Christine Smith's Blog

I am grateful for…

Just returned from an early morning hike through the snow – brisk and cool – a great way to begin the day! Stopped at the partially frozen creek, surrounded by tall slender aspen, and listened to the water music. The blue spruce across the way towered above me. I am grateful for so much, and so now, this Monday morning, as Thanksgiving is approaching this week, I’ll share a few thoughts on it.

Thanksgiving has always been a meaningful day, as it focuses upon the virtue of expressing gratitude. This makes Thanksgiving a day of action, not passivity, in both heart and deed…a way to live throughout the year. 

Every experience in life, and every individual we encounter, holds opportunity for truth to be taught and learned.

Whatever one is grateful for requires supporting actions showing it, protecting it, and restoring it. One shows they treasure and are grateful for something by their actions, not just their words. To be grateful is more than a feeling, it’s a way to live one’s life.

At its heart, Thanksgiving is a day of lessons learned (and continuing to be learned). Its beginnings, which we celebrate, are a testament to liberty and its bountiful rewards. (Indeed, the festivities of today are a celebration of the fruits reaped when the philosophy of libertarianism is sown. For more on this, visit my 2008 Thanksgiving piece and its links regarding William Bradford and the lesson learned of free enterprise by those early settlers- the true story which should also be taught children and everyone this time of year.)

Twenty four years ago I moved to Colorado, with my first day here being Thanksgiving Day 1985. Fortunately, some caring neighbors helped make that day festive by sharing their Thanksgiving fixings, as I was not prepared to be cooking such a meal in a kitchen yet to be filled with accessories and groceries. I remember that first day well, there was an enormous snowfall, and extreme record breaking cold temperatures. The neighbor’s hospitality was most welcome!

Now, every day, I step out onto the deck of my mountain chalet, look at the sky, the forest, the mountains, and think to myself, “This is the day which the Lord hath made…,” I “…will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24-KJV)

My life is filled with blessings, joy, and miracles…a few of which I share here: 

I am grateful for… 

the gift of each day.

my beloved father.

all my Gentle Beings throughout my life.

all my animal companions throughout my life.

the few, but precious, friendships in my life.

the natural world,

the abundance of the Earth, and its creatures.

being able to make my living doing something I love.

friends who give me the gift of trust – needing a listening caring heart – turning to me in times of distress – or seeking my advice or opinion to consider.

those whom have been patient and forgiving with me.

friends who inspire and encourage me through their passion for liberty – their uncompromising devotion, dedication and hard work.

favorite authors.

those who create art I appreciate – in music, painting, prose, film, or sculpture.

the scientific, mechanical and technological inventions and discoveries the mind of man has made.

those with integrity.

the kindness of strangers.

to live in the United States, a most unique and wonderful nation because it was founded on liberty.

our nation’s founders who recognized the rights of the individual are not bestowed by any man or government but are inherent at birth, God-given.

past associations with those whom I helped and those who helped me.

every opportunity given in which I was able to be a blessing in someone else’s life.

my parish, beautiful, built over 100 years ago, and those who make it home to the parish family.

my parish priest and his knowledge, wisdom, gentleness, understanding, and ability to teach God’s truth.

Mother Mary continually listening and teaching me to rest in God’s providence free from worry or anxiety.

God – His love – His patience and forgiveness.

In conclusion (and elaborating a bit on the above):

I have been abundantly blessed in life. I have a fine home, good food, and abundant provision of necessities as well as creature comforts such as all the things I use and enjoy each day which make life easier, comfortable and cozy… from warm fuzzy slippers- a cup of tea- a hot bubble bath–the glistening snow in bright sunshine- a quiet moonlit night- a classical music cd playing on the stereo- to so many more things which delight my senses in their goodness, beauty and simplicity.

I am grateful for my health – my ability to move freely, to go where I choose from travel, hiking, fitness, to just playing, swirling and dancing, to have the sense of smell to enjoy the delightful array of aromas and fragrances from wildflowers to delicious meals, to have eyes to see the beauty all around me and which give me the ability to read, to have the sense of hearing to hear the voices of those I love, to appreciate beautiful music, to learn from others, and to hear the sounds of all the earth from bird songs to the wind, to have the sense of touch so that the softness of a petal can be felt-the warmth of the sun upon my face and the coolness of a raindrop-to have a voice to share, question and sing, the ability to taste the many delicious flavors from savory to sweet, for all the abilities and senses health gives me.

I am grateful I learned early the value of being true to myself, strong, and independent, following my heart where it leads. I focus on developing myself emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually, developing who I am to the fullest so that I am a whole person capable of joyfully sharing with others, and strong to pursue the path of dreams and ideas God gives me. For this realization, I thank my father who raised me to be strong, to pursue whatever I felt was right and would make me happy.

I am grateful to God, the source of all these blessings.

And I reiterate the beginning of this piece: Whatever one is grateful for requires actions showing it, protecting it, and restoring it. Think about those things you are grateful for and live your life in actions to show you treasure them.