No one comes out of their mother’s womb gratefully. Gratitude is something learned. Like all virtues and qualities that enhance wholehearted living, it is most effectively learned by consciously practicing it. The most profound wisdom learnings often sound the simplest but in reality are the most difficult to live out. It is that way with gratefulness. It is something that needs to be cultivated, nurtured, and learned through continuous action. Gratefulness is a way of life formed in the emptiness that makes space for the fullness of grace. Instead of taking things for granted, the truly thankful person receives everything as grace.

Thanksgiving Prayer

“O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer,
And in remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help by word and deed,

those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.”

~ Samuel Pugh

Gracias!
Dan