Thankfulness

This is a continuation of what I call resolutions of this year and for all succeeding years of my life.  They are basically virtues I wish to work on.  This morning it also came to me that they are miracles.  Who doesn't want miracles in their life?

Thankfulness

Thankfulness is an attitude.  Thankfulness is a miracle.  Living in a state of thankfulness can evoke buds of positivness into full bloom while dissolving painful thorns of negativity. 

The act of thankfulness or gratitude is akin to and goes hand in hand with other good virtues such as forgiveness, humility, hope, optimism, love, compassion and wisdom.  When one is truly in a state of gratitude, how can you possibly be holding onto negative attributes such as holding a grudge?  A sense of awe is a reflection of thankfulness, which begets humbleness. In the face of gratitude despair is replaced by hope and optimism.  Love and compassion is definitely the aura of thankfulness.  In my mind all these virtues would lead to wisdom as well as make up wisdom.

Developing good virtues like anything else takes practice.  An excellent way to start is by keeping a gratitude journal.  Somehow, by writing out what we are thankful for, causes our positive reflections to take on lives of their own.  By being thankful for the good that comes our way, we are manifesting more good our way.  We can also be thankful for the good that comes into the life of others.  We are all one.  Water and nurture the positive for yourself and others and let the weeds of negativity get choked out.

One practice that my husband and I have developed over the past couple of years is saying three things that we are thankful for before going to sleep each night.  One can surely see how this practice can fine tune any good marriage or help restore a struggling one.

I have heard Wayne Dyer say show gratitude for even the smallest things such as finding a penny on the street.  Be grateful for this prosperity.  This acknowledgment of gratitude for a mere penny can grow in situations you would least expect them.  Yesterday I had a dental appointment, which I tried to have a good perspective on.  I tried to rally my thoughts around statements such as the tooth will be fixed, my dentist is always pleasant and friendly making it a good place to be on this snowy day, I'll have lunch at Panera on the way which will be a treat for me, etc.  Obviously it paid off.  I found I was the only patient.  They had cancelled all other appointments due to snow, but were unsuccessful in reaching me.  The staff was actually quite cheerful even though I was their only reason for being there.  Our conversation was of a holistic nature and very enlightening.  She (dentist) gave me the name of someone who does yoga, who she knew I would really like, as well as a full size saline solution, which she thought my husband would like, and a full size bottle of Moni juice, which she wanted me to try.  While at the desk to pay, I discovered I had a credit.  Where this came from I have no idea, but I'm very grateful.

More often than not these days I find I am flying high, so to speak.  Keeping aloft does require a certain diligence and awareness which again requires practice, practice, practice.  To show my less than beautiful side I will confess what happened next.  After leaving the dentist, in reflection, a sense of greed or self-deservedness entered in.  I hadn't intended on shopping, but thought, the streets are less crowded due to weather; thus department stores will be less crowded.  I went into a major department store thinking I could get a make over and possibly free samples.  Even though, the store was virtually empty, my plan of greed didn't work out at all.  I was told I needed to make a minimum purchase for a make over.  After a little while I saw the error of my thoughts, and the day proceeded on a lighter note.  I did purchase a sweater at a very reduced price and found the cashier to be really friendly and helpful. Was this instant karma?  My lesson there was always to be aware of my thoughts, and practice those states I call miracles.

Thankfulness is an act of giving, which translates into an act of receiving.  Giving thanks and being in the state of thankfulness ultimately gives the giver happiness.