The Rich Soil of Gratitude.

My darlings, this morning I am inspired by the words of poet, Mary Oliver ~ who so effortlessly shares the energy of grace in just these few simple lines:

“It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”

When we first begin our mindfulness practice, we’re so intent on accomplishing something. Though, rarely do we know what that ‘something’ is.

And, so we sit.

We close our eyes, we mark our breath; we read books, we attend lectures – we hope, we wish. And, yet? Nirvana slips our grip again.

We become so easily discouraged, feeling that this process of awakening isn’t something that we, ourselves, might achieve. We over-complicate, where there should be simplicity. A few thoughtful lines
intended to express our gratitude for being alive.

This is the energy of mindfulness. That is to say, through every thought, every word, every breath – we may begin to experience the interconnectedness of all that is.

We lose ourselves in the mechanics of process, forgetting how easily we might return to self.

With just these few simple words, my loves ~ we create the conditions for our lives to unfold.

“Our greatest desire as spiritual practitioners” shares Thich Nhat Hanh “is to discover the essence of things and to be in touch with this essence. When we have been in touch with the ultimate dimension, with nirvana, when we have been in touch with God, then we can accept whatever happens in the here and now.”

My darlings, it doesn’t always have to be the ‘blue iris’ which helps us to deepen our awareness; sometimes, even a pile of leaves will do.

So long as we remain open to it. So long as our hearts remain grounded in gratitude.

A little something to consider on this day, my loves ❤️

About

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

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