November Twenty Eighteen

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. 

-Gareth Cook