There is a beautiful story, one of many, in My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. It is a story I have shared over the years with many audiences, most recently with professional caregivers as they sometimes struggle and feel frustration with how to be present with those in their care.
I will not spoil the potential reading by telling the story. Rather, I want to share three questions that Rachel assigned to a well-respected cardiac surgeon who was going through a challenging period in his career. She asked him to answer the questions over several weeks and see what transpired in his relationships to his patients and his work.
These three questions splendidly alter how we see so many pieces of life that are woven into our waking hours.
- What surprised me today?
- What moved or touched me today?
- What inspired me today?
The answers provide exquisite and often startling insight and wisdom… and even a taste of magical transformation. They are a perfect addition to an end of day gratitude journal.
I’d love to hear what you discover in the asking.