I am grateful dear God for being alive to witness your splendor,
for eyes that see, a mind that learns, and a heart that opens,
for relieving me of the struggles that my forefathers bore,
for being an American in this golden age of access and choice,
for a society that wants to respect law and honor ideals,
for the millions of people who keep it all going
for the legacy left by those that labored before me,
for the technologies that make life less brutal,
for creativity that fills my world with music, art and drama,
for the scientific wonders that bring them to my home,
for the words of the masters made accessible by books,
for the Jewishness that links me to my people,
for my heritage of learning, inquiry and thoughtfulness,
for living on this island Gan-Edan, this tropical paradise,
for presenting me with the stuff I need for my spiritual journey,
for the love, friendship and company of my fellow travelers,
for the opportunity to grow as a compassionate being,
for this Shabbos gathering of God seeking friends,
for allowing me this prayerful expression,
for being here, now, and with you,
for my in and out breath,
for this oneness,
for you,
ahhh.