What could be more joyful than the birth of a grandchild? I
have been so blessed!
I am grateful for this child, named Alexander Joseph. I am
grateful for his parents.
I am grateful for a family with whom I can share this joy. And
I am grateful for the many friends with whom this joy I also share.
I am grateful to have lived long enough to hold my
grandchild in my arms and to experience his precious essence.
I believe that each life is a gift. God’s precious gift. It is a gift not to be squandered.
Each of us has a choice. We can see our life as a precious
gift .. or not. If we choose to see our lives as a gift, as uniquely special,
then how can we be anything but grateful?
And does not this extraordinary gift of life deserve
profoundly deep gratitude? And does not then this profoundly deep gratitude
demand a response? If yes, then how do we choose to respond?
I choose to live each day in a way that acknowledges my
gratitude. I choose to connect my gratitude to my daily living. My intention is
not to squander my finite days, but to live each day with appreciation and joy.
Typically, each grandparent believes his/her grandchild to
be extraordinary. And I am no exception .(Just
listen to the amazing way he burps!) But I also know that each child
born is special and deserves both love and nurture.
One way that I demonstrate appreciation and joy for my life
is to provide financial support to children less fortunate than my brood. It is
one of my daily practices of gratitude to financially support children in other
parts of the world. I see it as aligning gratitude with action.
This is just one way to align gratitude with action. Small
steps of gratitude infused with action can make a huge difference in others’
lives.
I urge you to live in gratitude, to live in joy.
P.S. There are many worthy organizations that offer financial
support for disadvantaged children throughout the world – usually under $50 per
month. One organization that I support is TLC Barefoot School in
Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Check it out at www.thebarefootschool.com
