"A Good Day" With Brother David Steindl-Rast

This video, featuring Brother David, a highly-respected Benedictine monk, author and spiritual leader, is a BLESSING to all those with "eyes to see and ears to hear." Look, listen and be inspired by this powerful message on grateful living. Please visit gratefulness.org.

(instrumental music playing)

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 given to you.

It's a gift.

It's the only gift
that you have right now,

and the only
appropriate response

is gratefulness.

(instrumental music playing)

If you do nothing else
but to cultivate

that response to the great gift

that this unique day is,

if you learn to respond

as if it were the first day
in your life

and the very last day,

then you will have spent
this day very well.

Begin by opening your eyes
and be surprised

that you have eyes you can open.

That incredible array of colors

that is constantly offered to us

for pure enjoyment.

Look at the sky.

We so rarely look at the sky.

We so rarely note
how different it is

from moment to moment

with clouds coming and going.

We just think of the weather.

And even of the weather,

we don't think
of all the many nuances

of weather.

We just think of good weather
and bad weather.

This day right now
has unique weather,

maybe a kind
that will never exactly

in that form come again.

The formation of clouds
in the sky

will never be the same
that it's right now.

Open your eyes.
Look at that.

Look at the faces of people
whom you meet.

Each one has an incredible story

behind their face,

a story that you could
never fully fathom,

not only their own story,

but the story
of their ancestors.

We all go back so far.

And in this present moment,
on this day,

all the people you meet,

all that life from generations

and from so many places
all over the world

flows together
and meets you here

like a life-giving water

if you only open your heart
and drink.

Open your heart
to the incredible gifts

that civilization gives to us.

You flip a switch,
and there is electric light.

You turn a faucet,
and there is warm water

and cold water
and drinkable water.

It's a gift that millions
and millions

in the world
will never experience.

So, these are just a few

of an enormous number of gifts

to which we can open your heart.

And so I wish you
that you would open

your heart
to all these blessings

and let them flow through you,

that everyone
whom you will meet on this day

will be blessed by you,

just by your eyes,

by your smile,

by your touch,

just by your presence.

Let the gratefulness overflow

into blessing all around you.

And then it will really be
a good day.

(silence)
*Captions by Project readOn*