Speaking of Spirit

As we sit at our tables this week, let us remember to give thanks for all we have been given. Let us find time to say the words of gratitude to That which has given us all we have in whatever manner we perceive that Divine Energy to be. At a loss for words?  Here are some you can use at your meal. Blessings and Gratitude for you all! A Prayer for the Thanksgiving Feast               from   Talking to God  by Rabbi Naomi Levy   For the laughter of the children,  For my own life breath,  For the abundance of food on this table,  For the ones who prepared this sumptuous feast,  For the roof over our heads,  The clothes on our backs,  For our health,  And our wealth of blessings,  For this opportunity to celebrate with family and friends,  For the freedom to pray these words  Without fear,  In any language,  In any faith,  ...

Photo: (c) 2018 LMRNeas This morning, as I rose to watch the sunrise, a thought came to me. What if we committed random acts of appreciation?  What if we mindfully thanked others for the hundreds of small and often overlooked things they do for us every day? Who am I talking about?  Everyone!  Our lives are touched by hundreds of people every moment, but we don't see them, even when the gifts they give us are important for our well-being. For example: Thank the people who pick up your trash, or the young man or woman stocking the shelves, or the person driving the bus. Thank the clerk and the bagger; thank the teacher and crossing guard; thank the spouse who brings you tea or coffee. There are so many opportunities! Thing is, you never know how your gratitude can change someone, especially someone who is feeling invisible. So, next time you pass the janitor in the hall at work or at school, take a second to say, "Thanks for the great job you do of keeping...

One of the problems many relationships have is that, sooner or later, the partners begin to take each other for granted. Why? From my 60-plus years of observation, it comes down to a lack of gratitude. Let me give you an example. Partner A helps Partner B, who has worked all day, by folding the laundry and putting it away, a task Partner B usually handles. Partner B, doesn't notice that the laundry is done until there is a need for a clean towel, which isn't where he/she would store it. Then, they make a big deal out of the fact that the towel isn't where it should be. This completely deflates Partner A, who thought he/she was doing something loving. Being grateful isn't difficult, nor is it something that has be done extravagantly. A simple, kindly said, "Thank you, so much. How nice of you," can go a long way to making a person feel appreciated. This is true with any relationship - spouses, partners, parents/children or friends and colleagues. Being m...

On this day, thirty plus years ago, I became a mother for the second time.  Waking in the early hours this morning, I wondered how best to celebrate my daughter, who is many states away, enjoying family and friends on this auspicious day. Spirit has a way of nudging me when I ponder like this. "Give thanks!" she whispers in my soul, "Give thanks!" Of course!  So, for all my girls, I give thanks. THE BLESSING OF DAUGHTERS Blessed Parent of us all, I lift up my heart and soul to you in eternal gratitude  for the blessing  of daughters! I am rich beyond measure,  because I share in each of their lives. I treasure each smile, each tear, each bump and bruise, each triumph, each broken heart, each joyous event, each question and each bit of wisdom. Thank you for our times together - and our times apart - for those times especially, help us see how precious "together" is. Thank you for our differences, for these differences make us...