“In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal
more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.
It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements
in comparison with what we owe others.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer*
Every day is a day to be grateful. Are you too busy, or will you be grateful only when what you have is gone? Start your list with “I am grateful” and let it brew for thirty days.
I Am Grateful
• I am grateful for those enlightened souls whose contributions create a shift in world consciousness.
• I am grateful for those who display basic values of social grace.
• I am grateful for the holy moments that appear when I stop to be present to the beauty that surrounds me.
• I am grateful to know that new possibilities are waiting to be embraced.
• I am grateful for the people who take the time to give compliments and statements that en-courage the spirit.
• I am grateful for the people who do not breach agreements.
• I am grateful for the risk-takers that apply personal courage to confront ill-will with good will.
• I am grateful for the sacrifices made by teachers, artists, healers and peacemakers.
• I am grateful for the small, unnoticed courageous acts the everyday person does every day for they are the unsung stories that do not make the emotional media headlines.
• I am grateful for the concessions people choose to do to advance unconditional love.
• I am grateful when my speech is infused with kindness.
• I am grateful I am able to acknowledge when I was wrong and say, “Please forgive me.”
• I am grateful that I can distinguish that my life is precious and fleeting.
• I am grateful for the times I am present to the presence of another human spirit.
• I am grateful for readership.
• I am grateful for lovingkindness.
Will you accept my request to jot down for thirty days what you are grateful for? Happy New Year 2012!
* Dietrich Bonhoeffer born February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945 was a theologian, a spiritual writer, a musician, a pastor, and an author of poetry and fiction. The integrity of his Christian faith and life, and the international appeal of his writings, have received broad recognition and admiration, all of which has led to a consensus that he is one of the theologians of his time whose theological reflections might lead future generations of Christians into creating a new more spiritual and responsible millennium. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian famous for his stand against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. His beliefs and convictions ultimately cost him his life in a Nazi concentration camp.
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