Tonight I'd like to talk about gratitude. Sometimes it's hard to be grateful, especially when bad things happen or life seems to hit you with one thing after another. But it's very important and perhaps especially so when those harsh winds blow.
Lately I've been starting my day with thoughts of the things I am grateful for. One of the first things I do after I wake and before I even get out of bed is to wiggle my toes. Okay, this is a little quirky, but it reminds me I still have all my toes, I can move them and the corrective shoes of my youth are gone. Today my feet can dance. Have you ever watched a baby curl their toes and kick their feet in joy? Have you ever wanted to do that too? Do any of you wiggle your toes before you get up?
Then I start mentally listing things I am grateful for. There are several friends who top the list, because of their love and kindness. Sometimes it is those basic things such as having enough food to eat and a roof over my head.
Here's one thing I have discovered. By starting my day this way, I become more aware of things to be grateful for as the day progresses. And on those days when it feels like hurricane winds are blowing, sometimes it is only one small thing that I cling to which helps me through. Sometimes it is the thought of one or two dear friends.
The thing about gratitude is, it needs to do more than just hover in your body and mind and heart, it needs to be shared. It's important to say to a friend, hey thank you for .....
Thank you is more than just being polite, though that is nice too. Have you ever noticed how bland the Hallmark cards are in the thank you section? I think maybe people have lost the art of the thank you note. I think maybe it's because somehow our culture has forgotten how to be grateful.
This thought struck me and I had to write it down -
When we lose gratitude we are left with expectation.
This is the thing that permeates our culture. We are spoiled with expectation and this leads to unhappiness when our needs aren't met or when we don't get what we want.
I suspect this happens because we lose our sense of gratitude. The thing is, nobody has to do anything for anyone. Each person on this planet has the same limited amount of time in their day and each person chooses how they will use it. They do not have to give you a smile, or return your phone call or answer your email. They do not have to give you the time of day. When they do, it is a gift. Each minute of the day is a gift.
So, take a minute today and make a list of grateful things. Think about all those people who fill your grateful list. Take the time to give them the gift of your gratitude and your time in return.
(And maybe try wiggling your toes once or twice.) ;-)
Thank you my friends, for the gift of your time.
Love,
Debra
Tags: Gratitude Expectation
