Gratitude

                                                                                                                                                                               prayer offering on the ganges river, photo source unknown

The wind and branches whisper
of a grand conspiracy:
everything and everyone
secretly aware of the plan
to wake you up,
to reshape your misery
in the form of endless gratitude.

Be glad that you suffer when you veer off course,
it’s a true kindness that helps us remember.

You’ll recognize the way
when you can be thankful for the pain
that opens your heart,
thankful for your birth and each breath
that gives you this moment to love,
thankful for death that reminds you
to take nothing for granted,
thankful for darkness that reminds you
through contrast
what you really want to choose,
and thankful that no matter what we do
or have done to us,
whatever lives is still made of light.