An expression of gratitude at Kokoro
“In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
By Lucila McElroy
I consider myself a person prone to awareness, and expressions, of gratitude. And I realize that my view has been limited.
Here is what I mean. I can easily be grateful for food on my shelves. However, that food came from well stocked grocery store shelves. Which in turn came from hard working store employees, which in turn came from well established distribution networks, which in turn came from hard working long haul truck drivers, which in turn came from people picking crops in places like Florida and California.
I have well stocked shelves due to the efforts of others. Others who I don’t see or know. I am able to eat, drive down roads, fly to far away places, and enjoy the benefits of electricity due to the efforts of others.
My gratitude now extends further than what I see which changes my experience of life. I am happier and life seems richer; more enhanced because of my focus on the hard work and goodness of others. Seemingly mundane experiences like eating, shopping for food, going to work, driving or parenting are now richer and infused with joy. This happens when I allow myself to see beyond what I can see. An apple in my fruit basket now represents the effort, and goodness, of others. Those people with sore backs at the end of twelve hour days made it possible for me to eat.
How have the efforts, and kindness, of those you don’t see benefited you? And how are you grateful?
The Gratitude Graffiti Project 
In this moment, I am grateful for Amelie’s effort in practicing her new instrument, the recorder. She is getting so much joy out of it. And I am grateful for her music teacher and the Tuscan PTA who work hard in their fundraising efforts to ensure that every child has an opportunity to practice music. Lucila
In this moment, I am grateful for my staff at Core Mind and Body who have supported me when needed.. accepted me unconditionally and who have made Core the most amazing place to work or play! I am also eternally grateful for my attorneys who have shown integrity and compassion.
Christine Koenig
Chris:
I am grateful that you opened CORE Mind and Body in Maplewood it is the amazing place to play!
Beautiful post, Lucila. Well said. On that note, just a reminder that this Sunday, October 28th, Maplewood is holding a CROP anti- hunger/ anti-poverty walk at 12:30 pm in Memorial Park. CROP motto: “We walk because they walk”. We hope we’ll see you there. http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/TR/2012FallCROPHungerWalk/TR-Fall2012?pg=entry&fr_id=15098
I am grateful to all my kind teachers who show me where and how I can improve my practice, each moment. My practice is completely dependant upon their kindness. Because they have cherished me again and again, this awareness brings me great happiness, and I rejoice in all their virtue.
I am grateful for the safety of my family in my warm cozy home.
Grateful for strangers who smile in passing ‘just because’…this always brightens my day and puts a smile on my face!
It is 12:26 am and I am happy to report that I have not lost my attitude of gratitude (as we call it in the Cohen home) despite the fact that my iPhone just completely crashed and needed to be wiped clean of all data. I am grateful that I still have electricity so that I can fix my phone. I am grateful that most of the infornation is backed up. I am grateful that we are safe and warm and dry.