Sunday, September 9, 2012
Radical Gratitude
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I'm not a radical, but the concept of radical gratitude seems right to me. How can we be radically grateful for the many blessings in our lives? What would happen if we embraced an attitude of radical gratitude daily, hourly, by the minute?
Let's find out. Together.
I'm going to list things I'm grateful for...big things and small things, urgent things and prayerful things, insignificant things and mundane things, natural things and man-made things. Things that are important. That I notice. That beckon. That are broken. That work.
Things I am grateful for.
I might use poetry or prose, haiku or one word. There's no right way to be grateful.
Except to be radical.
Radically grateful.
1. The sound of insects at night.
A sound engineer
Can parse the sounds of insects
at night. I can not.
To me, they sound like
the background radiation
of God's first deep breath.
Now it is your turn. What are you grateful for, right now, in this very moment, as you read this for the first time.
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I'm grateful for a neighbor who has been cancer free for just over a year now. Just popped him and his wife a note on their facebook accounts telling them so. I think it so often when I run by their house on my morning runs. Fabulous idea for a blog Susan.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful, Susan. Count me in :) Today I'm grateful for the opportunity to be teaching the Grade 5/6 Sunday School class 2 Sundays a month again and for being able to celebrate hubby's birthday today.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that you started this blog! In May on a card thread I read, one of the ladies posted "1000 gifts of May" or something like that. There were 3 things a day that we were to find gratitude in. Reminding myself daily of things to be grateful for, changed my perspective! It gave me a sense of well being and so I am grateful that you have started this blog so that I can participate and remember to be grateful!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeing with family.
ReplyDeleteWould it be selfish, to say I am grateful for a hot bath and a good book to read while I soak?
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for my husband - I have some significant health issues, and he so often has to "go the extra mile" - without complaining. We celebrated 30 years of marriage in June!
ReplyDeleteI grateful for you! Your creativity inspires me daily and your faith and devotion help me to keep the "important" things at the front of my mind - where they belong! Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us!!
ReplyDeleteMy spirit rises when the summer blanket of cloying humidity is lifted.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I'm grateful for my husband and grateful for my health. I had a long phone conversation with a friend this evening. We talked about a church friend who will soon be going to her heavenly home. Thankful for a merciful and loving God.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, Susan! In this busy, crazy life, I really need to take time to be grateful in a more specific way. Yesterday I was grateful to spend time with good friends and to have an unexpected sleepover with DD and grandkids. Today I'm grateful to be home safely.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for the 15 people who joined our church family this morning. Many of them came out of a very hurtful situation and we had the privilege to not just acccept them but to love them and be a part of their healing!
ReplyDeleteAhh, I love this idea. I try to live my daily life with an attitude of gratitude! Of course I am ever grateful for my husband who is my best friend in the world, and for my four beautiful children who bring us so much joy...but honestly, today I was grateful for a beautiful, breezy, sunny day as we sat through two soccer games (as opposed to yesterday, when it was hot and muggy)!
ReplyDeletei, too, am grateful for you, susan. your wisdom and insights and wonderful way with words are such a pleasure to me. you remind me of what is truly important, and how much we have to be thankful for. today is made 4 gratitude cards with some of my PTI stamps. that was such fun.
ReplyDeletethank you, my friend.
marty
tonite i am thankful for my comfortable bed & my cozy patchwork quilt. i only got about 2
ReplyDeletehours of sleep last night and can't wait to get a shower & get into bed. your timing in creating this blog is perfect for me. thank you.
I'm thankful for a friend at church who replied to my casual "Hey, how are you?" that everyday he is more and more overwhelmed by the amazing grace of God. This is from a guy who is on disability due to a closed head injury years ago. Thank you for that reminder!
ReplyDeleteTonight - I'm grateful for technology!
ReplyDeleteYour blogs.
Being connected to my children and grandsons.
Digital photography.
I am so grateful for the helping hand of so many generous friends and neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for my blogging friends who stay in touch and keep me motivated.
I am grateful for each and every day that God gives me.
Myrna
I can see that this blog is already a huge success. What a great idea! I am very thankful that DH and I were able to take an overnight trip this weekend. We traveled about 4 hours to see long time friends, and celebrate with them as their youngest daughter was married. We felt incredibly blessed to be there.
ReplyDeleteTruthfully? I'm grateful you will continue the Simplicity blog. I would be lost without it.
ReplyDeleteSarah (kegbo)
I am grteful to have a husband that is willing to go out of his way to help a neighbor in need.
ReplyDeleteLu C
I'm grateful for a cool breeze, a quiet night, & a comfortable bed after a full & productive weekend
ReplyDeleteI'm very grateful right now, today, and for the past 33 years, for being able to share my life with the man who became my husband on September 9, 1979.
ReplyDeleteMy husband died three months ago, at the age of 43. I'm grateful for every minute of the 14 years we had together... and I regret that I didn't tell him every single day how grateful I was.
ReplyDelete"I have a little shadow who goes in and out with me, and what can be the use of him..."
ReplyDeleteIn this moment, I am grateful for my dog, Toby, who is my little shadow. And a source of love, joy and laughter.
I am grateful for modern medicine.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for a wonderful son who has become a loving husband, father and friend. My birthday yesterday reminded me of the simple joy found in spending time with 2 ever changing, ever curious two year old and four year old all American boys.
ReplyDeletePat J
So MANY things to be grateful for if we only stop and breathe a moment. I'm grateful to have the window open this morning with two cats sitting the window breathing the fresh cool morning air. Thank you, Susan, for helping us remember to count our blessings.
ReplyDeletehugs, Sherry
I am grateful that today is my son's 11th birthday. What a privelege to be a witness to his growth and development!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm grateful for your inspiration, Susan. Thank-you!
Today I am grateful for the ordinary.
ReplyDeleteAn ordinary drive in to work, my sweet kiss goodbye from my carpool partner, my first cup of tea, my usual breakfast cereal, sunshine outside the window where I work and everything that makes up my day that is ordinary.
A day without worry or drama, for that I am very grateful.
Returning home after celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend ~ first with family and then alone at a B&B. It is now a joyous memory to hold in my heart forever!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for the grace of God.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for the beautiful cool breeze I am enjoying right now. I love fall!
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for a loving husband, wonderful friends, and a large iced coffee to shake out the cobwebs on a Monday morning back at work.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, at this very moment, I am grateful for the steaming hot latte that I am sipping on - ah, caffine....that's it.....caffine!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually very grateful that you started this blog. I was rather "cranky" this morning until I got my coffee and went through my e-mails and found this. I am still drinking the coffee but the "crankies" seem to have gone. I guess it's hard to be cranky when thinking "greatful". From one Susan to another, I thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that I 'found' you quite some time ago and followed you ever since, albeit quietly. But now I have found my voice to say thank you, I am so very grateful to you for starting all your blogs. xxxx
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that my little 9mo baby was born healthy - what with the scare we had when I was 4 months preggo
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for my good friend of 19 years. We may go weeks without talking, but when we reconnect it's like no time has passed. She is always there when I need help or just a listening ear.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for this blog! I recognize the value of an "attitude of gratitude", but I don't slow down often enough to stop and think about it. Thanks for providing me with a regular reminder to do so!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I am grateful for your blog. I joined you last year sending Gratitude cards before Thanksgiving. I love the idea and embrace it. I have joined 52 weeks of cards so that I carry the idea of letting my family and friends know that I love them and are thinking of them other days than birthdays. I am grateful for you.
ReplyDelete