Meister Eckhart, the 13 Century theologian, philosopher and mystic summed it up so succinctly when he said "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘Thank you’, that would suffice."
Right from when I was a little girl, my father, my Papa as I always called him, gently reminded me always to say thank you - 'Like a smile, little one, 'Thank You' cost nothing but it means everything.' He also told me that I should always graciously accept a gift or a compliment given from the heart as it was discourteous to the giver to refuse. He was often quoting Mother Teresa to me whom he greatly admired and one of his favourites was, "Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."
We live in such a materialistic world today that such courtesies are often overlooked. We often forget how lucky we are not to be living in a war-torn country such as Syria or Iraq; that we are not suffering from hunger, are homeless or dying in squalor or disease.
We sometimes forget to give thanks to Mother Nature for all that she provides us with. We need to reflect on how often does mankind abuses such gifts, many that have gone forever.
Following in my Papa's footsteps, I have looked and read about many of the world's religions and cultures and have always felt an empathy with the American Indian and the Buddhist philosophies. These are some of my favourite readings on gratitude . . .
Native American traditional
Treat the earth well.
It was not given to you by your parents,
it was loaned to you by your children.
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
we borrow it from our Children.
American Indian - Iroquois Prayer
We return thanks to our mother,
the earth, which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams
which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines
for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters,
the beans and squashes, which give us life.
We return thanks to the bushes and trees,
which provide us with fruit.
We return thanks to the wind,
which, moving the air, has banished diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and the stars,
which have given us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to our grandfather He-no,
that he has protected his grandchildren from witches and reptiles,
and has given us his rain.
We return thanks to the sun,
that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit,
in whom is embodied all goodness,
and who directs all things for the good of his children.
'Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so
virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and
peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs
the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.' - Buddha
“Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude and hearing the good Dhamma,this is the best good luck” - Buddha
Give thanks for the rainbows, for the butterflies,
for all God's creatures - large and small,
for the bright blue sky and the soft fog and the gentle rain,
for the tree veiled in the season's first frost,
for the baby's laugh, for the touch of a hand
and the whispered "I love you."
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
* * * * * * * * *
We can sometimes take so much for granted. I know I have to remind myself now and then to appreciate my life and all the things that challenge, inspire and fulfill me on my journey. Just waking up each morning is something I am eternally grateful for! Taking my friend Judi out always inspires me (as it did today when I took her shopping) as I see how brilliantly she is coping since her stroke despite her physical setbacks and how thankful she is that she hasn't been affected as much as some stroke patients have. So 'Thank You' Judi for inspiring me as you do.
Today I give thanks with a real sense of gratitude
For the life I am given to live
For my beautiful family
For the gift of good friends
For the land I live in
For the privilege of my work as a Celebrant
For Nature in all her bountiful beauty
And most of all for the most precious gift
Of the Love in my life
I am truly blessed
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