Many's the time that we feasted
And many's the time that we fasted
Oh, well, it was swell while it lasted
We did have fun and no harm done

And thanks for the memory

 

Ella Fitzgerald — Thanks for the Memory

At a recent meeting, the lead topic was gratitude. As  people started to share around the room, I heard a theme about attitude. And I remembered a definition of “attitude” that I had heard in an AA speaker talk: “the orientation or angle of approach of an aircraft”. In other words, my “attitude” is the way that I approach something. In my case, it is about  how I approach the change in this podcast. I can be saddened, anxious, or even resentful that the change happened. But I can also be grateful for what we have done together. It's all in my attitude — my angle of approach.

When I take that attitude, I know that there is much for me to be grateful for. We did a fine thing, and we had fun doing it. When I take that attitude, I can start from what we did and continue to build the podcast. When I take that attitude, I increase my serenity and reduce my anxiety.

I am also immensely grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from you, our listeners. I want to reply to each of you individually, and I will. Right now, my feelings overwhelm me with each new email. Please believe that, even if I have not written back, that I deeply appreciate each and every message.

A meditation for November 1, 2013.