Daily Meditation for October 30, 2023

Is your life a series of events and encounters that cause anxiety, stress, and uneasiness? That does seem to be how most of us experience some happenings of our day. But just consider how different our life could be if we’d cultivate gratitude.  In place of focusing on the challenges we face, what if we’d just stop and ask ourselves, “What and whom am I grateful for? What is great in my life today? Studies show that gratitude is calming and boosts morale. Grateful hearts produce a level of happiness and happiness produces peacefulness. Ever feel a panic attack coming on? Try taking a deep breath and slowly listing five things you are grateful for. A great way to deal with anxiety and stress is to thank God for the many precious gifts of blessings and challenges that God sends us each day.  

By Marlene Meierhofer, OSB