Help
Sign In
RSS Feed
|
Giving Thanksdebyemm said Nov 27, 2008, 6:48 AM: |
||
|
I hope, if you have time, that you'll add to this thread about the ways that you give thanks today (and everyday). One of my primary ways is to stop at my sacred site and just thank the All That Is for the blessings of my life and so, it may be as simple as saying that - |
|||
Permalink
Print
Email
|
|
Re: Giving Thanksdebyemm said Nov 27, 2008, 1:23 PM: |
||
|
Here are a few more of the snippets my grandmother, Bernice Dittmer, collected for her Let There Be Light book, the chapter called Praise Gratitude Joy. These are some that I like - Praise should be spoken as simply and naturally as a flower emits its fragrance. Henry David Thoreau _____________________________________________________ So much to do, so much to see - _____________________________________________________It's such a blessing just to be ! Oh God, who created all people in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by the ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, Thanksgivings p. 840 (note - my grandmother was a life-long Episcopalian. I thought this was especially appropriate this year with the election of Barack Obama and also because I am so thankful for my circles of friendship here at Gaia - deb) ______________________________________________________ My friend landed at an East Coast airport on his first trip to America. Waiting for his connection, he wandered the terminal. He soon noticed a strange object. It had a powerful effect on people. It was set into the wall and was made of shining steel. People approached it and then bowed reverently. And then by bowing and praying (they had to be praying) these people were blessed with a stream of clear water. My friend could only conclude that this must be a shrine. Just what sort of shrine was this? Well, most of us would know it as a water fountain. My friend had never seen a water fountain before. In his arid African nation water was rare and so, as a Christian, he had always considered water a special blessing from God, well worth his deep gratitude. Inevitably my friend learned that we Americans don't in fact see our water fountains as shrines. But maybe it is not such a bad idea. We have a number of places worthy of our devotion. What about our well stocked grocery stores? Houses warm and dry? Hospitals that are well staffed? These places are shrines of a sort too, for they speak of God's goodness to us. From now on I may not bow as I pass them, but I'll try to see them as my African friend might. Deborah Rose (San Francisco, CA) “The Shrine”, Guideposts, July 1986 _____________________________________________________ Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. Ralph Waldo Emerson _____________________________________________________ He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for that which he has. Epictetus, 1st century AD Greek philosopher ______________________________________________________ There is an old Chinese proverb that says: ______________________________________________________“When you drink the water, remember the spring.” Oh God, if I could but impart The thankfulness that swells my heart For each and every little thing … Like color bursts announcing spring, The shaded spots the trees have brought, The sunshine brightening every thought … The squirrels playing on the lawn, The eventide … the still, new dawn … The fragrant smell of brown leaves burned, The fresh black dirt where earth is turned - So many things such as these Have done so much my life to please My whole life long would be of praise To God, the keeper of my days. Beverly Enderby Kimsey ______________________________________________________ This is the true joy of life; the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. George Bernard Shaw, preface to Man and Superman _____________________________________________________ Whichever way the wind doth blow, Some Heart is glad to have it so; So blow it east or blow it west, The wind that blows - that wind is best. _____________________________________________________ |
|||
