"If, in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work." ~ Nhat Hanh

May we do this peace work by bringing kindness into the world with smiles that spring from faith, hope, and love. Joy, too

Let's keep the inherent joy within us nurtured and stirred. One way to do that is through gratitude for little things. 

Notice moments when you feel uplifted as you appreciate sights, sounds, scents, situations, encounters...anything and everything that delights you. 

Wishing you many smiles today, given and received.

And much peace and joy,
Charlene

     *****
Dear friends,

Please forgive the lateness of Today's Touchstone today.

After months, years actually, of writing "The Twelve Gifts from the Garden," I completed it late night and sent it to the publisher. It is scheduled for publication this fall.

Perhaps my computer "felt" as I did, exhilarated and exhausted, because it would not send the touchstone I had prepared.

After resting for several days, I'll again be responding to emails and fb comments.

I send you birthday good wishes along with Today's Touchstone's wishes above if I missed your birthday in the past few weeks. And if I didn't miss it, or your birthday was not recent, I still wish you the best of life's gifts...faith, hope and love...joy, too...actually courage and compassion also...and I can't overlook beauty...I wish beauty for your eyes to see and your ears to hear and your heart to beat along with like a happy bird's song. I wish you the fullness of life's gifts and the fullness of living with wonder and awe. Also, I wish you health and safety, wellness and peace. I'm grateful you were born, and that you are reading these words, and for all the ways we are connected, among them, being a part of The Twelve Gifts community.  

Charlene

THE SIXTH GIFT IS JOY. May it keep your heart open and filled with light. -