I praised the sun that warmed the earth.

The next day I praised the lavender blooming from the heat.

The next day I cursed the aphids.

It's like that this week. My gratitude has got some bumps, and I'm clutching three small words: help, thanks, wow.

Gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior. It almost always makes you willing to be of service, which is where the joy resides. It means you are willing to stop being such a jerk. When you are aware of all that has been given to you, in your lifetime and in the past few days, it is hard not to be humbled, and pleased to give back.

— Anne Lamott
from Help, Thanks, Wow

It's Thankful Thursday, a weekly pause to express gratitude for people, places, things & more. Joy contracts and expands in proportion to our gratitude. What makes your world expand?