A Meditation on Gratitude
by Carol Dwyer
Thanksgiving reminds us to give thanks for our blessings. If our health is reasonably good, if we have some loving relationships, and if we are fortunate enough to be able to provide a comfortable life for ourselves and our families, it’s not too hard to express our gratitude. But being grateful is so much more than stopping for a moment to give thanks for what we have attained and what we have accumulated. Gratefulness is a state of mind and a way of life.
It has taken me a long time to see this, and over time it has changed my life. What I know now is that the more often I feel grateful, the more reasons I find to be grateful.
I am grateful for my life – the breath that moves in and out of my lungs, the blood that flows through my veins and heart, and the brain that allows me to think and feel.
I am grateful that a beautiful soul came into the world through me and gave me the gift of motherhood and its lessons in loving.
I am grateful for all of the ordinary everyday things that are so easy to take for granted. A hot shower on a cold morning. A great cup of coffee. A walk at night under a shimmering moon. Laughter. Old friends. New friends. The warm sun on my face. Chocolate. Jazz. A smile from a stranger. Ice cream. Old movies. Snow falling softly. When you pay attention to the little things, the opportunities for gratitude are endless.
But not all of life is beautiful, and I am no Pollyanna. Life is often painful. Bad things happen and always will. It’s how we respond and what we learn from the difficult events of life that help us grow and become our true selves.
I have had my share of difficult life experiences: divorce, job loss, the death of loved ones, financial struggles. At the time they did not feel like blessings.
However, through divorce I learned that I am a strong, capable and independent woman. I am grateful for that lesson.
When my dad died I felt a profound sense of loss. Over time I have become grateful for the gifts he gave me, and grateful that his suffering ended.
When I lost a great job due to corporate cutbacks, I was devastated. But it made me question what I wanted and choose a better path for myself. I am grateful for the courage and for the adventure.
People I love have dealt with the cancer and its painful treatments. I am grateful for the lessons in compassion that came with being a supportive friend.
It’s no coincidence that the words “grateful” and “graceful” are so close. A prayer of gratitude brings grace. Grace calms the soul. And a calm soul is open to the beauty of the world and the knowledge that all of our experiences are necessary. Gratitude leads to grace which in turn leads to gratitude which then leads to grace. And so it goes.
Carol Dwyer is a freelance writer/editor who specializes in clear, concise copy and is passionate about spiritual growth. Carol helped edit and proofread Press Pause Moments: Essays about Life Transitions by Women Writers.
I second all those emotions!
Posted by: Signe | 11/30/2011 at 01:39 PM