Cultivating Gratitude

“‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say.  I say that one a lot.  Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.”  –Alice Walker

If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is a quality to foster.  Gratitude brings our attention to the present, enabling us become fully present and grateful in that moment, for the smallest things that we sometimes take for granted.  The deeper our appreciation, the more life flows in harmony.  Also, the more we are able to welcome everything that happens in our lives with gratitude, the more we are able to experience equanimity.

Why should the simple act of thinking about who and what I’m grateful for make such a big difference in one’s life?

• Because it reminds you of the positive things in  your life.
• Because it turns ‘bad things’ into good things.
• Because it reminds you of what is important.
• Because it reminds you to thank others.

If you wish to infuse gratitude into your life, here are some suggestions:

• Develop a morning gratitude session.  Take several minutes each morning to give thanks, to whoever or whatever you are grateful for.
• Practice giving thanks.
• Give thanks for “negative” things in your life.

Below are thoughts on gratitude that I routinely reference, shown below.

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
–Author Unknown

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Moms, Fur Moms, and Moms-at-Heart!