Gratitude is not a passive response...

November 27, 2024 Author: Ann Ralston

GRATITUDE is not a passive response
to something we have been given;
gratitude arises from paying attention,
from being awake in the presence
of everything that lives within and without us.

From CONSOLATIONS - The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words, by David Whyte.

The book is a profound and poetic exploration of 52 ordinary words that hold extraordinary depths of meaning. Each essay is a meditation on a single word, aiming to uncover its hidden layers, nuances, and connections to human experience. Whyte weaves philosophy, personal reflection, and poetic insight to reveal how these words can offer guidance and solace in navigating the complexities of life.

Ann Ralston captured the predawn sky in the mirror-still waters off 45th Parallel Park, Suttons Bay, MI, a few minutes from our home.