Gratitude

The suggestion of gratitude can seem quite out of touch,
When there’s grief and confusion, uncertainty and such.
This global pandemic’s causing most to be spinning,
When feeling the sameness of each day beginning.
And while we are pausing, so many are hurting,
Their jobs are on hold and their kids need diverting.
Advised to stay home to be safe from infection,
Till some unknown future can offer protection.
We’re all feeling anxious from not knowing when
We can get back to normal and begin again.
In the meantime our moods can be greatly improved,
If we just try to access this way to be soothed.
It starts with our thinking – a moment’s attention,
To focus on gratitude despite apprehension.
You might think: Why gratitude during this dark ordeal,
Where boredom and anger are tough to conceal?
Yet long-awaited projects can now have their day,
There are languages, recipes, and new games to play.
Self-improvement and growth come from learning new skills,
You can feel satisfaction though you’re worried about bills.
Relationships benefit from talking or lazing,
Do some useful activities, but also stargazing.
Rescue that dog that’s been making you smile,
Show your thanks to frontliners, take a walk with your child.
Meditation can teach us to focus our minds
To more deftly appreciate what we will find.
Create your own schedule of half-hour routines,
With exercise, downtime, and some in-betweens.
We’ve learned to have patience, find joy where we can,
And made lemonade from the lemons on hand.
As every Plan B in life will convey,
We now must proceed in a different way.
Like Masahide, resilient, could sing a new tune,
“My barn, having burned down, I can now see the moon.”

© 2020