appreciation

How easily we become accustomed to something.

Our mind is designed to recognise things which it has seen before. This seeing of a pattern allows the mind to become lazy. Instead of responding to something as new, fresh, unknown, we recognise it and respond out of habit, without using any awareness of the present moment. Without this awareness, the intensity of awareness, we cannot appreciate the present moment and what existence is giving us in the present moment.

Appreciation, of everything in life, is one of the key characteristics of the enlightened mind. It is a beautiful feeling, is it not, to be appreciating something which is in front of you: appreciating the taste of food; appreciating the smell of a flower; appreciating the view from your window; appreciating the energy of a fellow human being who is sharing something of his life with you. But for this feeling of appreciation to be in us, we need to maintain awareness: awareness of the uniqueness of the present moment; awareness that all our needs are being fulfilled by existence. Then, if we can maintain our presence, in the moment, we can come to live with this appreciative energy, which is love, ultimately.

So, my friends, move away from habitual thinking. Move away from interacting with the world through your memories, through your expectations. Allow every moment to be new. And then even the smallest things you will come to appreciate, you will come to love.