  Spiritual
This week: Grateful for This Day Edited by: KimChi  
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Gratitude costs nothing, but pays off with peace of mind and contentment.
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It's easy to get overwhelmed in today's society. We rush from doctor's appointments to soccer games and back to make dinner, usually complaining the whole time about having no free time to just chill on the couch.
But we choose this life, every aspect of it. We sacrifice our time to get ahead, to provide for our children, to be more efficient, do more, know more, get more. Ultimately the goal is to be more--smarter, wiser, richer, or happier.
In the mad dash to take advantage of the opportunities the twenty-first century provides us, sometimes we lose sight that our technologies are blessings in themselves. This truth was demonstrated most vividly for me during a simple rainstorm, when the electricity went off.
No lights, no computer or TV, and no air conditioning.
It was a rough day of summer vacation, let me tell you. 
To hear my daughter tell the story, we lived through a harrowing six hours in the bug-infested wilderness of my backyard with nothing more than a few candles, a BBQ grill, and a pool.
Horrifying, eh?
Her entitled sense of "roughing it" reminded me that I had crossed to the other side of the generation gap, and I was forced to share my version of my parents' "we had to walk up hill (both ways) in a snowstorm (with no shoes) to get to school" story.
With her full attention not stolen by a handheld game, she listened as I described the "good old days", before personal computers, color TV, cell phones, or wireless anything. As children, my friends and I rode our bikes and threw together games of softball and basketball. Mostly we played "pretend", using our imaginations to trek through the desert or land on the moon. We didn't have central air conditioning or even a giant plastic tub of water to cool us off--we had a hose, for which we were immensely thankful.
I also explained that even in 2011 not all the world has access to the basic necessities, much less the latest gadgets. Many people don't own a vehicle, enjoy indoor plumbing, or even have clean water to drink. Electricity is a lovely convenience and an internet connection is the cherry on top of what looks suspiciously like a cushy life compared to even fifty years ago.
After hearing how far civilization has advanced in a mere generation, my daughter's new mantra is: "We're so lucky."
We are all lucky. Shelter, food, electricity, and information at the push of a button, which is more than the majority of humans enjoy. One hot day this summer God reminded my family how blessed we are in the developed world. And all it took was one snapped electric pole to teach us to slow down and give thanks for the "little" things we take for granted like lights, AC, and TV. Next time we have a blackout we'll be prepared with candles, board games, and a quaint tradition I like to call "conversation".
Who knew? Add a side of gratitude and even burned hot dogs and tea with no ice taste like a royal banquet.
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Static items from around Writing.com on the subject of gratitude.
The question was; "What is the fastest way to enlightenment? "
The WORD that shot out of my mouth was, "Gratitude".
My question is, why don't people count their blessings before finding fault with the little things in life? Why don't the appreciate what they have got instead of grumbling about what they haven't got?
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The things for which I'm grateful
Yet each day the number grows.
I consider myself blessed
To be able to reflect on my abundance.
It is the warmth of the morning sun on my freshly washed face.
It is the ability to hear words spoken to me, whether I like them or not.
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The crippled girl in her power chair.
Joined the rushing, busy crowd.
I watched the people in the square.
The sound of sirens and horns was loud.
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I love to pass on messages
And inspire you to grow.
Fear not for all your questions had,
How else are you to know?
Ask the things you love to ask
And listen with open ears.
Drop the things inside of you
That lead you into fear.
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Comments from last month's newsletter. Thanks for the feedback!
Joy  maintains: Kim, thanks for a great NL.
I so agree with you on your four tenets or what you say you learned during the past year. Some kind of reflection, be it an examination of deeds done during the day or giving thanks or taking it further into whatever lifts us up is so essential for our mental health and the way we learn who we are.
njames51  writes: Good newsletter. In silence, the heart can hear. For me, silence is at the top of my list. Silence enables me to "hear" God. Silence allows me to stop and helps my body heal. Silence allows me to hear my breathing. I also walk 2-3 times per day. During this time of silence I am able to pray, to meditate, and to focus on small aspects of nature - to watch a bird fly in front of me; to notice the pattern of clouds; to watch the progress of the moon rising. All are small observations which calm my worries and restore my energy.
Nwriter says: hi, I totally agree with u. Last year i spent the time to learn Brahmavidya or the correct breathing techniques. i'm glad that this newsletter exists.
BIG BAD WOLF is Merry  sends this comment: Something always happens.
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Spiritual: July 13, 2011 Issue [#4505]
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