Sabbath for Gratitude

Today is my Sabbath. In the best world, everyone would have one whole day each week to spend as we want; to stay in bed, read a good book, take a slow walk or do a crossword; one whole day to do no work, run no errands, send no emails, and clean no toilets! And why don't we? Mostly because we don't make it a priority.

A sabbath day was originally a day of renewal, and rest from work, kept on Saturday by the Jews and Sunday by most Christians. And, of course, when religious people got involved, the day got bound up with "shall and shall nots". Keeping the day holy became a lot of work, and people were arrested if they didn't do it right; enforced rest is not usually very relaxing or renewing! 

In the modern world we have swung the pendulum too far the other way, escaping religious rules and adopting the rules of progress, where no day is holy - only the dollar.

My theme today is Gratitude: How do I express my gratitude to people, the earth, and to God? What has filled me with Light?   

Agenda:
1. Simple Sabbath plans

2. Read "Wake Up Grateful"
3. Testimony of Gratitude
4. Winter Earth Awareness Practice

1. Simple sabbath plans:Keeping a sabbath day is a personal thing. For me, it's a day with a slow pace. I don't pack it as full. I schedule some work, but it has a flavor of rest to it - it's work I find fulfilling, or uplifting. Simple is a great word to describe my ideal activities for the Sabbath: Simple tasks, simple foods, and an undemanding schedule.

Keeping a sabbath starts with a little simple discipline: I prepare for my sabbath by finishing business on the day before; getting all possible deadlines finished, shopping, and "un-fun" chores. I practice the discipline of saying no to requests that seem like work, and yes to sabbath-like activities.

My perfect sabbath is a celebration, a holiday. I keep it holy with my attitude: I try not to rush, complain, or worry. I open myself to the Spirit of Love, and schedule activities that celebrate the season or the act of creativity or the joy of community or are satisfyingly peaceful in nature.

Today, I plan some reading and writing in the morning, a zoom Meeting for worship, painting, bird-watching, and a nap, and I will end the day with a zoom gathering of good friends.

2. Read "Wake Up Grateful":

I've been reading this book by Kristi Nelson (2020), with the sub-title "The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted". She explains how she met Brother David Steindl-Rast, and eventually began to work with him on The Network for Grateful Living website, and that this book is a guidebook based on Brother David's teachings.

Chapter 1 is Gratefulness: Gratitude for the Great Fullness of Life. She lists out five attributes of an intentionally grateful life:

• Awake to what matters: Living with gratitude helps us cultivate a state of being awake and connected to our true priorities.
• Aware of Enough: We find contentment with the richness of life, the beauty of the Earth, the depth of our relationships, and all that we have already.
• Alert to life itself: We are aware of the privilege of being alive, and that each day is precious no matter how things ebb and flow.
• Appreciation for ourselves: When you can fold yourself into the field of tender attention, you can commit to a lifelong curiosity about yourself and your quirks, and feel held in acceptance.
• Alive to joy: Tapping into a grateful heart connects you also to the experience of joy.

3. Testimony of Gratitude:

Our North Pacific Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice section on Harmony with Creation begins:

"The mystery and beauty of the universe reveal their Source. Spiritually and physically nourished by our home, the Earth, we are filled with gratitude and wonder."

Being filled with gratitude and wonder is a good start, but where does it take us?

In November of 221, Francisco Burgos, Pendle Hill’s Executive Director, posted an article On Practicing Gratitude:

"Let us visualize practicing gratitude as a well-crafted testimony of our intentions and aspirations. This is something that can have a strong impact on our individual selves as well as in our society. On a personal level, for example, when we are grateful for the gifts that others have given or shared with us, we create space for better relationships based on mutual support and care. This is also an opportunity for confronting our limitations and for setting the stage for change."

I propose that we each consider adopting a Testimony of Daily Gratitude for the Earth that does just that: Creates space for a better relationship with all of Nature, based on mutual care - we acknowledge all that Nature does for us and match it with our actions that benefit the Earth. This is not a just a passive thanksgiving or feeling of gratitude, but something richer, that propels us into new habits of reciprocity.

Francisco Burgos advises:

"...gratitude must move us to examine, celebrate, and transform ourselves. I invite you to connect with the inward force that sustains us and to manifest it outwardly by practicing gratitude. This is a courageous act in which we challenge ourselves to creatively explore our life experiences in the company of others."

My Thanksgiving prayer: May we nurture a deep, compelling testimony of gratitude for all of nature and use it to sustain a great wellspring of love and energy that propels us into witness and action for the earth.

4. Winter Earth Awareness Practice:

In the winter, when gardening chores slow down, I adopt a new focus. This year I've begun a Nature Notebook in which I've been collecting the names of my Nature Neighbors. It's like a bird watching notebook, but with a broader focus - I try to add one new name each day of a plant, insect, bird, or animal that I see in my yard or neighborhood.

I write the date, the full name of who I've met today, a description or photo, and where we met.

Sometimes I only manage a note on a scrap paper, or a photo of an odd bug, which I then try to identify later and add into my notebook. The goal is to remember to look, and to remember to feel grateful.