Each day, before I take my first bite of a meal, I do something peculiar.
I bow my head, close my eyes, and sit silently for a moment.
It’s similar to saying grace. But without the interlocking hands. Without the well-worn lines of thankfulness. Without any audible words whatsoever.
You see, I am not a religious man. But I am a man of faith.
Faith in humanity. Faith in the goodness of the world. And faith in the Lord above who provides us the chance to learn and grow, overcome and prosper.
This opportunity is in itself a blessing. For it provides hope eternal.
Through the good times and the bad, joy and strife, we have the opportunity to make our next move brighter than our last one. We have the chance to experience a brighter tomorrow.
This is all too often forgotten in the bustle of life. The speed of our day to day can make these overarching rays of light seem ordinary and obscure.
We hardly take the time to pause, except when we nourish ourselves.
That opportunity is, in itself, a blessing. Something so critical, yet so simple that it becomes automatic.
Not to me.
I believe that meal time is a perfect time to reflect. To bow my head and show my most sincere appreciation.
So, I do so. But quietly and personally.
What do I silently reflect on?
It depends.
I don’t believe in following a time-honored script. I recognize the power of ancient blessings for various food items, passed down through scripture over millennia. I understand the emotional connection forged by saying grace the way a beloved family member once did.
But, in my case, going over the same lines over and over rings hollow. It’s not specific enough.
So, I do something completely different. I think of a new concept to be thankful for each time I sit down for a meal. It could be an opportunity that lies ahead, a fresh experience in my memory or a lesson I learned in the prior few hours.
I reflect on what these opportunities, experiences and lessons bring me. I consider how they will make me stronger, wiser and better.
Then, I express complete humility and gratitude for them.
I mention this not to evangelize these practices. But instead to promote the overarching idea behind them.
On the day this article is posted, I will become a year older. Traditionally, such an occasion is filed with parties, gifts and wishes.
We take these occasions to recognize how much we matter to others. And to let our hopes and dreams fly free.
These are worthy things to celebrate, and worthy aspirations to hold dear.
But why limit them to just one day?
Every day is a gift. A blessing filled with experiences, opportunities and lessons to help us grow.
When we open our mind and open our heart, we can take something valuable out of each and every day. Not just the days when we’re showered with love and attention. Not just the days where we feel on top of the world.
Every day.
Through the tough times and the good ones, we have the ability to see the silver lining. We can gain valuable perspective each day we’re above ground.
But without reflection, this intuition is lost. And without humility, we are blind to it altogether.
It’s our responsibility to take internalize life’s abundance. To transform our experiences into a brighter next chapter. To seize the opportunities placed in front of us. To turn lessons to enlightened actions.
How we go about doing this can vary. But whether we’re silently saying grace at the dinner table or taking a walk around the block to breathe in the fresh air, our daily gratitudes mean everything.
Life is a blessing. Don’t take it for granted.