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Monday, December 13, 2010

Gratitude


I was thinking about gratitude this morning - and last night. I think gratitude may be the single most powerful emotion we possess.

I have a tiny book called, "Always We Begin Again" (The Benedictine Way of Living) by John McQuiston II and I am drawn again and again to The First Rule of St. Benedict.

"Attend to these instructions, listen with the heart and the mind; they are provided in a spirit of goodwill.

These words are addressed to anyone who is willing to renounce the delusion that the meaning of life can be learned; whoever is ready to take up the greater weapon of fidelity to a way of living that transcends understanding.

The first rule is simply this:

live this life and do whatever is done, in a spirit of Thanksgiving.

Abandon attempts to achieve security, they are futile.

give up the search for wealth, it is demeaning.

quit the search for salvation, it is selfish.

and come to comfortable rest in the certainty that those who participate in this life with an attitude of Thanksgiving will receive its full promise."

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