The Attitude of Gratitude
Being present for your life
“When I look back on the suffering in my life, this may sound really strange, but I see it now as a gift. I would have never asked for it for a second. I hated it while it was happening and I protested as loudly as I could, but suffering happened anyway. Now, in retrospect, I see the way in which it deepened my being immeasurably.” ~Ram Dass
I may not do justice to this article. But, I know of its truth.
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This morning I walked out on my front porch as the sun was just silhouetting the mountains and clouds. There was a light, cool breeze and the world was quiet. I took a deep breath and said: “Thank you”. I felt grateful and a part of the morning.
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If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. Meister Eckhart
https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/thank_you
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There is a piece of human psychology that pays attention to the terrors of living. It has helped us avoid the things that could injure or destroy us. It is a cause of stress and emotional breakdown in society. Our brains are programmed to keep us safe from dangers but, too much or constant danger is destructive also.
There is a ‘Gratitude Muscle’ that can be developed by using it. Some days it is easier than others, but it does help.
When I said, “Thank you.” this morning, I felt at peace. It took only a moment. But, it reminded me that I have control of my mind. Sadness, worry, guilt, and fear had no place with me, if only for a moment. -Though the effects have lasted through the day.
It was not a ‘thank you’ to anything other than that was what I was feeling…A great big feeling of gratitude.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — I wrote the above on Saturday — Today is Monday and I feel
mentally scattered…
Mondays are like this recently. Though I’m ‘retired’, Mondays have an oppressive feel to them.
There is a wave of anger about all the things that should be being done.
I am still grateful for the beauty of the world.
I know that things will look different in time, but today I deal with angst.
Angst, often confused with anxiety, is a transcendent emotion in that it combines the unbearable anguish of life with the hopes of overcoming this seemingly impossible situation. ~ Urban Dictionary
Yeah. There is hope, and as impossible as things seem they can/will be overcome.
I am grateful for hope and resilience.
Thanks for reading. Have a hopeful day.
Dana Sanford — 2/18/2019
