Practicing Gratitude for the Marvels of the Body

It is one thing to see bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels depicted “out there” on your screen; vividly to connect these mental images with this living body of yours is quite a different thing. It takes training; you have to shift your attention. All this million-fold dying and renewal is actually going on within you at this very moment. Just think of it: two million red blood cells – that is more than the population of some countries! Check out this page for some stunning figures about your cells..  Close your eyes and say a few times slowly, “Now, now, now,” aware that with every “now” this million-fold renewal is happening in your body. Now, now, now: a pure gift. Maybe it was an experience like this that made Abraham Heschel exclaim, “Just to be is a blessing; just to live is holy.” You may want to repeat your “now” a few more times, with closed eyes – not so much thinking about, but feeling the life force at work within your body.