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Saturday, August 15, 2020

A Prayer of Gratitude in Troubled Times

Dear Earth, our Mother — 

Even as we acknowledge the problems we face and those we have caused others of your children, your living species, we also recognise the many joys and delights in our lives. Being alive on this planet is, above all, a blessing.

Thank you dear Mother for the ground that supports us, the air we breathe to take in life; the water we drink to keep us alive, cleansing us inside and out; the food we eat to sustain our lives; the sun we orbit, warming us, giving us light, making life possible.

We give thanks for small daily joys — the smile of a child, the kind word of a friend, the hug of a family member, the kiss of a lover. We are grateful for jokes and laughter, the healing that comes with tears, the pleasure of good conversation, the useful power of thought; for taste and smell, art and music, the colours of flowers, songs of birds, the ever-changing moods of the ocean. We thank you for our guardian mountains, our companion rivers, the fields and forests filling our lives with beauty. We thank you for this land where we live. Thank you for our being here.

We thank you for major miracles: illnesses that didn’t kill us, accidents from which we emerged still breathing, emotional traumas which have not sent us mad, obstacles we overcame by apparent magic or by strengths we didn’t know we had, fore-ordained meetings which brought important friends and surprising opportunities into our lives. We thank you for experiences we considered bad or unlucky, understanding now they were opportunities, gifts to enrich our lives.

We give thanks for being here now, for whatever part we are called to play in this present crisis and whatever new challenges may come. We ask to be of service to the greater good of humanity, and the whole planet — whether our personal roles appear large or small. We know that every strand in the fabric is not only important but essential. Thank you for this momentous opportunity, and for ensuring we are equal to it.

Thank you for the Love within and surrounding us, making everything possible. Thank you for everything.


Written for the Wisdom Circle of The Goddesses of Shining Light (Murwillumbah, Australia).

Shared with Writers' Pantry #33 at Poets and Storytellers United

23 comments:

  1. I love the thought that every strand of the fabric is important. Beautiful writing and I am going away with a warm heart.

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  2. Listing those major miracles in my life as I read your post for the umpteenth time... yes, thank goodness for those! And thank you for reminding me to be grateful!

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    1. I think we all need reminders quite often!

      So thrilled you read this umpteen times.

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  3. Sadly we often forget how important it is to show our love; whether to lovers, children or friends and neighbours. Love and trust are so important for many reasons but often greed and jealousy cross our paths and feel we can manage without others.

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    1. I think the COVID-19 lockdowns have shown us that, while we can manage on our own in some practical ways, we have a deep need of each other emotionally.

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  4. Wonderful affirmations - particularly given our current troubled times

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  5. it's great to be grateful.
    i think just to be alive, and at peace with oneself, is something to be thankful for.

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  6. Keeping gratitude close by often does wonders for my mood. It's such a simple practice to keep up that often pays us back in powerful ways.

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  7. There's so much to be angry or despondent about, but just as much (more, maybe?) to be attentive to and thankful for. I'm grateful to you, Rosemary, for reminding us to note the positives and be grateful.

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  8. I am especially grateful for being able to withstand emotional traumas. Listing gratitudes help us realize that all is not lost.

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  9. Beautiful! We are often rewarded by challenge in the end.

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  10. Grateful for a space to celebrate the gratitudes of the day and to remember the good things that have led one here.

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  11. More than once, I've heard the phrase "You should be really mad at the world" or some version of it. I never get those people, who make the comment as a way to tell me that they would understand if I was really angry since I'm ill all the time. I don't get them, because I can't see how they fail to see that I am still alive and kicking. Why wouldn't I be thankful to a universe that gives the energy and stubbornness to keep fighting back? So I, too, am thankful for "the illnesses that didn't kills us", for the air we can still breathe, for reasons to love and laugh... and the strength to cry and move on.

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  12. Your words are eloquent, honest, and such a gentle reminder of all the things we take for granted. Whether these words are addressed to Mother Earth, Jehovah, Buddha, Great Spirit, God or the Great Poobah, they are fittingly offered to whatever power we each claim. Blessed be, Rosemary!

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  13. Thanks for the largest to the smallest things...I am learning the truth and power of doing just that in this year of Covid and other hells that came without warning. Thanks for your beautiful poem to remind me to continue lifting thanks.

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  14. I appreciate all your comments. This blog is having difficulty loading at present and sometimes isn't allowing me to reply to comments individually. Not a problem with more recent blogs; perhaps this theme is getting too elderly and needs upgrading.

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  15. Your words are beautifully, prayerfully, penned. Happy Sunday. Thanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday today

    Much💝love

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  16. To give thanks for nothing is simply rank ingratitude. To give thanks for everything shows generosity of spirit.

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  17. To be thankful. Sometimes we don't take pause to give thanks. I think we owe it to the world and each other to take account of why we should be thankful.
    Your list inspires self-reflection, thank you.

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  18. Beautiful. Hopefully gratitude can pave the way.

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