Grateful
Living
“Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise—then you will discover the fullness of your life.”
Gratitude changes what we notice
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."
When we pause and look for God in the ordinary, our hearts begin to see life differently.
Learning to Live Gratefully
I am learning that living a life of gratitude changes how I see what is before me. I begin to notice things I- might otherwise pass by—the beauty of the sky, someone’s kindness, or an ordinary moment with someone I love. Instead of always looking at what is missing, I try to become more aware of how much I have already been blessed with.
That doesn’t mean everything in life is good or easy. Some days, recognizing goodness takes a little bit more effort. But even in those difficult moments, I can find God’s love. A life of gratitude helps me become more aware of His presence, receive the love and support of others, and recognize what I need to learn along the way.
When we hosted a TEDx event at the Jesuit high school where I worked, we played TED Talk videos in the library to introduce our school community to the idea. That is how I first encountered the video below. I have watched it at least a hundred times since then. Its invitation to open our eyes continues to remind me how much there is to discover in a day I might otherwise hurry through.
Here in Grateful Living, I will share stories and reflections that have helped me recognize God’s gifts in my everyday life—and discover how living with a grateful heart makes room for joy. Hopefully, it will help you live your life with open eyes.
A moment to open your eyes
Here is the video I return to time and again. Hope you enjoy it as well. ~Jane
A Simple Practice for Grateful Living
Pause with God, Notice God’s goodness, Let it shape your day.
STOP
Take a breath. Set aside your distractions and be right here with God for the moment.
lOOK
Where do you see goodness in front of you? Notice the beauty, kindness or support that is all around you.
GO
How do you respond? Thank God, receive someone’s kindness, or share that goodness with another person.
Inspired by Brother David Steindl-Rast’s Stop, Look Go approach to grateful living.
Explore the practice at Grateful.org
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