I recently posted a quote from Lynne Twist that ended with these words:
We’re not thin enough, we’re not smart enough, we’re not pretty enough or fit enough or educated or successful enough, or rich enough—ever. Before we even sit up in bed, before our feet touch the floor, we’re already inadequate, already behind, already losing, already lacking something…”
I was encouraged by how many of you pushed back against these words, choosing to affirm how deeply blessed we are instead. You are quite right, of course.
But I guess I still think (and this is what the author was getting at) that we are culturally conditioned to feel the way she describes above. Though I know better, there are still plenty of days when Twist still seems to capture pretty much word for word what is going through my head. Not enough sleep? Not enough time? Not enough fitness? Not enough eloquence? Not enough fishing? Not enough self-discipline in my diet? Welcome to my world.
That does not mean it has to be this way, which is the author's ultimate point as it was yours. But it does mean, I think, that we will have to be diligent in reconditioning ourselves to live with gratitude and contentment instead of this sense of lack.
To that end, one of my favorite comments came from Sheri Brown, who suggests that instead of citing the litany above, we could recite the traditional Jewish prayer upon waking:
"I offer thanks before you, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great."
To that, I can only say "amen."
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