Feel Great Being Grateful

Gratitude is the easiest way to really be happy. We’ve been taught this so much that we don’t value it anymore. However, giving thanks not only improves your living, it heals feelings, and allows joy to be a regular force in your life.

Sure it sounds easy. But so many of us are numb to the feeling of being thankful. We take for granted the soft pillow that comforts our head and the clean water we have for a bath. Small things - sure, yet huge conveniences and benefits. We’d definitely notice if they were gone!

Not until my own personal experience with this lesson, did I know it so well myself. About a year ago my mom’s house was in one of the California wildfire areas. She got her favorite items and animals and evacuated her home. The firemen decided it was too dangerous to protect the canyon where her home is. They let the fire go free in the whole canyon. My mom was devastated. I was stuck at work and longed to be there to support her. I felt sick to my stomach and overwhelmed with despair.

Although I knew I should be thankful that she was alive - and I definitely was - it was very difficult to actually feel that way given the circumstances. I had a deep gratefulness in my heart, but was more overwhelmed with feeling hopeless about her challenge. My mom had no insurance and would have to rebuild from nothing. I was so sad to see her go through the stress of this situation and wanted to care-take her and protect her from the pain.

A coworker gently nudged me enough to look at the situation again, with an attitude of gratitude. And although I had already told myself this and wasn’t able to really feel that way, somehow she triggered me to reach that point of really opening to feeling very thankful. Pausing in that feeling allowed a shift which released the yucky heavy stomach I had. My heart began to glow with joy. I felt it sing; “My mom is alive! Thank God she is alive!”

The best thing I could offer to my mom in that moment was a reminder to be thankful for what she does have.

Her house did not catch on fire. It came up to the edge of her barn and caused severe damage in her canyon, but her home and her things were untouched.

I will never forget this lesson - as simple as it many seem. It was one of those that actually shifted my awareness and freed me up. I know the true power of being thankful first hand and live differently because of it. Every day I live in gratitude for much of it, which I find is a very enjoyable way of living. I see benefits and opportunities and feel more joyous. When I don’t feel grateful or I feel down, I tune into myself to look at why and process the emotions.

Studies have proven that gratitude increases the experience of feelings of happiness and positive emotions. They’ve also proven that being thankful increases your physical and mental health - and leads to increased energy throughout the day.

You Know The Secret

Just as “The Secret” made famous, there is a universal law that happens – whether we pay attention to it or not – that says “whatever you invest your energy into, manifests”. Whether you worry or work hard, both are creating your reality. If you worry about your greatest fears, they can come true. If you instead channel your energy into vision, love, and growth - that is what you experience.

Knowing this to be true, why not channel your energy into focusing on the things that you are grateful for?

The Lost Mode of Prayer

Giving thanks is actually a form of prayer to many of the ancient cultures. This is the method used in the shamanic rain dances. As they dance, they call the rain through feeling thankful for already receiving it. They envision tall cornstalks that have grown from the plentiful rain and express the gratitude they have for the harvest. This is how many have traditionally called the rain to water their crops.

The state of thankfulness is a powerful method of attraction - much more so than being in a state of needing or wanting. When you say “I want peace”, you confirm that you are in need of peace, rather than already having peace. When you say, “I am peace” or “I have peace”, you are actually creating the peace itself by being it. Affirmations are used by millions of people around the world. These statements and ways of thinking open you up to truly creating that which you seek.

Affirmations can be hard for the critical mind as saying them can feel elementary or too basic while repeating wishful thoughts. If such is the case for you, a better form of this awareness is available through songs with affirming lyrics. By singing or following along, you affirm the powerful words. As such, be selective of what you allow to be running in the back of your mind. It makes a big difference on the feelings you have.

The original intention of Thanksgiving by the natives was to be in the state of thankfulness for all of the food they were blessed with and were able to harvest.  By emanating this thankful essence and attitude, they attracted more blessings into their lives.

Isn’t that who you like to help? Those that are truly grateful?

The Power to Transcend

Being thankful is great way to lift your fear into love. Give thanks for the opportunity to learn. See it with true compassion.

Bring Gratitude Into Your Daily Life

• As you give thanks, open your heart and allow it to pour out gratitude.
• As you open your eyes each morning, give thanks for a new day.
• As you take a take a bath or shower, reflect on the past day and give thanks for the opportunities and blessings.
• Every morning note five things you are thankful for. They can be anything from “a home” to “a nourishing place to center myself and love my family”. Whatever your style. Just note the things that you are genuinely feeling grateful for at that moment.
• Give thanks for each meal before eating it.

www.gratitudelog.com is an online community in which people share their five thankful things for the day. If interested, you can connect with others there who are in the healthy habit of giving thanks.

by Danielle Crume © 2012

Originally Posted 12/16/09.  Refreshed 2012.