Journal of Sacred Work

For a long time, I wondered why I felt like bowing when people showed their appreciation for the work that I’ve been privileged to do. What I’ve come to understand is that we who bow are probably — whether we know it or not — acknowledging the presence of the eternal: we’re bowing to the eternal in our neighbor. You see, I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what’s best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what God does. So, in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something truly sacred.~Fred Rogers

This is all that matters: that we can bow, take a deep bow. Just that. Just that. Gratitude springs from an insight, a recognition, that something good has come to me from another person, that it is freely given to me, and meant as a favor. When I am grateful, I allow my emotions fully to taste and to express the joy I have received. Is not gratitude a passage from suspicion to trust, from proud isolation to a humble give and take, from enslavement to false independence to self-acceptance in that dependence which liberates?~ Br. David Steindl-Rast OSB

Something to think about. Last week I shared about the life work of Fr Greg Boyle. As I reflect further, there is one thing from all his pearls of wisdom that keeps returning to my mind as a mantra, "where there is love is, that is home." 

The above quotes are meaningful to me and when we bow to another or experience gratitude for the gift of their presence, it is a sign of reverence.  I am reminded of the beautiful Namaste greeting. "I honor the place within you where the entire universe resides. I honor the place within you of love, of light, of truth, of peace; I honr the place within you, where, when you are in that place within you, and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us."

Namaste!
Liz