[blockquote source=”Thích Nhất Hạnh”]People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.[/blockquote]

I was watching a young boy with his Father, the other day. Both heads buried curiously beneath the hood of their family’s automobile, in earnest effort to sort out it’s troubles.

“I’m helping,” the little one squealed with delight – his toothless grin giving way to the pride that was flourishing within.

I always love watching little ones with their parents, particularly when they’re ‘at that age’ when their spirit is most impressionable. And yet, so often I look outwards from my window – and see, these little hearts wandering without direction.

When I was a little girl, I spent every moment at the side of my mother. And, waited up so many nights alone to hear my Father’s car pull into the driveway. We had such a close family growing up, with Uncles visiting every Sunday to ensure that no family member went without.

My Mother always made certain to leave an extra place setting at the table, and in somewhat of a much greater gesture that no visitor should ever leave our home hungry. Truth be told, I was somewhat shocked to learn that not all family dinners end sorting leftovers into grocery bags.

My parents took such great care of our young spirits; teaching us those things in life that often the schools are missing. It was through their selflessness that I learned, what it really meant to be a ‘compassionate human.’

It was through their hearts, that I found my purpose – and through their actions, that I found the means. I guess you could say, that what I am today is merely a reflection of all that they shared.

And so, whenever I am able to witness these most beautiful moments,  I find my heart bursting with a gratitude born so very long ago…

You see, as busy as they were trying so very hard to make ends meet…still, they recognized what mattered most of all…

That in order to raise a compassionate heart, you must be willing to give of yourself.

I mean, how else can we ensure that our legacy is carried forward?And, onward through those little hearts that so very much need our wisdom?

My dears, it is this gift of our time…of our awareness that is the most precious gift of all; and far surpassing any of those fancy shoes or video games that are splashed all over the market.

And yet, we lock it down like a dog with a bone – fearful that others may soon devour it.

How foolish it is to think that in giving our time, that we’ll end up the lesser for it…

Rather, my dears, it’s when we give so freely of heart -that we discover a richness that surpasses all expectations.

And, reflected in the toothless grins of our most beautiful children…