Hello My Dearest Friend,

Today, I'm reflecting with gratitude on all the people who have helped to shape my heart for the better. My family, friends, classmates, colleagues, clients, customers, doctors, and therapists.

The person on the street, the Uber driver, the checkout clerk at Walmart, the receptionist at the hotel, the waiter at the restaurant, the support tech at BestBuy, my plumber, a newscaster, a comedian, a priest, a politician.

People from all social, religious, racial, and economic backgrounds. People who love me, people who hate me, people who treat me with indifference. Those who share my views and those who do not.

The two most important questions

Certain family members, friends, and confidantes have done the most to help open, enlarge, and shape my heart. But every person and every encounter has offered me the opportunity to ask two questions.

1. How do I want to be loved by this person?
2. How can I better love this person?

There are three times to ask these questions: in theory, before the encounters happen; in practice, during each encounter; in hindsight, to help grow knowledge and understanding.

When I really take the time to ask those two questions, I don't have room in my life for much else. Because these questions are the "real stuff" of life, and the pursuit of a lifetime! It is within this pursuit that my heart stretches to encompass more people with more love.

My dearest friend, thank you for helping to shape my heart. I'm so grateful for you! Wishing you much love and peacefulness at this Thanksgiving,

John S.