A Gratitude Experiment

"It is easy to thank God for life when things are going well. But life is much bigger than we give it credit for, and much of the time it's harder than we would like. It's a package deal, though." Anne Lamott, Help, Thanks, Wow

A year and a half ago, a friend and I agreed to send each other three brief statements of gratitude each day. I've written about this before, and today I want to encourage you to do the same thing. Do it with a friend, or do it in the comment section of each day's morning prayer blog, or please do it both ways. Check the Newsletter tab in my blog too. It is my intention to fill it with your stories and make it a source for learning so we all incorporate more gratitude in our lives.

Yesterday I didn't have too many people in my life but here's how sharing gratitude went. First there was Gracie. We exchanged licks. Well, figuratively. Then my husband. No licks but a kiss and a thank you being in my life. I thanked my Pilates teacher for her close attention to details that make my workout more valuable to me. I wrote to a dear friend I haven't heard from in awhile and received a lovely email filled with love in return. Hours later I went to my film club which is always fun. In the course of a conversation with one friend, I said thank you. I wonder if she heard it or wondered why I said it. I was just so thankful to be having the conversation with her, I blurted it out. Another friend and I had a very intimate sharing amidst the din of many other conversations about health and the need to have friends who are our health advocates. We both felt enriched by it.

This morning I woke up and decided I need to continue practicing gratitude for the rest of the week, and I hope you will too. It's easy to do for one day, but the point is to incorporate it so that it isn't something we must remember to do but something we eagerly anticipate doing to fill our well and the wells of others too.

Baruch ata adonai...I eagerly look forward to this day. Waking up again today with gratitude on my mind has me anticipating a wonderful day. It's just a word, but within the word are layers of feelings and intentions and untold gifts. Thank you for your presence in my life. Amen