by Evelyn C. Rysdyk
Co-Editor
"Learn to see, and then you’ll know that there is no
end to the new worlds for our vision."
–Carlos Castenada
May is certainly a time of year that it's easy to feel gratitude! The flowers have begun making an appearance and the birds are madly busy with the work of raising a new generation. Outside of our window, their chorus is deliciously raucous and the multilayered songs provide a soundtrack for Nature's Great Work of Continuance. It is the Life Force's eternal, restless need to express itself.
.As life rebounds in Springtime, it makes me think about the dizzying variety of life forms on this planet. Living beings exist from the crushing depths of the ocean trench to scalding pools of acidic mud around a geyser to the windswept heights of the Himalayas. No matter how harsh the situation, Nature's dedication to its task will solve the puzzles and fill every available niche. It is Life's loving energy--reflected to us in trillions of breathing mirrors.
Morrie Schwartz, the man we came to know in the book Tuesdays with Morrie once said, "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
May gives us another chance to dedicate ourselves to Continuance. When we step into the flow of Nature's rhythms we are presented with opportunities to contribute our energies to that which sustains and nurtures the beauty of our planet. It's just a matter of bringing the right perspective.
We have a choice every morning about the attitude we will embrace for the day. We can't change what has gone on yesterday or how people will behave around us. We CAN, however, change the ways that WE react and respond. Our responses have a powerful impact not only on our quality of life, but on the world around us. As we shared in last month's issue, gratitude has the power to rebalance our inner and outer environments. It is a simple action that can help us to change the physical world.
Here is a prayer to support an "attitude of gratitude" each and every day.
"Gratitude before me,
Gratitude behind me,
Gratitude to the left of me,
Gratitude to the right of me,
Gratitude above me,
Gratitude below me,
Gratitude within me,
Gratitude all around me."
- Angeles Arrien
This month is resplendent with opportunities to fall in love with Nature once again. The air is warm, the woods are vibrating with greenness and the gardens are beginning to show their colors. Be thankful that you have senses to relish it all and let your grateful heart lead you to action. Lend a hand cleaning a roadway. Help rebuild a trail. Share flowers with a child. Find some way to express your appreciation for being able to participate in another Spring!
-Evelyn
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