THE PURE PRACTICE OF GRATITUDE

Gratitude is the best attitude. ~Author Unknown

We all have busy lives and sometimes, it seems as if we are almost “juggling balls in the air” in order to just get through the day successfully. At times, things just seem to go wrong in our day to day lives and it is as if there’s the “Sword of Damocles” hanging over our heads. We ask ourselves, “What could go wrong next?” I think it’s fair to say that we could use some assistance from the Universe and/or a Higher Power to smooth our daily pathways and bring peace and abundance into our world and the lives of others.

Many Sensei and Teachers of the Spirit speak of the practice of Gratitude; in which one acknowledges a grateful attitude for the positive things in their daily life, and as a result, the Universe will reward that person with days filled with contentment, love and happiness. “Wow! Is it really that simple to possess happiness?” you may ask. Yes, it is!


CULTIVATING GRATITUDE
How does one show or cultivate Gratitude? We all have something to be grateful about; be it our families, a good friend, a satisfying job, our favorite pet’s affection...even if it’s a simple as a hot meal or a good hair day or getting to work on time. Our Teachers of the Spirit ask us to determine what we are grateful about and then to follow one or two simple processes to practice Gratitude and show appreciation for the good in our lives. Here’s some suggestions which will result in a more powerful and positive life for everyone:

Journaling
Just writing in a journal on a daily basis and listing what you are grateful for in your life is a practice encouraged by many practitioners, such as television interviewer and humanitarian Oprah Winfrey and author Sarah Ban Breathnach. In 1995, Ms. Breathnach wrote Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy and followed with a companion book entitled, Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude. Books such as these are an excellent way to begin the good habit of noticing the beautiful things, events and people in our lives and acknowledging them in a beneficial and healing manner.

Gratitude Affirmations
You can write and or chant affirmations about Gratitude as part or all of your practice. Visit the Quotes on Gratitude website or the Quotes Garden for great affirmations to use or for ideas for creating your own gratitude affirmations!

Be Grateful Towards Others
We all can point to a time when the actions of others brought about a positive change in our life. A good way to practice Gratitude is to focus on those persons who have taken the time to support us personally or globally in a constructive and beneficial way. Try using these methods in this blog for others as well as yourself!

Also, visit a local site in your town or city which honors the sacrifices of others in your city or town. For instance, last April, four of the last 23 surviving British veterans of the First World War visited London’s Centopath to honor the 90th Anniversary of that conflict’s outbreak. These brave men, who were all over 100 years of age, attended a special honorary service and laid a wreath to show appreciation towards those who lost their lives in that War. This is showing Gratitude on a very deep and precious level.

Or, keep it effortless and give a simple gift to a friend, such as a single flower or lovely card when they least expect it.

You can also send an anonymous donation to a favorite charity or friend who could use some assistance.

It’s amazing how a sincere "Thank You" can do wonders for the recipient and you!

Gratitude Prayers
A daily Prayer spoke orally or silently is a miraculous way to practice Gratitude. A holy book or prayer book is a great resource for finding a intimate prayer, or visit the website Soulful Living for a beautiful list of Gratitude Prayers. You’ll also find a comprehensive collection of Gratitude Articles there as well.

Gratitude Spirit Journey
Visit a local Labyrinth and do a Spirit Journey while chanting a Gratitude prayer or affirmation. Or, simply do your Gratitude Walk during your daily exercise program, hike, or run. Learn more about the power of the mystical Labyrinth by clicking this link.

OTHER UNIQUE WAYS TO PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Cafe′ Gratitude
In San Francisco, there is a great restaurant called Cafe′ Gratitude which supports local farmers and nourishes its customers with the practice of Gratitude.

The mission statement of Cafe′ Gratitude is (abbrv.):

Our food and people are a celebration of our aliveness....
Our food is prepared with love.
We invite you to step inside
and enjoy being someone who chooses;
loving your life, adoring yourself,
accepting the world, being generous and grateful everyday,
and experiencing being provided for.
Have fun and enjoy nourishing yourself.

The charming menu lists healthy dishes with names such as, ‘I Am Big-Hearted, I Am Flourishing, I Am Peaceful, I Am Giving, I Am Present’, etc. You can visit Cafe′ Gratitude at 2400 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA (415) 824-4652.

Angel Of The Hours
ABC of Gratefulness-A Network for Grateful Living features an interactive metholodogy for slowing down and cultivating Gratefulness and Gratitude. Called the Angel of the Hours, you choose your particular time of day and then relax and listen to beautiful music and contemplate the applicable specific angel and its' spirit message. This is a wonderful way to breathe deeply, rest in the present moment and reflect upon the positive moments of your day or evening.

Carolyn Myss, a popular medical intuitive and author, has written an incredible new book entitled Invisible Acts of Power and uses true stories to teach the reader how to access Divine Grace and to find “their seven stages of generosity and compassion to transform our lives, gain a great sense of spirituality, and create miracles.”

On March 5, 2005, Ms. Myss and her publisher Hay House, Inc. will be hosting an Invisible Acts of Power Lecture at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For more information and other locations outside of California, visit this link or Carolyn Myss online.

A Thirty Day Practice of Gratitude
Dana Reynolds, spiritual midwife and author has posted a wonderful article called Cultivating Gratitude: Heart-Hugs and Prayer Leaves. In this wide-ranging article, Ms. Reynolds outlines a practice of Gratitude to take place over a thirty-day period, which includes waking up to Gratitude and spreading the Message of Gratitude Awareness.

Also, What Is Gratitude recommends using quotes and journaling as a way to bring out positive life changes in thirty days. Participants are encouraged to contact them after the thirty-day gratitude journaling period and share how their world has been enhanced by the practice.

Gratitude and Numerology
Numerologist Rob Ragozzine, has posted the commentary, The Role of Numerology in Gratitude and Giving which demonstrates the balance of karma with personal numbers could cause struggle and how the practice of Gratitude can keep one more focused on the more positive aspects of karma and that we are the true architects of our lives.


GRATITUDE RESOURCES

Sacred Journey Magazine is devoted to “the Many Paths and Practices of Love, Compassion and Wisdom”., featured an amazing article by David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B. entitled Practicing Gratitude, in which he discusses Gratitude as is applies to the monastic practice of The Hours. This article is a fascinating read. A reprint is posted at Brother Steindl-Rast’s afore-mentioned website, ABC of Gratefulness-A Network for Grateful Living. You’ll also find other wonderful articles posted there as well.

Writer M.J. Ryan’s book, Attitudes of Gratitude; How To Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life guides the reader in various methods for creating and living with an open heart full of appreciation towards others and oneself.

ABC of Gratefulness-A Network for Grateful Living is a comprehensive website created by David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B.’s website which features subjects such as Living Gratefully, Practices for Grateful Living, questions about Gratefulness and much, much more. Brother Steindl-Rast’s encourages everyone to visit, light a candle and peruse the great information on Gratitude posted there.

Highlights From The Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness
Read about a psycho-scientific research project directed by Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis and Michael E. McCullough, University of Miami which is currently in the process of determining the benefits of keeping a daily Gratitude journal or lists. So far, the results have been extremely encouraging; indicating that those people who show the most gratitude are the more happy and contented in their lives as compared to those persons who do not. Follow this link to read more about this project via the Miami-Herald Newspaper.

Part of the article states, “...people can learn to be grateful, McCullough said. One Gratitude study he worked on asked respondents to make daily notes on four or five things for which they were thankful -- even if it was just a sunny day. The results: ''In just two to three weeks they reported being happier,'' he said. "People close to them could see the difference too.''

How to Create A Gratitude Journal is an excellent article posted at Hertopia by the author Cynthia Sue Larson. In the article, Ms. Larson recommends one choose a specific time to write three daily pages in a special notebook and asserts that keeping a Gratitude Journal will “make your dreams come true.”

Wishing you Peace and Prosperity! SweetKali