My Thanks Come Easily--At Times

My thanks come easily

When my fortunes rise

And my will is King

And all the world seems my estate.

My thanks come easily such times.

But wait...

Today, let me reflect

Upon those thanks I owe

But which I find

Express themselves less fluently.

Today, let me remember to give thanks,

Not only for the sunlight,

But for those darker hours

That teach Fortitude.

Let me profess, today, a grateful heart,

Not merely for successes I may know,

But as truly for those failures

That teach Humility.

Let me express my gratitude

For all those petty, inner conflicts

Which, once resolved, breed new Serenity,

And for those small, distressing fears

That have their ways of building Hope.

Let me breathe appreciation

For all those poignant slights

That teach me Thoughtfulness,

And for each violated trust

That leaves Loyalty as its lesson.

And let me not forget, today

To whisper thanks for these:

The contempt that teaches Pity,

The tear that teaches Joy,

The pain that teaches Mercy,

And the loneliness that teaches Love.

So, now...

Let me reflect upon these thanks I owe...

And let my thanks come easily today.

--Bernard J. Patrick