Prayers of Thanks

I have been down for the count for a few days with the virus that has been spreading fast and furiously through these parts.  I think that I don't really appreciate the gift of health until I don't have it.  I think that is the way with so many of us.  We get up and we rush into the day and one of the last things we give thanks for is that we are physically able to do all that rushing about.

As I am aging, I have developed my share of aches and pains and unwanted medical conditions.  But, I do  give thanks that I am able to be active and go out to work each day and lead a full life without any major health issues.  I see people....amazing people every day who are in health compromised conditions.  I need to look at them more closely and realize all that they have to deal with.  But today I was reminded of how tenuous our health can be.  I was reminded that there are debilitiating diseases, terminal diseases that change our life forever.

And so tonight, even though I am only feeling about 90 %...I know this because Alex thinks in terms of computer lingo and asks me frequently about what percentage I feel I am operating at... I say a prayer of thanks for my health. I say a prayer of thanks for the health of all those I love.  I say a prayer of thanks for the continued presence on this earth....in my life....of some truly amazing people.  I say a prayer of healing for all those who are ill or in pain.  I say a prayer that no matter what the state of our health, we all able to say a prayer of thanks for all that we have been given in this life.

And tonight I also say a prayer of thanks for the positive spirit, for the spirit of hope and belief and perserverance....for the spirit of faith during trying times.  I give thanks for the spirit of gratitude and the ability to look to the sky and find something beautiful and breathtaking for which to give thanks......and the faith that those prayers of thanks, of hope and healing will float to the place where they will be heard.

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” 

~ Meister Eckhart