Attitude of Gratitude.
The word gratitude comes from the Latin ‘gratia’ meaning favor, charm and thanks. It is similar to the Sanskrit word ‘gmati’ meaning, he praises. Today I feel grateful. This warmth in my heart is calling me to get creative and express it…give it away.
My son just got back from school and writing some grueling exams. I plan on grinding up some dark roast, making his favorite omelette, maybe even frothing his cappuccino, as he claims the sofa for a well deserved day of relaxation. In truth I am not into sports on TV but with gratitude as my eau de cologne I only see how his happiness fills me with joy. So I cater and think of simple ways to let him know he is cared for. In truth it is these little acts of kindness that grow my appreciation and nourish me at the same time. Our culture seems to think giving and receiving are two separate doorways. But in truth…they are one.
In the very moment I give…. I receive. This can become your go to for those days that may seem like a struggle or challenge. And the beauty is you can do it anytime. Feeling lousy…go give someone the very thing you wish you were receiving. Need appreciation…appreciate someone. Want connection or to be understood…go connect and understand someone. Not only will gratitude cultivate a wonderful feeling in you but you will be contributing to others well being as well.
Melanie Beattie, a writer who focused on the ache of co-dependency in relationship, writes, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
So if you are not feeling well, if you are lost in the veil of suffering, gratitude is the quickest way I know to shift out of it. Make a list, make a call, send an email. Each action generates more of those delightful bubbles that can accompany the state of gratitude, the state of grace.
It’s such a beautiful word…grace. It can touch your perception of the present moment with the gentle sweetness of a mother’s loving hand on her child’s brow. It includes hope and possibility and openness to surprises. Surrendering to the unknown invites the universe to play with you and offer you gifts. Resonating with gratitude is the call that sets this in motion.
Living in gratitude may take practice and letting go of all your ‘yeah buts’, but it will result in a sense of being loved and supported by the world. When we practice gratitude it’s as if we are practicing feeling loved. How about letting that idea land in you and inspire you to practice.
Reach out to someone and stretch in your giving. When you do you are demonstrating just how big and magnificent you truly are. Rather than being led by our small egos which can ramble on with some serious complaints about life, embark on an experiment to act as love would. Listen as love would. Feel as love would.
What are you grateful for? Who can you say thanks to today? How would you show it? Where are you being called to stretch? Even thanking yourself has impact.
You may not feel like acting out of gratitude when you are struggling but I invite you to suspend judgement and give it a try.
Big breath….try it!
Authentically Yours,
Tasha
