Gratitude
To be grateful for what it is,
instead of underscoring what is not.
The unwanted aspects of life,
without denying the presence of the unwanted.
To focus on beauty in the little things of life,
as well as being deliberate about the great beauties
of art, literature, music and nature.
To be present to one's own small space of life
while stretching to the wide world beyond it.
To find something to laugh about each day
even when there seems to be nothing to laugh about.
To search for and to see the good in others,
rather than remembering their faults and weaknesses.
To be thankful for each loving deed done by another,
no matter how insignificant it might appear.
To taste life to the fullest
and not take any part of it for granted.
To seek to forgive others for their wrongdoings,
even immense, and to put the past behind.
To find ways to reach out and help the disenfranchised,
while also preserving their dignity and self-worth.
To be loving as loving and caring as possible
and culture that consistently changes these virtues
To remember to say our send" thank you"
To be at peace
with what cannot be changed..
-Joyce Rupp
