Through people that I did know or through things that I did touch, I am connected with everything that ever was and everything that ever will be. Everything hangs together with everything.

By looking up, by raising our eyes above our limited horizon, we are more likely to perceive the blessings hidden in affliction.

We are never more than one grateful thought away from peace of heart.

The root of joy is gratefulness...It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.

Look closely and you will find that people are happy because they are grateful. The opposite of gratefulness is just taking everything for granted.

Among the many things that profoundly impress me about the Dalai Lama, quite high up on the list is his ability to say "I don't know". I've often wished that other people in prominent positions wouldn't feel the compulsion to have an answer for everything and would feel equally free to say "I don't know." It's a sign of wisdom to know that you don't know and a sign of stupidity to think that you know everything. I admire it enormously in him, and wonder why so few people in leading positions reach that stage.

From experience we know that whenever we are truly awake and alive, we are also truly grateful.