08 Sep Gratitude Now | Sept 2021

We need gratitude now.

Marine Blue (This butterfly is about the size of your finger nail. When it flies, it looks like an erratic snowflake.)

Gratitude can be healing.

And we need healing during turbulent times.

So I’ve started writing a half-page gratitude list each evening. This list contains a full range of gifts, from simple (such as breathing) to more complex (such as below).  Writing this list helps me focus on what is well in the world. And that helps put my mind at ease so I can sleep.

Of course, the next morning, I’m back at work, doing what I can to make a difference.

Entries like these appear in my lists.

Good People

These people show compassion, act with kindness, tell the truth, help others, and share smiles.

Such as:

Teachers who perform an uncommonly difficult job. Imagine having to inspire dozens of children to learn math, science, and language skills.

Health workers who risk their lives to save others during a pandemic.

Those who recognize that freedoms come with responsibilities. For example, this includes people who have been vaccinated, wear masks when in public places, and practice respectful distancing.

Inspirational People

These people inspire us with their achievements, determination, and intelligence.

These include:

The man (I met via CraigsList) who came to the United States with nothing except his clothes, found odd jobs, and then lived in his car for 12 years while earning a Ph.D. in micro-biology and an M.D.

Suzi Eszterhas, who took the photos for New on Earth: Baby Animals in the Wild, a book that contains extraordinary wildlife photography. (I bought her book.)

Margot Raggett, who founded Remembering Wildlife. This organization publishes books of photos showing endangered wildlife to raise funds for wildlife conservation projects. (So far, I’ve bought five of their books.)

Painted Lady (This butterfly has a wingspan of about 5 to 7 cm.)

Amazing Critters

These critters are common: We see them every day. And yet they help sustain life. We need to recognize and appreciate them.

Such as:

Bees, that pollinate plants we eat

Birds, that keep nature in balance

Butterflies, that fit a lifetime into weeks (or sometimes months)

One more note: Gratitude works both ways.

We can help others earn gratitude by making it easy for them to be kind.

We can also earn gratitude.

And we do that by showing kindness towards others, towards wildlife, and towards nature.

Now imagine what might happen if you did this: You could appear on someone’s gratitude list.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Good News! I recently published: Mindful Photography. It’s a print-on-demand book, available from Barnes & Noble, that shows how to take better photos.

Find More at:

Being Grateful

27 Ways to Show Kindness

Why Kindness

How to Be a (Different Kind of) Millionaire

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation

You can help – Please share this blog with others.

Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

Web Site  |  Presentations  |  Blog  |  Photos  |  Articles