A Pledge For Grateful Living
In thanksgiving for life, I pledge
to overcome the illusion of entitlement
by reminding myself that everything is gift
and, thus, to live gratefully.
In thanksgiving for life, I pledge
to overcome my greed,
that confuses wants with needs,
by trusting that enough for all our needs is given to us
and to share generously
what i so generously receive.
In thanksgiving for life, I pledge
to overcome apathy
by waking up to the opportunities
that a given moment offers me
and so to respond creatively to every situation.
In thanksgiving for life, I pledge
to overcome violence
by observing that fighting violence by violence
leads to more violence and death
and, thus, to foster life by acting non-violently.
In thanksgiving to life, i pledge
to overcome fear which is the root of all violence
by looking at whatever i fear as an opportunity
and, thus, courageously to lay the foundation
for a peaceful future.
Brother David Steindl-Rast became a Benedictine monk in 1953 and got a PhD from Cornell. ​After a dozen years of monastic training, his abbot sent him to participate in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, for which he received Vatican approval. He has received many awards and authored numerous books, but the core of his message centers around gratefulness. You can read more about him in this profile: Lessons From a Benedictine Monk
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What is a pledge that you are prepared to make in thanksgiving for life? How do you relate to the notion of fear being the root of all violence? Can you share a personal story where gratitude made a big difference in your life?
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22 Past Reflections
On Feb 6, 2023 Natalie Spyer wrote :
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On Feb 10, 2015 Allin wrote :
When we place what we want to over come first, in sentence or mind. It holds a place, the first place. Then we place something which needs to overcome the first place, and there is an effort to come to equal, balance with, then overcome the thing we placed first in sentence of mind.
When we simple place gratitude, generosity, creativity, non-violence, and courage in our sentence, or our mind, they fill the space just by themselves. Then we feel them, without another thought to over come. Then they fill, and over flow, and become the thought which is easy to realize just by itself, and as it fills the space of mind and being.
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On Jan 17, 2015 Kaz58 wrote :
Br David, a very wise and wonderful human. This pledge is thought map for grateful living.
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On Nov 28, 2014 Abhishek wrote :
Touched by its simplicity and profoundness....every day deserves to be a thanks giving day! :)
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On Nov 26, 2014 Syd wrote :
1 reply: Happy | Post Your Reply
On Nov 25, 2014 Bev wrote :
This Thanksgiving I should try to be more thankful for all the good things I have been given in this life and not dwell on the "bad." And I need more Patience - I should try to think about Patience and be Thankful when I am more patient!
1 reply: Blessed | Post Your Reply
On Nov 25, 2014 PIUS THEKEMURY wrote :
IN THANKS GIVING FOR LIFE, I WANT TO RESPECT ALL FORMS OF LIFE, ESPECIALLY THE FEEBLEST, WEAKEST, THE TINIEST,
4 replies: A, Pius, Mish, Thanks | Post Your Reply
On Nov 25, 2014 Paashi wrote :
My thanksgiving pledge for LIFE, to AWAKEN to the sacred in the mundane moments of life flow along with the awe and wonder of the COSMOS by accepting moment to moment grace of existence.
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On Nov 25, 2014 Mish wrote :
I pledge to keep improving myself so I can always be the best me I can be , and thus be a better "giver".
wishing everyone a positive & joy-full holiday season. Grateful for this beautiful community.
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On Nov 24, 2014 Bradley wrote :
In thanksgiving for life, I pledge to overcome judgment, which is the root of all "isms".
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On Nov 24, 2014 david doane wrote :
1 reply: Always | Post Your Reply
On Nov 24, 2014 Amy wrote :
In thanksgiving for life, I pledge to pursue/keep God and His truth #1 in my life. As in doing this, all other GOOD and TRUE gifts flow;)
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On Nov 24, 2014 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
Pledge for Thanksgiving
I pledge to be Grateful and to share appreciation to all those who have assisted on the journey.
To be giving and caring through sharing my gifts and skill set with others.
To be content knowing I have enough, I am enough. I give enough.
To be vocally thankful.
Gratitude has mad a huge difference in my life; it reminds me of all the ways people and the universe have responded. When you give, you receive. This is not why we give, it is simply the law of nature. (I believe)
Being grateful and saying this to people in your life brings about positive energy in yourself and in others. It feels good to be appreciated. We all want to feel like we matter to someone. So sharing gratitude helps us all to rise up and feel good.
(apologies that my words may be very simple today, but my heart understands.)
HUGS to all of us on this Thanksgiving week. May we truly be grateful and may we express it outwardly.