Gratitude

Every morning I take a walk to the park about 1/2 mile from my home. This has become ritual for me, as has making the journey barefoot. The sensation of the ground beneath my feet, released from the prison of a shod foot, helps to keep me grounded through my meditative walk. This week as I walked down the street a whistling bicyclist meandered by. Playfully he weaved past then ‘round the corner. Barely a nod was exchanged between us and I carried on my way. Several minutes later my ear caught the distinctive sputter of gears as a bicycle slowly coasted towards me from behind. I turned to meet the gaze of the same man who had passed me just before. He slowed to a stop at my side and with a kind baritone asked, “Hey man, do you need a pair of shoes?”. At first I was puzzled. I have walked barefoot to the park so many times that it seemed mundane to me to be so, with the warm concrete of the sidewalk underfoot. I smiled and replied simply that I enjoyed the sensation of the ground beneath my feet and in that moment felt so thankful. Thankful for the fact that another human being went out of their way to make sure I had a pair of shoes. Thankful that I had several pairs of shoes waiting for me at home. Thankful for the exchange between us and for seeing the same in his eye. As this was registering he reached out an open hand and offered “I’m Tim”. I returned the handshake and introduced myself then told him of how kind his gesture was, how grateful I was. With a hand to my heart I bowed my head and resumed course. This took a mere 15 seconds and just as quickly as he had returned, Tim smiled and began warbling off on his meditative bike ride.

Gratitude has been in my mind these weeks. Gratitude for simple things, like shoes and also for things so intimate that we often forget they are there. Things like our breath. Breathe in deeply, more deeply than you normally do and hold it for a beat, then release. It seems like a simple thing and yet I am so grateful for it. How often do we show gratitude for the meal in front of us? The roof above our heads? There are so many that go without. I give thanks whenever I can and yet as held gratitude in my mind this week I saw so many slivers of my existence that I allowed to drift past without the attentive thank you they deserve.

When I arrive on my yoga mat every morning, when I drop my first finger upon a piano key, when I release my first note of the day, when I take my first breath after waking I thank the universe for my ability to do so. As an exercise in gratitude try composing a list of three things in your life you are thankful for, I do this in the morning to set intention for the day. Be specific. Today I am thankful for being able to support myself in music, doing something I love everyday. I am thankful for Dm7(b5) (D minor seven flat five) and how it seems to always echo my mood. Lastly I am thankful for the shoes upon my feet and for Tim for reminding me to always take the extra moment.

This week I am recommending Ten Summoner’s Tales by Sting. This album is a masterpiece and on my top 5 list of all time. Beautifully crafted storytelling told through richly textured and always appropriate instrumentation and execution. From the popular and well know Fields of Gold and Shape of My Heart to my personal favorites (anyone that has seen Nothing But The Rain will be familiar with) Heavy Cloud, No Rain and Seven Days, each song is a complete and vivid ideation as well as a precise piece in the overall mosaic. A master class in odd meter, lyricism and songwriting, please enjoy!