But this sense of gratitude does not rely on shifting scales of pleasure and pain for its existence. It's deeper than that - and over the past month or so I have heard its echoes resonate from places I least expected.
Perhaps it is nothing more than an expanded and enhanced recognition of Creation. But this in itself can hardly be a 'nothing more than' because it is essentially the core of everything. An understanding that it is indeed Creation. A realization that I am a part of it, and that it is a part of me.
How could I feel anything but intense appreciation for the chance to be a part of this? To learn from this?
To love this.