Every day is a good day to be grateful. If one makes the effort we can find something to be grateful for–actually many somethings–over the course of a single day. Even when in the midst of one or other of my “first world problems” there is I can always find one thing that I appreciate, that I am thankful and glad to have experienced, or have in my life, etc. I guess it’s a lot about where I choose to focus my attention and where I put my energy. When I first started writing this gratitude blog it was because I knew that in the midst of a number of dramatic, traumatic events I needed to find something positive to put my energy on lest I sink into an understandable but unhealthy depression. Having suffered from depression for most of my life anyway, I was concerned I’d be so undone by all that had happened I wouldn’t be able to function in the world. As it is, even with various steps I’ve taken over the past months to be positive and forward-looking, I still find myself having to work to maintain a sense of balance and equanimity in the midst of ongoing uncertainty. So I’ll repeat what I’ve said before in this blog–I am grateful for gratitude itself.
Okay, so that sounds a little weird, but it’s true. The act of being grateful, of intentionally looking for things about which I am grateful, begets more gratitude and more looking for and finding more things to be grateful for. Practicing gratitude, like practicing piano or guitar or any other endeavor, is a strengthening activity–the more you practice, the better you get at it. This has been my experience. Even when I’m tired or cranky or melting down like I was yesterday, I can right myself pretty quickly by taking a moment to find the good. I’ve by no means arrived in this regard, in fact I still have a long way to go in developing an automatic gratitude response in any situation. But for now I’m satisfied to continue practicing daily gratitude to the best of my ability.
Today I was having lunch with my friend Roland (who happens to be the first thing I was grateful for on Day One of Lessings in Gratitude back in June of 2011.) I was reminded about the value of good friends and how I am grateful to have Roland in my life, along with others who have stood by and helped sustain me through difficult times. I look forward to days of being back on an emotional even keel, to be working and earning income and helping supporting my kids, and to have a more stable base from which to live my life and walk out my purpose. But until then I am grateful for being able to periodically lean in and on a handful of special people.
Another week has passed, time continues to blaze past with frightening speed. I am looking forward to finding a little time this weekend to refresh myself and get some rest. I’ll do some writing and thinking as well as the more mundane things of life like laundry and cleaning. I am grateful for daily life and the small things that I perhaps would not have noticed if I weren’t paying careful attention. I’m grateful for all the things that make me smile over the course of the day and for those things that make me laugh, which I still don’t do nearly often enough (perhaps I’ll start a laughing practice next and begin exercising those muscles….) And as always I am grateful for you who choose to read these words and walk along this path with me. I hope you’re inspired to find ways to exercise your gratitude muscles too. Thanks for reading!
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