Gratitude - The Path to Peace of Mind
Key Takeaways
- Heart-felt gratitude works like magic
- You always have more of what you offer
- There is no past; make this moment count
Most Important Thoughts
On this annual Thanksgiving day, here are some important thoughts to remember. In one sense, this is old news, but for our sake, we can't be reminded too often. First, the recipient of our thanks and appreciation doesn't really matter; it's the process of being grateful that counts. I consciously spend my day feeling grateful, and often say out loud, “Thank you God for being so generous and thoughtful!” However, I'm not referring to my 8-year old version of God – that distant fellow out somewhere running the universe, who didn't even know who I was. And, therefore, presuming I had no choice but to manage things by myself.
Second, the more I notice and feel grateful for things, large and small, the more lovely opportunities there are. Combine gratitude with lack of judgment and the world is your's to enjoy.
Our Attention Creates Our Experience
It can't be repeated too often that what we think about, how we focus our attention, is the blueprint for the outer circumstances of our lives. Gratitude creates a great life, which creates more gratitude, and then you establish the best possible “closed loop” of happiness, safety, satisfaction, and good will. And the great news, for which we can be endlessly thankful, is that no one else gets to decide what I choose to think about. Thus, we each determine our fate.
So once again, my favorite “formula” for a life overflowing with gratitude and all things working out is to remember there is no stored past, every moment is new and clean, you always have more of what you offer, and in each new clean moment we can 1) choose to follow guidance, decide to be truly helpful, and life runs smoothly or 2) choose ego with its judgment, lack of understanding of how life works, and make a mess of things. Your choice.
It's Never Too Late
And even if you continue to make unhelpful choices, once you realize them, you change your outlook, start over, ask for help, and the quality of life becomes very different. Your past does not follow you around like a shadow. If it seems to, it's really because one continues to make the same self-sabotaging choice over and over again. You can stop whenever you see the value in so doing, and life will improve - guaranteed.
By the way, if this sounds familiar, it is - and the only “game in town,” so to speak. However, we are so habituated to our learned point of view, we have to keep eroding that unhelpful perspective until it fades away from lack of use.
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend, think ever so kindly about yourself and others to enjoy the life you so richly and actually deserve.
Sending endless blessings to all!
Carol and Robert
