retreat, learning new things (like reading essays by Brian Doyle) and being entertained using Amazon/BritBox to see favorite British TV shows like Keeping Up Appearances. The quarantine challenges ...
I am enjoying a more varied and vigorous participation in Well Connected programs and talking w/family & friends using zoom or messenger. These newer activities are expanding and enriching my daily life during the coronavirus quarantine. I am growing spiritually by participating in an online retreat, learning new things (like reading essays by Brian Doyle) and being entertained using Amazon/BritBox to see favorite British TV shows like Keeping Up Appearances. The quarantine challenges me to be creative and curious about how I can live gratefully in this difficult situation. This is a silver lining for me.
I expressed my love to my niece and nephew who had birthdays this past week. I wrote them notes on Facebook. Calling them would have been better. I told a dear friend I love her in a phone call a week ago. I need to tell my husband I love him much more frequently and tell other family members and friends too. I am curious about why I don’t tell others more frequently that I love them. That’s a helpful reflection for me.
I read a quote today that challenges and nourishes me by Charles Williams (1886-1945), British poet, novelist, playwright, theologian, literary critic, member of the Inklings and friend of J. R. R. Tolkien. Williams wrote about “preferring the given.” I notice, appreciate and love the many gifts I’ve been blessed with in the past and present when I practice “preferring the given.” This practice fills me with such grace that there’s little space for fear.
When I notice, appreciate and reflect on the beauty, truth, goodness and order in nature, I am conscious of the miracle of simply existing.
I remember the scripture “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you m...
I remember the scripture “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear? All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” Matthew 6:25-34
I am delighted and grateful for all the miracles of simple existence in our living system of which I am a very small part.
I will bring comfort and joy to friends and family when I return their phone calls today. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by phone and email messages from caring friends and haven’t responded to their messages. I needed solitude for reflection and self-care during the quarantine. Now I am ready to respond which is a way I can show my affection for them.
My husband and I attended the December 2019 Christmas in Constantinople Concert by the Cappella Romana Vocal Ensemble from Portland, Oregon. This group is “dedicated to combining passion with scholarship in its exploration of the musical traditions of the Christian East and West, with emphasis on early and contemporary music.” They are superb scholars and singers. Now we’re fans and will attend as many of their local concerts as we can. We also bought one of their CDs so we can list...
My husband and I attended the December 2019 Christmas in Constantinople Concert by the Cappella Romana Vocal Ensemble from Portland, Oregon. This group is “dedicated to combining passion with scholarship in its exploration of the musical traditions of the Christian East and West, with emphasis on early and contemporary music.” They are superb scholars and singers. Now we’re fans and will attend as many of their local concerts as we can. We also bought one of their CDs so we can listen whenever we choose. A second treat was that they performed in Seattle’s beautiful St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. I went to that church once many decades ago. I really enjoyed visiting there again. It was my husband’s first time in a Greek Orthodox Church. He appreciated the architecture and art as much as I did.
I intend to pay attention to the beauty of nature and of the Triduum services offered online today through Easter. I am deeply grateful for God’s presence in these two forms. Deo Gratias!
I no longer need professional possessions I haven’t used for the past ten years. I need to free myself from my attachment to them and release them in a responsible way. I need to do the same for many personal possessions. Doing so will start me on the journey to simplifying my life and de-cluttering my home. Less is more!
I am grateful for my faith and family. I am grateful for Brother David Steindl-Rast and A Network for Grateful Living. I’ve benefitted from this service for the past 11 years. Having a daily gratitude practice significantly enriches my life, relationships and work. I am grateful for my computer, internet access, curiosity, research expertise and abundant resources to stay actively and meaningfully engaged during this quarantine. I am also grateful for the free Covia Well Connected Prog...
I am grateful for my faith and family. I am grateful for Brother David Steindl-Rast and A Network for Grateful Living. I’ve benefitted from this service for the past 11 years. Having a daily gratitude practice significantly enriches my life, relationships and work. I am grateful for my computer, internet access, curiosity, research expertise and abundant resources to stay actively and meaningfully engaged during this quarantine. I am also grateful for the free Covia Well Connected Program and the many services it provides for older adults in America.
I long for wisdom, empathy, love, forgiveness, generosity and peace in our personal lives, community life and for the entire world. I believe that by acknowledging, honoring and using those gifts in our own lives and recognizing or inviting them in others’ lives, we can solve global problems and provide a positive future for those who come after us. Let it be so.
In my nighttime Examen, I thank God for my life, my faith, my family, purpose and meaning, past and present work, my relationships with good people in many different contexts, pets, nature, beauty, education, the arts, science, past vacations, acceptable health and sufficient finances. I realize I’ve been given many gifts. I hope to give meaningful and good gifts to others before I die.
As a 77 year old, I am working on humility and letting go. I am practicing new ways of being and doing in this stage of my life. I am aware of many younger people’s talent and desire to lead. I’ve held leadership roles in many settings for decades. I frequently remind myself that it is now younger people’s turn to lead and that they have much to give that is truly needed in our world. It is time for me to clear the space so they can lead. This requires me to suspend my judgment; t...
As a 77 year old, I am working on humility and letting go. I am practicing new ways of being and doing in this stage of my life. I am aware of many younger people’s talent and desire to lead. I’ve held leadership roles in many settings for decades. I frequently remind myself that it is now younger people’s turn to lead and that they have much to give that is truly needed in our world. It is time for me to clear the space so they can lead. This requires me to suspend my judgment; to recognize and to value different gifts and ways of proceeding. I am grateful for this growth opportunity.
I think of two different kinds of caring for others.
One is feeling affectionately toward others –fellowship, friendship, love. Being in close relationship with another motivates me to be more aware, respectful, appreciative, sensitive, patient, supportive, etc. I grow as a person when I am challenged to be a more caring person. My personal relationships are improved and strengthened.
The other kind of caring is being a caregiver. In this kind of relationship, I need to be...
The other kind of caring is being a caregiver. In this kind of relationship, I need to be informed about and supportive of others’ needs. Being a support person for my family, friends, community members or people in need gives me purpose and meaning. I know that I am making a difference in the world. This enriches my own life. I also am more aware of my blessings and grateful for them.
I feel hopeful for the present and the future when I reflect on my own personal history and that of people I know. While we’ve all experienced darkness as well as light, the light triumphed most of the time. People living now are challenged by many issues. I won’t name them here. It is tempting and easy in a time of challenge to feel hopeless and powerless to make needed changes. Still a historical review tells me that most of the time darkness is followed by light; good overcomes ev...
I feel hopeful for the present and the future when I reflect on my own personal history and that of people I know. While we’ve all experienced darkness as well as light, the light triumphed most of the time. People living now are challenged by many issues. I won’t name them here. It is tempting and easy in a time of challenge to feel hopeless and powerless to make needed changes. Still a historical review tells me that most of the time darkness is followed by light; good overcomes evil and we continue to invent new solutions to old problems. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. In addition and most importantly, I believe in a loving and merciful God. Jesus told us “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:20.
One song I take inspiration and challenge from is “Go Light Your World” from the CD “Holy Darkness” (2006). The song is written by Chris Rice and sung by Father Jim Northrop. It concludes with this verse:
Carry your candle Run to the darkness Seek out the lonely, depressed and worn.
Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle Go light your world. Take your candle Go light your world.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Forgiving is important whenever we do it. Sounds like we both learned important lessons from these experiences. We can use those lessons learned in our current relationships.
Bravo!
We’ve been attending online Holy Week services with great music also. I am so grateful my parish, archdiocese, America – The Jesuit Review and the Vatican make these services available to us. Participating actively helps me find God in the coronavirus pandemic. I feel connected in meaningful ways to so many good people in my faith tradition. I am truly grateful for the technology and people who make these gifts possible. I wish you a Blessed Triduum.
Teri, this is a great idea. I started my daily gratitude practice in 2011 after learning about Brother David Steindl-Rast and this website. I write briefly in my journal, listen to music that reminds me to be grateful for my blessings, reflect on special blessings and pray in thanksgiving. I am also part of a daily phone group that focuses on gratitude. I am inspired and challenged by what people share. I also do some reading on gratitude. This practice is healing for me. I am a better...
Teri, this is a great idea. I started my daily gratitude practice in 2011 after learning about Brother David Steindl-Rast and this website. I write briefly in my journal, listen to music that reminds me to be grateful for my blessings, reflect on special blessings and pray in thanksgiving. I am also part of a daily phone group that focuses on gratitude. I am inspired and challenged by what people share. I also do some reading on gratitude. This practice is healing for me. I am a better person because of it.
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We invite you to experience six blessings in this short, meditative video from Brother David:
