GRATITUDE MONTH: DAY 19: “To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”― Thomas Merton
When we actively practice gratitude, which means doing the work, day after day, not just thinking about it or talking about it, we begin to have a huge shift in consciousness. We are becoming humble and filled with heartfelt joy. We begin to feel loved and supported, rather than constantly seeking for gratification and reassurances of our worth.
There is a shift in brain chemistry that has been seen and documented hundreds of times in clinical trials and years of research. Our brains CHANGE! Actually change! But, the work of consistently, day in and day out, writing a list of things for which we are grateful is something most addicts just won’t do. They will find every excuse and so-called reason for never doing this simple task. Why? Addicts! Lazy, entitled, full of busy-ness. Every single thing that can be put ahead of any kind of discipline will be inserted into a position of prominence and deemed “more important” or higher in priority. We do not know how to make recovery a primary priority.
But, when the two people I know who have consistently done this with me for over 30 years come together, we are the most spiritual light I ever get to sit within. We live and manifest this thing in our lives and in all circumstances. Because we have lived full and amazing lives, we have transcended tragedy, we have acquired deep peace that seldom gets rattled by the day-to-day situations in which we find ourselves. I truly do wish that I had more friends with whom to truly share this journey. It is sad that so few will dig deeply enough to go all the way down the road of spiritual expression.
But, I am grateful as hell for this teaching, for this experience, for this day and this way of life. It truly is something that makes each moment precious and beautiful. I am fed and nurtured in ways that are so powerful that I do not always see the purpose of some things. The really cool part is that it only takes a few days till I can. There is seldom a place where I feel abandoned or lost. In fact, that is long past my experience of my life today. What a tremendous gift this is!
Dolphin Hug 