For the first time in my decade long fluctuating practice of gratitude, I discovered in your opening phrases gratitude for the person behind the acts that bring the gifts of gratitude. How have I missed this? I’m genuine with my gratitude of clean sheets, coffee, and warm socks…but does my mind recognize the person who did the washing, bending and tucking to make that bed. Or the farmer who tended the sheep for my socks? I often express my gratitude to them but I have missed holding gratitude for them. Your words are a gentle correction. Your words convey many expressions of beauty and I am grateful for you.
Grateful for the absolute knock your (merino wool) socks off gift of language, offered fromin the “pen” and heart of a friend, and for friends who open our eyes … beyond grumbling and grousing… to the gift nature of our lives.
Shared this in part with the lonely and forgotten folks at a care facility to which I bring Eucharist monthly; we all wept in gratitude for gratitude....
Beautiful... as always. I've printed out your reflections, and cut then into pieces - each piece to be read aloud around the Thanksgiving table. Thank you!
"Gratitude can create a sense of safety when you feel afraid."
Some years ago I was headed for prison. I was guilty of the crime. I was deeply ashamed. I was taking medication for profound depression. The thought of prison evoked terrible memories of being bullied mercilessly when I was a child. I was terrified.
I did a deep dive into I John, Chapter 4. Praying through that chapter - and particularly the verse, "Perfect love casts out fear," I made two decisions. I can't do "perfect love," but I can seek to practice love each day. After all, "We love because he first loved us."
The first decision was to show love for God through gratitude. I could look around all day and see things that would make me miserable, and I'd be miserable all day long. Or I could look for blessings each day, each moment, and give thanks to God. And guess what? I never ran out of material.
The second decision was to show love for God through love of my neighbor. Rather than seeing fellow addicts and prison staff as threats, I saw them as human beings for whom Christ died. I determined to look for opportunities to be kind.
And throughout eight years in prison, God granted me a gift of serenity that I had never thought possible.
I call myself "Coeur d'Chicken" (rather than "Coeur d'Leon") because fearlessness does not come naturally for me. This serenity was not, is not, something I achieved. It's God's doing.
For the first time in my decade long fluctuating practice of gratitude, I discovered in your opening phrases gratitude for the person behind the acts that bring the gifts of gratitude. How have I missed this? I’m genuine with my gratitude of clean sheets, coffee, and warm socks…but does my mind recognize the person who did the washing, bending and tucking to make that bed. Or the farmer who tended the sheep for my socks? I often express my gratitude to them but I have missed holding gratitude for them. Your words are a gentle correction. Your words convey many expressions of beauty and I am grateful for you.
Grateful for the absolute knock your (merino wool) socks off gift of language, offered fromin the “pen” and heart of a friend, and for friends who open our eyes … beyond grumbling and grousing… to the gift nature of our lives.
Thankful for you, my dear one. And the words between these words that tell a deeper story. I love you.
Shared this in part with the lonely and forgotten folks at a care facility to which I bring Eucharist monthly; we all wept in gratitude for gratitude....
Beautiful... as always. I've printed out your reflections, and cut then into pieces - each piece to be read aloud around the Thanksgiving table. Thank you!
Beautifully crafted and lovingly spoken. Thank you so very much!
"Gratitude can create a sense of safety when you feel afraid."
Some years ago I was headed for prison. I was guilty of the crime. I was deeply ashamed. I was taking medication for profound depression. The thought of prison evoked terrible memories of being bullied mercilessly when I was a child. I was terrified.
I did a deep dive into I John, Chapter 4. Praying through that chapter - and particularly the verse, "Perfect love casts out fear," I made two decisions. I can't do "perfect love," but I can seek to practice love each day. After all, "We love because he first loved us."
The first decision was to show love for God through gratitude. I could look around all day and see things that would make me miserable, and I'd be miserable all day long. Or I could look for blessings each day, each moment, and give thanks to God. And guess what? I never ran out of material.
The second decision was to show love for God through love of my neighbor. Rather than seeing fellow addicts and prison staff as threats, I saw them as human beings for whom Christ died. I determined to look for opportunities to be kind.
And throughout eight years in prison, God granted me a gift of serenity that I had never thought possible.
I call myself "Coeur d'Chicken" (rather than "Coeur d'Leon") because fearlessness does not come naturally for me. This serenity was not, is not, something I achieved. It's God's doing.
And I am inexpressibly grateful.
warms my heart, Nicole, thank you!!!
Hi dear friend! Thank you! Grateful for YOU!
This is a beautiful invitation friend. 😭 thank you.
Joyful! Thank you!
Beautifully expressed. Thank you.
So beautiful - and so wonderfully poetic. Thank YOU for your writing!