Gratitude
and a sense of well being go hand in hand. It is difficult to be
unhappy when we count our blessings. I learned this lesson in my
20's when I first entered into a 12-step program and got a sponsor.
She told me to develop an "attitude of gratitude" and
that it would carry me through the worst of times.
Later on
in my 30's, when I began to study with my Native American Wolf Clan
Grandmother Twylah, she told me that next to the principle of truth,
gratitude was the most important principle to her people. I learned
that all of nature and all the spirit helpers want to be loved,
appreciated and praised.
When we
truly praise others, be they two legged or four, the trees, the
water, the mountains… they respond in a most favorable way.
We can feel immediately the shift of energy around the aura of other
beings and places when we are beaming them with our sincere, open-hearted
gratitude and love.
Meditating
on God/Goddess's grace and blessings changes the very chemicals
and wave patterns within our brains, which in turn has the ability
to make us feel joyful and happy.
This is
not an airy-fairy idea or "spiritual by pass" ~ this is
practical mysticism at work.
I know that when I feel appreciated by others I tend to draw closer
to them. From the Shamanic perspective, our loving and appreciative
thoughts draw good spirits and helpers closer to us. Everything
longs to be seen and valued for what it has to offer. Each one of
us deeply desires to bring our gifts to the world and experience
the worth of that offering from others.
And so there
is something each of us can do each morning, no matter how we are
feeling. We can wake up and start the day with a simple choice of
taking a moment to reflect upon the good in our lives and in the
lives of those we love and the world. Through prayers we can send
our gratitude and praises to the Great Mystery. We can let others
in our lives know how much we appreciate some small kindness they
have given us over the years with a phone call, a letter or quick
email. We can make a gratitude list and keep it going, adding each
day those beings, places and things for which we are grateful.
In these small ways we can re-experience the goodness in our lives
and remember that feeling loved and a part of the universe is just
an attitude away.
It has been
said that to change your attitude or mind and will change your life.
I want to take this opportunity to offer a simple thank you to all
of my Venus Rising Soul Family and Friends for the many ways in
which you continue to bless my life. My life is so much richer for
having shared this journey with you thus far and I am looking forward
to crossing paths with many of you again and again as time passes
by.
