I’ve written about this before. But I was thinking about it and writing about it again this morning, and I felt the need to publish what I wrote. I think it’s something that all of us probably can’t think about enough.

This morning as I was making my tea, I thought “what is gratitude?”  And as I was thinking this, I happened to open my refrigerator door and look inside.  Then I slowly looked all around my kitchen.

As I looked at everything, I saw potatoes and onions, carrots and  celery, peppers, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, mushrooms, zucchini, and tomatoes.  Eggs, milk, butter, bread, rice, lots of lentils and beans.  Oils and more spices and seasonings than I could count.  And all of that wasn’t even including all the canned and dried goods I have stored in my pantry.  Or my freezer that is full of different meats.

An unbelievable bounty of food, all within my home.  And I live two blocks down the street from a grocery store that has massive amounts of food available to me on its shelves.  I’m another block away from the bank that holds my money, resources I have that allow me to buy whatever food I want from that grocery store.  

I was a little overcome as I thought about all of this, and I went to pour myself a glass of water.  As I turned the faucet, I watched the water flow out in an endless stream.  I couldn’t look away from it. All the water I need and want, always available to me at the turn of a faucet.

I went to sit down for a minute.  And as I sat down in my comfortable chair in my comfortable living room, I looked around and saw the incredibly comfortable home I live in.  Warm inside on this cold winter day because of the heating I have.  A comfortable bed with soft sheets and plenty of blankets.  A bathroom that provides a working toilet, bathtub, and shower.  A strong front and back door with locks that provide a layer of safety for me, even though I live in a place with low crime.  Wonderful big windows that let in lots of light and let me look out at the beautiful trees and green spaces outside, as well as the community I am a part of.  A community that is without war, devastation, destruction or despair.  A place where there is peace.

What is gratitude.  

I know it includes awareness.  Acknowledgement.  Appreciation.  But those words, indeed any words, do not even come close to providing a definition for gratitude.  It is something that transcends words, unable to be fully captured by any mental concepts.  It is something that must be experienced.  Humbly.  I think gratitude must be realized.  It is something that must pour from my heart.