It is easy to be grateful, to count blessings when life is flowing with ease. Caught up in a world of dramas and traumas, woe-is-me and he/she/they caused me grief , it is more difficult. Sometimes, even when life is effortless, we take for granted all we have and who we are. The challenge and the practice is to see the goodness in life when our trials and tribulations are front and centre.
Practice daily, morning and evening, three gratitudes. They don’t have to be as lofty as my 6-year old granddaughter’s, “earth, God and love.” Sometimes just being grateful that I woke up breathing is a start. Challenge yourself by being thankful for those who give you the most grief. They are a gift, a mirror of lessons you need to learn.
Practicing gratitude is a way of nurturing our interior and at the same time acknowledging that the values we cherish on the inside are those we project externally. All the while knowing that stuff does not guarantee happiness but without the necessities and many comforts life would be a struggle.
Sometimes we can find gratitude in our haves in relationship to others have nots. I am grateful I have clean water, fresh air, quality food, a roof over my head and safety. Many of our fellow human beings would consider our basics as luxuries.
A simple life with gratitude leads to cultivating an appreciation of what is most important, this moment, each other, this planet. When we can be grateful even for our woes we begin to see the preciousness of this existence. And, it’s fleetingness.
As my granddaughter reminds me, “everything comes and everything goes.” If we can truly be thankful for every priceless moment as it happens then gratitude permeates our being. Don’t believe me. Try it for yourself. At first, it may take a daily reminder; you may find it difficult to name three gratitudes. Be patient. Be grateful for your patience. Experience for yourself how the complexion of life changes when you are thankful.
In joy.
No comments:
Post a Comment