I just got done listening to a Dhamma talk by Ajahn Munindo about gratitude. In it he recommends taking time to “count our blessings” but rather than simply giving lip service to the idea he advocates actually doing it. I’ve been looking for a way to formally practice the cultivation of gratitude and it would seem that this would be the best way to do it.
1. My mother
2. My father
3. Judy Mazziotti, one of my elementary school teachers.
4. My Uncle Bob (my first dentist)
5. Helen Lette, an aide at my elementary school.
6. Chuck Cordone, my first barber.
7. Jennifer DePalma, my favorite babysitter.
8. Jan Tierney, another favorite babysitter.
9. My grandfather Giovanni.
10. My Grandmother Virginia.
11. My son.
12. My wife.
13. My sister.
14. My Uncle John.
15. My Aunt Betty.
16. My first philosophy professor.
17. All of my teachers.
18. All of my doctors.
19. All of my friends past and present.
20. All of the people who worked to keep the lights on and electricity flowing.
21. Everyone who keeps the buses and trains running in NYC.
22. My employees.
23. My partner.
24. My job.
25. My education.
26. Meeting the Dhamma.
27. Kalyana-mitta.
28. My step-mother.
29. My in-laws.
30. My practice.
31. The Tisarana.
32. The relative peace and security of where I live.
33. This human life.
34. The kindness of others.
35. Generosity.
36. Morality.
37. Truth-telling.
38. Wisdom.
39. Compassion.
40. Love.
I think that’s all I want to list for now as I do feel that it’s becoming a bit forced or contrived. Then again, it always seems to feel like that when I experiment with a new practice. I think I’ll try to list 5 things I am grateful for everyday for the next week and see what happens. Be well!
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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