Gratitude For What Is

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie

When I initially sat down to write today’s newsletter I had a different theme to write on but then I had the strongest urge to focus on this very one - Gratitude for what is.

As I made a cup of tea before delving in I was hit with a wave of nostalgia about our trip to Ghana last year. I started recollecting the songs my sister and I listened to as we got ready to go out, the conversations with family and the laughter of my cousin’s little son, I missed it all so much but my heart was so full. I didn’t know how this fit into being grateful for what is but as I think about it I have been blessed with a lot and these experiences are a few of many that have recently happened that have changed the way I look at things.

We were very young when we lost our biological dad and at that time things seemed bleak, my mum had to support 3 little girls all by herself but she met our adoptive dad some years after and they got married. When she had to leave to be with her new husband she made a choice to take us all with her as we were too young to be on our own. She also had a choice to leave us with our grandma but she didn’t and that choice she made is one that has changed the course of our lives forever.

The reason I bring this up is to give you some background as to why I choose to show gratitude for what is today. With this single thought at the back of my mind and seeing how things could have been different had she made another choice, the things I might complain about seem unimportant. You might not see it now but you too have so much to be grateful for and especially as things are at the moment.

One thing that always puts things into perspective for me is reflection, yes thinking back on things that pertain to a current challenge. I wish to be, do and have more but as I reflected on how far I have come even in these last couple of years with covid and everything in-between there is more than enough good as it is.

Yes I am striving for more but can I take a moment and show my appreciation for having and still being in a job through these hard times and even getting multiple sources of income? Then investing in myself to grow as a person, a coach and a business owner. My heart is full for the many projects I have and I am still working on, these are works in progress and may have taken longer than expected but I am still progressing everyday. Are you in the place of appreciating this as they are now? Well, if not let me share some things you can consider to raise the vibration for gratitude.

Look around and acknowledge all your senses working now without the support of any external aid, then if possible walk out into the sun, rain, cold air or whatever weather it is and feel this on your face. Take a moment and acknowledge that you live in a place where you are well and healthy and can go out to experience these natural things without fear for your life, because if you think that this is a given, ask the one who can’t feel, touch, see, taste or hear; or has to hide away from some life threatening factor and can’t easily enjoy the sun or rain or the child that has to walk miles to sell something before they can eat, maybe this will help you count your blessing for exactly what is.

So today rather than really looking hard to find something extraordinary to be grateful for I go to the basics and show my utmost gratitude for abundance of air, water, health, peace, sustenance and vitality for right here and now this is what I need and what is, in the present moment. What in this present moment are you grateful for?

Affirmation:

I have so many good things in my life to be thankful for.