On Being Grateful

In general, I think I am usually grateful for the many good things in my life. My regular practice of yoga serves as a good reminder, though, in case I am feeling the least bit down in the dumps. The different teachers I have almost always include in their closing meditation the fact that "We all have something to be grateful for every day."

I am always grateful for my family and friends. On the day of the ice storm, Eileen, who lives nearby, had a generator, and immediately called to see if I'd like to come there for a hot dinner. (I never turn down dinner!) Even though I had my power back by dinner time, the invitation stood, and it was way better than eating by myself! Later that night, Donna, a friend in nearby Berwick, called to see if I was all right and did I need a place to stay. My nearest neighbor, who has a generator came to see if I needed to borrow the generator to pump water out of my basement. These small acts of kindness made me feel so much less alone, under circumstances which were less than ideal. It also motivated me to try to offer the same kinds of assistance to friends who were without power for so much longer than I!!

My two children have also been constant sources of support and help when needed, and constant sources of joy ( and yes, some sorrow at times). Todd came with his kids last Saturday, after the storm, and he dragged all the willow branches into one big pile, and rehung my birdfeeders. Emily and Nate helped with the smaller branches. Later they all helped put up and decorate the Christmas tree, which I perhaps could have done myself, but it sure was a whole lot more fun to do it with them!

Sarah was first to call to see if I was o.k. and had power. In fact, while I was talking to her my power came back on, so she had a chance to share my joy at the simple sound of the refrigerator humming!! She has brightened many days with her phone calls sharing her delight with a particular Christmas present she has found, or a question about a gift for someone else. Today she shared her time and a new friend in her life for lunch and the afternoon, and visited my mom, brightening her day as well. Other people might have been tempted to cancel the drive up here after the snowy night, but I knew Sarah would come if she possibly could.

A recent scientific study has actually proved how happiness spreads through friendship and kinship networks. To those of us who are blessed with those networks, the results of the study come as no surprise. It reinforces what Thich Nhat Hanh says in his book "Being Peace," about the importance of smiling at another person, and how that simple act can spread peace in the world. If only it were just that simple; on the other hand, at least on one level, it IS just that simple.