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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Dr Steve Taylor, author on psychology and spirituality.

Good morning.

A few years ago, I did some research on the experiences of astronauts, for a book I was writing about spiritual transformation. I found that astronauts often return to the Earth as changed people. In particular, they have a new sense of gratitude. Alan Bean, the fourth man on the moon, once said that since his visit to the moon, he’s never complained the weather – he is just glad that there is weather! When he returned from the moon, he went to shopping malls just to watch people walk by, thinking how lucky we are all just be here on the surface of this beautiful planet.

We human beings often suffer from what I call the ‘taking for granted syndrome.’ It’s easy for us to forget the value of aspects of our lives such as our health, prosperity, freedom and love – and even the gift of life itself. We often switch off to the reality of these blessings, and so become prone to dissatisfaction and anxiety.

People sometimes transcend the taking for granted syndrome after a brush with death, through a diagnosis of serious illness or an accident. Death reminds us that life is precious, fragile and temporary. It wakes us up to the value of life itself, and all of the people in our lives.

But fortunately we don’t need to go to the moon or have a brush with death to stop taking life for granted. We can do this just by reminding ourselves of our blessings, and contemplating them.

Here are some thoughts to reflect on:

As you breathe, inhale deeply
in gratitude for the gift of air.

As you eat, swallow slowly
in gratitude for the gift of food.

As you see, look attentively
in gratitude for the wonder of the world.

As you love, be passionate
in gratitude for the beauty of flesh and form.

As you live, be authentic and fearless
in gratitude for the gift of life.

Blessings

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