A Chinese legend tells of a group of elderly, cultured gentlemen who met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests.
When it came the turn of the most venerable and respected of the group to entertain, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. The assembled connoisseurs praised this exquisite tea.
The host smiled and said, “The tea you have found so delightful is the same tea our peasants drink. I hope it will be a reminder to all that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly.”
I don’t know about you, but I find more contentment sitting on our deck enjoying good conversation and ice water with my husband than I do a night out at a fancy restaurant. Fancy parties are fun and I enjoy them, but the simple pleasures with those I love carry the warmest memories for me.
What simple pleasure marks your life as good?
In Him together, Susan Gaddis
I’d never given much thought to an old woman’s hands until I looked at my mother’s wrinkled ones covered with age marks. Now she is gone and I regret not giving voice to what those hands represented.
I sometimes wonder if our gratitude is headed in the right direction. Thanksgiving Day encourages gratefulness; the majority of which is directed towards friends, family, or some unnamed source. People express what they are thankful for, but neglect to point that thankfulness in the right direction.
Thanksgiving is that time of year when we focus on gratitude, but giving thanks and experiencing appreciation are not necessarily on the same serving dish.
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