Occasionally, we all become stalled along our spiritual journey, and we each lose perspective now and then. Imagine my surprise when I found my lost perspective in a supermarket parking lot.
“Ugh! The store is packed!” I groaned as I crept along, looking for a spot. I found one, in the last row.
“It won’t hurt me to walk. I should at least be glad I’m able to walk.” I suddenly realized I could not remember the last time I felt truly grateful for anything so seemingly mundane. I uttered a quick prayer of thanks. As I approached the front door, I saw a man exiting the store in the slow, deliberate manner of a person with limited mobility. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed a second man hobbling behind me with a cane. Once inside, I was thunderstruck by the sight of a woman being assisted onto a
motorized cart. Three people in 60 seconds. This was no coincidence.
A spark ignited within me that day. While I am certainly more appreciative of my home, my family, my legs, I am most grateful for the rediscovery of something much deeper and even more meaningful: perspective.
~ Stephanie Sisneros
Stephanie Sisneros is a proud wife, mother of three, and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. For more
samples, contact her
January 9
Our Five Greatest Gifts
When was the last time you thanked your eyes? I thought so. How about your ears? Take a minute to think about how much our five senses enhance, delight, and, yes, even save our lives. I am so grateful for the gifts of:
SIGHT Art, a new baby, a beautiful sunset, colors, the ocean, a perfect starry night
SOUND Music, “I love you,” birdsongs, waves crashing, a car honking, tornado siren, or smoke alarm, a
pounding rainstorm
SMELL Roses, a Christmas tree, a cake baking, smoke or natural gas, scented candles, a crackling fire in the fireplace TOUCH Kittens and puppies, cashmere, a newborn baby, a great massage, white grains of powdery sand, lovers
TASTE A kiss, a warm brownie or croissant, fresh fruits and vegetables, Maine lobster, a great wine, tiramisu And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Take some time and enjoy creating your own list—or, better yet, do this with family and friends, and then compare your ideas. Starting today, when you
say your prayers, don’t forget to include these five amazing gifts.
~ Mary Armstrong Hines
Mary Hines, lifelong teacher and social worker, enjoys family, friends, and the beautiful California coast. She can be
found at the ocean or
January 10
What if...?What if grace isn’t just a prayer we offer before receiving a meal, but rather a way of life?
When blessing our food, we are literally infusing it with the essence of appreciation. Did you know recent research has shown each of us possesses an electromagnetic heart field measurable up to 6 feet around us? We are essentially walking, talking broadcast stations—energetic units radiating out a signal with every thought, feeling, word, and action, which is then magnetized back to us through the field environment. Scripture says that “As you think so shall you be.” Physics states that “like matter must return to its original source.” It is the Law of the Circle. Nature requires an equal exchange of energy. We give what we choose, and we receive back that which we give. It
is the cycle of giving and receiving. What we appreciate, appreciates! The true gift of gratitude we give to others is the frequency and energy hidden within, regenerating those who fully receive it. If the one thing we did was look for things to appreciate, we could live a spectacularly joyous life!
What if today, you were simply grateful for everything?
What if...?
~ Donna Koontz
Donna Koontz is an author, speaker, and licensed coach specializing in the field of human potential. You can contact
her
January 11
Grateful for My Life
I am grateful for my life and the opportunity I have to live it to the fullest each day. I did not completely appreciate this until I found out that my days might be numbered. After being diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer at age 37, I realized for the first time how precious my life is to me and to my loved ones.
as a special gift. Every morning when I wake up and my feet hit the floor, I thank God for another day of life. I take nothing and no one for granted, and I tell people in my life how much I care about them on a daily basis.
This experience has changed my life in many ways, and for that I am also grateful. I am now more courageous when it comes to taking risks, for I know that I may not have the same opportunity at a later time. I am also less serious, and I know that we must always see the lighter side if we are to facilitate change in our world. Life, I love you more and more each day!
~ Connie Ragen Green
Connie Ragen Green, an author and speaker from southern California, teaches new entrepreneurs how to build a profitable online business. Reach her at HugeProfitsTinyList.com.
January 12
Tragedy Fades, Gratitude Triumphs Kay excelled as an early-childhood educator and devoted mother. Her final years, though laced with persistent discomfort, reinforced my gratitude for the 40 quality years we spent together!
On that fateful October 2008 morning, her pain was like all other post-dialysis cramps. But the ambulance journey to the emergency room was to be her last. Three years earlier, Kay had contracted the rare Goodpastures syndrome, an autoimmune condition where generated antibodies explosively smashed her kidneys.
Weeks of chemotherapy, steroids, dialysis, and plasmapheresis produced myriad side effects, including temporary blindness. Eventually the antibody count subsided, but her immunity had been brutally compromised. Soon a heart- valve infection decreed urgent, risky, open-heart surgery.
A possible kidney transplant offered her improved lifestyle potential. Our daughter’s tests revealed pleasing tissue compatibility. Kay recoiled from placing her at risk—though eventually she reluctantly consented. But her window of opportunity had closed. Her heart valves had become infected again. Prescribed antibiotics proved ineffective.
Kay was told to prepare for her final act. Weeks later, a massive heart attack pulled down the curtain. Encores were impossible.
With sadness and gratitude intermingled, I daily celebrate wonderful memories of my truly amazing wife.
~ Vivian G. J. Hill
Vivian Hill is a retired teacher who enjoys researching and writing. His latest book details his wife’s experiences resulting from her health ordeal. Please visit MyWifeHadGoodpastures.com.
January 13
The Courage of Others
story pushes you over the last wave of fear? Who inspires you to try, to move, to win?
Everything we face today at some point was harder—perhaps even impossible —but someone did not give up. Someone made it possible. We can stand humbled by others’ stories, or we can honor them by moving ourselves, inspired to action by their stories. The courage of others can become our own.
Molly Mackenzie’s parents were of different descent, one Cherokee and the other white. She married and had four children. Her husband was an alcoholic. There was a divorce, leaving her with no support. Why is this
remarkable? She was born in 1887, a very different time. Undaunted, she started her own business and achieved success personally and professionally. She was my great-grandmother.
Molly’s story has inspired me many times in the course of my life. I have no memory of her, only a faded photograph. It is, however, my honor to have her bonnet, sewn by her own hand. Passed down over generations, it is a reminder of her legacy. Her courage was a gift to all the generations to follow, including mine.
~ Kathi C. Laughman
Laughman helps clients see more value in their story than they ever dreamed possible. Visit her website at www.MackenzieCircle.com.
January 14
Reconnect with Your Self
The Chinese pictogram for “busy” is made up of two symbols: “heart” and “killing.” How do we kill our hearts? By our busy-ness—by denying the desire to unplug, unwind, sit down, take a nap, make love, take a walk, play, listen, and simply be still.
“Sabbath” means not only to cease from activity, but also to put everything in its proper place. This is an invitation to stop what we are doing, to step back and observe what is out of place, and to realign ourselves with our original vision. It’s time to reconnect with the Divinity in ourselves and in the world. If this seems daunting, why not start with a Sabbath hour or a Sabbath evening any day of the week?
When I say “I’m keeping Sabbath,” what I mean is that I’m loving myself enough to be a human being—not a human doing. It means being grateful for exactly who and where I am.
joy, refreshment, and the deep knowing of how to reconnect with your soul so that you can be the person you wish to be in the world.
~ DiAnna Ritola
DiAnna Ritola is an interfaith minister, spiritual coach, and speaker. Find her at AuthenticIntegration.com for support in transforming relationships with sex, self, others, and the Divine.