Each year, during the holiday season, I take time to reflect on what I'm grateful for.

I know that - at times - I can get into some very negative thinking, wishing that things were different in my life, that certain struggles would disappear, or that my circumstances would change in some way. However, when I think about how grateful I am for the many blessings that I have in my life, I stop to appreciate the extraordinary gift of simply being.

Within these moments, I find a genuine happiness that isn't dependent upon what I would call the "outer" circumstances. Within these moments, I recognize the inner peace and contentment that I've found within my life through the gift of meditation and contemplative practice. 

It's this happiness that I wish for you in your life. I wish that you may find a happiness within your life that firmly grounds you, regardless of what the outer world may bring to you.

I wish for you all of the happiness and joy that you could ever imagine, that comes from spending time relaxing, free from the worries of the world, in meditative awareness.

I wish for you, with all of my heart, that in times of uncertainty, sadness, or challenge, you may find within your mind the quality of grace, peace and inner certainty that I've found within my meditation practice.

May all that you do in life to better yourself and the lives of others be met with great success.

May you find grace and inner contentment in the simple things that you do in your life; in making food, going to work, enjoying time with your friends and family, walking in nature, and spending time in this precious life.

May you realize the wellspring of peace within your mind that is always available to you, when you take time to still the busyness of thought to simply rest in the blessing of the present moment.

 

Very warm regards to you,

 

Jerome Stone