Gratitude Journal

I am again picking up on the discussions of Oprah and Eckhart Tolle and in today's talk (the one from April 15, chapter 7) they discuss the importance of appreciation and the abundance that is in our lives. Eckhart says that if there is only one thing that people should take from his book, it is the practice of gratitude, which itself brings us to the present moment, the source of all peace.

My advisor back in Bristol (MA Buddhist Studies, 2004-05) once also commented off-hand that the one thing most lacking in young people today is gratitude. Of all the things he taught, the stories he told, the wisdom he imparted, that is one of the things that has most stuck with me. So, in listing five things about my last day or so that I am grateful for, I'll begin with:

1. Teachers, specifically Paul Williams of Bristol University and Eckhart Tolle. Perhaps the greatest thing about being a life-long student is that you never know when or from whom that spark of pure wisdom is going to come; you simply always must strive to be ready for it when it comes.
   
2. Kelly, for inspiring me to be my best in everything. I'm in better shape than ever before in my life and I owe it in huge part to her amazing diet and exercise routine. With her I have experienced a sort of synchronisity and serendipity like never before in my life, opening deep spiritual doors I am sure will never close.
   
3. Parents, for having a home I always look forward to coming to.
4. More specifically, dad, whose Buddha-like wisdom has helped me find calm and perspective through tough times.
5. Good friends: Jen, Patia, Raven, Estha, Larry, Linda, Margaret, SJ, Ken, Sjors, Lenart, Soyoung, Shahnaz, Sana, Ali, Natasha, Devika, Ramadan, Soorjya, Tony, Cody, Toni, David, Deanna, and others. I'm realizing more and more in my old age (I'm almost 28, ya know) that it truly does take a village to raise a child, or at least to keep me on track half the time.
   

In deep respect and gratitude. __/\__