My body is a gateway to gratefulness because of its impermanence. If I am able to remember that it is here only a short while I can be more grateful for what it offers me each day.

Yes. I can remember to acknowledge the people I meet today with a gentle kindness. I can acknowledge their humanness and the deep seated desire to experience safety, possess health, know peace, and live life with ease. While doing this I can unselfishly turn this same kindness toward myself and know I am part of the community.

When I am critical this hijacks the possibility of being connected to others and the joy that comes with connection. When I find myself being critical it usually means that I am feeling some sort of shame or unworthiness about myself. It is impossible to see the joy in the world when I cannot see it in myself.

I can honor the beauty in others by acknowledging their humanness and the beauty that includes. If I take the time to pay tribute to the fact that others, like me, have their measure of joys and sorrows then I can better honor our connection as humans.

I can let go of the analyzing of thoughts, stories, emotions that continually arise from my mind and are ever changing. Yes, they are there, it’s part of the human condition, but they need not take up the energy I let them. If I simply touch them and let go I have more energy to be present for all that is.

I would really notice all that I do have and be grateful. The “what ifs” of the future would lose their grip and I would be free to be here now. I would have a deeper appreciation for what I do have, which is so much. After all, for any of us, this really could be our last day…as much as we may think so, we do not have control over when our last day will be.

Of course I have regrets and would take back the measures of loss, pain, blame, etc that I have brought into the world. It is hard to admit to ourselves that it is not always us that is behaving well. Since we are human we get and give our share of pain and loss, despair and delight. To learn from regrets is to grow. Learn to be aware of ourselves. Forgive others and ourselves and move through the world with the wisdom that tells we are are all innately good.

I love the way they hold the snow in winter, the way their leaves rustle in the wind, the cool shade they provide from a hot sun, the way they are willing to be homes to so many animals, I love their ability to bend and not break. I love the way they remind me that I also can exhibit these traits…maybe not a home to animals :)!

I was asked to lead a meditation class near my home. I decided to do this for no compensation. This has opened up new possibilities for connection with others. I feel less burdened by giving this to others. Being a bit freer has allowed me to be more creative.

If I let go of my complaints I would see gratitude for what I do have and gratitude for what the world gives freely to me.

Longing can help me move forward. Not to fix what I simply cannot. Longing is more likely to remind me that I long to be present with each moment as it unfolds. Longing reminds me to come home to myself and then be aware of my responses to the fullness of life.

My father. It took me a while, but I know he did his best and for that I am grateful. I am grateful for the man he was and all the things he did so well.

Kristi, thanks so much for this wise and timely message (would it ever be untimely?). Have a beautiful day!

Simply, I can reach out to a friend or family member as ask how they are and listen without adding anything or fixing. If advice is asked for I can offer an opinion.

If I ponder these things I would experience the connection that is needed to just to be alive. I would acknowledge the efforts and sacrifices of others, their contribution to my well being. I would also reflect more on what I put in my body and choose more foods that have both nourishing qualities and healing qualities. Nourishing and healing for both my body and the world my body lives in.

Acknowledging that the people I encounter today, just like me, have their own measures of joys, heartaches, and everything in between will allow me to be more tender.

Amazing! Thanks for sharing this tale of dedication and cooperation from two different species. No matter the emotions or thoughts the whale may have had it was part of and connected to this experience.

For me this is a tough question to answer. So many of us are very wrapped up in attempting to control that which we can’t. I would have to say my mother, she has always been contemplative and demonstrated patience. Recently she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer and the docs said she would probably live only several more months…who really knows? Even though she has struggled with this, I have also seen her demonstrate a peacefulness that is inspiring.