Lately I’ve noticed that I seem to be much more adept at remembering my missteps and mistakes, letting those define me, rather than honoring my growth and successes. How is it that the negative carries so much weight in my mind, in our world? For sure, these days there is a lot to be worried about: fires, storms, and floods; conflicts, wars, hostages; threats, lies, and chaos. But obsessing endlessly about all of that does little to nurture the soul. And if we would continue the struggle for wisdom, mercy, and justice, sometimes we need to pause and bathe ourselves in the nurturing waters of gratitude.  So, I am renewing my commitment to gratitude and giving thanks. Here’s is one of my favorite poems that eloquently sings a resonant thank you . . .

mary

I thank You God for most this amazing day

e.e. cummings

I thank You God for most this amazing

day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(I who have died am alive again today,

And this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth

Day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay

Great happening illimitable earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing

breathing any—lifted from the no

of all nothing—human merely being

doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and

now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

This poem was originally published in Xaipe¹ (New York: Oxford University Press, 1950), reissued in 2004 by Liveright, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company. Reprinted here by permission of the publisher. Copyright expires 2045.