The Importance of Gratitude

When I wake up in the morning, I am always in a state of awe by the beauty of the sunrise. The sun’s warmth and brilliance are indescribable. It is a new day—a fresh start where new dreams can take you to new frontiers.

However, it is sad when people overlook nature’s beauty. They are in such a hurry that they do not notice the beauty that is all around. I believe appreciation is a form of gratitude. I would also say that being in a state of awe is another form of gratitude.

In addition, what I have discovered is that when you are in a state of gratitude you can’t help but notice that there are more things to be grateful for. It is like that old saying: “When it rains it pours.” The reason I believe that this is so is due to the fact that “energy flows where our attention goes.” We are giving the gratitude our undivided attention.

On the other hand, this also happens when we are in a negative state. For example, I know that when I am angry I notice that the anger tends to build, in which, I find myself getting angrier and angrier. Why is that? It is because we are putting all our attention on anger. We are simply throwing more fuel on the fire.

And I know that some of you will say that your anger is justified, and perhaps that is so, but do you think that anger is taking you where you really want to be. Still, even if you do not have a penny to your name, complaining about your situation is not going to make the situation any better. You will only find more things to complain about. Focus on what you’ve got, not what you don’t have. Gratitude will take you to a better place.

I used to live in an old home that had a list of repairs that would take the average working person many years to complete. However, I was truly grateful for my home. We can do what we want with our house. With the power of our imagination, we can turn any room into a work of art. The same is true with your life.

We all possess unique gifts and talents, yet many of these are thought to be trivial and get shelved. Why? Many individuals do not believe in themselves. They compare themselves to people that have been doing the same thing for decades, and when you make these unfair comparisons, you will always lose. Take baby steps and congratulate yourself when you complete each step. After all, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Enjoy each step. Each step is taking you closer to where you want to be.

I also learned the importance of gratitude from my cat Cairo whom passed on. He would always greet me at the door. It did not matter if he was half asleep. He would make his way to the door to shower me with his love. It was extremely important for him to know that I saw his appreciation. And I was just as happy to see him as he was to see me. I always appreciated his kindness. He was a beautiful teacher of unconditional love. He is an angel in my eyes. I love you Cairo.

Gratitude is the recognition that love is present.