Gratitude has gotten a lot of attention in the last few years. We are asked to keep gratitude journals, remember our blessings, stay positive.
And all of this becomes more difficult and feels almost irrelevant in the world we live in today. Anti-Semitism, anti- Muslim, anti-gay, anti-abortion – anti, anti, anti! It can feel like we’re being bombarded by a hailstorm of hate.
So where does gratitude fit into all of this, and how is it helpful? We don’t want to become Pollyanna, or oblivious to reality. One thing it does do is help us sort out what we can control and what we can’t.
Worrying by itself is useless. But gratitude may help you remember what you CAN do. Do you have the resources to send a donation to a worthy cause, write a letter, deliver a meal, offer a ride? Then do so, and be grateful for the positive use of your resources.
Gratitude also encourages us to slow down, breathe, and notice what IS working. The other night I was sitting outside in the dark, listening to the coyotes and owls go about their business. I felt blessed to be surrounded by nature. We haven’t ruined everything!
It is normal to feel anxious and self-protective in these troubled times. Gratitude allows us to recenter, to open our hearts, have compassion for ourselves and others. And it takes open, generous, and loving hearts to bring peace to the world.
Ask yourself-Â
What do I feel grateful for?
How can I express and share that gratitude?
How risky does it feel to open my heart? Which of my fears are realistic?
Maybe you will find some way this week to acknowledge your gratitude for the gift of being alive and having enough love to share- with others and yourself. Patty & Suzanne
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