Gratitude

Gratitude

Gratitude, a word.

Someone says write it on your glass

And the water you drink will be pure

Someone says list everything you’re grateful for

And you will be resonating at a higher vibration

When I begin my list it really works

I begin to feel so good

I forget all the things I yearn to do

All the things I want to have

All the people I have to see

All the business awaiting me

It moves me way outside my head

And opens feelings of joy instead.

My list is long and starts with me.

And all those close and whom I love

And then I think of friends so dear

They fall into that same affectionate pull

And animals too and my bed and my home

And my work and my skills, and my safety, and my dreams

It’s amazing how long I can carry this on.

But the thing that begins to awaken in me

Is how seeing the same tree be bare and then budded, and then green and then orange

Makes me just as happy this year as last

What is that?

And how feeling sand under my feet, or the rhythm of a wave

Stirs me up every time.

And then there’s that amazing truth.

That when I connect again with someone I love

That feeling springs up that is full and joyful.

What is that?

And when I suddenly feel warmth on my shoulder from that funny yellow dot in the sky

Or hear rain on the roof

Or Beethoven’s fifth, or Clair de Lune.

What is that ? How come it always works?

Is it God? Or is it me? Or Is it you?

Or is it just that honest truth.

That it is All, it is Divine, it lives IN us, in you and me for we are one.

And I am so grateful.

Stay In Touch With Your Soul!

I just finished viewing the award ceremony at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where Steven Spielberg was presented with this year's medal of Liberty for his amazing index of movies expressing the indomitable human spirit. It was the final show of a list that I've seen this weekend beginning with Oprah's interview of Mike Tyson, a movie made in Quebec titled The Courage to Love, and a show featuring charities that are accomplishing wonderful opportunities for individuals in our country. I felt breathless. I wept through many of these shows, and especially during the Awards presentation.

Whoopy Goldberg topped the list of speakers as she acknowledged who Steven had to be personally to be aware and to be willing to produce such amazing epics of life. With humor she truly embodied the reality of what Steven has given us.

President Bill Clinton, was very impressive also, but the prize tonight, still went to Steven, for his expression of the importance of art in our world today. He spoke of his parents encouraging him to memorize The Declaration of Independence, or The Gettysburg Address. He spoke of how lyrical they are, and how that ingredient alone keeps us reminded of the important values they express. Beautifully he wove his presentation back to the importance to all of us of the arts, how they nourish us, inform us, and inspire us; how we must continue to support the development of art all over the world. He also, reminded us of how the arts keep us in touch with our own soul. I stand reminded and grateful to Steven for what he's done with his career, for his reminders and his gifts to life on this planet. I will stay in touch with my soul, Steven. Thank you!

I also, salute television this weekend. I have observed programming at other times which was less than wholesome, but this weekend my time in front of the tube was very sacred.

With love and gratitude,
Denny Daikeler