On Identity, Gratitude, and the Gift of an Orange

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On Identity, Gratitude, and the Gift of an Orange

Written by:

Updated on:

October 16, 2025

In this article:

A brief collection of what's helping me live a more attentive and meaningful life. Here’s what has been capturing my heart and mind lately.

I'm filled with gratitude for Sam Harris and his team behind the Waking Up meditation app.

In a generous gesture, they have provided 50 free 3-month subscriptions to our Mindfulness Exercises community. Waking Up is one of my favorite apps, offering profound teachings and practices that help unlock a deeper understanding of who we truly are. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone looking to go deeper.

mindful musings, On Identity, Gratitude, and the Gift of an Orange

What I'm Contemplating: The Many Versions of You

I came across a powerful reflection that has stayed with me:

You are a different person to everyone you meet. To some, you're quiet. To others, you never stop talking. Some remember you for your kindness, others for the time you walked away. You are a villain in someone's story, a hero in another's. And to most, you're just a passing thought.

The truth is, you don't exist as one person, but as countless versions of yourself, shaped by fleeting moments and personal perceptions. You will never hear your own laughter the way someone else does. You will never see the way your absence lingers in a room you once filled.

To yourself, you are just you. But to others, you are a thousand different stories, none of which you will ever get to read.

This isn't a call for anxiety, but for humility and grace. It reminds me that my story is not the only one, and that everyone is the main character of their own complex narrative.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Upcoming Workshops & Retreats

Our team is excited to invite you to our upcoming virtual events. Everyone is welcome to join us for deep practice and community.

Meditation Retreat with Sean Fargo – Oct. 10th

Writing & Meditation Workshop – Oct. 19th

Mindfulness of Thoughts – Oct. 30th

Planning a Personal Meditation Retreat – Nov. 6th

Inner Sanctuary: A Mini Retreat for Uncertain Times – Nov. 15th

The Heart of Mindfulness: Loving-Kindness – Dec. 4th

How to Create, Market, and Run a Retreat – Dec. 17th

What I'm Practicing: Receiving Life as a Gift

My current practice is to feel life as a valuable gift I didn't create or earn.

When I remember this, even the smallest things become precious: the clean water from the faucet, the sound of my daughter's laughter, the way the morning light shifts across the room.

From this place, I try to open my senses and my heart more fully to what’s already here. It’s a gentle reminder that life isn't just something to rush through or control, but something to receive, moment by moment, with gratitude and wonder.

A Poem I Love: "The Orange" by Wendy Cope

This poem perfectly captures the essence of finding profound peace in ordinary moments.

The Orange

At lunchtime I bought a huge orange

The size of it made us all laugh.

I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave

They got quarters and I had a half.

And that orange, it made me so happy,

As ordinary things often do

Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.

This is peace and contentment. It’s new.

The rest of the day was quite easy.

I did all the jobs on my list

And enjoyed them and had some time over.

I love you. I’m glad I exist.

— Wendy Cope

May your week be filled with moments that make you glad you exist.

About the author

Sean Fargo

Sean Fargo is a mindfulness teacher and the founder of Mindfulness Exercises, a platform dedicated to making mindfulness accessible to everyone. Sean's journey into mindfulness began after a career in international business, during which he was a Director of Product Development and Procurement in Beijing. Despite his business growth, Sean felt called to explore deeper aspects of life, leading him to ordain as a Buddhist monk in the Thai Theravada tradition. He spent two years immersed in monastic life, learning the art of mindfulness and meditation from some of the most respected teachers in the field.

Upon returning to the Western world, Sean sought to bridge the gap between traditional mindfulness practices and modern life. He worked closely with renowned meditation teacher Jack Kornfield at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and became a trainer for the mindfulness program born at Google. Sean’s work extends to advising technology startups like Elevate Labs and WellBrain (supporting people with chronic pain, trauma and addiction), as well as teaching mindfulness to top executives at companies such as PG&E, Reddit, and DocuSign.

In 2015, Sean founded Mindfulness Exercises to share the transformative power of mindfulness with a broader audience. His platform offers a wealth of free and premium resources, including guided meditations, worksheets, and a comprehensive mindfulness teacher certification. With a mission to help others develop mindfulness with integrity and compassion, Sean has impacted over 20 million people worldwide. Through his teachings, Sean continues to inspire others to live more present, loving, and resilient lives, especially in challenging times.

Sean’s deep commitment to mindfulness is not just professional but personal, as he tries to embody the principles of mindfulness in every aspect of his life and work.