The Power of Gratitude

Too often we measure ourselves by the good things that have happened in our lives, or by the goodness in the lives of others for which we take credit.  Too seldom we pause and really embrace that every event that affects us, happens to us, takes place near us in the result of the confluence of countless micro happenings, numerous factors and many phenomena which we can neither see, touch taste. smell or appreciate.  Instead we inflate ourselves with undue credit for the good and/or focus on  the bad as a measuring stick of where and who we are.  Today is time to change how we see ourselves, our lives and the world around us.

The most powerful human phenomenon in the world is love.  A close second is gratitude.  Being grateful for what we have and our attending circumstances seems far from second nature.  Instead we assume and presume that things are good for us or bad for us because thats just the way things were supposed to be.  The truth is that we have the power over our circumstances and thus, our lives.  We control what we do.  We control how we react to what others do to us.  We control our approach to the future.  It starts with being grateful.  We must remind ourselves of the everyday joys that surround us.  We must make note of how much worse things could be with just a small twist of circumstances.  We must continually replay in our heads the fact that the opportunity to take another breath, another step and open our eyes are the seeds for positive change.  With this recognition comes gratitude.  Being thankful for our lives, the loved ones around us and even our enemies is the foundation for growth.  Gratitude is the vessel through which more good travels to us.  Gratitude allows us to embrace ourselves in the richness of the present.  Gratitude makes your tastebuds appreciate the sweet in your favorite food.  Gratitude makes a warm smile and a firm embrace or hug last forever.  Gratitude puts pep in your step.  Gratitude makes the music play in your head long after the radio has gone off.  Gratitude makes the waking hours feel as new as they really are.  Gratitude is the opportunity for each of us to get the best out of all we have.  Like it or not, there is no other moment than the present.  We can change the past and cannot guarantee the future.  All we can do is live in the present and rejoice it, cherish it and be grateful.  Then life is truly good