"He enjoys much who is thankful for little; a grateful mind is both a great
and a happy mind."
~Thomas Secker, Archbishop of Canterbury, 18th century
"Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."
~GK Chesterton (1874-1936)
Today is the day we have set aside for thanks giving. And hopefully—along with allowing ourselves to get caught up in the mad rush for Christmas bargains at the big box stores (do you know that some people have literally been camping out at Best Buy stores since MONDAY?), and fussing over trussing the perfect turkey—hopefully somewhere in the midst of it all we will actually take time to reflect on the bounty and the beauty that surrounds us every moment and share that with one another.
I'll sneak in one more quote, by Eric Hoffer: "The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." How true. Writing this blog for the last 6 months has certainly opened my eyes to how much in life I have taken for granted, and I am grateful to be cultivating the eyes to see and a heart opening to gratitude and wonder. I am reminded of the wise fox in The Little Prince who says, "it is only with the heart that one can see rightly."
I think we're 'hard wired' to always want more...and better...and it's that spirit of evolution and expansion that propels humankind to great innovation and wonderful creative endeavors and scientific breakthroughs. However, we can also get stuck in the groove of taking for granted the many gifts we have been given and focus on what's missing...always wanting more, so that it never quite feels like enough. The remedy is found in giving thanks.
When we actually sit down with pen in hand and list all the things, and people, we have to be grateful for, it is absolutely mind boggling. Like food, shelter, clean water to drink, a source of income, beloved pets, cherished friends and loved ones, for starters—and the list is literally endless. Then taking the time to share with these folks how much we appreciate them...well, there is no greater gift.
So this Thanksgiving weekend, may we truly enjoy the feast of beauty, wonder, love, and infinite blessings that abound in our lives, as well as the feast on the table. May our hearts be full as well as our bellies. To enjoy a feast for the soul, check out the Youtube video "A Good Day" with Brother David Steindl-Rast. Guaranteed to uplift and inspire.
Wishing you many blessings this Thanksgiving Day and always,
Joanne
I think we're 'hard wired' to always want more...and better...and it's that spirit of evolution and expansion that propels humankind to great innovation and wonderful creative endeavors and scientific breakthroughs. However, we can also get stuck in the groove of taking for granted the many gifts we have been given and focus on what's missing...always wanting more, so that it never quite feels like enough. The remedy is found in giving thanks.
When we actually sit down with pen in hand and list all the things, and people, we have to be grateful for, it is absolutely mind boggling. Like food, shelter, clean water to drink, a source of income, beloved pets, cherished friends and loved ones, for starters—and the list is literally endless. Then taking the time to share with these folks how much we appreciate them...well, there is no greater gift.
So this Thanksgiving weekend, may we truly enjoy the feast of beauty, wonder, love, and infinite blessings that abound in our lives, as well as the feast on the table. May our hearts be full as well as our bellies. To enjoy a feast for the soul, check out the Youtube video "A Good Day" with Brother David Steindl-Rast. Guaranteed to uplift and inspire.
Wishing you many blessings this Thanksgiving Day and always,
Joanne
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