Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 12:12am
Simple gratitude in complicated times
Column: All Paths
The other night I was having dinner with a friend named Jan and she looked at me with a soft smile and gently said, "Jay, you have a lot to be thankful for." You see, in a previous conversation I told her that a few days before, I had an absolutely great day.
On that particular day I showed my eldest daughter, Amber, how to cook one of my mom's best recipes, as we watched our two dogs play. And the dogs were very funny. If you can imagine a 6-pound Chihuahua named Diego, and a 60-pound Pointer called Snoop playing tug, and keep away, then you know how amusing this was.
In the midst of all that, Amber and I still managed to talk about her life in general and recent trip to Europe. Also, let me mention that earlier that day, I had a pleasant and lengthy talk with my other daughter, Kristen, about politics, our dogs, life and other stuff, as we do on so many other days. So I say again, this was just a great day. It was full of interactions with both of my favorite people, and two of my favorite four-legged friends as well.
If you are not nauseated by now, I will tell you why I am writing about this. Sometimes we are so caught up in this fast-paced, digitized, noise-polluted world that all we can do is see and think about our problems. We can't see the small, beautiful things that make life on this planet fun and truly worth living.
I think we live in an era in which we manufacture fun and devise things and activities that are supposed to enrich our lives and make them more worth living. I am not saying this is all bad, because I love some of the 21st century ways of having fun and making life more bearable.
And, you know what, I would not trade that day with my daughters and family pets for the most exotic vacation, ultimate dining experience or major sporting event. Hey, and all we did was some old-fashioned family bonding in the kitchen, just like our parents and grandparents used to do. That old stuff works. So much for family therapy, huh?
This week I am going to ask you to take a long, hard look at your life and all that you have. You should know by now that I am not referring to stuff. Forget stuff. I am talking about your loved ones ... both two- and four-legged. Say, "Thank you, God, for the love in my life." And resolve that you will be present and wholly centered in the moment, whenever you are with or speak to them, because life is too short and fleeting. The greatest gift we can give to another is our time and presence. If you don't believe me, ask a therapist. They know all about time.
I believe simple things grow and strengthen the bonds we have with our loved ones. Yes, we live in a complicated world with complicated problems. And we can be totally consumed with these problems and forget about the blessings in our lives, which usually come from another person.
So go out and shout it from the rooftops and kiss and hug all of your loved ones and say, "I thank God and I am so full of gratitude that you are in my life." OK, you don't have to shout it from the rooftops. However, I think you get the point. Be thankful and full of gratitude for the people in your life and don't take them for granted. Albert Schweitzer said, "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person."
"Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
— — —
Rev. Jay Speights has an MA in public policy and is an interfaith minister and the main U.N. representative for The New Seminary in New York. You can learn more about his work at The New Seminary website or at http://jayspeights.blogspot.com/. His email address is {email jayspeights@newseminary.org}jayspeights@newseminary.org{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Jay Speights.
On that particular day I showed my eldest daughter, Amber, how to cook one of my mom's best recipes, as we watched our two dogs play. And the dogs were very funny. If you can imagine a 6-pound Chihuahua named Diego, and a 60-pound Pointer called Snoop playing tug, and keep away, then you know how amusing this was.
In the midst of all that, Amber and I still managed to talk about her life in general and recent trip to Europe. Also, let me mention that earlier that day, I had a pleasant and lengthy talk with my other daughter, Kristen, about politics, our dogs, life and other stuff, as we do on so many other days. So I say again, this was just a great day. It was full of interactions with both of my favorite people, and two of my favorite four-legged friends as well.
If you are not nauseated by now, I will tell you why I am writing about this. Sometimes we are so caught up in this fast-paced, digitized, noise-polluted world that all we can do is see and think about our problems. We can't see the small, beautiful things that make life on this planet fun and truly worth living.
I think we live in an era in which we manufacture fun and devise things and activities that are supposed to enrich our lives and make them more worth living. I am not saying this is all bad, because I love some of the 21st century ways of having fun and making life more bearable.
And, you know what, I would not trade that day with my daughters and family pets for the most exotic vacation, ultimate dining experience or major sporting event. Hey, and all we did was some old-fashioned family bonding in the kitchen, just like our parents and grandparents used to do. That old stuff works. So much for family therapy, huh?
This week I am going to ask you to take a long, hard look at your life and all that you have. You should know by now that I am not referring to stuff. Forget stuff. I am talking about your loved ones ... both two- and four-legged. Say, "Thank you, God, for the love in my life." And resolve that you will be present and wholly centered in the moment, whenever you are with or speak to them, because life is too short and fleeting. The greatest gift we can give to another is our time and presence. If you don't believe me, ask a therapist. They know all about time.
I believe simple things grow and strengthen the bonds we have with our loved ones. Yes, we live in a complicated world with complicated problems. And we can be totally consumed with these problems and forget about the blessings in our lives, which usually come from another person.
So go out and shout it from the rooftops and kiss and hug all of your loved ones and say, "I thank God and I am so full of gratitude that you are in my life." OK, you don't have to shout it from the rooftops. However, I think you get the point. Be thankful and full of gratitude for the people in your life and don't take them for granted. Albert Schweitzer said, "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person."
"Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
— — —
Rev. Jay Speights has an MA in public policy and is an interfaith minister and the main U.N. representative for The New Seminary in New York. You can learn more about his work at The New Seminary website or at http://jayspeights.blogspot.com/. His email address is {email jayspeights@newseminary.org}jayspeights@newseminary.org{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Jay Speights.