May today find us in the company of love and friendship, even if we find ourselves alone.  May we both deepen and broaden our relationship with ourselves.  Compassion begins at home; home is where the heart is…literally.  So as we rise to greet the world with eyes wondrous and gratitude flowing like a river, let us take that first waking moment to thank ourselves, to affirm our own worth and dignity, and to remember again that it is a blessing to be alive.  Then may we go forth and be a blessing to the world.  In gratitude we say Blessed Be, and Amen.