In moments of surprise we catch at least a glimpse of the joy to which gratefulness opens the door.

"The Holy Spirit . . . wants to flow through us and realize all these wonderful possibilities in the world - if we only open ourselves and allow it to happen."

From experience we know that whenever we are truly awake and alive, we are also truly grateful.

Each string of a wind harp responds with a different note to the same breeze. What activity makes you personally resonate most strongly, most deeply?

Gratefulness is the gallantry of a heart ready to rise to the opportunity a given moment offers.

As I express my gratitude, I become more deeply aware of it. And the greater my awareness, the greater my need to express it. What happens here is a spiraling ascent, a process of growth in ever expanding circles around a steady center.

Only gratefulness, in the form of limitless openness for surprise, lays hold of the fullness of life in hope.