The Attitude of Gratitude
When I first heard that phrase, my cynical ear heard it as a way of covering a cow patty with chocolate – sounded good/right, but stinky stuff lay under the cheesy/catchy phrase that contaminated the chocolate.
But this morning (and many other times), I know how this Feels in my body. I can tell it’s real when I feel the prick of tears in my eyes, the lump in my throat, and the warm ache in my chest – like my chest is too small to contain this feeling of Grateful Wonder. How did I ever get to this place in my life? It’s very humbling, this attitude of gratitude.
It’s really not that I deserve this goodness in my life, I’m not entitled to it. Truly – it’s offered to me (and you) – for free – for no reason that makes sense to me. And I have stepped in with my Yes to that which is offered – for free.
In some ways, it’s bold and courageous – as it defies the self-deprecating voice in my head that says I don’t deserve Anything good. And in other ways, it’s claiming my spiritual destiny – serving the bigger picture that is My Part to play in the world. So I gratefully accept all that I am, all that I’ve been given, so I may fulfill that which is mine to fulfill. Humbling. Grateful. Excitedly curious how it will all play out.
Amen, Ann.
indeed.
For me gratitude is a continuous search and stance in life to be grateful for whatever comes my way. It comes easier when I like what I am presented with (I recall a specific instance when I was served a beautiful dinner in a restaurant), but deeper and more meaningful when I search and find gratitude in events I don’t want to be confronted with. I recall deep gratitude for my father as soon as I got over my upset of his sudden and unexpected death.
Thank you Ann for reminding me of that 🙂
Gratitude is always on offer. It’s up to us to choose to accept it or keep it at bay. I agree that being grateful for “hard” things is not easy, but the rewards seem to be greater – a lift in spirit, a deepening of our faith in ourselves and in the Greater Good.
Reading this post (for the second time) I feel my own warm ache in the chest, and the hot tickle of the salty waterfalls spilling over my checks. I grope for words; it stops. I go back to the feeling; the words disappear again. Thank you for finding the words to share this moment, Ann. I’ve seen you in some of those moments, and felt the ripple of the energy hit my heart–and nudge, knock or blast it open, till I’m in that amazing tearful, grateful space too. And I’ve seen and felt it move through a room full of people. Any day is a welcome time for this feeling and for sharing it. But I especially appreciate the timing of this blog — the week leading up to the Opening the Heart course here in Houston. I want to be mindful not to latch onto expectations, but I am open to your bringing this attitude with you, and sharing it yet again. And I’m excited — and alternately scared — but working on just being open to what shows up.
Beautiful, heartfelt words, Cecillia. And my intention is certainly to bring not only gratitude, but deep compassion to Opening the Heart. It’s one of my favorite courses. It’s so real.