Day 090a: An attitude of Gratitude … (July 13, 2019)
I only slept for a little over four hours that night on the hostel’s kitchen floor, and yet did so surprisingly well, and woke feeling refreshed, energized, and fully ready to head back out onto The Way. I added some jam to the pasta I had pre-cooked the night before and snarfed part of it down before sharing the rest with the handful of amused-and-then-intrigued pilgrims who were also preparing for an early start to the day. A small group of bicycle pilgrims headed out first, and I followed shortly thereafter, pausing briefly by the hostel entrance to offer prayers of great Gratitude for the gracious hospitality shown me there once more …
“For my own part, when I am in any way employed in serving others, I do not look upon myself as either one who is conferring favors or paying debts, but rather one who is simply living as a humble human being; doing what we are all essentially here to do. In truth, in all my travels, and even since my subsequent settlement, I have both given & received much kindness from men – many of whom I shall never have the opportunity of either making or receiving the least direct return. And then there are the numberless everyday mercies granted me from the Divine, who is infinitely above being in any way benefited by my meager offerings. The aforementioned Kindnesses from Men I can only return on fellow Men; and as for the mercies showered upon me by God, I can best give thanks via a ready willingness to serve all His other sentient creations – human and animal alike, in every chance encounter with the same.” ~ inspired by Benjamin Franklin
;