It’s November, 2021 — Gratitude Month…

… and gratitude is one of my very favorite subjects about which to write.

I’ve lost count of the number of poems I’ve written over the years on the subject of gratitude… but obviously, it is important to me and on my mind a lot. I have found, in my life, that when I am feeling gratitude there is no room for any of the negative things that pop up now and then.

Buddha’s wisdom on the subject of gratitude goes like this (I love it):

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot
today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a
little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least
we didn’t die; so let us all be thankful.”

(We can always find a target for our gratitude!)

GRATITUDE

A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles…
You shift to a higher frequency and attract better things.
You give joy and laughter to all of those around you.
Communication is accomplished along loving heartstrings.

With gratitude in your heart there’s more beauty to see.
Opening your eyes enhances your gratitude practice.
Be thankful for everything that happens in your life…
It’s all your experience! It’s your very own process.

Each day you live, be looking for the good.
Praise it, appreciate it… practice being grateful.
Make it your daily commitment and you’ll be in awe
Of what happens in your life: joys by the roomful.

Gratitude is when memory is stored in your heart,
And not in your busy mind at all.
An “attitude of gratitude” will ease your path.
It will help you to survive any storm or squall.

There’ll be moments, of course, when your gratitude wears thin,
And it’s rekindled by another on the spot.
They’ve lit the flame within you to go another turn.
Be GRATEFUL when things are going well.
Be GRACEFUL when they are not.

In doing some research on the subjects of “choice” and “chance,” I found that most of the information related to “choice OR chance” vs. “choice TO chance.” Our English language has lots of these little quirks, it seems.

Choice leading TO chance is the basis for this October 2021 Poem of the Month; and although November is considered the “Gratitude Month,” I am grateful now, in October, for being able to make choices for myself with the knowledge that it opens up chances, or opportunities, for making even better choices.

I hope you enjoy the poem.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CHOICE, YOU HAVE A CHANCE

According to William Jennings Bryan
Your destiny is a matter of choice.
It’s a thing to be achieved, and when it is
You have many reasons to rejoice.

You can be miserable, to be sure,
Or you can be happily self-motivated.
The ball is in your court (isn’t it always?).
Your choices are yours to be activated.

The decisions you make are a choice of values.
They reflect your life in every way.
It is these decisions that shape your path.
Make good choices for yourself every day.

Every choice you make has an end result.
Making good ones will afford you a chance
To better opportunities and a happier life,
As along life’s trail you advance.

With good choices come opportunities — chances —
To improve your situation… to make your life better.
Your chances of success can always be measured
By your belief in yourself… be a go-getter!

Hunter S. Thompson’s advice on chance is short and sweet:
“Buy the ticket. Take the ride…” his words exactly.
“Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better…”
Albert Camus’ comment weighed in most matter-of-factly.

Use each sunset as your very own reset button,
And start over each morning grateful for the chance
To open your eyes to see your better life.
You are extraordinary, you’re victorious in your unique dance.

September, 2021’s Poem of the Month attempts to spread some good cheer and, hopefully, to help in looking at our lives a little differently… and a lot more positively, perhaps.

In spite of the current world situation, the pandemic, and all that goes with that — all things over which we, as individuals, have little or no control — we are still in control of the “now” in our own lives.

The past is behind… learn from it. The future is ahead… plan for it. But the present is here, this moment… LIVE IT! Mother Teresa said: “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” And Richard Bach, who brought Jonathan Livingston Seagull to life in our hearts and minds, says: “The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.”

So cherish all your happy moments! If you do, you will find that magical events will start taking place in your lives. Awareness of happy moments makes a wonderful cushion for old age.

No matter the question, love is always the answer…

CHERISH EVERY MOMENT

If you can learn to appreciate life as it happens,
You’ll escape living a life with regret.
Wishing life had been different is still only wishing,
And there’s no going back to repay a debt.

Learn to enjoy every moment of your life!
Don’t wait for happiness to come from “outside.”
The time you have to spend at work and at play
Is precious, not replaceable. Let love be your guide.

Your lives are composed of a finite set of moments
That only you can choose how to spend.
Cherish every moment with those you love…
Make room in your lives for family and friends.

Thoreau weighed in on the subject of friends,
Whom he held in the highest esteem:
“Friends… they cherish one another’s hopes.
They are kind to one another’s dreams.”

Cherish every moment of your life, my friends —
It’s the greatest journey you will ever take.
Enjoy all the little things as they unfold.
In retrospect, they’ll be the big things — make no mistake.

Each morning when you rise, take stock of all your joys.
Be grateful for the privilege you have to be alive!
You can breathe, and think, and enjoy, and love!
Every moment is a gift! You have this one chance to thrive!