The Funny Thing About Gratitude

The funny thing about gratitude is that it is not a one day a year thing, it's actually a way of life. The day we celebrate as the day of giving thanks is not the celebration of the culmination of great things, but rather a celebration of life itself.

I love Thanksgiving. Where I live, nearly 150 people come together for it. Each brings their dish and it becomes a magnificent feast, then we all sit together and celebrate. It is my very favorite celebration of the year, my very favorite day, perhaps because it is the day that everyone remembers. We remember that we have family, friends, and many gifts in this life to be thankful for, and we actually remember to say thank you.

The funny thing about gratitude though is that it is a way of life. Yes, we should come together to celebrate gratitude, but even more so we should find a way to celebrate it daily.

The only answer is to see each and every moment as a gift. Life is the gift. If only we can remember to be grateful for each moment of it, there is a gift in each moment. If only we can remember to be grateful for each experience, there is a gift in each experience. The more we celebrate our gratitude for the gifts life offers us, the more we are showered with the abundance of gifts from life.

Stop saying, "No," to life by resisting it. Don't say no when someone gives you a gift; and don't say no to life's gifts. Open your arms to embrace life and say, "thank you" instead of "no." And do it daily.

One of the most powerful tools of gratitude is to write down 100 things - every day - that you are grateful for. Each day create your list anew. This practice integrates gratitude into your daily thought processes. Instead of it just being an exercise, it starts infiltrating your thoughts during the rest of the day - - something happens and you make a mental note to write that down tomorrow, and something else comes up and all of a sudden, all day long you are making mental notes of gratitude. One day you don't need the lists anymore - gratitude will have become the essence of your being and you will be rich beyond belief.

The power of gratitude is the richness of existence that is incomparable to anything else. Every single moment is glorious and beautiful, because you treat it reverently as the most precious gift you have ever been given. In our minds we know this is true.

The funny thing about gratitude is that it is Now. Today is the day to start living it. Carry it forth beyond this most blessed day. practice it until it becomes an integral part of your being. Find a way to celebrate everyday through the practice of gratitude.

Blessings.
- Darshan

© 2008 Darshan F Jessop