1.

“Thank you” has been an expression and a prayer I have utilized many times. It is both magical and effective because as an expression, it has kept me aware of the community of givers I have been blessed with my entire life. I am a blessed woman for that. As a prayer, those words have been all I could say at times, when I was too overwhelmed. As a prayer, they have anchored me in the present and into the inevitable peace that follows. These words have re-introduced me to God and to myself, several times and have enveloped me in God’s ever-present Love. I am grateful for my ability to practice gratitude. With that being said, the name ‘Tendai’ belongs to the third born in my family, my older sister.

She wears this name and the principle of gratitude in her own unique way. Just like she has her own pizzazz, the meaning of this name takes on different connotations depending on how I use it or say it. With different cultural/vocal inflections, her name can sound like a plea, a reminder, and/or a prayer. Which is what I love about this name to be honest. Multiple meanings are fun to play with because you get to see different angles. And as a writer, I thrive on exploring multiple vantage points. I have different phases in my life where my relationship with the word “gratitude” has been either reverential or contentious. Let me provide the context to that.

2.

In one of my blogs, I expressed my connection to the Ocean and how that every time I got the lovely opportunity to stand in front of the ocean, I felt the magnanimity of God. I cannot help but to be thankful in those moments. The flip side to that is, as a black woman and an immigrant, I have experienced some dehumanizing moments where I was asked to be grateful in the face of disrespect. This word has been used as a form of denial, dismissal and even pacification regarding when to accept treatment that is sexist, racist, bigoted, etc. In some historical contexts, gratitude has been thrown back in many people’s faces as a beggar’s philosophy.

There have been moments in the US where it has been made clear to me that some rights are not inalienable after all and do not belong to all people. And as such, for the little that people possess, they must be “grateful” because it “could be worse”. Therein lies the contentiousness I mentioned earlier. But gratitude remains such a major part of how I was raised because my mother gave wholeheartedly because she was grateful for all we had. And in Zimbabwean culture in general, gratitude is an ancestral principle we are encouraged to express and to embody. It is a principle ingrained in how most traditional practices are carried out. And I too have held onto that and here is how I wear the name “Tendai” in my life.

3.

Firstly, gratitude as a plea is about stating an obvious fact of how blessed we are to be on planet earth. It is an appeal, a formal statement we make to others by acknowledging our presence here on earth as a gift. I dare say, gratitude is choosing to be in awe even when faced with the seemingly mundane or banal things of life. Secondly, gratitude as a reminder is about remembrance of what a gift it is to be here, just our very breath is meant to be celebrated. Every chance you get, let life nudge you into it or prompt yourself into it. Contrary to what many might believe, there actually are consequences to not honoring this spiritual law. It’s about remembering that appreciation is as important as breathing. Lastly, gratitude nudges us towards light and peace, always.

Therefore, gratitude as a prayer is about centering ourselves in the truth of who we are as God’s beloved creations. Learning to practice this spiritual principle consistently is imperative. Prayer is our willingness to repeatedly speak about this truth in our private times or with others. What anchors you friend? I hope gratitude is one of those spiritual tools you use to help answer that question. I know it is for me and as a matter of fact, my ancestors insist upon it, so stay unbowed and stay grateful!

Thank you for reading this blog.