November Twenty Eighteen
The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that
all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with
joy.
- Henri Nouwen
…expressing gratitude seems
innocent enough, [yet] it is a revolutionary idea. In a consumer society,
contentment is a radical proposition. Recognizing abundance rather than
scarcity undermines an economy that thrives by creating unmet desires.
Gratitude cultivates an ethic of fullness, but the economy needs
emptiness.
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding
Sweetgrass
Imagine
raising children in a culture in which gratitude is the first priority.
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding
Sweetgrass
Sink your
generosity deep into our lives
that your muchness may expose our false lack
that endlessly receiving we may endlessly give
so that the world may be made Easter new,
without greedy lack, but only wonder…
Finish your creation, in wonder, love and praise. Amen.
-Walter
Brueggemann
Prayer is
listening to the voice of the One who calls you the beloved. It is to
constantly go back to the Truth of who we are and claim it for ourselves. I’m
not what I do. I’m not what people say about me. I’m not what I have. My life
is not rooted in the world, the things the world gives me. My life is rooted in
the truth of my spiritual identity. Whatever we do—we have to go back regularly
to that place of core identity.
-Henri Nouwen, The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful
Life
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn....
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character....
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.....
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown
.....make it your highest priority to
simply enjoy your kids. As they are. Right now. Flaws and all. For the
development of babies, one of the most important inputs is parents who are warm
and responsive. When do you think kids outgrow that need? We think, never.
