The cosmos is filled with precious gems.
I want to offer a handful of them to you this morning.

Each moment you are alive is a gem,
shining through and containing earth and sky,
water and clouds.

It needs you to breathe gently
for the miracles to be displayed.

Suddenly you hear the birds singing,
the pines chanting,
see the flowers blooming,
the blue sky,
the white clouds,

{and…}
the smile and the marvelous look
of your beloved.

You, the richest person on Earth,
who have been going around begging for a living,
stop being the destitute child.

Come back and claim your heritage.

We should enjoy our happiness
and offer it to everyone.

Cherish this very moment.

Let go of the stream of distress
and embrace life fully in your arms.

    ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Our Teacher page for Thich Nhat Hanh is a great resource … and as is typical of our Teacher pages, it provides a comprehensive view about his background, and work.

This poem is from “Call Me By My True Names” The Collected Poems of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Image: Fall Woods by valiunic (edited & logo added), CC0 Public Domain.

Further Reading...

Breathing: Practice Consciously by Thich Nhat Hanh Thich Nhat Hanh: Looking For Each Other … Thich Nhat Hanh: Please Call Me by My True Names … Walking Meditation – Thich Nhat Hanh The Nine Prayers – Thich Nhat Hanh