Guest guest Posted November 28, 2002 Report Share Posted November 28, 2002 Americans sit around their tables today... so many expressions of gratitude for good health, for loved ones, good friends, good food - for freedom. I also feel that gratitude. But this Thanksgiving I am even more grateful for those who do not love me, for those who give me a hard time, for the telemarketers and bill collectors, the annoying neighbor, sarcastic in-law, for the ones who betrayed and falsely accused... all those who disappointed me because they did not do or say what I wanted them to. I am grateful for my back pain, for financial losses, for slow lines, stalled traffic, for unpredictable weather - I want each day to be in the 70's, cool breeze, sunny skies! - for any one and any thing that has made me feel abused, neglected, annoyed, betrayed, disappointed, angry... without these friends I could not practice patience, which is so sorely lacking in me. I could not practice an all-encompassing compassion... I could not practice being grateful beyond the borders of ego's satisfaction. So, before Thanksgiving meal begins, as relatives say the usual Thank you for this food... I sincerely join, but silently add a personal prayer: May I expand my patience, compassion and gratitude to all those who have provoked anger, disappointment and impatience in me - these are my true friends. And to them, I raise my glass in a salud! bowing in my heart with a Gassho of Gratitude." ~Tsering Chodron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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