  Spiritual
This week: I am Grateful Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. My name is Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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“God of all Creation. For this day, I am grateful. For all creation; friends, family, those I do not know, and that with which I am connected, I am grateful. For those who are hurting and hungry, I ask for justice and peace. For those who are joyful and whole, I rejoice. May I sleep in the arms of love and when morning comes, become that love to the world.” ~ Rev. Dr. Trawin E. Malone
I love this prayer. With an economy of words, six short sentences, it kind of covers everything.
What does it mean to live in gratitude? Is gratitude a universal quality available to everyone, or are some of us just wired to notice how blessed we really are while others are not?
I'm still not sure. Sometimes I think everyone is capable of gratitude if they focus on their blessings as opposed to their perceived lack. Other times I think a grateful disposition is something you're either born with or you're not--that gratitude isn't something one can learn or obtain. You either live in it or you don't.
Someone once said to me, "Well, you don't have to deal with pain 24/7. It's easy to be grateful when everything's going your way."
Yes, I am so thankful I don't live with chronic pain--not personally, anyway. My husband of twenty-six years does, though. He had his first hip surgeries at the ages of twelve and thirteen, spent over a year in a wheelchair afterward, was held back a year in school due to extended hospitalizations, and has lived in pain and had one surgery after another ever since: bilateral hip replacements, left knee replacement, two back surgeries, bilateral shoulder surgeries, etc. He's only 46-years-old, and it sucks. It's terrible to watch, and even more terrible to know there's nothing I can do to relieve his pain, but pain and gratitude are not mutually exclusive.
As a nurse, I've seen people in their fifties and sixties admitted to the hospital for the very first time to have minor elective surgeries--a rotator cuff repair, for example--people who have been healthy and able-bodied all their lives and will go home after one night in the hospital. Some even go home the same day, yet they're mean and nasty as all get-out. They're verbally abusive to their families, rude to staff, and nothing anyone does for them is right. On the other hand I've taken care of women in their twenties--young women who've barely begun to live--who have had bilateral mastectomies, women who are bald from chemotherapy treatments, emaciated because they can't keep anything down, clutching their toddlers as if it's their last embrace, yet they are gracious, appreciative, and kind.
This train of thought reminds me of a conversation I had with a pessimistic and perpetually-puckered family member. "I am grateful from the moment I wake up in the morning," I said, "and I whisper my thanks--in my head, of course--throughout the day." She asked me what on earth I could possibly be thankful for every day all day long. "Isn't it the same stuff over and over, like you're thankful for your family and friends?" she asked. I was a little taken aback--surprised, saddened--by the fact that this 60-something woman was stumped by the prospect of listing things to be thankful for. "No," I said. "I start the minute I open my eyes by saying thank you for another day. Then as I walk to the bathroom I say thank you for my strong legs that enable me to walk. I say thank you for my hot shower and scrambled eggs. I say thank you for steady work that puts a roof over my head, food on my table, and pays for all the necessities. I say thank you for a reliable vehicle to get me to and from that steady job. I say thank you for my coworkers, who always make me smile. I say thank you for my nursing degree that allows me to help people when they need to be taken care of. I say--" She waved a hand in my face, dismissing me. "Yeah, I get it," she said, rolling her eyes.
I was and am convinced she definitely does not get it.
Are you, despite your hardships, grateful for each and every day? What are you thankful for? How do you live in gratitude? How do you practice gratefulness? Respond to this newsletter and I will share your thoughts and stories in next month's newsletter.
Thank you for reading.
”Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." ~ Melody Beattie |
I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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The following is in response to "A Celebration of Life" :
Mary Ann MCPhedran  writes, "I enjoyed reading your story--a good spiritual message." Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it. 
Zeke  writes, "This Celebration of Life piece is so very true. Thank you." Thank YOU, Zeke. 
Elfin Dragon-finally published writes, "You're newsletter this week reminded me of a small miracle several years ago. My ex's best friend (well, our friend) fell through a roof doing construction and was severely injured. He was put in ICU and no one was sure if he'd make it. My ex and friend visited him every day (I went when I could). Then one evening he woke up and for a couple days he was doing great. My ex and friend were able to talk with him. And then the next day he was gone. It was if God had given them all a bit of peace with those two days. We were all sad he was gone, but glad they were able to have a chance for one last chat with him." Aw, what a blessing! Thank you for sharing, and I'm so sorry for your loss. 
Steve adding writing to ntbk.  writes, "You come up with some fine newsletters. This one is no exception; Shannon; and I for one am grateful you are with us here in the WdC. It's true we do need to celebrate life while we are still ticking. Life is so fragile, at one minute we could be the 'life of the party'", and the next just hanging on by a wing and a prayer. I will think more about celebrating life on my birthday and Rhonda's too. The item I share [below] is of a personal nature--my way of celebrating my 'true father', and the impact he had on our lives. Thanks for sharing and caring, Copenator out!" Aw, you are so sweet. Thank you, Steve. 
shepherd46 writes, "What a wonderful article, Shannon! So true about appreciating and loving people while they are still here. Recently, my brother died but I am glad that I told him I loved him; even though it had been awhile. He has been mentally ill for many years and difficult to communicate with but I feel in my heart that many times I conveyed to him my love and caring. Wonderful article and true words!" Thank you much, Morningstar, and I am so sorry for your loss. 
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Spiritual: September 02, 2015 Issue [#7184]
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