“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Though we are presently in the season of “giving thanks”—that time of year when we reflect and open our hearts making them softer and more pliable, more in tuned with all of those things, people, and experiences in our lives that we should be grateful for—a state of gratitude should be something we strive to achieve year round, moment by moment.
Gratitude is a choice.
It is a conscious decision made to find the good or the worth in all experiences, and in each and every moment.
It is a desire to remain open, and willing, and enthusiastic to see what is around the corner, even if the times are trying, and if the current rung on the ladder upon which one is standing is challenging.
I am grateful to experience it all, the beautiful and the ugly, because that teaches me that both are contained within me.
All things come together to serve creation, to teach it, to push it along, to encourage change, and to see growth happen; and if one can have eyes to see that, and ears to hear it, then the sweet fragrance of gratitude can make its way into the consciousness and fill our being with light, hope, and the courage needed to go boldly into the remaining days we have here.
Personally, I am grateful for the incredible year that our family has had, and when I say “incredible”, that is not to say “easy” nor only joy-filled and a breeze.
No, while there have been many beautiful, joyous, harmonious, happy, light, easy and “feels like heaven” days, there have also been many a sleepless nights, a few health scares, some sadness and a sense of missing due to separation, some deep inner reflections that have yielded the type of self-scrutiny that can be paralyzing, some guttural cries expressed, some fists being shaken at the heavens, and some moments when tough decisions had to be made in spite of the fact that courage seemed to be playing hiding and seek.
An easy life has never been promised us; however, understanding and wisdom are there for our taking if we question earnestly, honestly, and with the intention to get answers, staying open to the fact that those answers may come in the most unexpected ways or in the least obvious places, or perhaps even as more questions—the right questions—that will place us, once and for all, on the path we're meant to travel.
As humans, our existence is a state of perpetual dichotomy—a state of night and morning, truth and lies, love and hate, hope and fear, good and evil; and all of it is meant to show us something, and teach us what “all” feels like, what life tastes like.
And for this, I am grateful.
I am grateful to experience it all, the beautiful and the ugly, because that teaches me that both are contained within me.
It is easy to be grateful for the laughter, the sunny days, a raise in salary, the success of one's business, plentitude.
But can we also find it in our selves to have gratitude for those moments in life that push us beyond what seems to be our limits? Or that create a feeling of discomfort? Or that bring us to our knees in a state of total openness and willingness to change something?
I am grateful to be alive, and to have the privilege of feeling the gentle push of this existence on my back.
May gratitude be a conscious thing, a state that we choose to walk in, a mindset that we make a part of our very fabric.
Life, indeed, is incredible, with all of its various flavors and shades that make up our total existence—may we consciously see the good, the worth, in all of it, because all of it is contained within each of us.
Taste what's good and pass it on.
Ingrid
“From The Heart” is a space for me to share some of my more personal thoughts on life. Here you'll find my reflections on my own inner/spiritual journey; on being a wife and mother; on being a creative; and general observations, pretty much whatever is on my mind.
I whole-heartedly believe that sharing 'from the heart' with one another is what connects us, heals us, and inspires us! Glad you're here...
tree
Thank you, Ingrid, for this very timely and eloquent writing. I practice unconditional gratitude, free of judgment because i know that some of my more cringe worthy experiences have brought me to beautiful ways of being and nourished my soul in ways i never would have expected. It has helped me to release judgment, fear, and expectation in the present moment as I just wonder how these events are going to unwind. I trust life and feel that I am in greater alignment with my soul/s Source.
This Thursday, on which our attention is focused is Gratitude Day for me and I will try to make your yummy polenta.
Thank you for your endeavor in which you nourish me body and soul.
love, tree
The Cozy Apron
Hi tree, thank you so much for sharing such beautiful sentiments; I also very much appreciate you sharing your perspective, and your personal practice with me and other readers. I hope you have an amazing Gratitude Day, and if you do end up preparing the polenta casserole, may you be comforted by it! ❤️
Roseanne Sabol
Ingrid....such beautiful words. I'm struck by how often we, you and I, seem to be working on the same plane. Our family has also had challenges this year, on-going and random, that have caused us to reassess our lives. My work this year is to see all of it as gift and to have gratitude for each aspect of it. I am grateful beyond words to know that my husband can see these events in the same light.
I hope you and your family are well and I hope you get some wonderfully long visits with your sweet and dear Marine.♥️
The Cozy Apron
Roseanne, thank you so much...
Please know that I will be thinking of you and your family in these upcoming weeks, sending prayers of comfort and love to you all. And having a partner to walk through all kinds of moments—the ups and the downs—is a real blessing, and I'm so glad to read that you have that, as well; and we are better women for it.
We will be spending some time with our Marine, indeed; and I hope you will enjoy some family time with your precious daughter. May we all enjoy these children of ours while they are still happily willing to spend time at home! Much love, xoxo!