Gratitude

                                                                                                                                                                       prayer offering on the Ganges river

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.



~~Luke Anderson