Awakening

After one of the longest and coldest winters of my life,  the buds on the tree in front of my house are about to open. Warm weather the past few days has caused shoots to push up through the earth and leaves ready to burst from their buds.  I am so grateful for this long-awaited spring.  Yesterday I went to the garden greenhouses and feasted my eyes on the brightly coloured flowers there.  Their sweet scent was exhilarating.  The sun was shining, with clear blue skies.  So great to be alive and able to enjoy this!  All of nature seems to be awakening.  This in away parallels my own life.  I have gone through a long winter  and my meditation practice gives me hope, hope that I too will soon awake.

In gratitude for the signs of spring both in the exterior world and within,
Margaret

In-Gratitude or ingratitude?

I came across this picture on facebook the other day.  Whether we live a life of gratitude or ingratitude is up to us.  

When we live from a stance of ingratitude, we view the world through a lens of lack which leads to criticizing, and complaining.  We view the world as a negative perhaps hostile environment.  When we live in gratitude we see the abundance and blessings that surround us.  We are grateful for, and marvel in the small and big things -  in the mundane and ordinary as well as the extraordinary.  Our world view is kinder, gentler and supportive.  

One stance creates pain and suffering....the other peace and contentment.
Which do you choose?  
I know what my choice is!

In gratitude for all the blessings both great and small,

Margaret