From SGIUSA, I'm Cassidy Bradford, and this is bootability.

The weekly series where I talk with Buddhists from all walks of life

about the power we each have to change our lives and the world around us.

A couple weeks back, we put out a call for voice memos about someone in your life that you appreciate.

You don't have to be Buddhists to practice appreciation, but as Buddhists, we're often

encouraged to express gratitude because of the way it can elevate

our lives and encourage those around us. It all starts from the simple words, thank you.

I'd like to share a short piece written by Buddhist philosopher Daisakw Akeda on appreciation.

In it, he illustrates from the lives of Buddhists in our community, the power that gratitude can have.

When we speak or hear the words thank you, the armor falls from our hearts and we communicate on a deep level.

Thank you is the essence of nonviolence.

It contains respect for the other person, humility, and a profound affirmation of life.

It possesses a positive, upbeat optimism. It has strength.

A person who can sincerely say thank you has a healthy, vital spirit.

Each time we say those words, our hearts sparkle and life force wells up within us. Having gratitude

and appreciation for the countless people and things that support our lives,

that awareness, that feeling, that joy,

will invite even greater happiness.

Rather than being thankful because we are happy,

being thankful itself will make us happy.

Also, chanting with gratitude puts us in rhythm with the universe, turning our lives in a positive direction. When we cannot say thank you, our personal growth has stopped.

When we are growing, we can see how wonderful others are too.

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