The Gift of Gratitude

We end a month where we celebrated the harvest, abundance, and gratitude, culminating with Thanksgiving before now launching into Advent and preparations for Christmas.

It is proper and fitting that we acknowledge these things so that we can best prepare our hearts for the Advent Season, which in turn prepares us for Christmas. The vast majority of people are unaware of this important season and skip it, jumping into the celebration of Christmas itself. But then, most have lost the reason for the season...

But that is another story and entry...

Today, I wish to share some additional thoughts on gratitude...

I came across this quote, among many other beautiful ones on Thanksgiving Day, and I have pondered it over and over again, because it truly summarizes for me what this is really all about:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. 

It turns what we have into enough, and more. 

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, 

confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, 

a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. 

Gratitude makes sense of our past, 

brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” 

~ Melody Beattie

I also spent part of the day reading, after the tasks of preparing a meal and sharing it were done. I was especially drawn to the "Gratitude" section in What I Know for Sure, by Oprah Winfrey, where I came across these lovely passages:

"Whenever there is a graceful moment, I note it. I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up for you in life changes your whole world. You radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you're aware of all you have and not focusing on your have-nots. 

I know for sure if you make time for a little gratitude every day, you'll be amazed by the results."

"Being grateful all the time isn't easy. But it's when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. Gratitude can transform any situation. It alters your vibration, moving you from negative energy to positive. It's the quickest, easiest, most powerful way to effect change in your life - this I know for sure.

Here's the gift of gratitude: In order to feel it, your ego has to take backseat. What shows up in its place is greater compassion and understanding. And the more grateful you become, the more you choose appreciation. And the more grateful you become, the more you have to be grateful for.

Maya Angelou was so right. Whatever you are going through, you will do just that: go through it. It will pass. So say thank-you now. Because you know the rainbow is coming."

"If the only prayer you ever say

in your entire life, is 'Thank you,'

it will be enough."

~ Meister Eckhart