Our May newsletter looks at what to do when life doesn't turn out as you expected.

Send a Mother's Day ecard to someone nurturing in your life or (in keeping with the day's origins) someone who works for peace.  If your mother has passed on, light a candle in her memory.

Who can measure the significance of an "ordinary" life?  Daria Donnelly's – as a mother, wife, and editor whose life was cut short by a fatal illness – was surely a gift, reminding us not to take each other for granted.

What can we do to ease the suffering that clings to our image of perfection?

Enjoy magical performances by Jane Hirshfield, Coleman Barks, Drew Dellinger, Roger Housden, Annette Cantor and more, through free video clips of the Poetry of Gratefulness event and an opportunity to order the DVD or CD.

This month you can find Grateful News covering the gamut from a hopeful diplomatic shift to an intrepid role model, from malaria protection to a long-overdue reunion.

Send an Earth Day ecard, and gather fresh inspiration through the practice sessions and links in our Caring for the Earth and Simple Living topics.

"We can escape from absurdity by learning to listen to the word in everything we encounter," including these new keywords: way, wonderment, word, and work/play.

Bring new light to your gratefulness practice through the offerings in our April newsletter.

Gain courage from the thousands of organizations working to Light Up the World.  If you have one to recommend which is not yet on our map, please let us know.

"There is a mercy making its way/up through the ocean of the earth/to the shores of our feet," writes Stephen Levine.

Light a candle for Tibet and the universality of the Tibetan people's struggle (learn more).

Stop by our Caring for the Earth topic and check out what's new!   The resource links now include "12 Steps to Practical Problem Solving" by Paul Polak, an innovator in creative solutions to complicated social problems.

Jane Addams connected the dots between service to humanity and a strong pacifist stance, even when Teddy Roosevelt – whom she had considered a friend – denounced her as “the most dangerous woman in America.”

You can now view six video clips of Br. David's 2004 interview at the Synthesis Dialogues in Rome, including his thoughts about a life-preserving and healing Godview.

Our "At Home in the Body" topic has another new offering:  to neuro-anatomist Jill Bolte Taylor's powerful story of recovery and awareness after a stroke. (Scroll down to Links on this page.)

Equinox blessings to you!

In this month's Grateful News: a colorful Vietnamese pilgrimage; the work skills of blind professionals; help for writing thank-you notes; a courageous woman alleviating the pains of war; and how compost can protect against global warming.

Our sister site, Spirituality & Practice, is offering an e-course on "Practicing Spirituality During Illness," April 1-May 10, 2008. To learn more, visit our "At Home in the Body" topic and scroll down to "Links."

Visit our video section, which now includes an hour of teachings by Br. David and Joan Halifax Roshi on gratefulness, compassion fatigue, and letting change guide you; plus a short, inspiring video on peace.

"May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more."  And may you always find the perfect e-card for St. Patrick's Day, the turning seasons, and Easter.

Imagine needing only a spoon to get through life!

Join us in April for a retreat in West Virginia or come to Switzerland with us in September!

Thank you for brightening people's lives through more than five million candles lit since the beginning of our Light a Candle feature.

Listen to an interview on "Why Gratefulness Matters" with Linda Larsson and Dale Biron, board members of A Network for Grateful Living (ANG*L).

February's newsletter looks at some of the fascinating contradictory truths around us.

» click here for previous news

May 12 - Jul 10,  08donate — If you live in the United States, you actually can do a world of good with your 2008 Stimulus Rebate. Give it to a cause you believe in. That's the simple idea behind 08donate. more »

May 19,  Festival of the Sacred Spring — During this Celtic feast, people adorn sacred healing wells and springs with flowers and greenery to honor Brigid, goddess of fire, poetry, healing, childbirth, and water. For all renewal in our lives that’s coming into full flower, we give thanks. more »

May 19,  Visakha Bucha Day — The most important holy day of Thai Buddhists, this day commemorates the three anniversaries of Buddha’s life, which miraculously happened on the same date: his birth, his enlightenment, and his death. more »

May 20,  Wesak Festival — Observed on the full moon of Taurus, this celebration – which traditionally honors the Buddha – offers all of us an opportunity to appreciate our relationship with the Divine.

May 20,  Birthday of Rose Hawthorne (1851-1926) — Daughter of writer Nathaniel Hawthorne and unsung pioneer of the hospice movement. more »

May 22,  Birthday of Mary Stevenson Cassatt (1844 - 1926) — American Impressionist painter and printmaker who, from age 30, lived and worked in France. Cassatt's engaging portraits of women caring for children -- such as The Child's Bath -- show keen observation and capture a tender strength. more »

May 22,  Birthday of Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) — German operatic composer of "music dramas" for which he wrote both libretto and musical score. Using leitmotif to signify characters or themes, Wagner's music introduced new harmonies and a flowing continuity, departing from customary arias. more »

May 23,  Birthday of Antoinette Brown Blackwell (1825-1921) — American minister, lecturer and writer on behalf of equal rights, abolition, and other social reforms. The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected her to become a member, an honor rarely bestowed on women at that time. more »

May 23 - May 24,  Declaration of the Báb — The Baha’i Faith began on May 22, 1844 when Islamic student Mullá Husayn recognized the promised prophet he’d long sought. Like Mullá Husayn, we remember to “render thanks to God for having graciously assisted us” to attain the truth our heart seeks. more »

May 25,  Birthday of Beverly Sills (b. 1929) — American coloratura soprano who joined the NYC Opera in 1953 and, as its General Director in the 1980s, helped it achieve financial stability. Sills has raised more than $70 million to combat birth defects and help families of special-needs children.

May 25,  Birthday of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) — American Transcendentalist whose poems and essays – landmarks in American literary expression – speak of God's presence within us and throughout creation. Emerson observes: “To the illumined mind, the whole world burns and sparkles with light." more »

Your site is a beam of light in the darkness of a troubled world. Thank you for establishing it! I felt very peaceful and grateful, being able to light a candle! Terima kasih!  — Tami Koestomo, Bogor, Indonesia

Such beauty, in words, in vision, and the beauty crept into my mind and into my heart and it became one.  — Catherine Moore, N.S. Canada

Deze site is heel bijzonder. This site is very special. Blijf doorgaan. Keep on going. Dank je wel. Thank you very much. Obrigado.  — Piet Vollering, Brasil

Your sight provides a tranquility and peace which makes me stop in my tracks and contemplate - in today's world a necessity! To stop and smell the roses and be grateful is a precious gift!  — Deirdre, Melbourne, Australia

Esta pagina es maravillosa. Es un oasis para nuestras almas!. Gracias! (This site is wonderful. It is an oasis for our souls. Thanks!)  — SGT, Dallas, Texas

I've loved the site and the candles for a long time. Then I discovered the maze, and now the Angels of the Hours. This little Jewish kid finds strength and solace in all. With gratitude,  — FC, Illinois

I've never seen such a page in the Internet. God bless you! Thanks a lot!  — Maria S., Moscow. Russia

I feel warm and peaceful to read your pages. Thanks!  — Heng krishna, phnom penh,cambodia

It gives me a moment of peace and inner reflection to thank the Lord for all the good things he gives us, and to ask for things we need.  — Noé Daniel González Bucobo, Cabimas, Zulia, Venezuela

is a verry good web site.i wish you all long good tim´s, sorry my english is not perfekt. i am a boy from germany.  — jens 074, Germany

I am truly grateful to all who keep and sustain this site.. I share this site with many people and send cards from it weekly. My blessings of joy bestowed upon you.  — Rev DawnMarie LifeDancer, Portland, Oregon

Merci beaucoup! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you with Gratitude, Joy, Peace, Love, and Appreciation. Loved the Labryinth.  — Susan, North Bay, Ontario, Canada

E'incredibile quante persone,sparse in ogni parte del mondo,affidano le loro preghiere a questo sito... Grazie (It’s incredible how so many people, scattered in every part of the world, entrust their prayers to this site... Thanks)  — Rita, Italia

I feel so peaceful after visiting your site. It really is nice to have somewhere to go beyond the violence and cruelty of today's society.  — C.J., Virginia

Gracias !! Una inmensa generosidad de su parte por dar acceso a esta bella pagina a cualquier persona en el mundo. Impresionamte !!! (Thanks! An immense generosity on your part to give access to this beautiful page to any person in the world. I’m impressed!)  — SCH, USA

fühle mich mit allen hier auf dieser Seite verbunden (I feel connected on this site with everyone)  — Gerda, Belgium

I visit often, and immediately feel a sense of peace and calm in a troubled world. Thank you, and bless you.  — Marion, U.K.

Thank you so much for the site and especially the labyrinth - a wonderful place where i can just breath and gather so much peace and gratefulness.  — sl, canada

I am glad i found this site.  — Thabi, Benoni, South Africa

Thanks for your generosity of spirit, by making this available. The candles are a very simple yet effective idea.  — L, Australia