A couple of days ago, I was discussing with a friend and it hit me all of a sudden that it is so much easier to be grateful for things we can feel, see and touch; for tangibles, for satisfied hopes and expectations. It is simpler expressing thanks when things are all fine and dandy and lines seem to be falling into pleasant places for us. However, the truest test of the consistency of our gratitude is when this is not the case.
I have personally struggled with gratitude especially when things are not going my way. I would consider what I should be thankful for in the darkness I’d feel hovering around me. In times like this, gratitude can feel like pretense, like self-deception. And with what is going on in the world today, I can tell you for a fact that it is not easy. The act of taking your eyes away from your challenges to see the good still left will require a strong will. I am not going to bore you with the usual talk of seeing your glass as half-full rather than half-empty and bla bla! That is not the topic for today. I am more concerned with the consistency of your gratitude.
If gratitude is to be a culture, then it must be expressed every time. It should be a tradition because it opens more doors for better things to come our way. It makes us reach a certain level of positivity that transcends not just our lives alone but the relationships we have with others. More importantly, it strengthens our resolve to face down any situation.
I want you to start the journey towards consistent gratitude. And the Journal method seems like the right tool to do that. Get a journal and write down two things you are grateful for every day just before you go to bed. Come on, there has got to be something that happened during the day that made you smile! It could be as little as seeing a movie and having a good laugh, a phone call with friends, or a gesture that warmed your heart. In those dark days, you could read through the journal and remember the wonderful things you’ve got going for you.
I have realized that most times, the universe reflects on us the energy we exude. Make thoughtful gestures to friends, families, and strangers alike. Be kind! Spontaneous gestures of thoughtfulness go a long way to fill up our happy tanks which will make us more open to seeing the good around.
Finally, it is not enough to write it down; we have to mentally repeat it until it sinks into our subconscious. It is okay to slip up sometimes and go down the dark hole. The important thing is that we do not remain there. I believe that there is always beauty in the world and we just have to open our eyes and see.
How consistent is your gratitude when you have nothing?
P.S. To comment on this, kindly type “admin” as both username and password if the prompt requests for that. I would love to see your comments.
Love,
Diane.
