Gratitude Over the last few months I have chosen to really become aware of what the word “Gratitude” means. I often start my day thinking about what I am grateful for. I find myself talking to “me” whilst I drive (thank goodness they invented Bluetooth!). My prayer of gratitude starts with…. I am so grateful for this car that I drive, for the good health that I have, for the wonderful generosity of my family and friends…..
I was talking to my wise wonderful friend via Skype a few months ago and she told me that as a family they discuss two questions around their dinner table. Firstly, “What am I grateful for today?” and secondly “What am I always grateful for?” Those two questions are really powerful questions for me because even if I am having a really bad day surely there has to be something that I feel gratitude towards?
I find that sitting quietly, breathing deeply and becoming aware of my surroundings, watching the birds that I love to observe makes me feel instantly grateful. In that moment there is no space to feel anything else but gratitude. Rumi puts it wonderfully in this quote “This moment is all there is”
If I really consider all the aspects of my life that I am grateful for and if I had to apply those two questions to my life I am pleasantly surprised at just how much I can be grateful for. I have found that I am grateful for the good health that I have, for my home because it provides me with warmth and safety. For the amazing friends who are always there when I need them, for my family who love me as I am, for myself as I learn to love and accept myself as I am, even for the painful and difficult lessons that come to me to teach me how to embrace life. For the happy moments filled with laughter and craziness, for the moments I become silent and listen from within and hear the messages sent from my soul.
These are a few of the many things that I am so grateful for.
Take a minute to consider what are you grateful for in this moment?