For more than two years, I have practiced a variation of a Thich Nhat Hanh’s mediation each morning, and it goes something like this:
Waking this morning, I smile
A brand new day is before me
I aspire to live each moment mindfully
And to look upon all beings
With the eyes of kindness and compassion.
Does this always work? Heck no! But it sure can make a significant difference. As I head into a new year, I am awake to possibility. As I attempt to live consciously and absorb as many moments as I am granted, I aspire to lead my year ahead with compassion and service. I do this, as I do most years, by offering up a list of all that I gives me a grateful heart…
1. Good health
2. Dear friends
3. Adventuresome spirit
4. My yoga students
5. Greensboro, NC
6. National Parks
7. Camping
8. Sitka, AK
9. Running
10. My bike
11. Michiko and Misa
12. Coffee
13. Pie
14. Books
15. Curiosity
16. Being of service
17. New Sitka friends
18. Patient old friends
19. Travel
20. Tate Street Coffee
21. Kara, Chris, and Lillie
22. Memories of my mom
23. An open heart
24. Water…being near it
25. Water…with lemon and ginger
26. Healthy food
27. Hard times
28. Trusting friends
29. Ryan and Kristen
30. The Mamas
31. Yoga
32. Swimming
33. Trees
34. John and Betsy
35. Laughter
36. Sunrises
37. Master’s degree
38. Poetry
39. Health & Happiness of friends
40. Jazz music
41. Ocean waves
42 Forgiveness
43. Bryan YMCA
44. Spin-etch at Hames Center
45. Care packages and letters
46. Published articles
47. Knowing this moment
48. Love
4 comments
Carlos says:
June 24, 2015 at 7:25 am (UTC -4 )
I loved waking up to this, Anne.
Maggie says:
June 24, 2015 at 7:24 pm (UTC -4 )
I love you 48 gratitudes! Lovely 🙂
patrick says:
June 29, 2015 at 6:42 am (UTC -4 )
i am delighted pie made the list at #13…and all of the things that we share in common on that audacious list. keep writing and living, dear friend…
Hap says:
June 29, 2015 at 7:10 am (UTC -4 )
Bird song, flowers, smiling faces…:)