gratitude

A Contemplative Moment

Early this summer, our senior family members were invited to my brother and sister-in-law’s home to meet their first grandchild. She was born during the pandemic and few of us had the privilege of meeting her. On this special day, she was almost two years old and made her entrance in her mother’s arms following an afternoon nap.  She stayed close to her parents until she felt safe enough to wander around the large deck and meet the gang.

We enjoyed a wonderful July afternoon sipping cool drinks and catching up with family happenings. We watched with pride as the birthday girl opened her gifts: storybooks which she loves and a fluffy pale blue bunny that can no doubt be found in her crib these days.

Following a delicious summer supper, we continued to relax under the two large awnings.  Suddenly the sky became overcast, there was a thunderclap and rain began to sprinkle the deck.  Our little girl quietly stepped into the space between the awnings and opened her tiny hands to receive the falling drops.  All was silent as we watched the scene unfolding before us.  Obviously, this child in her pretty blue dress was experiencing a new and deep awareness of a special part of nature.  There she continued to stand, perfectly still, contemplating the raindrops meeting her being.

Image: Unsplash/Mike Kotsch

The rain fell slowly at first and then with increasing intensity until it suddenly poured.  She laughed and ran for shelter and her waiting grandpa. Suddenly, I realized that we had witnessed a profound contemplative moment, seen through the eyes of a child.

How much we take for granted in the everyday wonders of our world:  the beauty of summer, the change of seasons, the force of nature, a sudden cloudburst and the miracle of life and love portrayed in the blessing of our newest little family member.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

A Voice Reminds Me

Recently I was at a weekday mass in the chapel of our local Cathedral parish.  There was a woman sitting nearby who has the penchant of speaking in a stage whisper to herself.  At first I wondered whether this would be a distraction during liturgy but alas, it was anything but:  she enhanced the experience for me. 

Before the gospel when the priest said, ‘A reading from the holy gospel according to John’, she whispered ‘Thank you John’.  I thought to myself when was the last time I thought to thank John or God or had an attitude of gratitude for the holy words of Scripture?

During the homily, the celebrant mentioned that we are in the 50 days of Easter.  ‘Fifty days of Easter!’ she exclaimed and later when he mentioned ‘Pentecost’, she also exclaimed in wonder:  ‘Pentecost!’  It caused me to remember that fifty days of Easter and Pentecost are indeed things to be proclaimed and exclaimed rather than listened to passively as I was doing before she spoke.

During the Prayers of the Faithful when the intention was for people who are sick, she whispered ‘That’s me’ and this put a face on those for whom we pray.

I walked out of church that day with an appreciation so much more than usual for the gift of faith.

- Sister Nancy Sullivan, csj

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The Gratitude Factor. Do you have an Attitude of Gratitude?

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During recent studies I (Sr. Sabina Muange) was co-leading a group therapy when my co-leader asked the group members to name one thing they were grateful for. Not surprisingly, this proved to be a challenge for them. To come up with just one thing they were grateful for, stumped them. However, when she reversed the question and asked the group about the challenges with which they struggle in life, within seconds, everyone could name several challenges.

My curiosity was piqued. It prompted me to do a bit of research about the impact of gratitude. I wanted to know how incorporating gratitude intervention can increase positive thinking, as well as improve the lives of clients who suffer from depression. I familiarized myself with a variety of studies all of which show how practicing gratitude can improve the wellness of clients. One of the researchers describes gratitude as an experience that includes a sense of thankfulness, wonder, and appreciation. When clients who suffered from depression were encouraged not only to acknowledge three good things each day for a week, but also were asked to identify its source, they began to feel happier. It did not come as a surprise to read that researchers have concluded that gratitude increases positive emotions, enhances optimism, and serves as a protective factor against stress and depression.

As we well know, stress has been slated as the number one killer, with depression close on its heels. As prevention is better than cure, all of us would do well to live our daily lives not only with a greater awareness of the many blessings we daily enjoy, but to actually name them with gratitude. Our annual celebration of Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to express gratitude for the many blessings of the past year.  However, can you imagine how your optimism would be enhanced by a daily gratitude ritual? The Gratitude Journal, for instance, is a widely used tool for practicing gratitude. Then there is the Blessing Jar. All the many big and little things you are grateful for can be jotted on small pieces of paper and popped into the jar. It could be a lovely Thanksgiving ritual to reflect on those blessings of the past year you tucked into your gratitude jar or jotted in your journal.   

 Guest Bloggers: Sister Magdalena Vogt, CPS
  and Sr. Sabina Muange, CPS