Notes from Yukiko’s Desk

Dear AGAC whanau,

  
    <p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Hope you have survived the unseasonal polar weather in the last several days.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Did you know that 21<sup>st </sup>of September is <b><i>World Gratitude Day</i></b>? It was established by the United Nations in 1977 to remind us to be mindful, and to show compassion to ourselves and others. It is a day the whole world can pause to appreciate all<br />they are thankful for. We know there is always something to be thankful, but I wonder how can we cultivate gratitude in our lives? </p><p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">As reflecting on the theme, the words of Carl Frederick Buechner (one of my favourite theologians) came to my mind. He writes;</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">“<b><i>Listen to your life</i></b><i>. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden<br />heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.</i></p><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">(Frederick Buechner: <i>Listen </i><i style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: inherit; text-align: right; background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);">to Your Life: Daily Meditations</i> (1992))</p><p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">In other words, we should pay attention to our lives daily. If I remember, I try to ask myself before going to sleep; ‘Has any event today surprised or delighted me?’ Then, I try to focus my attention on what I enjoyed, relish it, and suck all the enjoyment out of it that I can. It is easy to say, but is also easy to forget. As we celebrate the World Gratitude Day, I am inviting you to join me to cultivate to “<b><i>listen to your life</i></b>.” When we do, I guarantee, we will begin to understand the wonder that is already in our lives. <br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><b><i>Happy World Gratitude Day!</i></b><b><i></i></b></p><p><i>Thanking God for grace upon grace,</i></p><p><em style="font-weight: inherit; background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);">Yukiko</em></p>      
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