A dear and wise man coined the word "othering." It means thinking of the other. We spend so much time thinking about ourselves that even one minute of othering is a heavenly break. So here's the invitation. Today, choose a person and think about him for one short minute (literally) -- what you enjoy about him; what you admire about him; the fun you've had together; ways in which he has helped you or lightened your load or made you laugh; how he has encouraged you in word or deed or by example. In that one short minute, whether you realized it or not, you've been giving thanks for that person. He has brightened your day, and he doesn't even know it.
"The root of joy is gratefulness. . . . It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." David Steindl-rast