I'm reading a book by Paul Selig that has this line, "To think that whatever we do is always self-serving and doesn't affect other people is idiotic." So when we talk about consuming things, we have to consider how it affects the Earth, and other people. On the flip side, how I can receive gifts and not feel a sense of gratitude? And then, how do we express that gratitude?

I was in a meeting today and we were talking about the privilege we're born with. It's nothing that we ask for. We're just given it. Our job is to see how to use that in a good way. And maybe that's how we can show gratitude -- using our gifts to first of all, do no harm, then benefit the Earth and other people.

In practice, I'm trying to be grateful for things that maybe don't seem to be positive. Like how Kozo has sees his cancer.

A while ago, I lost my wallet -- with all my credit cards, my license, everything in there. I decided that I wasn't going to cancel my credit card, just to see what happens. I still have no idea where it is. :) But what ended up happening is that I needed another wallet to carry some things around and I came upon my Dad's wallet! It's the only thing that I have left of his. As I looked through it, it has his social security card in there. And now I'm using it, and feel like I am carrying a bit of my Dad's heart with me at all times. Very special. Makes me grateful that I lost my wallet.