It’s not always easy to be grateful for this unique life with all of its less-than-perfect moments. Sometimes the veil gets thick, and it’s hard to see what’s real. With all the chaos in the world, it’s especially important to dwell in gratitude, rather than its opposite.
Someone reminded me recently that the only reason we are here at all is that we had the good karma to get here again. Buddhists say that the chances of being born as a human are the same as a sea turtle surfacing in the center of ONE life ring strewn randomly on all the oceans of this vast planet. Despite these bleak odds, your karma led you to be reborn, therefore you are worthy and good and deserving of happiness. We all are.
I need to keep reminding myself of this. These practices of yoga and meditation have allowed me to tune in more and more to a sane experience of reality, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Sometimes I think dedicated practice brings even more obstacles, as impurities in the system are brought to light and released, like a deeply embedded splinter making its way out through the skin. The process hurts, but you’re glad it’s out.
Despite, or perhaps because of this, over the years I’ve become more peaceful, more relaxed, more willing to allow things to evolve naturally. Rather than dwell on the challenges of this life as a practitioner, I’m choosing to focus on the fact that because of these practices I’ve been able to earn my living while traveling the world, often in places most people only dream about. It’s been an incredibly rich experience. So here’s to being grateful for this precious human birth.
Diary of a Pilgrim 
I love the story of the sea turtle. We are truly blessed to be alive in this form and what a gift each breath is. Thanks as always, Kim, for your elegant post. Sublime.