We hurtle through life doing, planning, worrying, criticising, judging, and missing...... missing?, We often do not notice or relish in the beauty that abounds in our life, such as kind words from a friend, the hugs from our children, bird-song at sunrise, the breeze embalming our being, the light of the moon, the deep breaths we are able to take in, the tranquil moments of solitude..... Are you smiling now? Mostly we default to what didn't work, that one mistake we made today, being stuck in traffic, those unkind words we heard, spilling the milk, losing the keys, eating too little, not eating, eating too much, and then the day is gone and we relive it all over and over and over again. Are you frowning now? And when those images come to you - how do you feel? The people we love, coming home, the books we read, the music we hear, the delicacies we eat, all sustain us. Blessings from all directions. There is an expression that it is not happy people who are thankful but thankful people who are happy. Many monks and yogis begin the day with a chant of gratitude; indigenous peoples begin ceremonies with grateful prayers to the earth and to their ancestors. Many cultures say 'grace' before each meal. Some even meditate on suffering. Why? Because when you are truly grateful, your compassion grows and wisdom unfolds. Thankful people are mindful of the moments and they rejoice in the essence of life. All negative emotions can be crushed by the power of gratitude - no judgment, jealousy, envy, anger or sadness. As gratitude flows, joy grows. Quote: The elixir of gratitude stops us from craving, wanting, feeling lost, and lacking..... Abundance, joy and compassion ride upon its shoulders. I have enough. I am enough. Annemaree