"I'm Grateful!"

"How are you?" We all ask the question of one another; mindlessly, routinely... and the responses come: "fine", "don't ask", "OK". We smile and continue on, barely paying attention. But, what if the answer isn't that easy to ignore? What if "how are you?" is answered with an emphatic " I'm grateful!"? Whoa, that changes things; the focus shifts. A counter-question is now required.

A few of us who attended Synod assembly heard Rev. Dr. Paul Hill speak on this topic a few weeks ago. He knew a man who always answered the "how are you" query with an "I'm grateful" response. He challenged us to try it. We have, with one another. Since we know the background, and how this was framed in a "Passing On The Faith" context, it's easy. I tried it outside of my comfort zone on Saturday morning and was met with both stares and smiles; a mixed reaction that became a purely positive experience. I am indeed grateful, for so many things, too numerous to list! Back in the mid-nineties I read Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach and began to list gratitudes in a journal that was a reflection of my daily life at that time. I still do that, but not regularly. This outward witness to a grateful life kicks that whole list-making discipline up a notch. Give it a try. "How are you?" "GRATEful!" "Wow, me too!"

Life is Good!