There is a meal chant from the Zen Buddhist tradition that begins, "seventy-two labors brought us this rice, we should know how it comes to us." Similarly, seventy-two labors have brought us everything we have, for we live in a network of human interconnectedness that supports our existence in every way. Even though life may not give us everything we want and contains all sorts of shocks and disappointments, everything that comes along can be a gift — by helping us wake up, develop new strength and resources, and become more loving human beings. In that sense, life is still generous and kind even when it manifests in shocking or ferocious ways.
At every moment we have the choice of either feeling gratitude for what has been given to us or indulging in grievance about what is missing. Grievance and gratitude are polar opposites.
— John Welwood, Perfect Love, Imperfect Relationships