Summer Blessings: Unfinished Business

Enjoy this practice as a stand-alone experience or as the last of an eight-day series of blessings inspired by Br. David's book "99 Blessings: An Invitation to Life."

SOURCE OF ALL BLESSINGS,

you bless us with unfinished
business — an unanswered letter,
that word I wanted to look up in
the dictionary all day, a phone
call that will have to wait till
tomorrow, and the bigger items on
my list, like the long-postponed
vacation, the book that wants to
be opened, the overdue apology.
May they make me sift out the
important from the urgent, tackle
it, and praise the perfection of the
unfinished.

Sense how it feels to honor all that remains unfinished. When we allow ourselves to welcome the tension between limitless opportunities and finite time, we hone discernment and an ability to let go with a light heart.

And, like so many things in life, the business of blessing is never done. In each of the blessings shared in the Summer Blessings: Practice Series I, Br. David has followed a pattern — “first expressing delight in a blessing received, following with a resolution to pass it on.” We invite you to continue this pattern in your own life. Allow yourself to notice and delight in the blessings that surround you. Then, filled and inspired by the celebration, pass it on so that the blessings flow through and from you with heart and great-fullness.

We thank you for blessing us with your time and presence. We are grateful.

How have these days of blessings — received and shared — impacted or inspired you? We’d love to hear from you in the reflection area below…

← Previous Practice

Enjoy the full eight-day Summer Blessings I practice series.

Br. David Steindl-Rast, OSB

Brother David Steindl-Rast — author, scholar, and Benedictine monk — is beloved the world over for his enduring message about gratefulness as the true source of lasting happiness. Known to many as the “grandfather of gratitude,” Br. David has been a source of inspiration and spiritual friendship to countless leaders and luminaries around the world including Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Merton, and more. He has been one of the most important figures in the modern interfaith dialogue movement, and has taught with thought-leaders such as Eckhart Tolle, Jack Kornfield, and Roshi Joan Halifax. His wisdom has been featured in recent interviews with Oprah Winfrey, Krista Tippett, and Tami Simon and his TED talk has been viewed almost 10,000,000 times. Learn more about Br. David here.

See more content by Br. David Steindl-Rast, OSB →

Resource TypesPractices

Community Conversation

Brenda B

My “business” of living and being and doing and praising and thanking is never finished, and I am grateful that these and so many other things remain unfinished – May I be given the grace to complete what can be completed, to tackle the urgent now, and to know what can be left for another time, May I also be given the grace to always be thankful and to share my gratitude with others.
Deep bow of gratitude to you all for all you do, all you give us.

4

Log in to Reply

My “business” of living and being and doing and praising and thanking is never finished, and I am grateful that these and so many other things remain unfinished - May I be given the grace to complete what can be completed, to tackle the urgent now, and to know what can be left for another time, May I also be given the grace to always be thankful and to share my gratitude with others. Deep bow of gratitude to you all for all you do, all you give us.

Update

Cancel
p

pat Mann

I live on a 27 acre homestead and live with unfinished business daily-being with the animals helps me see what to do next and be grateful I have such wonderful choices to pick from- when we give away control and open to where we are led we can be with all that is present-thank you for all that you do

2

Log in to Reply

I live on a 27 acre homestead and live with unfinished business daily-being with the animals helps me see what to do next and be grateful I have such wonderful choices to pick from- when we give away control and open to where we are led we can be with all that is present-thank you for all that you do

Update

Cancel
Anita

I just now opened this particular practice. The unfinished business piece was heavy on my heart at first. However, as I read it more deeply and let it sink in I realized the discernment that brother David was speaking about. It’s something I need to allow it to happen. I love his reflection on letting go and being grateful for the blessings that are already present. Thank you.

4

Log in to Reply

I just now opened this particular practice. The unfinished business piece was heavy on my heart at first. However, as I read it more deeply and let it sink in I realized the discernment that brother David was speaking about. It's something I need to allow it to happen. I love his reflection on letting go and being grateful for the blessings that are already present. Thank you.

Update

Cancel