Our Daily Bread

All That We Need

by Lisa Burwell

With our world seemingly moving at the speed of light, it’s more challenging on a daily basis for me to master the art of remaining in a place of gratitude. Instant gratification reigns supreme over daily lives, making it easier to get more accomplished, but at what cost? The modern conveniences and technology that our Western culture offers us can be incredible benefits in raising the quality of life. But the frenetic bombardment of communication via text, phone, chat, e-mail, and other instant messaging platforms sometimes makes me long for days gone by when I had a sense of anticipation as I checked the mailbox for a letter from a friend or listened to messages on my answering machine when I got home from the office. I know I’m dating myself here, but there are enough of us who can relate to how quickly technology has changed and, consequently, how quickly those changes have impacted our society and diminished the quality of other areas of life.

I love the idea of being easily connected to so many people, but on the flip side, I don’t care for the pressure that I feel to respond promptly to communications when I am fielding so many of them in one day. If I make the extra effort to respond quickly (and I usually do), it typically means that something in my personal life is going to take the hit—namely, taking the dog for a long walk, cooking a really good dinner, setting aside time to talk to my husband, reading a book, getting more rest (and couldn’t we all use a little more of that!), or simply having time to think.

When you have a moment to think, you can have a moment to walk in gratitude. That is the most important state of being—and the one I want to remain in.

That’s it! I can’t think when I’m constantly being interrupted, and that is when I ask myself, “Is it all worth it?” When you have a moment to think, you can have a moment to walk in gratitude. That is the most important state of being—and the one I want to remain in.

I am grateful for my daily bread today, and I hope we all can pause, even if it is just for a little while, and be thankful for all the goodness we have.

To Life!

—Lisa Marie
Founder/Editor-In-Chief

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