In addition to gratitude, the practice that offers the best chance of relief from our frustrations and anxieties is humility. The complete relinquishing of our ego. That is to say, living as if the ego does not exist. With practice, a person can achieve a humbleness that eases the strain of life by elevating our acceptance of what is to a level of sacredness.

Of course, humility goes hand in hand with gratitude. And it has to begin, I believe, the moment one wakes up each morning. At our first recognition of consciousness. Perhaps with the repeating of an oath. A dedication. A prayer. An accounting of one’s good fortunes, beginning with breath, shelter, the accessibility of food and water. Can we see, stand from our bed, walk? Yes, these things are a miracle. Who is around us? These lives, too, are miracles.

To be successful, or at least to improve our overall well-being, this practice must continue throughout the day, every day, until it becomes instinct. We must acknowledge that the minutes which make up each day are not our own. The minutes are simply time, a measurement, universal and shared. Or maybe not even time at all. This moment before us, it’s simply what is. What we have accomplished or need to accomplish is of no bearing on the true desire and purpose of our soul, which is to be humble, and to love.

I’m not sure we need concern ourselves with anything more.