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November 23, 2009
THANKSGIVING
GRATITUDE
Oh, it's
easy enough to celebrate the Thanksgiving spirit when things are going well-
being thankful is so obvious in times of plenty.
But the fine
art of gratitude, like character, isn't developed in a crisis, but rather just
displayed there. Gratitude has to be
present and in force prior to the stressful and difficult times, and when it
is, the default is established, so appreciating the opportunities your
circumstances bring, no matter how challenging and adverse, demonstrates your
ownership of this subtle and complex emotion.
Is there
really ever a moment that should not evoke gratitude? Is there a single breath we take, a single event
that transpires in nature, any conditions in our lives that should not be
played out against the backdrop of this worthy sentiment?
I used to
think that the issues and problems I had to face interfered with my life- but
finally I awakened to the realization that they are my life. Each of these episodes holds a golden nugget
for me, like chapters in the book of my existence, contributing an insight to
greater empowerment or an effective warning about dangers that lurk in the
shadows.
So, gratitude
for me goes deeper than thankfulness for all my blessings- it actually paves
the way for a more peaceful and loving self-actualization, a kind of
bumper-in-the-gutter-of-the-bowling-alley-of-life, that keeps me on the
straight and narrow even when things don't seem to be going my way.
Because the
stark truth is, it's all going my way, if I am but clever enough, centered
enough and grateful enough to see the perfection-and that's my Thanksgiving
wish for you, that you will see it too, and reclaim the energy you squander on
the unwinnable battle against the tide of reality, trying to make everything
adhere to your arbitrary and limited perception of the way things should be.
No, learning
to see the magical gifts in all of life's situations, not just the ones that
feel good, is the ultimate test of your own gratitude. Indeed, you have had the experience many
times, where retrospect gave you a new perspective on the pain of fighting the
good fight, clarified only after the smoke cleared and you could release
yourself from the obligation to react.
We often say, we'll look back on this and laugh- well, why wait? Laugh now, be grateful now, experience all
the joy hidden in those apparent rubs, and learn the most valuable lesson of
all- that how you show up in life is based on how you decide to show up, not on
the occurrences whirling around you.
And that's
something to really be grateful for- the awareness that everything that happens
holds something worthwhile for you, that it all serves you in some way. Try it on, and see how it works for you, and
who knows, before too long, you may find yourself enjoying all the benefits of
gratitude, bringing Thanksgiving with you, every day of the year!
MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
"Live as if you were to die
tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live
forever."
-Mahatma Ghandi
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