Some of you may already know that I’m an atheist.
It’s not something I talk about much online, because while it is fundamental to my nature, it’s not fundamental to my business – and I realise that being atheist is unpopular in some circles.
However – this isn’t a post about my faith (or lack thereof). But knowing that about me is necessary for what comes next.
This is a post about grace. As in the grace that many religious people say before they eat.
I was looking at my plate recently and I thought (not for the first time) how grateful I was to the plants and animals that have died to feed me. I dread to think how many living things have had to sacrifice their lives to keep mine going – but I’m practical enough to realise that this is the circle of life, the way of nature, and that it’s natural and right.
Still.
Why should I not say my own grace? Why shouldn’t I give thanks? Just because I’m not giving thanks to a higher being, there is still a lot of thanks to be given.
And so I thought. To what should I give thanks? And it came to me so easily.
I may not say it out loud, but in my mind, I say:
Thank you, Sun, for giving the energy to this world.
Thank you, Earth, for providing the nourishment that has grown my food.
Thank you, little plants, for giving up your days basking in the sun and soil for me.
Thank you, sweet animals, for giving of your flesh and body so that mine may continue.
Thank you, farmers. You are so much more important than anyone gives you credit for. You keep us all alive.
Of course, the purpose of this is not to send vibes throughout the universe (because I don’t believe in such things).
The purpose of this is to work on my own inner self. To make myself more aware. To make myself more humble. To make myself more grateful and mindful of the truth of this life. That, when it comes down to it, I couldn’t exist without all of these things.
We (and by we, I mostly mean Nick, let’s be honest here) grow a lot of our own vegies, and we have plans to grow almost all of our fruit and vegetables in the coming years. This is a vital part of our DIY Life Plan. To become as self-sufficient as we can.
Eating food out of your own garden is something really special – something I think many of us in the western world have lost touch with. It really does taste better. And you value it a lot more because you have seen just how long it has taken to grow from seed to fruit.
Many of us who live a modern lifestyle have no connection to our food beyond the supermarket. We take food for granted while more than half the people on the planet live with starvation as a daily reality.
I forget this fact all the time as I glide through my daily life – caught up in my obsession with my work and day-to-day. The food is always just there. I take it for granted.
Perhaps it’s time I stop doing that and remember to give thanks more often.
Do you say your own form of grace? What do you give thanks for? Share in the comments…
{image from Kitchenist}
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We’re also atheists in this house who find it important to be grateful before a meal. We’ve adopted the Japanese phrase “Itadakimasu” and I’m just going to quote wikipedia here as they explain it well…
“Meals in Japan traditionally begin with the phrase itadakimasu (ã„ãŸã ãã¾ã™?) (literally, “I humbly receive”). The phrase is similar to “bon appétit”, or saying grace to give thanks before a meal. It is said to express gratitude for all who played a role in preparing, cultivating, ranching or hunting the food. This also acknowledges that living organisms have given their life to human beings…”
We clap our hands together into a prayer-like gesture and now, if we forget, our two year old reminds us to do it 🙂
Melanie – I *love* that! When I was in France recently, having lunch with French and Dutch folks, I realised that both of their languages had a phrase like this… but English doesn’t! I wonder why?
My mom exposed us to almost every religion or spirituality she could think of when we were kids, wanting us to make up our own minds about it. Today I identify as mostly atheist.
We had a fairly neutral blessing that we still say today.
Thank you mother earth for all this food,
thank you father sky for making it grow.
Followed by the Madeleine blessing.
We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all we love each other.
This is a really nice post. We don’t practice any religion and I often worry about instilling empathy, kindness, spirituality and grace in my children. These are lovely ideas to ponder.
This so resonates with me, too! Especially now that the kids and I have been growing veggies and collecting apples from our tree for the last several years. It’s easy to forget how farmers are at the mercy of the elements — one good storm, late frost, fire, or drought could really wipe them out. Growing things with the kids I think teaches that appreciation and the importance of stewardship of the earth and their community more than anything else. Perhaps so much more than any mythology/theology could. 😉
Couldnt have it said any better Jess…life is meant for being grateful, grabbing it by the horns and loving the simple things!…aaahhhh if only every living, breathing being could be this way…awareness of our thoughts, feelings and gratitude is what counts!
It is interesting to me that you chose the title “Secular Grace” for your blog post which is a complete contradiction. While I respect your right to be an atheist, I also feel sad that you have not experienced true grace which only comes from God.
Melissa
Hi Melissa, thanks for your comment! Yes, my title is certainly a contradiction – I wish there was another word in English that expressed the term without the religious connotations – alas, the closest alternative is ‘blessing’ and even that is religious.
I can guarantee you that I am many more times happier in my life now as an atheist than I was when I was trying to convince myself to believe something I didn’t truly resonate with – but thank you for the kindness 🙂
I was just searching for a “Secular Grace”!! So happy to have found yours. I wanted to add one I found from the Waldorf Schools.   ” Earth who gave to us this food, Sun who made it ripe and good, Dearest Earth, and Dearest Sun, We’ll not forget what you have done.”   Personally I change the last line to say “We give thanks for what you have done.”
I drop a leave a response when I like a article on a website or if I have something to add to the discussion. Usually it’s caused by the fire communicated in the article I read. And on this post Objetivos | Centro Universitario del Norte -CUNOR-. I was moved enough to leave a thought I actually do have a couple of questions for you if you do not mind. Is it simply me or does it seem like some of the comments look as if they are left by brain dead visitors? And, if you are posting on other sites, I would like to follow you. Could you list the complete urls of your communal pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?