The Gift of Today—Lessons from a Monk

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The older I get, the more I believe that gratitude is the answer to almost every problem we face. It can transform anxiety, anger, and depression.

It may not change our circumstances—though it often does—but it can change us. And isn’t that really the purpose of this journey we call “life”?

My daughter Marissa recently shared a video with me that I want to share with you. It is as beautiful as it is profound. It is well-worth your time to watch it.

I particularly loved this quote from Brother David Steindl-Rast, a benedictine monk, and the one speaking on the video:

You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day. It’s the one day that is given to you today…. It’s the only gift that you have right now. And the only appropriate response is gratefulness.

Maybe we would get this if we saw today as the first day of our life—or our last.

Here are four ways you can transform today, taking it from ordinary to extraordinary:

  1. Notice the gifts around you. Whether it is the natural beauty that surrounds you, the interesting people you encounter, or the simple beating of your heart, everything is a miracle—if you have eyes to see it.
  2. Open your heart to receive them. It’s so easy to feel entitled and become cynical when we don’t get what we want or feel we deserve. But if we receive everything as a gift, designed for either our enjoyment, our transformation, or both, we open ourselves to new possibilities.
  3. Express your gratitude for them. This is one of the things that makes humans unique and sets us apart from the animals. But we have to speak it to experience the power of it.
  4. Bless someone else. Let your gratefulness overflow into the lives of those you encounter today. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just offer them a smile, a touch, or the simple gift of your presence. (You could also share this post with them!)

Today will never be repeated. It it is unique among all the days of your life. Gratitude can transform into something to be remembered.

Note: If you want to explore gratitude further, read Ann Voskamp’s excellent book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.

Question: What are you thankful for today? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
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Category: Personal Development
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  • Joy

    I am thankful for the good health God has given me.  It is so true that a thankful attitude can change so many things in life.  I like to realize that each day is unique, and especially to think how I can make it unique by being a blessing, being kind, giving a smile to someone else.  thank you for this nice video!

  • Regesantos

    This really touched me. Thanks and have a bleassed day.

  • Mitzi

    I’m thankful for so much today . Mainly life.

  • Mike

    Reminds me of this quote: “You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you.” — Heraclitus

    Great post and a very nice reminder to stay grateful for all things: “And all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and who gave to us the ministry of this reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their transgressions to them, and committing to us the word of this reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Just another reason to be grateful…

  • http://twitter.com/cole_bobbie Bobbie Cole

    I am thankful for Skype conversation with my beautiful daughter in England.

  • http://michaelhyatt.com/ Michael Hyatt

    Thanks for your comments, Chris.

    I think it comes down to a simple matter of calling. I am a committed Christian. I have worked with Christians and for Christians all of my adult life. But on this blog I feel a different calling.
    This is first and foremost a business and leadership blog. It is not a platform for my preaching. (I do that in other contexts.) Here, I want to point people to Jesus without being explicit. It’s kind of like creation itself. If I can point them to giving thanks, they will figure out that it has to be directed to Someone. This is why gratitude is so powerful. It leads the heart to God.
    I am not doubting the need to be explicit at times—and I often am. But not in this context. The video is enough. I have had countless people over the years tell me they were brought back to God or consider God for the first time, because they didn’t feel I was beating them over the head with it on my blog.
    By the way, I have two adopted grandsons from Uganda. It has and always will have a special place in our hearts! Thanks for your comments.

  • http://twitter.com/landrewchalmers Andrew Chalmers

    Thanks for this reminder! What a great video too! I will be sure to share this with family and friends today :)

  • D_santos

    I’m thankful for my house full of children & waking up to a peaceful morning

  • http://twitter.com/TonyLimaJr Tony Lima

    Thanks Michael, I needed to hear this message today! I’m thankful that we live in an age where I can be inspired and encouraged by someone whom I know of because of the capabilities of technology. Love what you do Michael.

    • Jim Martin

      Thanks Tony!  This is a wonderful age we live in, isn’t it?  Technology gives us such wonderful access to great resources.  Michael’s blog is evidence of this.

  • Mark

    I am thankful for the love that my Savior and King has for me.

  • Dawn Vesco

    This was fantastic Michael.

  • Leighann Bradley4

    Thank you. You enriched my life this day.

  • Hskjoan

    I am thankful for this message and for Michael and the Team.  I am thankful for my job. I am thankful for my boss. I am thankful for my whole being. Alelluia

  • Regina

    would u caption your videos to be inclusive of our 258M deaf brothers and sisters? thank you~

    • http://michaelhyatt.com/ Michael Hyatt

      That’s a fair request. Unfortunately, this is not my video. I simply embedded it here.

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  • Lajessfull

    I’m grateful for my dear friend Desiree who want me to see this information. Thanks darling!!!

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  • Sabrinawalterscounseling

    I’m thankful for my friend Jill who encouraged me to do a gratitude journal with her daily. We bounce a list of ten things back and forth day after day. It was inspired by Alter Weiner, a Holocaust survivor we met who writes a list of 100 things he’s thankful for each day! Thanks Michael for this post today!

  • http://www.themakegoodchoicesproject.org/ Michael Hawkins

    Great post and video.  Thanks for sharing!

    Ann Voskamp’s book is wonderful.  It is NOT an easy read, for sure.  In fact, I’d have to say it’s one of the TOUGHEST books I’ve read in a long, long time.  But..that should not scare away potential readers.

    One Thousand Gifts is full of wonderful, thought-provoking concepts (some simple and some that are very complex) that we all need to struggle with from time to time.  There are SO many good thoughts in the book that after I read my local library’s copy, I had to buy a copy of my own so I could highlight the best of it.

    Thanks for being such a blessing to so many people.

     

    • Jim Martin

      Michael, thanks so much for your words regarding Ann Voskamp’s book.  For you to purchase the book after reading your library’s copy says a lot.

  • http://twitter.com/LauraDBennet Laura Bennet

    Beautiful. I’m grateful you shared it.

  • http://walkwiththewise.wordpress.com/ Gail

    With thankfulness and gratefulness being so good for us, it’s not surprising that the Bible tells us “In everything give thanks” (1 Thess 5: 18).

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  • Mitch Maloney

    I’m thankful for your blog.  I’m thankful for the sun shining on the new fallen snow.  I’m thankful for the confidence I have that I am a forgiven sinner through Jesus Christ and that, someday, I, too, will live forever with him.  That is the true meaning of the season of Christmas.

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  • http://twitter.com/jonathonpost Jonathon Post

    Michael,

    I’m 25 and getting married in 4 months. I recently spoke with my boss about wanting to make a job change and that I have searched out some options. However, now that I had that conversation I am doubting myself and starting to see the real opportunity to be a global influence in my current position. But I’m so afraid to tap into that full potential. I’ve spent the better part of this past year growing into a man after graduating college (they don’t teach that there) and learning from my boss, who is also my mentor. When I think about what needs to happen in order for me to build my business a number of thoughts flood my mind and paralyze me. They are thoughts like… my parents just don’t understand what I’m doing, my fiance requires so much of my attention, but the biggest 3 thoughts/struggles of all are these: 1) how am I ever going to meet enough people to fill my week with beneficial activities and 2) Is this right for me (and my coming marriage) or am I a better fit somewhere else? and 3) I have so many ideas and have realized that I am AWFUL at following up and completing a majority of them (it saddened me after realizing that today) but I want to get better at that I just don’t know how to “turn off” some of those thoughts because I have believed for some reason I might miss out on something.

    I’ve been reading your blog for the better part of this year and have benefited from it greatly (so has my fiance). I was wondering if you had any advice — I admire where God has taken you in life and as a young person I am trying to figure out how to take steps to answer God’s call on my life. Thanks.

  • Pinksun91

    Thank you. This message is very meaningful !

  • Bob Gordon

    What with the terrible story in Newtown I really needed this.

  • Joe Pawlak

    I’m grateful for my students.  As a tutor, I enjoy watching them learn.  Their successes and their parents’ appreciative comments lighten my heart daily.

  • Cathyjcarpenter

    I’m thankful for the sun shining on my face. I’m also thankful for Son shining in my heart. May He grant me the ability to be thankful for each and every day and to take nothing for granted.

  • Delsonkaran

    I am grateful for this reminder to be grateful! I am grateful for my daughter and my grandchildren who just spent Christmas week with us, for my husband of 52 years,
    for my twin sister who passed 3 years ago this season, for my brother who makes me laugh, for being able to speak French fluently, for my students who remembered me at a 50th year reunion, for my beautiful house, even though we do not have the money to live here anymore, for my faith, for my beloved parents who guide me still, even though I am now 78 years old, for all my friends, past and present….. so much to be grateful for…..

    Myrna

  • Johngray

    I am grateful for this day and the good friends I have  and thankful to my dear friend that sent this to me. Thank you Marion

  • Ericafloresbronx

    I’m very thankful for having life and to share it with the world. I’m thankful for everything giving to me each day of my life,  love, hope, health and strenght to share my blessings with others. AMEN.
    Thank you for such a lovely video; it was worth waching. I am very thankful to know there are people like you on this earth- who cares and share the meaning of peace, love and hope through words of wisdom.

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