Posts Tagged ‘Gratitude’

On Chain Letters and Forwarded E-mails


2008
06.14

Of course, almost everyone is familiar with chain letters and forwarded emails. There would be the usual exhortation to pass it on to a certain number of people for good luck and the warning not to ignore the message for the bad luck that would be its consequence.

I used to forward a lot of political emails (mosly anti-GMA stuff) that I was dubbed a “spammer” in certain circles. But once, I received a forwarded email that I liked and forwarded to others as well. It was about being grateful for the inconveniences and small misfortunes that happen to us because of their (often) unperceived value to us in the greater scheme of things. But what really caught my attention in that e-mail was the last paragraph:

“Pass this on to someone else, if you’d like. There is NO LUCK attached. If you delete this, it’s okay: God’s Love Is Not Dependent On E-Mail.”

(more…)

Giving Thanks


2008
02.06

Giving Thanks

by Michael Ian Lomongo, December 2000

Incarnation — Love made flesh… Goodwill incarnated. All of us have, in one way or another, experienced the spontaneous generosity and kindness of people, even of strangers. A smile, a pat in the hand, a tap on the back, a kind word… all can go a long way in making this world a little more beautiful. Incarnation is not a one-shot event in history that we could only remember and look back at with nostalgia and envy. God is always being born… in our midst.The question is whether we take notice at all.

And when we do notice, what happens? Maybe we think of ways by which we can pay back the good deed, do our good turn. But then we realize that we can never truly repay the “love” that has been given us.

And so we give thanks.

(more…)