Gratitude. The word and the concept is now so ubiquitous that it almost doesn't resonate anymore. And yet, we all know the teachings that encourage us to be grateful. The ones that say gratitude is the basis of abundance. And we all have things, people, that we are thankful for. And most of us would say that we are often grateful. But how do we develop a pattern of, or a mindset of being in state of gratitude for our very lives? For the minutia that is gorgeous but often goes unnoticed? For all the little gifts we are given each day and take for granted? And do we really want to? And if so why? What is your motivation? Because it seems like the right thing to do? Or because you want to reap the supposed benefits of a gratitude practice?
While there is no right or wrong answer here, or anywhere, it is important to be clear about your motivation. Clarity will tell you if this is soul driven. If you truly want it. And what does that even look like? For me it looks like dropping down into my body and noticing how something feels. Literally feels in my gut, my muscles, my heart. I can feel if it resonates, and if it resonates, it's relevant to me. If it resonates, it's a path I want to follow. And if not, I let it go. I let it go no matter how many others are following or doing or practicing the thing.
We have been so conditioned to look outside of ourselves for direction and fulfillment and guidance, that we have lost the ability to look within and to trust the answers we find there. To really connect with our inner guides, our instincts, our intuition. That skill that came so easily to us when we arrived. We didn't need someone else to tell us when we were hungry, or tired, or scared. We knew when someone or something did not feel right or safe and we made our feelings known. But likely the adults in our lives knew better and would override our feelings, and eventually we tuned in more and more outwardly and less and less inwardly, until we forgot what it felt like to be connected to ourselves and our innate knowing.
So maybe start today, and start with gratitude. Where are those moments that light you up? The moments that make you notice? They are so key to unlocking what gives you pleasure; the first sip of coffee in the morning, the wind in your face when you step outside, the song on the radio, the feel of hot water in the shower, the tiny bird that keeps showing up on your feeder, a sunset...the possibilities are endless. Notice what you notice loves, and when you do, take a moment to say thank you more please. The noticing will become more and more obvious, it will become easier to stop and have a moment of thankfulness, and before long you will be both more internally guided and more often in a state of gratitude. But my dear ones, only if it is what you want. What resonates. What you feel. Drop down inside and feel your way to whatever it is you need to expand and elevate to joy, for only you truly have the answer.