While out walking this morning, one of my all-time favorite things came to mind for whatever reason: a TED Talk by film-maker Louis Schwartzberg titled “Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.” Schwartzberg talks on stage for only about three minutes before introducing a preview of his film “Happiness Revealed,” which is narrated by Brother David Steindl-Rast, a soft-spoken Benedictine monk known for his work on the practice of gratitude. I’m honestly not the biggest fan of these types of presentations, but I’ve watched and recommended this one many times nevertheless. There’s just something about it that speaks to me on a deep, personal level; often, I must admit, bringing me to tears. In particular, with just over a minute remaining, Brother David gently offers the following: “And so I wish you that you will 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.”
Damn, it gets me every time, as just how much I would love to get out of my own way (like many of us, I assume) and bring that way of being into the world on a more consistent basis: a bit less guarded; a little more courageous.