11/29/2022
In the days following Thanksgiving I am welcoming these words from Kristi Nelson, Director of A Network for Grateful Living. Nelson was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and during the years of chemotherapy, uncertainty and remission, she says:
" I did not know any other way to live the moments I had than to greet each one as gratefully as I could. Not sure how much more time was mine, I was awestruck by every moment, every person, and every thing…I would wake up in a room bathed in light, hear birds singing, and notice I was still breathing… I could put both feet on the floor and walk freely to a kitchen where I could make a cup of tea. It was enough to make me start each day with tears of joy.”
"But over time, all those amazing reasons to feel grateful joined the ranks of the taken-for-granted. I got healthy and busy. I began chasing goals and the fulfillment they promised. I martyred myself to a job, complained about things like traffic, my weight, and colds. I ruthlessly compared myself to others, succumbed to retail therapy and debt, and suffered from stress.” After some challenging years, Kristi says,“I came to realize that this capacity for a grateful perspective is a muscle I needed to build and use, and it is still something I need to nurture and tend daily.”
We know that Thanksgiving is not a meal, an evening, or even a weekend spent with loved ones.Giving thanks is an ongoing practice of greeting each moment as gratefully as we can.
I hope you had a beautiful and blessed holiday, and that the spirit of thanksgiving continues to color your days.
