I’m up early on New Year’s Day and contemplating the new year that now faces me. These new years, it seems, come in rapid-fire succession the older I get, and every year I sit in this place with this computer on my lap and wonder: What happened in the past year and what will happen in the year ahead?
The first question (what happened last year?) is a tricky and important one. For the issue at hand is not simply remembering as much as it is appreciating, what sunk in and affected me because I was made more aware of it. How many good meals do I remember, how many stimulating conversations with family and friends, how many pieces of music did I allow to seep into my soul and change me? Which books struck, inspired and challenged me? Perhaps most importantly, how did I allow God into my life in the past year? How often did I sit quietly and savor the presence of God in the quiet of this room, in the holiness of liturgy and the sacraments, in the company of friends, relatives, colleagues and strangers?
Most of us would likely say we appreciate these things. But we are called to a higher standard. We are called to savor them for what they are — gifts of the spirit, sent to make our lives richer and more meaningful and to draw us closer to the sender. All too often, and through no conscious decision as much as unconscious living, we miss all these things. They still happen to us (these meals, these conversations, these sacraments) but we haven’t noticed them and thanked the sender. We’re missing the moment and forgetting the gratitude.
So all this leads us to the coming year, a chance (as always) to begin again, to live more purposefully, more authentically, more aware of the gifts given and the call to respond and share. For those called to the creative life, in whatever form, this is a call to recognize those gifts and transform them into something others can see, hear, taste, experience.
Today I’m beginning a challenge and throwing it out there to see if anyone wants to join me — a year of living in higher awareness and gratitude for the gifts around me. For me, this will take the physical form of a new journal (provided as a gift from my good friend Jill Stratton) in which I will be recording the blessings and moments and opportunities that come my way this year, in hopes that I will be more thankful, more aware, more creative in turning those blessings around and giving them to others. A year of savoring each day a little more intensely, a year of appreciating every gift that comes my way. The journal is just for me, but I have no doubt it will fuel and enrich my writing, my music, my photography and art, my cooking, my service to others.
I can’t help but be reminded of the old hymn:
Count your many blessings name them one by one.
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Ask yourself in silence: How aware of my blessings and gifts am I?
I have been very aware and grateful for the blessings in my life for quite sometime. When I go to bed at night thankfulness is always one of my prayers. I also reflect on where I found Jesus that day. My challenge is writing them down. I feel that God has been telling me for several years to write in my journal, which I received as a gift. Somehow, I just never get around to the writing part. That is what I need to start doing, and I am going to accept that challenge.
Thanks!
Judy
Being….and Being Aware of how God has been there with me
What a great idea for the new year….Count me in
Gerry
Count me in!
Being ….on purpose….and being aware of how God is with me
What a great idea for the new year
Gerry
Hi Steve, Happy New Year! A very inspiring post. I journal every day for Light Weigh but after reading your post, I want to take it to a deeper level and really look at each day and experience to see where I see G
od and am able to bring Him to others. Thank you for the invitation.
I have a journal I bought this year and it was (and now is) to be my gratitude journal. Today I watched a vacation movie I had taken 14 years ago. In and around all the mountains and deserts (Tucson and Desert Museum) I would catch glimpses of my sister who passed away 12 years ago and hear her talking. She is number 1 in my gratitude journal. I miss her presence; she helped me so much in my life. There is a reason for everything, so thanks for your invite to get me started.
Barbara,
How beautiful and meaningful to see your sister again in those moves…I’m glad you’re accepting the challenge. Have a peaceful and creative New Year.
Steve
Thanks, Debbie. Glad you accepted the invitation…you have much to be grateful for and much to share with others.
Steve
Thanks, Gerry…we’ll talk soon!
Steve
Thanks, Judy. I’m glad I was able to give you a little spark to get you going. It only takes a few days to establish a habit…stay with it.
Happy New Year!
Steve
I would like to say how much your writing has been something I read and it inspires me to look for the reasons for gratitude in my life each day.
Thank you for your time in this.
Wanted to share what happened this very evening.
When I got home after a great day with friends I went to empty the trash and my dog Ember shot out of the front door. She never has done this so I was shocked! I ran out into the night calling her but feeling helpless. I could see her run down the street and head around the corner towards a street that leads to a major boulevard. I immediately prayed asking for God’s help. I passed two women and told them I had lost my dog. When I reached the boulevard I was distraught. Then I heard what I thought was someone calling me. It was the two women. As I turned around and walked towards them I could see they had Ember my dog by the collar. I told them to grab her as she has slipped out of her collar before. They did. As I got close enough I scooped my dog into my arms. I gave the women, an aunt and her niece a hug thanking them. Their names are Joyce and Ireland. What a blessing! God has been leading me all day to see things in my day with spiritual eyes of gratitude. I feel his gentle care in ordinary circumstances of my life. I feel called to your idea of a gratitude journal. I began one last year and did not complete it although I felt a greater awareness of gratitude written in my heart. I will try again! God will lead me.
Thanks Steve, for the reminder to always be grateful….a priest recently reminded me of this at our annual penitential service..”before you go to sleep each night, think about three blessings that you have received today….!” It’s amazing how we take so many things for granted. So I’m accepting your challenge too!
Thank you Steve for throwing the gauntlet to us, your readers, to take up the challenge of keeping a journal of gratitude.
Yes, all too often, we rave and rant when things do not go our way but forget to thank and praise God when things run smoothly, even the little everyday things. We fail to see His hand in the orchestration of things.
With this purposeful writing, we can perhaps become more productive in whatever we do, become a better companion to family and friends and being able to savour each day as a gift and not merely as hours to get through.
Another beautiful, thought provoking piece, Steve! Oh yes! Count me in also! The journal my granddaughter Kayla gave me for my birthday and has been sitting on my desk is now open . . . pen inside . . . a practice that was part of my being that has been placed on the back burner for some time, has now begun again; but with more simplicity, with more focus . . . blessings and gratitude! All right before us! Thank you for helping to redirect me. God’s blessings in this New Year and always, my friend! Kathleen
Love, love, love the picture!! First birthdays are phenomenal!! Enjoy him!
Thanks, Kathleen. One more person egged on to a year of gratitude! Grateful for you and your writing.
Thanks, Lily. Indeed, when we become more grateful to God, we become better all around for those in our lives.
Thanks, Lorraine. I agree, before going to bed is a good time to recollect our day…it’s a good habit to get into. St. Ignatius knew this back in the 16th centut and called it the “Examen,” a beautiful and purposeful daily prayer…
While at a dollar store today in Hazelwood, I noticed Journals for sale at the checkout
lane and was tempted to make a purchase but didn’t. Then, I happened upon your
blog this p.m. and now I see a connection- go back tomorrow, buy the Journal and
start writing! I was Sue’s secretary (way back when), tell her Hi for me and to be sure
and spoil that grandson!
Steve, I am reminded of a poem by an English poet W H Davies 1871-1940. It begins: “What is this world if full of care we have no time to stand and stare…” Davies spend part of his life wandering the highways and byways. His poetry reflects a gratitude for life. As to keeping a journal! I can remember what happened at school but what I had for breakfast? No idea.
Steve. My comment looks a bit flippant. Sorry it wasn’t meant to. I use a form of Examen each night – although I am not sure St Ignatius would recognize the words – because I realize just how much I have to thank God for each and every day.