This morning when I went out for sunrise (three minutes earlier a day!),  I was not quite awake. What caught my attention first as I scanned the landscape was the tall spruce tree two yards to the north. It hugs the neighbor’s house. I felt an affection for it, an appreciation for its presence.

When I appreciate something I give something of myself to it, instead of waiting for something outside to appreciate me.

Today I have the intention of looking at and listening with appreciation to the world (people, objects, the natural world) around me, the living landscape of “my” world. I will do this from my own inner core, reaching for that place inside of me that authentically and truly appreciates. It is there.

May I come back again and again to this intention!