Gratitude Pays

By Madison Grace Lovewith

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

Today is the first pay period that I’ll be back to my full salary.  I am so grateful.  My organization found the money it needs to pay its employees their normal pay for the time being.  The 20% pay cut status has been reduced by a month and a half.  I’m so grateful for that.  I know that God’s hands were in the situation, and he pulled us through.  There are still challenges ahead but with my affirming and believing that everything will work out, it will.

I saw the work of Gratitude in the lives of some of my coworkers as well.  About a month or so ago, one of the guys who attend our weekly bible study had to say his farewells because the company that he worked for lost the contract to continue supporting our organization.  I was sad to see him go because he always contributes some passionate and enlightening experiences during our bible study.  His words have always been encouraging and full of love.  So when I learned that he was back on the job, I was thrilled.  Apparently, he is back in his old position, supporting our organization, only this time with a new company.  Everything worked out.  His works of encouragement to his situation was that even when things seem bleak and aren’t working out the way you want, just know who is in charge.  Put your trust in God/the Universe.

There are other areas of my life that are working out.  I’m dealing with some challenges with the rental property that I have, but again, Gratitude has found a way to make things happen.  Again, after being behind in the rent, the tenant has not only paid the back rent, but has paid a month in advance to show his good faith in keeping up with the rents.  I’m so grateful for that because it gives me encouragement and peace of mind.  I’m so grateful for that peace of mind.  And I’m grateful that Gratitude is helping me to keep my thoughts in alignment with gratitude and love, so that I can continue to see the blessings that she has in store for me.

Whatever your financial situations maybe, focus on what's working, the abundance in your life.  When worry and thoughts of lack creep up, pivot those thoughts with Gratitude.  When those thoughts come up, and the only good thing that you can think of is “Thank you,” then just say thank you.  Remember that light drives out the darkness.  If all you can say is thank you when the dark thoughts pop up, that will shed some love into the situation.     

When Rocks Speak

By Madison Grace Lovewith

 

 

 

I always marvel at the beautiful world around me.  When I quiet my thoughts and feel appreciation for the abundance of life around me, I can really connect with the idea that God/the Universe is always trying to get my attention.  I begin to feel the interconnection between myself and my world.  Eckhart Tolle in his book, A New Earth, talks about living in the Present moment and connecting with nature.  To feel this connection, you remove the labels and words that block our natural synergy and just appreciate nature for what it is.  See and love the flowers without stating so.  Hear and really listen to the birds, without the labels and appreciate the beauty that they have to offer you.  Love and enjoy the vibrancy of the plants.  Every living thing has something of beauty to give.   

 

Recently, on Day 30 of my 30-days of fun challenge, I had the opportunity for the first time to visit some caverns, caves which are considered to be active and still alive.  When I entered the caverns, it was remarkable to see the beauty that Nature created over eons and eons of time.  The cave is made up of deposits of limestone over what was once a seabed millions of years ago.  When I embraced Gratitude for the caverns, I could feel the energy of the limestone, which came in quite notable shapes and sizes.  It was like the cave had a tale of its own to share with visitors, if we would only take the time to appreciate and listen.

Despite the 90 degree weather we were experiencing outside the caverns, the caverns themselves were cool and damp.  The tour guides informed us that the drippy water streams throughout the caves were indicative of formations that were still alive.  This aliveness meant that they were still forming and creating.  It was said that the living rocks grew an inch every 120 years.  It was something to imagine that the rocks were alive and still forming.  And I could definitely feel the aliveness inside the caves.  At first I was hesitant about going on the tour, as I can be a little claustrophobic. But I then realized that I shouldn’t allow fear to hinder the gift of love that Gratitude wanted to share with me.  The tour of the caverns was over an hour, and throughout the tour, I enjoyed the timelessness and peace flowing from these ancient caves.  When you think about the antiquity of the rocks, it makes the problems that we worry about day-to-day seem so small and insignificant.  The rock formations spoke of love and peace, something that as humans when we’re being who we truly are, all share with our natural world. 

Interestingly, a few of us on the tour noticed a rock formation that looked like a little Buddha.  It was quite a pleasant surprise to see that and to notice some of the other interesting rock formations that Nature made.  It reminded me a little of cloud formations and how Nature spoke and provided stories through the clouds.  Do you ever listen?  What do you do when Nature speaks?

Day 14 of 30 Days of Fun

By Madison Grace Lovewith

 

This is Day 14 of my 30 days of Fun, and halfway into it, it has been a broadening experience.  By nature, I’ve been much more of a homebody, so doing this has allowed me to expand my experiences and way of thinking.  I was just talking to my mom about this challenge because it really is helping me clear some of my self-imposed blocks in my life.  I mentioned to her how I would love to meet new people and expand my social circle but how do I do that sitting in the comforts of my home all the time.  So in that regards, it is really helping me out. 

As I do different and fun activities, I go back and forth between scheduling something for me to do versus asking Gratitude what she wants me to do.  Either way that I do it, Gratitude ends up working things as she wants to work it.  For example, on Day 2, my intent was to visit one particular museum.  I couldn’t find it for whatever reason, and I was lead to visit a museum that I hadn’t even known existed featuring African art and another museum featuring a variety of art forms.  I had a great time nevertheless.

And then there are other days when I ask Gratitude where she wants me to go.  And she leads me to where she wants me to go.  On Day 9, I walked an area of my town that I hadn’t been before/hadn’t been to in a while.  The day before, I went to Whole Foods to buy some kitty litter for my cat.  The kitty litter at Whole Foods isn’t my favorite, but I needed some while I still searched for the kitty litter that is right for me.  Whole Foods was out of the kitty litter, so I figured I would have to return there once they restocked on the litter.  While walking my roads yet not trodden for my activity of the day, I discovered a little doggie shop.  Even though it was a doggie shop, I decided to drop in to see if they sold any cat items.  And they did have a nice selection of cat items.  I bought an all-natural kitty litter that I hadn’t tried before and some new toys for my kitten.  The kitty litter so far is really good, and I’m thinking I just may have found exactly what I was looking for.  And I would have never discovered this little boutique doggie shop had I not followed Gratitude’s guidance.  Another nice little thing about following Gratitude’s guidance is that a few days after visiting the doggie shop, I was taking a closer look at the receipt and realized that the kind cashier gave me a 10% off membership discount (even though I’m not a member of their doggie obedience school).  I was thrilled by that little gift from Gratitude.

On some days, because of my homebody nature, I have to force myself to get up and do something different and fun.  It’s a form of resistance.  Even though I know that doing activities is good for expanding myself and my experiences, I don’t always want to do it.  That’s where Gratitude comes in because by feeling Gratitude for my ability to do some activities, my meeting people and putting myself out there, and even some of the resulting experiences that I’m having, I’m definitely benefiting.  Additionally, because I’m doing something different everyday, I’m gaining new experiences and insights that I’m applying to my creative writing.  It’s allowing me to broaden my mind to become a more imaginative creator, a better writer.

It’s also interesting how Gratitude somehow springs different expanding situations my way.  Two days ago, I get a call from my out of town mom saying that she was in the area and wanted to drop by.  You can imagine how ruffled I felt trying to get things cleaned up around the house at the last minute.  And I felt bad because the timing was all wrong.  I had to work the day that she got here and the following day which was Friday.  We couldn’t do anything on Saturday because I had already made plans to go to an amusement park with a group of friends.  But it all worked out.  I was able to take the time off of work on Friday (today) to spend the day with her.  We talked for hours and went to an Amish farmer’s market to do some grocery shopping.  It was interesting to see how Gratitude worked her magic during our shopping visit.  Everything worked seamlessly, and when we got boggled down in our thoughts and got off track, Gratitude worked circumstances to put us back on track.  For example, I had bought some specialty cheese, got a grossly incorrect change back, but was so excited about my purchase that I didn’t notice.  A few minutes later, my mom was paying for her purchase at a different counter when the cashier noticed that she overpaid for her purchase, and he gave her extra change back.  That was my clue about my not receiving the correct change back (I was supposed to receive $11 dollars in change, but only received a $1).  When I noticed the error when buying some fruit at a different counter, I immediately went back to the cheese counter to alert them to the mistake.  They were very kind and gracious and immediately gave me my $10, without question.  I almost didn’t go back to let them know about the mistake because I thought they would have to do a time consuming money assessment on the cash register.  It all worked out.  And I was happy that I got the correct $10 owed to me.    

 
Gratitude is making so much happen with my 30 days of fun.  The main thing is that so far, I’m having a great time and it’s forcing me to look beyond myself and enjoy my world around me.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I Ask and Gratitude Answers

By Madison Grace Lovewith

 

For a couple of weeks, I had been thinking about my next 30-day journey (after having completed a 30-day self-love journey).  It’s funny how when I decided that I was going to do a 30-days of fun journey, that the Universe heard and immediately began bringing life and circumstances to help me achieve my goal.  And I hadn’t even started the journey yet!

Last week out of the blue, my childhood babysitter, who I haven’t seen in over 20 years, called saying that she was visiting the area and wanted to see me.  Her sister moved to the area for work a couple of months ago.  So what I thought would turn out to be a one-day dinner thing, turned out to be a three-day hanging out having fun affair.  And all the while, everything just worked out seamlessly.  The sisters treated me to dinner both nights, which was very gracious of them, in particular since it was my friend’s birthday.  I think it was the “caregiver” mentality.  Even though my friend is only five years older than me, she’ll probably always view me as like a baby sister.  The second night, I took them to a really nice restaurant, right at the waterfront, where we enjoyed the mesmerizing water view.  I gave them a little tour of my Old Town area.  It was raining, and raining rather hard, but we enjoyed our time together.

Then that Saturday, we went on a 2-hour gospel cruise.  It was so fun.  And I could really see the power of Gratitude in action.  They more they gave, I gave Gratitude in return, and the more I gave, I felt Gratitude in my giving.  It’s so important to feel Gratitude in both giving and receiving.  A Course in Miracles, a self-study book that teaches on love and forgiveness says, “To give and to receive are one in truth.  I will receive what I am giving now” (Workbook Lesson 108).  It is so true that whatever energy we are giving out, we receive back in return immediately.  So when you’re giving out Gratitude energy, you can feel the Gratitude because that Gratitude energy is what you’re receiving from what you give out.  You reap what you sow.  It’s such a lovely yet powerful Law of Nature.    

I gave in return, and felt Gratitude for everything, the giving and the receiving.  And Gratitude just worked continuously, with this giving and receiving cycle.  The cruise had a gospel singer and a band who came and played some really nice spiritual songs.  They also acknowledged that it was my friend’s birthday.  At the end, as we were walking back to the car, the singer stopped us, gave us a hug, and then began to go on her way.  But after a minute, she called us back and said she wanted to give my friend one of her CDs, as a birthday gift.  My friend was so pleased.  It was interesting though, because my friend had already bought two of the singer’s CDs, one for herself and one for her sister.  So my friend kept the CD the singer gave her, and she gave me one of the extra CDs.  We all had CDs then!

Gratitude keeps on making a way for my 30-days of fun journey.  Again, out of the blue, my coworker wanted to give me a giftcard for a restaurant of my choice.  He said he didn’t want anything in return, he was just giving from his heart.  My coworker had previously given me some giftcards to restaurants, as he’s a foodie and loves for us to talk about the restaurants that we enjoy.  I was thrilled.  I told him that I appreciated his kindness and that his offer came just in time for my 30-days of fun journey.

Nevertheless, I haven’t started my 30-days of fun and already I’m having a ball.  It’s wonderful how everything just works out according to God’s will, if you allow it.

More on Self-Love

By The Happy Chance

 

 

Last month, after writing my posting on self-love, I decided to embark on my own 30 days of self-love.  During these 30 days (and a bit more), I used my morning meditation/Gratitude routine to embed this sense of self-love into my life.  I would meditate on self-love and also listen to affirmation CDs. 

For most of my mediations, I listened to The Chopra Center 21-Day Meditation Challenge™ - Life Wisdom Trilogy, the Love CD.  This was a meditation program that I learned about after taking the Oprah and Deepak 21 Day Meditation Challenge-Perfect Health.  That was an amazing program, that I’m so grateful that I learned about.  For my affirmations, I used Louise Hay’s work.  If you haven’t been introduced to Louise Hay and her wonderful affirmation CDs, I highly encourage her CDs such as, “Self Esteem Affirmations” which has a lovely array of affirmations set to music that fills you with love and peace about yourself.  I used Louise Hay’s affirmations on a daily basis, usually in the mornings but sometimes during the day.   

 

Throughout the day I used affirmations such as, “I love myself,” “I am worthy,” “I am so grateful to be me,” or a simple “I love you,” and filled myself with as much Gratitude as I could while saying this.  When self-critical thoughts come up, I would say one of the affirmations and fill myself with Gratitude.  When undesirable situations came up, I would tell myself, “I love you,” and feel grateful for being me.  One of exercises from The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, Day 27, The Magic Mirror, requires you to say “thank you” whenever you get in front of a mirror.  I did this as well.  Instead of focusing in on some of my undesirable physical qualities, I took the time to say thank you for being me.  I loved it.

Other things that I did was treated myself to some of my simple pleasures.  It had been a couple of years since I last did this, but I made a homemade lavender-peppermint sugar scrub.  I love the scent of lavender, which as an essential oil, has a calming and relaxing effect.  I soaked myself in a warm bath (and I’m normally a shower type of girl) and used the body scrub.  I also had a professional massage, something that again, I hadn’t done in years.       

The self-love I practiced felt really good.  And I noticed over time that people started to respond to the self-love that I was giving.  People were smiling at me and giving me compliments.  Normally, I get nice compliments, in particular since I’ve integrated Gratitude into my life, but now that I was targeting Gratitude into love for myself, the love that I was seeing in my outside world seemed at a higher level.  A couple of people asked me why am I always so happy.  When you’re emitting love of self, others can feel that love and they respond.  And as you’re showing love for yourself, your point of attraction changes.  As a result you begin to attract people and circumstances that match this new love vibration.    

 
It is interesting that some of my most simple pleasures, I hadn’t done in years.  This 30-day self-love practice taught me that I should treat myself with loving kindness all the time.  It also taught me that my thoughts of Self need to reflect the same love and Gratitude that I show others.  I have ended my 30-day self-love practice, but I am so much more careful with my thoughts of self and learning to be more loving to myself.  I think in the near future, I may resume the practice and perhaps make it a 90 day or 120 day practice, just to really spearhead my results.  At the moment though, I’m thinking of a few other 30-day practices I may want to embark on next.  I got this idea for doing different 30 day practices from the article 30 Days to Success by Steve Pavlina.  If you haven’t visited StevePavlina.com, his site is a great resource for self-improvement articles. 

A Seed of Gratitude

A few years ago I happened across this YouTube video called, “The 15 Minute Miracle Method,” which was a daily gratitude exercise.  The woman in the video talked about the exercise as a means for manifesting the desires of your heart.  I diligently began doing the Gratitude exercise, which consisted of making a list of 10 things that you are grateful for while feeling the Gratitude and then making a list of 10 things that you desire, feeling the Gratitude as if you already have it.  At the time that I committed myself to doing this Gratitude exercise, I couldn’t quite get myself to the feeling of Gratitude, like she talks about.  The feeling of Gratitude is key.  After a few months, I stopped doing the Gratitude lists because I couldn’t see the results.

Little did I know that a seed had been planted.  I couldn’t see it, and at the time, I couldn’t feel it, but it was a start.  I’ve been back to doing my daily Gratitude list now for quite some time, as I started back up after reading The Magic and committing myself to living in Gratitude.  I look back at this video and realize that this video helped plant the seed of Gratitude in me.  I didn’t appreciate Gratitude then as I do now, but once that seed is planted, it begins to grow in your life.

I’d highly encourage you to start making a daily list of 10 things that you’re grateful for in your life.  And while you make that list, feel as much Gratitude as you can for the good in your experience.  The power for change in your life comes in feeling the Gratitude energy flow.  And when you make this list a daily habit (which, as the video discusses) for at least 30 days, it will begin to become a normal part of your day.  You don’t have to do it in the morning, though the morning is preferable, but you can carve the time out during your day or even in the evenings before you go to bed.  Whatever you do, make time for Gratitude and you’ll be amazed at the changes that you’ll start to notice in your experience.

 

Gratitude’s Works on the Job

Last year, Gratitude blessed me with my ideal job.  After two years of interviewing and hoping without results, Gratitude delivered me four job offers in the span of only months.  It only took me using the power of Gratitude to pave the way for the job that is perfect for me.

So I’ve been on my job now for eight months, and I love it.  I love that I’m doing work that I enjoy.  I’m grateful that the work environment is more relaxed and inviting.  I love it that my coworkers are a pleasure to work with and that my management have been great as well.  I can’t begin to explain the appreciation that I have for the flexible work hours that provides a healthy life/work balance.

There’s a caveat to my perfect job that I’ve been working with Gratitude to help me overcome.  My organization over the past odd months have been experiencing some financial issues.  These issues have been passed down to affect employees in the form of pay cuts, which would have amounted to a 20% pay cut.  At first, I started to feel a wave of worry creep up, but I told myself, to focus on the loves I have for my job.  I kept affirming what I was grateful about my job and that I was grateful that everything would work out.  When friends would bring the subject up, I would say that I was grateful that I was employed because a pay cut is a blessing compared to layoffs that others were experiencing.  I was told to “face reality,” but I kept my steadfastness on Gratitude.  It doesn’t matter what my physical “reality,” is showing, if I do my part in keeping my mind focused on Gratitude and the good in my life, Gratitude will do its part.

A day or so later, after I took a stance to not entertain the “dooms day” mentality that so many of my friends and comrades held, leadership announced financial improvements.  The pay cuts were declared to be reduced.  It was like magic that I saw the power of Gratitude in action.

And then again, more recently, it was announced that the pay cuts were being reduced again.  Now, the pay cuts have been reduced by 50% from the initial forecasts.  I’m so grateful.  It does my heart so good to see the love, care and protection that Gratitude provides, when you allow her gifts in your life.

The financial issues are improving, and I expect that very soon, more pay cut reductions will be announced until the situation has been completely resolved. 

What I have learned from personal experience in living with Gratitude, is that you have to be grateful for the desires of your heart before you see them in your life.  Many people don’t understand this concept, but it is so important. 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.—Hebrews 11:1 (New International Version)

Spirit values faith, and good works in your life require faith in Gratitude and Love to work things out.  In church yesterday, the choir sang a beautiful song that said, “I See God’s Grace through the Eyes of Faith.”  It is the way to seeing the resolution to so many things that may pop up in our lives.  When we let go—let go of the worries and need to control outcomes—then we can allow Gratitude to take charge.  And take charge she will!       

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

 

I am Worthy

By The Happy Chance

 

I considered myself to be a yes in so many ways:  attractive—yes, successful—yes, talented—yes.  But in the category of romantic relationships, I was a no.

Not that it mattered most of my after high school life.  In college, I made up my mind not to get involved in any serious dating, as I wanted to focus on my education.  I did some dating then, but nothing too serious.  And nothing that would detract me from college.

And then after college, it was my career.  As a career woman, I wanted to make sure that I had a fulfilling and successful career, one that would allow me independence and the lifestyle that I wanted.  When I entered into a relationship, I wanted to be able to bring something to the table and be able to grow with my mate together in a relationship.

Then life happens, one thing after another. I was never ready and “worthy” for a satisfying relationship.  I needed to do this and then do that.  And when problems came up, some of them major life issues, I wanted those to be resolved and to have my house in order, so to speak.  I wanted to be perfect and ready for that special relationship, one that would lead into marriage.

So it didn’t matter then that I hadn’t found that someone.  But at thirty something, it matters now.  Recently, I had a conversation with a friend who talked about the “princess” syndrome that some woman have when dating.  Some women overcompensate for their low self-worth, thinking that if they demanded the princess treatment and respect from men, this would somehow fill that void of self-worth within them.  So they demand that special attention, without reciprocating the treatment and respect to the men they date.  As you can see, this creates a problem. 

This discussion on women and self-worth lead me to really think about why in the area of romantic relationships, I hadn’t attracted my ideal mate, my husband.  I really gave it some thought and came to the realization of what my issue was:  I never felt that I was worthy. 

There was always something that I felt was a priority, something I had to accomplish before I could settle into a fulfilling love relationship.  I now know that I had unintentionally been giving off single vibes, vibes that would attract a life of singlehood if I continued on that path.  That would be fine, if it was the life that I wanted.  But I never wanted to be single all my life.  I saw myself as married to an amazing guy.  Luckily, I came to that realization in good timing, and I’m so grateful that I did.

Gratitude, as with other areas of my life, can shift both my conscious and unconscious feelings of unworthiness.  If I allow her to.  Like any other relationship, it’s a give-receive exchange.  I give my love and praise to Gratitude, and in return Gratitude gives love and unimaginable gifts back.  In this case, I’m using Gratitude to restore the feelings of worthiness in me.  Because in order to attract a loving relationship, I must first start with that relationship within.  I must first love myself for others to see that jewel within me, and an expression of that self-love can manifest into a romantic relationship.

Some of the things that I’ve been doing to transform my feelings of unworthiness is to use affirmations.  I say affirmations to myself, such as, “I am worthy,” “I am grateful that I am worthy,” or “I love myself so much.”  I muster as much Gratitude into those affirmations as I can, feeling the Gratitude deeply. 

In the book, The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, one of the exercises for a day is called “The Magic Mirror.”  In that exercise, you state while in front of the mirror, “Thank you,” with as much Gratitude as possible.  She uses the analogy of Michael Jackson’s song The Man in the Mirror to show, that if we send a bit of Gratitude energy to ourselves, it would transform our lives.  Our outer world is a reflection of our inner world.  So as we work to improve the world inside us, we begin to attract outside experiences that reflect our improved state within.  It’s all about loving ourselves and feeling the Gratitude for being who we are.         

It’s all a learning experience and a journey, improving the self-love and self-worth.  As I continue working on being Grateful for me, who I am, and the contributions that I make to the world, I’ll begin attracting improved circumstances in all areas of my life—including the one area that’s been alluding me for years—romantic love.

What do you think?  Do you have any experiences that as you begin feeling better about yourself, that you began having improved love relationships?  Have you had the experience of realizing that some of your self-talk thoughts haven’t been loving thoughts about yourself?  It’s quite an eye opening experience in realizing the feeling of unworthiness impeding on attracting a loving relationship.  But it’s very empowering to know that once you recognize this within yourself, that Gratitude can change it.

Think on These Things

By The Happy Chance

I used to be a news junkie.  I loved watching all the news channels and keeping up on the drama going on in the world.  But I found that focusing in on all of that negative energy attracted negative feelings and depression into my life.  So I gave up watching news a few years ago.  And I haven’t looked back since.

Now I love hearing good news.  Even when negative issues appear, I try to seek out the good that may be hiding in the “bad.”  The following Bible passage comes to mind:     

…keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things—Philippians 4:8  (New Life Version)

When it comes to family life, sometimes the only news I get about different family members are negative.  But I was so happy when my mom mentioned some good news about her sister, news worth being grateful for.  My aunt, who in the past had issues working out what she wanted with her career, had been honored with being Employee of the Month at Wal-mart.  This news told me that she was finding some joy in the work that she’s doing, and she’s receiving recognition for it.  Two wonderful points to be grateful about.

What are some of the smaller accomplishments that you can be grateful about, going on in your life?  What are some of the simple joys that brighten your day.  Remember, keep your mind focused on the virtues and things worthy of being praised.  Keep your mind focused on Gratitude.  

Every Moment is a Gift

By The Happy Chance

 

Every moment is a gift—and the recognition of this is Gratitude.  My journey with Gratitude started on March 6, 2012 when I began doing the 28-day Gratitude exercises from The Magic by Rhonda Byrne.  Little did I understand then how much Gratitude would transform my life.  At the time, I was adjusting to life challenges that had me emotionally drained, was trying to remove myself from a living situation rut, and needed a breakthrough with my then current job.  Gratitude transformed all of those issues—with lightening speed.  The concept of appreciation, which I had always thought was just something our culture taught as a means for being polite, was actually a Law of Nature.  If you want to live the wonderful life that you were meant to live, you need to live in Gratitude.  As I learned from The Power and The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, it’s not just a concept of politeness but a loving and powerful energy.  Soon after I began living in Gratitude, I not only understood this concept intellectually, but I was experiencing it day-to-day.  When you give Gratitude, you receive so much more to be grateful about. 

The ancient great works from around the world embraced this concept: it is up to us, if we wish to experience fantastic lives, to live it.  I cannot begin to tell how much Gratitude has changed my life.  Gratitude has become a close and trusted confidant, a provider and most intimate friend.  Whether you believe in God, the Universe, your Maker, Inner Self, or however you call the force that’s greater than yourself, when you open yourself up to Gratitude, you are embarking into a personal relationship with the Divine. 

This blog is inspired by The Power and The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, the author of The Secret.  I am so grateful for both books, and how they opened my eyes to the beautiful and life-changing energy of Gratitude.  I can know sing from experience, Amazing Grace, I once was blind but now I see.  I am still learning about Gratitude and ever growing closer to the Divine as each day of living in Gratitude passes.  This blog chronicles my ever expanding knowledge of Gratitude, both from research and personal experiences.  It discusses the love, joy and delight of living in Gratitude.

Gratitude—My Intimate Friend

By The Happy Chance

This month commemorates my 1-year anniversary of living in Gratitude.  Whatever does that mean?  It means making a commitment to viewing life through the eyes of appreciation, from the small simple things to the larger things, to seeking out the good in trouble areas of your life.

Alex Haley, the author of Roots once said, “Find the good and praise it.”  That in itself is Gratitude.  Gratitude honors the good in life and draws out the joy that would otherwise get lost in the details of day-to-day living.  The New Living Translation Bible states:

              But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.

If you keep to my path,

I will reveal to you the salvation of God (Psalm 50:23).

And truly, living in Gratitude is a path to joy, to inner peace.  I was so fortunate to come across The Magic during a time in my life when I needed something greater than myself to help me through various issues.  From The Magic, a book that teaches about Gratitude, I learned that Gratitude was more than the empty thank yous that I uttered out of politeness.  The Magic provides a 28-day exercise that instructs you on true Gratitude living.  And when going through the 28-days of Gratitude exercises, it really transformed my life.  Before reading The Magic, I was living a great life, but I was focusing so much on the nonsense that I couldn’t see it.  And after practicing The Magic, life got so much even better.

Gratitude is so much more than the polite thank yous.  After the 28-day Gratitude journey, I continued on with my Gratitude walk because I learned that living in Gratitude is a life-long journey.  Every moment that I live in Gratitude, I grow a stronger and more intimate relationship with Gratitude and love and all that is beautiful and endearing in my life and world.  Gratitude is my loving and intimate friend.  And I so welcome her into my life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!