Gratitude

[Guest guest]

Next week those of us in the USA celebrate " Thanksgiving " . Most

people know this is about a big meal celebrating our Pilgrims meal

with Native Americans, and a traditional time to enjoy the gifts of

family and friends. For those in other countries, here's a bit of

history on Thanksgiving http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

This has become a holiday of " Gratitude " . The following is an

inspirational thought on this theme, and a never ending reminder of

what is truly important.

" At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from

another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of

those who have lighted the flame within us. " Albert Schweitzer

Whatever life holds for us, we are indebted.

For life, for enjoyment, for happiness, peace, for well being.

For everything that we have, are and are going to be.

It is a privilege to be alive.

To be able to live and enjoy and give.

From the time of birth, we are in debt to a million influences.

To our miraculous physical creation – a million chemical reactions,

transformations and creative forces.

To the people who fed us from the bottle, changed our diapers,

cuddled us and gave us the physical touch that we needed, clothed us

when we couldn't have done so ourselves …

We could have perished otherwise….

Clean water.

Fresh air.

Warm clothes and cuddly blankets.

Clean hygienic surroundings.

Roof over our heads.

Those who have touched and supported us mentally emotionally when we

did not know any better.

No doubt, some experiences may have left emotional and physical

scars- but for the most part there was some good.

The fact that we exist in this universe- makes us indebted to the

creator who gave us life

Gratitude for not only the good things in our life, but also the

problems, our mistakes.

And when we realize there is a loving source behind everything, we

can be grateful.

Also for our surroundings, the wonder and beauty of nature that is

immaculate.

When we feel gratitude, and acknowledge the source, we allow

ourselves to feel joy and peace. We feel complete. The circle is

complete. We have been given, we receive and we appreciate in

gratitude.

Even the poorest of the poor can be rich if they have gratitude.

For the breath the breathe, the life they have, the little comfort

they enjoy.

The little that the poor have is better than a feast at the rich

with no gratitude or happiness.

Gratitude is wealth. Gratitude is joy.

Gratitude brings out the best in others and in us.

Gratitude releases the negative and brings in the positive.

We cannot be grateful without forgiving another.

We cannot be grateful and hold grudges and thoughts of retribution

or revenge.

If someone has caused us to suffer loss or damaged us or our

possessions to some degree and to this day cannot repay, should we

be grateful?

Before we can experience gratitude in the face of wrong, we have to

experience forgiveness. Of the event, the perpetuator, and of

ourselves. Then we can go on and be grateful.

" When we harbor negative emotions toward others or toward ourselves,

or when we intentionally create pain for others, we poison our own

physical and spiritual systems….The challenge .. is to refine our

capacity to love others as well as ourselves and to develop the

power of forgiveness.

Underlying all this is belief.

Belief that all exists for our good.

Even if something terrible has happened.

Joni Eareckson was able to express gratitude in the face of the most

devastating event that can happen – an accident that caused the loss

of use of both arms and legs, leaving her totally dependent on

another for her most basic needs. In gratitude she has written books

on her life after the tragedy carried on living again.

Zig Ziglar expressed gratitude even in his darkest days of grieving

when his daughter passed away. In gratitude for the memories

that she was able to give when she was alive. And in gratitude to

God who has a plan for his life. He was able to carry on living

through the pain, and embrace life again.

Gratitude is not an extraneous emotion that can be done with.

It is essential to our well being physically emotionally mentally

and spiritually

It is the cornerstone of peace joy and connection to the source of

all love and peace,

In gratitude we communicate with our creator.

For all that there is, that was and that will be.

Our creator has created us in love.

We reciprocate this in love and gratitude.

It is expressed in the love we give to ourselves.

It is expressed in the quality of our work, the depth of our

experiences.

It is expressed in our relationships- the love we give to our fellow

men because of the love which has been given to us.

If we can be grasp this fact, that we are expressing gratitude not

only to the people who helped us, but knowing that behind it all,

the orchestrating of all events is a wonderful and loving creator,

we can continue to have the ability to be grateful.

In the face of whatever happens, there will be gratitude.

There is always something to be grateful for.

Whatever circumstance we are in, food will taste better, colors will

look brighter, scents will smell better, water will taste sweeter,

burdens will be lighter.

And if we focus on this, the thought and gratitude expands and it

will attract more blessings and abundance.

This is the essence of the Law of attraction at work.

In acknowledgment of and together with a higher creative force for

good.

http://www.successinspired.com/motivation/gratitude-inspiration-

messages-and-thoughts/