Good morning, Chaverim,
It has been more than a month since I have written to share gratitude thoughts with you and I am grateful to be back at it, this “task” that I have taken upon myself in these times that continue to be so challenging. For, while the pandemic may be loosening its stranglehold on our bodies, hearts and minds, it is still very much with us and it is not at all clear to me whether we are still “in the middle of a pandemic” or whether we are “out of the woods” and can begin our tentative journey back to “normal”. In Florida, and other southern states we visited these past few weeks, you would never know that there is a pandemic…virtually no masks are seen and people are quite comfortable crowding together both outside and inside stores, tour buses, bars and restaurants. Honestly, it felt both liberating and terrifying at the same time. But, for those of us who are still “high risk” even after we’ve had all of our shots, judging how much risk is still out there and how to safely move in the direction of the freedom and normalcy we all crave remains a conundrum we can’t ignore.
And, then there’s the the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine and the threats of World War III and nuclear holocaust that could dwarf the painful loss of life the world has suffered during these pandemic years…
I could go on with a LONG recitation of the many, many challenges our world is facing, but, suffice it to say, it is clear that we are living in those “interesting times” described in that (alleged) ancient Chinese curse.
So, when I saw this quote, its brilliant simplicity hit me like a lightning bolt…
Here is today’s Gratitude Thought in the Middle of a Pandemic:
“It is enough to be grateful for the next breath.“
Brother David Steindl-Rast
In these times, when good news alludes us and things seem to be spiraling out of control, simple gratitude for our “next breath”, for the undeniable beauty of just being alive, feels like prayer, a gift, and, truly, the only rational choice we can make.
So, I wish you all deep breaths and sweet Shalom this Shabbat,
Marci
