Author: Pat Liberty

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for the seasons and traditions of Advent. It is a season of expectant waiting, prayer and reflection.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Buy Nothing Day began in Vancouver, BC, in 1992 when a group of people decided to openly challenge the culture of consumerism. 

Within a few years it moved to the day after Thanksgiving in the United States.  Also known as Black Friday, it is one of the ten busiest shopping days of the year. Economic forecasts for the coming year are often conjectured from the shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, beginning with Black Friday.

 Buy Nothing Day is now observed in 65 nations around the world by people of every religious persuasion, those of no particular religion and everywhere in between.  The common commitment is to openly challenge the pervasive culture of consumerism that is degrading the environment and creating bigger gaps between the rich and the poor. 

 Participating in Buy Nothing Day is a concrete action that stands against the economic machine that kicks into high gear in the season known as “The Holidays.”   It is a powerful reminder that can help anchor the rest of the season. 

 Jesus was born into a peasant family in a time when crushing poverty was the lot of most people.  His message of release, justice and peace touched people at their deepest level of need.  As people who celebrate the in-breaking of the kin-dom in the world, focusing our giving on those in need, and shunning mindless consumerism is a subtle but powerful witness to the true meaning of this season.

 This year why not discover the surprising joy of buying absolutely nothing on Black Friday? 

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for Native Americans who speak their truth and challenge our revisionist history.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for my family. Today would have been my mother’s birthday. She died five years ago from complications of Multiple Sclerosis. She taught me a great deal about the grace of living with limitations. My father taught me the meaning of fidelity and faithfulness as her caregiver. My sister was my father’s right hand through it all. I cherish every day with my father and my sister as well as my extended family.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for health insurance. I continue to believe it is a basic human right, not a privilege but in our country it is a privilege afforded to those with the means to pay.  I am mindful of those who do not have access to the health care they need.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. .  Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for the ability to think. I don’t always do it well but I am ever aware of its gifts and graces.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. .  Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for the ability to think. I don’t always do it well but I am ever aware of its gifts and graces.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. .  Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for music. It moves my soul, energizes my body, soothes my spirit and feeds my being. Music transports me beyond myself.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. .  Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for the five senses. Taste, touch, hearing, sight and smell bring richness to our lives in myriad ways.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.

Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.

When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain.  Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. .  Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.

In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.

Today I am grateful for the sacrament of eating with others. Sharing a meal together is a holy act.

What are you grateful for today?

This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.