Swimming with Gratitude | Alliance for Catholic Schooling

“Come on in, the water’s great!” I shout as I splash round within the uneven lake fairly conveniently situated solely two minutes from our convent. “No really, it’s way warmer than I expected!” I name out, attempting to encourage my two group members nonetheless standing on the seaside to affix me within the water. I’m smiling. 

Marcello comes barreling in and plunges himself into the waves not not like the way in which a cheerful pet would bounce in a lake. We’re each smiling.

Catherine remains to be eyeing me doubtfully, unconvinced. Either she will learn the devious nature of my smile that I’m unsuccessfully hiding, or, extra seemingly, she is absolutely conscious that every part I say is a flat-out lie: it’s November. The lake in query is Lake Erie. We are in Cleveland, Ohio. The water is startlingly, take-your-breath-away chilly.

And but, seconds later, Catherine joins our late autumn dip, swiftly submerging herself in Erie’s night chill. For a second, earlier than all of us shortly exit for the nice and cozy embrace of our seaside towels, there we’re: half standing, half floating, in-between worlds, in-between realms, three group members sharing a second of refreshing rejuvenation, of cleaning by creation, of bonding by baptism. The water is oh-so-cold. But the corporate is oh-so-warm.

These more-than-weekly jumps within the lake have turn out to be nearly ritual for Marcello and me and whoever else from our group occurs to affix. On the arduous days, they’re a welcome reset, a method to wash away the challenges of the day. On the nice days, they’re a festivity, a method to experience a day gone nicely. On all days, they’re a chance to delight in gratitude, giving thanks for one more day lived, the teachings realized, the triumphs achieved, and a second of stillness and oneness with creation.

These dips within the lake are among the many issues for which I’m most grateful as a member of ACE, and in some ways, they embody the spirit of an ACE group for which so many are grateful. For what’s an ACE group however a gaggle of random-people-turned-close-friends with whom to do actually arduous, enjoyable, bizarre, significant issues? In this season of gratitude (which coincides with probably the most troublesome stretches of the college yr), I’m particularly grateful that I can share so many formative (and chilly) experiences with individuals I deeply care about.

My favourite creator, Robin Wall Kimmerer, writes that, “Our first responsibility, the most potent offering we possess, is gratitude.” Life in an ACE group nourishes gratitude, for relationships with others—particularly others who perceive most of the challenges we face each day—multiply our alternatives to specific and obtain it.

Gratitude is leaping in a chilly lake whenever you’d slightly keep heat, like Catherine. Gratitude is coming to the seaside within the rain, though you’re not going to leap in and also you’d slightly keep dry, like Grace. Gratitude is leaving uplifting sticky notes round the home, like Ashley. Gratitude is texting an early-morning “YOU ROCK” meme, like Kristen. Gratitude is washing different individuals’s dishes, like Marcello. 

Gratitude most authentically practiced in an ACE group is relishing the chance to share experiences with others, not since you assume the experiences are enjoyable (some definitely are, many others definitely aren’t) however since you get to share them with individuals you care about.

This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for a group that relishes each other—and for group members who will bounce within the lake. In November.