Gratitude

("Citadel of Light Merit Badge" #67, 2016, original pen and ink) Gratitude The first noble truth of this world is that life is full of suffering - even when we think it’s pleasurable – and in one form or another it's simply part of living. But that doesn’t mean we’re trapped in it, there are other noble truths after all… but it helps to know suffering is a given and take our lives forward from there. The question then becomes what is the best path and the answer is different for each of us at different points of our life. Sometimes we don’t see so well what lies ahead where our actions and intentions lead what the fruit of it all will be and so we choose poorly. It’s easy to take the easy way out in the face of suffering and hardship that’s the path of resentment and envy the slippery slope that leads us down. Gratitude is the antidote of course but it’s not so easy yet it can begin at any time even in the midst of suffering. It’s not like gratitude will remove our suffering although it may at times it’s more like it can elevate it into something meaningful even transcendent. No matter where we are, at rock bottom or peak it’s possible to appreciate that life itself is the biggest gift and gratitude always the appropriate response. (12/3/23)