gratitude

i thank You God for most this amazing
day; for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes.

If you're going to tally up things in life, tally up what others do for you, rather than what you do for others.

Giving thanks for abundance
is sweeter than the abundance itself...

We already have so much abundance.  We truly do.  We need not search too far.  It is within.  The reason we fail to recognize this is because we haven't quite mastered the art of being.  For abundance to prevail, we must have LOVE, gratitude, acceptance and compassion.

"Gratitude, not understanding, is the secret to joy and equanimity."

We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness.

Before each meal, we can join our palms in mindfulness and think about the children who do not have enough to eat. Doing so will help us maintain mindfulness of our good fortune, and perhaps one day we will find ways to do something to help change the system of injustice that exists in the world. In many refugee families, before each meal, a child holds up his bowl of rice an says something like this: "Today, on the table, there are many delicious foods. I am grateful to be here with my family enjoying these wonderful dishes. I know there are many children less fortunate, who are very hungry." Being a refugee he knows, for example, that most Thai children never see the kind of fine rice grown in Thailand that he is about to eat. It is difficult to explain to children in the "overdeveloped" nations that not all children in the world have such beautiful and nourishing food. Awareness of this fact alone can help us overcome many of our own psychological pains. Eventually our contemplation can help us see how to assist those who need our help so much.

If Existence was Ever a Miracle, then Existence is Always a Miracle. 

To practice properly the Art of Peace, you must:
Calm the spirit and return to the source. Cleanse the body and
spirit by removing all malice, selfishness, and desire. Be ever grateful for the gifts received from the universe, your family, Mother nature, and your fellow human beings.

Yes, I can!
I certainly can!
I can have
A gratitude-flower-heart
That shall remain open
At all hours.