The Foundation for Happiness

For much of my early life I was aware of gratitude and giving thanks. Having an abundance of everything around me, I didn't fully understand the power of true gratitude until, as can be expected, I started looking through the lens of lack and loss.

Taking things for granted is a basic human condition, probably best explained by our "busyness" and failure to really examine the minutes that make our lives complete. And consequently we miss so much....

It's remarkable how much of our lives are gifts, often ones we don't realize or recognize. Equally remarkable is how abundant they are, yet priceless.

Free, yet priceless.

If someone were to gift you a Lamborghini, you would likely be in awe of your new possession. We understand the value of such a beautiful piece of engineering and craftmanship, what goes into the production and distribution. They are uncommon for the most part, and hence the perceived value.

Yet, what could be more precious than your very next breath if you knew it would be your last? The value of that very next, or last breath is impossible to calculate. All the money that has ever been circulated would not be enough to buy a continuation. And yet we take each breath for granted.

Do we therefore have a responsibility to use each breath with the utmost care and consideration, not just for ourself but for the benefit of others whom we might be able to help, to comfort, to teach, to nurture?

What if we COULD train ourselves to understand fully that our existence is based solely on the most impossible mathematical odds of it ever coming into being? Would we then be able to grasp the significance of the gifts we have been granted?

Life.

Breath.

Next week we'll look at why this is worth pursuing.

Thank you for your interest and any comments or questions!

Steve, Mr. Gratitude