Practicing Appreciation and Joy

In the fall, once the apples are ripe a small family of deer come to visit the Refuge at Pudding Creek. They feast on apples and stay for the garden flowers and vegetables. Usually we don't see deer any other time of year. This spring, though, a young buck with velvety horn nubs has been visiting. As you probably know, I love to garden and while deer are beautiful creatures, they do like to eat the very things that I like to grow. Yesterday afternoon Tiger the cat was on the deck and a deer wandered over, happily munching baby kale. Joe jumped up, and with his big feet clomping through the high spring grass, he chased the deer. Tiger the cat avidly watched the whole scene unfold in front of him. He was enthralled, stretching his little neck to see more.

Recently, I have been studying and practicing appreciation and joy. It may sound like a strange topic to study, but I know that when gratitude and appreciation dry up, I become disconnected and grumpy. In other words, I slip out of sync with the deeper truth of inter - being. In the garden I plant flowers and food, and in my mind and heart I plant connection through gratitude.

To cultivate appreciative joy, start easy and then work your way towards the more difficult. I start with Tiger, imagining him with his back stretched round towards the sky, and then move towards including the hungry deer eating kale. 

It doesn't matter if it isn't easy or if it doesn't come naturally. It is a practice (not a perfect!) and a process that is worth doing. Bring your loved one to mind/heart, right now or later when you are outside under the blue sky or maybe even during a short meditation.  

How wonderful you are in your being
I delight you are here
I take joy in your good fortune
May your happiness continue