It seems a natural restlessness we have as humans, to be always wishing for more.  If we haven’t a car, we wish for a car, but as soon as we get one, start wishing for a better one.  We are then always proceeding from a feeling of lack.

 

Wishing is proceeding from lack

 

 

How simple it is to turn the mind the other way!  It is no more than flipping a switch or turning the physical body to face in a different direction.

 

 

Instead of looking for a better house, or car, or partner, or whatever, what if you remembered all those, so many, who have less than this, and to whom everything that you have would be riches beyond imagining.

Instead of grumbling about what you have, and slighting it, give thanks for everything you have in this moment; it is all contributing to your being.

 

 

When I am inspired to complain mentally or aloud about my dwelling: the bathroom smells, the drain is slow, the floor is always dirty, everything is old-fashioned, let this prompt me instead to give thanks that I can take care of all my body’s needs in dignity and privacy, in the name of all those who cannot, and in whose hands are the barest, or no, means of changing their situation. Then taking my mind back to what I was a moment ago complaining of, let me ask that all beings may be as well provided.

 

 

If I lament the lack of people in my life: my children don’t visit, my brother is estranged, my son is in jail, no one returns my e-mails, my boyfriend is dying.  To any of this you give thanks for whoever is in your life, not should be, but is. I am thankful for the landlord; sometimes we talk together and it seems real. I am thankful for people at work, for clerks who serve me, for the neighbor.

 

 

Give thanks for each person in your life, as you think of them.  Take two minutes now to think of some.  As you think of each one, you can say, “Thank you for being in my life. I wish you peace and increase.”

As you do this, each one leads to another, and another, until you realize there is not enough time to bless as many as are in your life.

Do this bearing in mind all those who believe they are alone, and hopeless.

 

Enough is plenty