“Gratitude is the memory of the heart,” a quote by Jean Baptiste Massieu, is one of my favorite expressions. It reminds me at those times when I’m pulled away from my center and judgmental or fearful thoughts come up, that that is not the real me. That’s just a thought and thoughts are not real. (They’re just thoughts!) “Only love is real,” Marianne Williamson, the A Course in Miracles scholar, reminds us.

 If gratitude is indeed the heart’s fondest memory, and love is the heart’s truest expression — its default meter, so to speak — then my true expression can only be, “Thank you. I love you.” “I love you. Thank you.” And any other thoughts (that may lead to some emotion or reaction) are just that: something I made up, because they’re not real!

 What’s real is the gratitude I have for one more moment to express love. No matter who/what/where/when — just be love. “Thank you,” my heart responds, “now that’s worth remembering!”

“Thank you. I love you.”