Kindness
We tend to talk a lot about charity and love. While they are, indeed, very powerful gifts or virtues, there is a "bigness" or largeness about them that somehow makes them seem a bit "beyond." Love is of God. But a simple act is kindness is something very human and can somehow light up a difficult day, or a long day, or an unusually tiring day. So...I am most grateful for the many acts of kindness--the thoughtful words, the bright smiles, the gentle gestures--that are part of my everyday world.
Listening
I am grateful for the gift of listening--both my ability to listen to others and their ability to listen to me. A friend told me once that I listen "intently." Part of that is probably because I'm very deaf and have to listen intently. I often struggle to make people understand that physical hearing loss often involves lack of clarity as well as (and sometimes more than) lack of volume. I think that same distinction might apply to listening with the heart--grasping not just the words but the emotions and the feelings that underlie the words. And so I am grateful for those who listen to both my words and my heart!
Music
More and more music has become something for which I am grateful. The words of hymn, the tenderness of a love song--in each there is something that opens my heart and my being to my God and reminds me of God's love for me. And for this I am grateful!
Newness
I've already talked about newness in one sense--that Franciscan concept of ongoing conversion--being ever new, always starting over again. But I'm also grateful for the newness of everyday--the newness of a new dawn, a new flower, the newness of each season. Not being naturally observant or sensate, I sometimes have to remind myself to take in and enjoy this newness and to thank God for it. But...I think I'm getting better at it!
Opportunity
I'm grateful for the many opportunities I've received during my lifetime--opportunities that have ongoing implications. I've always liked to study and so I loved the educational opportunities I've had, especially the six summers I spent at the Catholic University of America earning a Masters degree. Spiritual opportunities are ongoing! I'm especially grateful for my renewal year during which I made a 30 day retreat in a Poor Clare monastery in New Orleans, spent three months at a Franciscan sabbatical program in Minnesota, and three weeks on a Franciscan pilgrimage in Assisi and other Franciscan sites in Italy. During the past 18 years, I've worked in communications and have had the opportunity to learn new skills that still utilize my innate gifts--and to travel to a yearly conference!
And what will P, Q, R, S, T bring in the way of gratitude? Stay tuned for Part 4!!
