Cultivating An Attitude Of Gratitude
96One of the loveliest parts of Thanksgiving dinner was a ritual that began many years ago. One of the dinner guests, a retired and venerable clergyman, had been invited to ask the blessing. When he was done, this dear man suggested we go around the table and each name one thing for which we were grateful.
Some of the assembled guests were thankful for family and friends. One friend, who had a large vegetable garden and three apple trees, was thankful the harvest was finally gathered in and all those apples "put by", as she called it. She had spent the past weeks freezing and juicing apples - freezing apples that would be later thawed for apple sauce, and making juice from the many remaining five gallon pail-fulls - her trees were prodigious producers.
Many professed thanks for the impending feast. Some responses were quite specific and personal, about events in their own lives. Some were rather like the Christmas wish for "peace on earth and goodwill to all...", but it started me thinking again about my own "gratitude list".
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To take the garden analogy a bit further, I was at a retreat some years ago, where the participants were encouraged to think of their lives as gardens, to be tended much as we would tend a real garden.
Things we wanted to change - characters flaws and past faults, attitudes that were standing in our path - were weeds in our spiritual gardens, to be pulled and guarded against. Old ways of reacting to the events of our lives could be overcome and replaced with better ways of being and responding.
Scars or trauma from past events could be healed. Our garden could be encouraged to blossom by cultivating the "soil" of our spiritual being with healthier practices.
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Though depression was not the focus of the retreat, it was one of the outcomes from the varied experiences that brought us all there, one effect that we all shared to varying degrees.
Many of the women there had grappled with it on and off for years - mainly chronic, reactive depression. For some, the depression had become an ever-present companion.
One of the tools, among the many we were given, was called a "gratitude list".
It was a way to help us focus on something outside of ourselves and our own feelings - to help us climb out of the pit or, at least, take a step back from the edge.
We were also encouraged to take up regular prayer or meditation, whichever suited us and fit best with our own beliefs, and we were led in a series of guided meditations to help us learn how to relax and focus our energies.
We do not all believe the same, yet we are touched by the love and we are grateful for it, too
- Shemael ~ Angel of Gratitude: Angels, Archangels, Guardian Angels, Holy Angels, What are angels? . .
Angels, Archangels, Saints, Prayers, Novenas, 9-day Novenas, 9-hour Novenas, Affirmations, Awesome Prayers, Meditation and more . . . - Islamic Quotes Virtues of Belief in the Angels: Gratitude toward Allah because He puts some of the a
Virtues of Belief in the Angels: Gratitude toward Allah because He puts some of the angels in charge of His servants, recording their deeds and other things - Gratitude - Angels on Your Shoulder
Aloha everyone,Gratitude can be such a powerful force in our lives. Whatever we focus our attention on, we get more of. If we focus on what's wrong in our lives, we get more problems. If we focus on what... By Susan Gregg @ July 16, 2009 3:52 PM
- Law of Attraction
People who are efficient in attracting positives have trained their minds to focus on their desires. Abundance comes to them naturally. They wouldn't blink an eye if someone suggested they don't deserve something, it isn't part of their reality. - The Law of Attraction - Learn The Attraction Process Now
Discover The Law of Attraction! Learn the Secret to attracting everything you desire in your life using this Universal Attraction Law. - The Law of Attraction, How to Master Cause and Effect
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How It Works...
I have since heard many variations on how to work the gratitude list, but here is the version I first learned.
Whenever you feel that life is getting away from you, whenever you feel your thoughts racing and tumbling over each other, whenever there is no quiet inside, stop - breathe - then think of something for which you are grateful.
...not just any random thing, but something meaningful. something that took effort and clarity to summon.
Start with the letter "A". Think of someone whose name begins with that letter. Bring their face clearly to mind, and then remind yourself why you are grateful for that person.
The first letter is easy for me - "A" is for Anne. She is my sister, whom I have known and loved all my life. It's easy for me to picture her, too. I know her face as well as I know my own.
I am grateful to her for being in my life because I love the way we sing together. We're even better as a trio, but I have to wait 'til I get to "N" to add my other sister.
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Is there another "A" in your life for whom you are grateful?
If there is someone who springs immediately to mind for whom you are not grateful, you must think of something about them for which you can be grateful.
You cannot move on to the next person until you do.
I don't say this is easy, just that it works. It is an exercise - you are learning to exercise your character - to pull some weeds from your garden.
Perhaps the only reason to be grateful for that person that you can find right now is that they are no longer in your life, but that will do for a start.
Baby steps.
Once you have completed all your "A"s, or as many as you can, move on to the "B"s, and then the "C"s - you get the picture?
Some nights, when my mind is racing, I use my gratitude list to help me get to sleep, the way some people count sheep. I've never made it past "J", even on my worst nights, so sometimes I start at "Z" and go the other way.
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Cultivating Gratitude
The truly great thing about encouraging gratitude in your life is the freedom it brings.
The more we cultivate our gardens, the more we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, the more we free ourselves from past woes, and open our lives to the universe.
Whatever your conception of universal good, of God, of some higher power, or of spirituality, encouraging a grateful heart - living with an attitude of gratitude - is one of the most powerful forces you can bring into your life.
There is so much for which to be grateful, and if we will only look for it, we will find so much more than we ever thought existed.
Love abounds. Abundance overflows. It's just a matter of finding that for which you are grateful. Once you change your outlook, your life will never be the same.
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Giving Thanks...
- 10 Things I'm Thankful For -- My Thanksgiving List
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Thanks so much, Gus. You are so right and I am so grateful for your comments!
Thoughtful, inspiring Hub, RedElf. What would the world be like if we put as much energy into being grateful as we do into complaining?
I believe it could be a wonderful place, CMHypno - something worth working towards ;)
What an interesting idea. Thanks
Thanks, ethel - happy to pass it along!
I love it an attitude of gratitude, it is amazing how your outlook changes what you see a positive outlook normally sees positive things even in negative situations. We are going through some hard times at the moment and then we had a potentially negative circumstance to do with our business and there was nothing we could do to stop it happening. My husband said right from the beginning our lives and our prosperity are not in the hands of these circumstances and God will make even these negative circumstances work to our benefit.
Even though we didn’t know how God could turn it to our advantage we still all agreed with him and that was our confession. People come up to us and say how awful it is and how it must affect our business our response has been to say ‘no not really’ and ‘you would think so but it isn’t at least not in a bad way.’ We are only three weeks into something that is scheduled to go on for two months but here in Spain that can spin out into many more months and in the beginning even two months sounded like it could kill our business, but now we are not bothered at all and God is turning things to our advantage.
What turned things around for us was an attitude of gratitude before we asked for God’s help in this we gave thanks for what we already had and by the time we had finished giving thanks we realised just how blessed we already were and that nothing that could come against us was bigger or more powerful than God. We realised that even if we lost the business and the house we would still be blessed and we would have lost nothing that couldn’t be replaced, we have found out that our blessings are not tied up to our possessions and that has brought us a real sense of freedom. Sorry this comment is so long, I loved the hub, it is uplifting and inspiring like the writer. Thanks and God bless you.
Oh, maggs, thank you so much. I am in much need of a blessing today ;) I am so pleased you enjoyed the hub, and you are much too kind!
Thank you so much for sharing about your current circumstances. You are certainly right about how things will turn around if you will only let them. I know everything will work out for you in, as you are finding, some unexpected ways.
Bless you and yours, too, my dear.
Thank you so much, RedElf. This is a beautiful Thanksgiving hub. I'm bookmarking it. And such wisdom. The "gratitude list" will help me for a long time to come. I think I've practised my own version of it, but could use the focus of the specific exercise you've shown us here.
When I find myself getting bogged under by unhappy thoughts I look at a sunset - there's something about a spectacular sky that lifts one out of oneself. Makes me realise I do indeed have a lot to be grateful for.
But now I'm going to try your method of finding something to be grateful for in all the people in my life. Lovely advice, RE! :)
Paradise7, you are most welcome. I cannot claim any wisdom of my own ;) - I am just so happy to pass along what others have shared with me.
You are so right about the wonder of a sunset, FP. It always help me put myself back in proper perspective with the rest of the world.
What a beautifully written hub! Truly inspiring and great idea!
I'm starting my gratitude list with "R" - RedElf. Thank you for writing and sharing this piece! Then I can move towards either "Q" or "S" or both! This is great! I love it!
When I have difficulty falling asleep, I, too, count sheep, well, in my own fashion. I start at 100 and work backwards, or at 1 and work forwards. I draw the numbers in sand or on a canvas or with pen and ink on paper, or with stars.
But now I think I will try to draw the letters of the alphabet, perhaps from A to Z or in the other direction, but with the focus of being grateful, just as you have described. I'm not sure I can get past "J"...maybe I'll just start there.
Thank you so much for this inspiration.
I have to agree with jill of alltrades and start my gratitude list at "R" - you have truly helped me to see past the obstacles in my life and reach for the stars. Without your encouragement and help, I wouldn't be where I am today - honestly grateful for the wonderful gifts I have received.
Thank you so much for writing this inspiring and motivational hub! Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and love - I know for one, I am enriched by having you in my life.
Aawww! Thanks so much ladies. You are all very kind and generous with your praise. Like I said the idea is not mine but I am so pleased to pass it on. I am happy you have found inspiration here.
Perhaps the little voice that inspired me to write it knew how very much I would need it myself.
This Thanksgiving Day has been a challenge for me. It is my first holiday alone in eleven years, and my beloved kitty, my constant companion for many years, died on Monday morning. She was 22 years old, and it was a gentle passing, but I miss her very much.
It is such a joy to read all the lovely comments and out-pourings of gratitude - my heart humbled and full with gratitude for you all.
RedElf, the law of attraction is powerful and gratitude is part of giving back for all we have - thanks for this reminder! Kartika
Thank you, kartika, for stopping by and commenting. My pleasure to share this!
I really enjoyed this hubb, I think the best reading I have done all day : you rally hit the nail on the head with this one. Thanks
Thank you so much for commenting. It's something I have to work at practicing. I wrote it to remind me as much as anyone - so glad it struck a chord.
Nicely written, and a good break from the same old same old. if only this were more present in our every day thoughts.
Thanks, Mike - nice to meet you. I'm with you on that!
Very nice inspirational hub.
Thanks so much, Richard. Nice to meet you and I'm so glad you enjoyed the hub. It's not original, but certainly worth a looksee.
I really enjoyed reading your hub, and it's interesting to find it here today, because when I woke up during the night last night, I realized how much abundance I have right now in my life, even though I have been acting in the last several days as if I don't have an abundance. So your hub was like an extra shot of reality.
Interesting that depression is what lead many of you to the retreat because I think it was the so-called Great Depression that left many of our parents and consequently many of us with an attitude of scarcity which does not lead one to an attitude of gratitude or abundance. I have found it quite something (not sure how else to describe it) to utter the words, "thank you for my abundance" at moments that seem to bring SCARCITY and just uttering the words shifts my brain. But I forget all of this too quickly, so your inspirational blog is a good brain jiggle, and it wasn't soppy which I really appreciate!
Thanks so much, vrbmft, for your thoughtful remarks. I don't care much for soppy either, though I can do a bit of sentimental once in while ;)
ive been a student of abraham-hicks for almost 4 years now and they suggest we list the positive aspects of everytinginour lives allthe time or as much as we possibly can, it truly does work magic in your life... 30 days of PA (positive aspects) on any subject will completely turnit around! am
great approach
hopefuly many people read this
it could only help for a reminder
thoughtful hub- wonderful insights, and a neat way for getting the list going.
rated up!
Thanks so much IAMari247, and nice to meet you!
You are so right Truth From Truth! I hope many people read it and find something to take away.
Greetings king7 - thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I can't follow your link, and anyway, can only tell you how that works in Hub Pages. Good luck!
J-Art, thanks so much for the up-rate! Nice to meet you!
innovative and interesting hub indeed..very well written as well. liked your idea.. :)
Thanks so much - it's not my idea, but it's a good one! Glad you enjoyed the hub!
Hi RedElf, I like your variation of gratitude list, i.e. starting at letter A all the way to Z. I wonder if you've gone through it in one sitting.:) I guess when one is in a contemplative mood, it can be done...and with much impact. It's difficult when one is always in a hurry...w/c admittedly I am more often than not. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Papa Sez - I have only gotten past "j" once, ;)
That's why I start at "z" every once in a while. You are most welcome!
GusTheRedneck says:
6 weeks ago
Hi RedElf - Gratitude is something that folks should feel just before bedtime... and then, again when they awaken, hanging onto the thought all day long. It is both easy and costs nothing. Your's is a very fine article. Gus