There is no closer bond than the one that gratefulness celebrates, the bond between giver and thanksgiver. Everything is a gift. Grateful living is a celebration of the universal give-and-take of life, a limitless yes to belonging. Can our world survive without gratefulness? Whatever the answer, one thing is certain: to say an unconditional yes to the mutual belonging of all beings will make this a more joyful world. This is the reason why Yes is my favorite synonym for God.

What brings fulfillment is gratefulness, the simple response of our heart to this life in all its fullness.

Faith is the courageous confidence that trusts in the Source of all gifts.

Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.

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

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.

Gratefulness is the gallantry of a heart ready to rise to the opportunity a given moment offers.