Gratefulness.org. – Late Blooms

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. Brother David Steindl-Rast — **In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.**
**Brother David Steindl-Rast**

From the time we are infants, along with Mummy and Daddy, Yes and No, we are taught to say “Thank You.” Whatever the language spoken, country of origin, religious or ethnic background, or other factors of birth, the human species knows about gratefulness. We may not have been born grateful but we are certainly taught to be grateful by our parents, caregivers, and the larger society. There are many virtues, all of which are important, but according to Cicero: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Cicero, ‘Pro Plancio,’ 54 B.C. Roman author, orator, & politician (106 BC – 43 BC) Whether we agree or disagree with Cicero, we know just how important gratitude is to oil the wheels of positive social relations. We stand a better chance at making ourselves happy and bringing happiness to other people if we are grateful.

“Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being... Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.” ― David Steindl-Rast — “Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being… Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.”
**― David Steindl-Rast**

In my mailbox this past week, there was mail from Gratefulness.org which is an online network for grateful living. I have been a member here for many years. I have lit candles for many birthdays and other occasions, sent e-cards, and read many wonderful articles about living gratefully. It’s good to belong to a community like this – even though it’s online.

“There is a wave of gratefulness because people are becoming aware how important this is and how this can change our world. It can change our world in immensely important ways, because if you're grateful, you're not fearful, and if you're not fearful, you're not violent. If you're grateful, you act out of a sense of enough and not of a sense of scarcity, and you are willing to share. If you are grateful, you are enjoying the differences between people, and you are respectful to everybody, and that changes this power pyramid under which we live.” ― David Steindl-Rast — “There is a wave of gratefulness because people are becoming aware how important this is and how this can change our world. It can change our world in immensely important ways, because if you’re grateful, you’re not fearful, and if you’re not fearful, you’re not violent. If you’re grateful, you act out of a sense of enough and not of a sense of scarcity, and you are willing to share. If you are grateful, you are enjoying the differences between people, and you are respectful to everybody, and that changes this power pyramid under which we live.”
**― David Steindl-Rast**

You may have noticed that the above quotes below the collages, were written by Brother David Steindl-Rast. He is actively promoting the practice of gratefulness through his work at gratefulness.org Brother David is a Catholic Benedictine monk who has also worked to promote interfaith dialogue and the interrelationship between spirituality and science. His biography is too lengthy to post here as his life to date and accomplishments are so many.

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.” ― David Steindl-Rast — “Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.”
**― David Steindl-Rast**

The reason for this post is that Brother David’s 90th birthday is on July 12th this year and the mailing I received asked that in honour of his birthday year, his video “A Good Day” be shared with others. I am pleased to share this video with you and hope it will bring gratitude to your heart.