Expressing gratitude seems like a cosmic invitation for all kinds of thankfulness and appreciation to pour in.

Speak quietly to yourself and promise there will be better days. Whisper gently to yourself and provide assurance that you really are extending your best effort. Console your bruised and tender spirit with reminders of many other successes. Offer comfort in practical and tangible ways - as if you were encouraging your dearest friend. Recognize that on certain days the greatest grace is that the day is over and you get to close your eyes. Tomorrow comes more brightly.

What is our family? We touch our full hearts and see ourselves reflected whole in each other's eyes.

I will dance a little. I will move with the wind. I will give my body to my love and celebrate that we have substance beyond the idea of ourselves. We can move. We can touch. This is my physical exclamation point. This is how I can awaken my mind to the possibilities in the day.

What if we just acted like everything was easy?

It takes discipline and compassion to awaken the divine in ourselves long enough to recognize the divine in another.

Remember that nurturing yourself is as important (if not more so) as nurturing others.