My God,
Thank you for showing me beauty, goodness and grace.
When I fail to see possibilities,
when I lose perspective,
allow my heart to feel the encouragement coming from the people that surround me,
from my friends and from my family,
from strangers that are kind,
and from those that are not.
When I insist on holding on to sadness
fill me with gratitude for the daily opportunities I have
to choose the path illuminated by love.
Sometimes it is so easy to succumb to sorrow,
to unforgiving self-judgment,
to the voices that destroy instead of build.
Every breath is a chance to say yes to presence.
Every moment is a chance to say yes to joy.
In every place there is a chance to say yes to awe.
Open my ears to the messages that the universe is sending,
whispered by the wind, shouted by angels,
said with attention by those who care for me.
And allow me to hear the messages that are delivered carelessly,
meant to hurt or to bring me down,
with compassion (for myself and for the messenger).
After all, each and every one of us are your messengers
and your creation.
Help me forgive and be forgiven
for the actions I take when it would be better to sit still,
for the indecisiveness when it would be better do or say what needed to be done or said,
for the thoughts that never materialize into action.
Remind me that I am, and everyone else is
human, perfectly imperfect,
unique in our bungles and contributions.
Keep me spirited and spiritually alert
to the possibilities for growth and change.
May I take advantage of every opportunity for wonder, appreciation, and amazement
with all my being, my heart and my soul.
Amen