clouds,  consumer,  gratitude,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

Everything is a gift

Living in a consumer society, as a consumer, means I am bombarded daily with the idea I do not have enough. And, that’s simply not true! The Rule of St. Benedict counsels contentment, that what we have is enough. But, along with being content is the idea of gratitude. I have the practice within my journals of writing a gratitude list on a regular basis. Along with that practice I also include a simple pray of thanks throughout my day as I look for the gifts offered. When I look back over those lists I see less and less material goods and more of the intangible things in life and includes so many of the simple things. So this morning I was grateful for time at Pineridge Natural Area and this predawn scene. It was a good start to this day and reminds me that everything is a gift! Sorry it’s a bit blurry but I shot it handheld at 1/20 sec in the wind and at 20 degrees. Grateful for my old gloves! Happy Sunday!

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

4 Comments

  • Tom Dills

    Witnessing a beautiful sunrise is one of the many gifts we have that don’t cost us anything. As you say, there is way too much emphasis these days on material possessions, particularly around the holidays. Looks like you had a lovely morning, hope you had a good cup of coffee afterwards!

    • Monte Stevens

      Thanks, Tom and I did enjoy my mocha latte and my morning. Those simple and freely given gifts nature offers needs to be accepted and enjoyed. Looks like rain moving into your area so batten down the hatches.