In Thanksgiving

Thank you!
Everything in me says “Thank you!”
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again:
“Thank you!”
Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.
When they hear what you have to say, God, all earth’s rulers will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done: “How great the glory of God!”
And here’s why: you, God, though mighty care for the lowly;
you humble the proud and champion those in need.
When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
Finish what you started in me, God;
I know that you will fulfill your purpose for me.
Your love, O God, is eternal:
Everything in me says “Thank you!”

Psalm 138 as translated by Eugene H. Peterson in  The Message (alt.)

Being sure that my face remained very close to the microphone so that the words of scripture would be heard through the church, I read Psalm 138. I felt that I was reading my own words rather than those of someone living two or three millennia ago. I figure that this shows that gratitude is deeply rooted in the human psyche.

As our minister pointed out, Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough showed that those who acknowledge gratitude experience higher levels of optimism, both physical and mental well-being, a healthier lifestyle, and are more likely to offer help and emotional support to others. An “attitude of gratitude” -- whether for family, pets, direction or dessert -- really makes a difference in our lives as well as the lives of those around us.

Thank goodness there is at least one day a year when we take stock of that for which we are thankful as well as that for which we ask for help.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sew Fun!

A day patched with quilting seldom unravels.

Unknown

Mom and I enjoyed the day at the Hamilton Quilters Guild biannual quilt show, being inspired by the beautiful creations on display, the demonstrations of new techniques and, of course, the vendors with their I-don't-know-what-I-will-do-with-it-but-I-must-have-it fat quarters. A friend, who is an inspiration with her program to bring comfort to people in long-term care facilities through gifts of lap quilts, displayed one she made for herself. "Pickles" is a favourite cartoon and hers is a quilt that brought a smile to the face of every quilter.

Sofa Contemplation

Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and philosopher in Meditations

Returning home late tonight, I poured a glass of wine and stretched out on my new sofa. I looked up and saw the universe across my popcorn ceiling. What a splendid sight!

Unremarkable

Be ordinary, but bring a quality of awareness to your ordinary life. Bring God to your ordinary life, introduce God into your ordinary life. Sleep, eat, love, pray, meditate, but don’t think that you are making or doing something special—and then you will be special.

Chandra Mohan Jain, known as Osho, Indian mystic, guru and spiritual teacher (1931-1990)

This morning I was cheered by the news that I am "unremarkable". While in other circumstances I undoubtedly would be disappointed by such assessment, today's evaluation came from a doctor reporting that there was nothing wrong. I am normal. Yay! I was reminded that so often we strive to be extraordinary when, in fact, we should be thankful for our ordinariness.

Tonight I received delivery of my unremarkable sofa which has made me very happy. It is not extraordinary. In fact, it's very unextraordinary. And it is exactly what I wanted. Furthermore, I take it on good (feline) authority that it is a comfortable place to curl up in.

So three cheers for ordinary!