gratitude

UU Lent 2020 – Day 44 – Gratitude

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Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul. – Amy Collette

The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy. – Henri Nouwen

Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone. – Gertrude Stein

We learned about gratitude and humility – that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean… and we were taught to value everyone’s contribution and treat everyone with respect. – Michelle Obama

A Thanksgiving for the Elements by Eric Williams

Blessed Curses, Cursed Blessings by Becky Brooks

Unexpected Sources of Liberation

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During this time of social distancing and quarantine we have all been forced to wrestle with more than just a global pandemic. We have been told to look for silver linings. One of those silver linings is in spending more time with ourselves we are faced with our challenges and struggles.

Alanis Morissette’s song, “Thank U”, functions like a gratitude prayer to the many unexpected sources of liberation in her life.

Perhaps we can use this time to examine our challenges and be thankful for them. In our gratitude, maybe we can set ourselves free.

Month of Gratitude Day 8

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What book are you most grateful for?

I Opened a Book
By Julia Donaldson

I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.

I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.

I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.

I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.