Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Gratitude


I spied this little saying on the the side of Willow's blog. It was so meaningful to me, I thought I would put it on my Intention Board and share it with you:

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates vision for tomorrow.

Melody Beattie

I believe that remaining in a grateful state of mind is the secret to happiness. It's not dependent on anything other than your frame of mind. Speaking of which, your mind cannot think more than one thought at a time. Therefore, when I'm feeling down, and it has gone on too long, I will begin to change the "mind rut" that I'm in by listing, in detail, all the things I'm grateful for. I might start with clean running water when I turn on the tap. How amazing is that? Do you realize how many people in the world do not have clean water to drink, or bathe? Start there and work your way through all the things for which you have to be grateful, and the mind will follow along. Do you have something right now that makes you feel especially grateful?


51 comments:

Mary Ellen said...

Hmmm . . I'm grateful that it isn't cold and snowy anymore, for one thing. And that I have a job - with colleagues I enjoy and a chance to make a difference (at least on occasion). And that the people in my family are safe and well. I'm grateful for the internet - which allows perfect strangers to touch at a heart level, if we are willing to be honest.

Joanne said...

At this very moment, I hear rain drops hitting my window and I'm grateful for the warm,late spring water falling on the tomato seedlings I planted this weekend.

ellen abbott said...

I am grateful for all my blessings and they are legion. Most recently, I am grateful for my wonderful daughter and the person she is.

scarlethue said...

You know how I feel about being grateful!! Listing my blessings once a week has really made a difference in my life. I do it mentally several times a day. Today I'm grateful that the rain has stopped and that my husband gets me so completely.

Nicole said...

Right now in this moment I am greatful for the soft, warm bed that I am sitting in...comftable reading this wonderful post :)

Anonymous said...

Sometimes we feel poorness because we didn't get what we want...

Sometimes we feel the world isn't fair because of failure comes insistently....

Whereas, without realizing, we've got much beautiful things, we've got much love, we've got much success...

And someone who's never grateful, will keep not realize it, then happiness is hard to come to him...

This post realize me to always be grateful. Although, my gratitude feeling will never comparable with what I've got....

Lydia said...

Beautiful quote and beautiful post. Melinda who authors The Melindaville Blog writes that she says her "gratefuls" daily. I love the concept. My mother used to amaze me by always always always finding something to be grateful for, no matter how troubling the time, demanding the job, stressful the life event. She was a great role model for me.

Tess Kincaid said...

Isn't Melody's quote the best? I'm glad it struck a chord with you, as it did with me. It sums up the essence of life, don't you think?

TheChicGeek said...

Oh, such beautiful words! Gratitude, I think, is the key to true happiness. We have so much to be grateful for. When life gets me down and I stop for even a moment to be thankful, suddenly things don't seem so bad. Even the uncomfortable things we experience can be lessons learned, and that always makes for a better more positive life path. What am I grateful for right this minute? Hmmmm, I think I am most grateful for the opportunity to read your wise words and remember to be grateful!
Have a Beautiful Evening!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Simply lovely!!!! Gratitude truly trumps grumbling...makes all the difference...reminds me of one of my favorite books as a child... Pollyanna...I always loved her "glad" game!!! And I am glad for your friendship, for your blog, and for this terrific post!!! You remind us to think of what is truly important! ~Janine XO

harmony said...

Gratitude is powerful. Recently, I started reflecting on what I am thankful for, while easing into yoga. I arrive early to the class to ensure a comfortable place for me and also, now, to enjoy that time for reflection.
I am grateful for the people in my life and the opportunities that have happened because I feel open to them. I am thankful for your blog and others that I have stumbled across. I loved this post--thank you for reaffirming that Like attracts Like...

Anonymous said...

Thank you Lover of Life for sharing Willow's post.

I am grateful to God for His blessings-being able to get up each day, to walk, to laugh and cry with my family, to taste my food, to see nature and all its splendor, and most of all experiencing God's love and healing.

Kay said...

Right now? I am grateful for deciding to try something different and getting orange tea yesterday and the fact that my water boils in the kettle in just a matter of minutes! I love your exercise here; although, I am fairly confident my mind has many, many thoughts at once! :)

Lillian Robinson said...

I am grateful for my internet connection that allowed me to read this post! Wonderful words. I shall copy them down. It is how I try to look at things. Thank you so much for sharing.

I am grateful for all my blog family. I hope they know...

Natalie said...

Hi LOL! I live everyday in a grateful way now. Sometimes, even often, some days, I'll catch myself grumbling and immediately cancel the thought. In it's place, I list the positives straight away, out loud.I sound positively loony, but I am very happy.
Love to you.xx♥

CrazyCris said...

Or as Frances Hogsdon Burnett put it in The Secret Garden: "Where you plant a rose my lad, a thistle cannot grow." ;o)

I'm thankful for the beautiful Spring we're having, as opposed to the "why does it have to rain every single weekend!" from last year! :p

And for the great and absolutely nutty family I have! :o)

Unknown said...

Life makes me grateful- my number one saying to both my students and clients is 'get to gratitude'- everything is obtainable from there xx

Missy said...

Thanks for the great reminder. I was feeling really down in the dumps today. I'm grateful for the roof over my head, the coffee I'm drinking, the computer I'm staring at and the blog I'm reading....just to name a few things happening right at this second. Oh and that my husband has a job he just left for and I have one to leave for very soon.

robert said...

Gratefulness reflects the memory of the heart. J. Baptiste Massieu

Seeing the joy and gratefulness within the eyes of students after passing an exam, makes me grateful to have been there teacher.
What an important entry of yours today!

Reya Mellicker said...

What I treasure are those small miraculous moments when I remember to be grateful. It's like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert or sitting down to a delicious meal when I'm really hungry.

It's a practice for me, not something I can always do. But when I can? It's bliss.

Leah J. Utas said...

Absolutely right. Be grateful and watch how good your life gets. There's always something to be grateful for. Potable tap water as you say, and the air we breathe. If you're not sure what to be grateful why not start with the fact that you're breathing?
Right now I am grateful the house wren is back and building a nest close by and that I got some adequate pics of same.

luksky said...

Thanks for posting this. I really needed to read something like this in hopes of snapping me out my "blah" that I have been feeling lately.

Crazeebee747 said...

I hear you on gratitude. I try every 2nd day to be grateful for at least 100 things. And yes, when I first started it was like all daunting. But once you realize that you can crack a list of a 100 easily with more to spare you realize how all the little things add up and that you are sooooo blessed!

Adiya said...

I'm grateful for my family...even though sometimes i don't show it.

Anonymous said...

Hi LOL! On a simple level, I'm grateful for my computer working at the moment so I don't miss out on everyone's stories and photos. On a deeper level I'm grateful for being alive, I didn't always want to be, but I'm glad I am now. And yes, I totally agree that gratitude is an eye opening thing because when you appreciate all you have, why would you want anything more?

Anonymous said...

Btw, our pets feel gratitude too, a great example of gratitude are the little pug kisses I get all the time. That's pure gratitude and love!

Marlene said...

I really love thay quote!

Swetha said...

Im very grateful that i have a good family and good friends...

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful quote. I am extremely grateful for my vast collections of books. In some countries women still are not allowed to own books.
I am grateful for my husband (who is coming home in 2 days!)
And I am grateful for my mother.

Really, I am grateful for all of the pleasurable things I have in my life. I am healthy, happy, and educated for the most part.
What more could I possibly ask for?

critterlover said...

This is such a great reminder. I have for some time been trying to focus on gratitude and it really does change your life.

I am grateful every day for the love of my fantastic husband. For the health and joy of my critters. For my home, it's perfect, I love it, it's always in some form of project and that's great. I'm grateful that I get to work in a field where I can help people and I enjoy it. I'm grateful for our pool in these hot summer days. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Every little thing we take for granted is something to be grateful for.

Carlos said...

what an awesome post and so true... i really needed to hear that today thanks

Mom! Dude! said...

Again, an awesome posts. Keep up the wonderful work!

Lisa said...

Very true.. there is so much that we DO take for granted. The quote is wonderful.

Stella Jones said...

Grateful, oh yes, my cup runneth over, it really does. I have more than enough in my life to be thankful for.
Blessings, Star

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Your post immediately reminded me of what Sniffles & Smiles related...Pollyanna and the Glad game. Everyday, when I wake, I give thanks for just being alive to live another day on this beautiful earth. It starts the day in a positive attitude. At this very moment, I am grateful for my eyes...that I can read your words. Beautiful post...as always...

Erika C. said...

This is wonderful and I try to live by this too. A good reminder. Have you seen the wonderful website Gratefulness.org? I think that's the right address. I will post it on my blog if that isn't right.

love,
ERika

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I am grateful for so many things. Right now I am grateful for this little rest after a long day of grounds keeping.....grateful for the grounds to keep.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for reminding us all to be grateful. Reflecting upon the holiday we just celebrated...those who gave their lives so that we may enjoy the freedoms they fought for humbles me. I celebrated my 55th birthday yesterday, and I am very grateful for that as well. Not everyone gets the privilege to grow older. I am thankful (AND grateful) that my daughter and son-in-law who live in Baltimore were able to fly home to spend it with me along with my younger son who lives in Las Vegas. Their father is a Viet Nam veteran, and I am SO VERY grateful to him as well. Yes, I DO have a very grateful heart. Thank you, Lord!

ruthibel said...

this is a beutiful quote.

Right now I am grateful for my family and for all the wonderful ppl who continue to offer encouragement and hope.

And blogs that do likewise :)

Bogey said...

Yes....coming by here and reading your post! Even though I believe we will all fall into a rut from time to time, the thing is to know where the brake pedal is. I'm finding that more and more. Thanks a bunch for sharing this!

There are a few blogs today that have expressed similar types of messages.
They should all be framed

susan said...

Remember Crosby, Stills and Nash?

If you're down and confused
And you don't remember who you're talking to
Concentration slips away
Cause your baby is so far away
Well there's a rose in the fisted glove
And eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love
Love the one you're with.

I always thought this song had a very universal feel about the way we should treat one another. I'm grateful for the air I breathe - to begin with :-)

Von said...

A dear friend gave me this yesterday....
"I sat at a fire I did not build,
I drank from a well I did not dig,
I sheltered under a tree I did not plant,
Give thanks for those who went before
And render to those who come after"
It sums it up well,
"Good be with You" ~ Eirlys Hunter

Anonymous said...

"I believe that remaining in a grateful state of mind is the secret to happiness."

Your statement cannot be truer. This morning, in my backyard, I came across eight roses blooming in the morning sun, still wet with dew. I felt rediculously happy and grateful.

To make sure I never lose any sense of wonder and gratitude, I keep a Gratitude Book by my bed. Each night, regardless of how I feel that day, I write down at least one thing I am grateful for.

Anonymous said...

"I believe that remaining in a grateful state of mind is the secret to happiness."

Your statement cannot be truer. This morning, in my backyard, I came across eight roses blooming in the morning sun, still wet with dew. I felt rediculously happy and grateful.

To make sure I never lose any sense of wonder and gratitude, I keep a Gratitude Book by my bed. Each night, regardless of how I feel that day, I write down at least one thing I am grateful for.

Ruth said...

I do the same, and it really helps. Thanks for the reminder.

I posted about being grateful for running water a while back. It's Everything but the . . . if you're interested.

bluestar said...

I am grateful for my eyes,i can appreciate how beautiful the world is..
For being able to work,walk and talk properly and normally.God has been kind.
I am grateful for the life he has given me.And each day that he adds to it.

Missy said...

I copied your gratitude quote and sent it around the office. We were all grumpy yesterday so I think it cheered everyone up a little!

Anonymous said...

Very nice. Gratitude, happiness, and optimism go hand-in hand, I think. I always ask myself if my glass is "half empty" or "half full". Most of the time it is half full - but when it's not, I try my best to remind myself of all the things I am grateful for. And suddenly the glass is half full again.

Mental P Mama said...

My children. I needed this...thanks;)

Spiritual Journey said...

I have one though it happened a long time ago. I had this gut-wrenching diarrhea in the wee hours of the morning so I had to run to the bathroom. Instead of feeling bad, I felt so grateful that the bathroom is just right in the bedroom, clean, and inside my house, with running water, both hot and cold. For somebody who has experienced going to the bathroom 10 yards away from the house, in the middle of the night, raining too hard, with only flashlight to brighten the way, with the fear of slithering animals that might attack, that diarrhea was just a nice little convenience in life.

dragonflydreamer said...

Thank you for sharing this beautiful quote as it is something I needed to be reminded of just this minute. Her books give me deep thoughts that lead to life affirming realizations just as your blog does. Synchonicity. Yes, I pulled her book "Choices" from one of my bookshelves a week ago and put it by the bed so I can read it again. Gratitude has been so healing and definitely changed my perspective on everything.