Gratitude

Gratitude. I've come to learn a lot about it in the last two years by writing about it every day for a year and a half.  I've also learned that I have only just begun to scratch the surface of learning. Gratitude is appreciating what you have, what is here and now and present. It's nothing that you've earned it's all in what is given to you. It's about nature, what is in the world that is beautiful. It's about the sounds of the crickets and the wind blowing while you walk your dog. It's about having someone to love and having someone who loves you back. It's about appreciating your health and your physical and mental capabilities. It's about learning how to appreciate you have a beautiful dog that is sick, but she's here right now, doing well and as loving as ever. It's about people accepting you for who you are and as you are. It's about the kindness of strangers who will do something ever so small they'll never remember it, but you will carry it with you forever. It's about knowing there are good days and bad days and when the bad days are here, you appreciate what is good that you can hold on while you weather out the storm. And it's about having people in your life that are your family, not by blood, but by choice. Gratitude. It's appreciation for all you have that you have spiritually, emotionally, physically and even materialistically. It's knowing that life can change in a moment without warning or cause so while your life is still yours as you know it, it's paying attention to everything and everyone around you and never taking that for granted. And as I listen to the crickets and the wind in the background right now, I am thankful I can hear them. There are people who never have, or never heard anything because they have lost or never had their hearing.  I am ever so thankful both dogs are by my side and many of you are going to read this because you care enough to do so. Gratitude has taught me true appreciation of the love of friends and I am so grateful that so many people love me. Sometimes gratitude is overwhelming and tonight is one of those times, but that's when gratitude is deepest. With a humble and grateful heart, I bid you all a good night or a good morning and wish you peace, love, and moments for which to be grateful. Namaste.