I kept my focus on gratitude yesterday. Whenever I thought about it (which was often) I began to give thanks for anything and everything. “Thank you for this mirror, this mascara, this mouth, these hands,” while getting ready for the day.
While driving Pucci to the groomer for his bath I was filled with a sense of peace as I gave thanks for the traffic light that had turned red as I approached it. Normally something that might irritate me, particularly when I’m feeling rushed, became a meaningful encounter with peace.
I gave thanks for those “expected” things, the things that most would agree are worthy of gratitude as well as those things that might be judged as things nobody would want, and therefore not gratitude worthy. (FYI: These were some of the more powerful experiences.) I gave thanks for big things, more obvious things, and tiny things that we might often overlook. Like the rain drop on my car window.
I have always looked at things through a more scientific lens, even when it comes to my spiritual practice. I see my life as the laboratory that I can take ideas to, try them and out for myself, and see what happens in my own experience. Although I’ve certainly practiced “extreme gratitude” before, it’s been a while.
The “lab results” for my gratitude experiment are proving to be profound. I am reminded that there’s nothing I can’t give thanks for (even if I don’t initially feeeel grateful). That in giving “thanks in ALL things” we can begin to see beyond how things APPEAR to be to the presence of omnipresent Love, joy and peace.
These experiences remind me of those “3d Magic Eye” pictures (if anyone remembers them). They are pictures that look like abstract patterns on the surface but when you look through the image a three dimensional image pops out. Giving thanks in all things reveals an unexpected beauty and peace beyond how things appear to be.
We don’t have to include every little thing all the time but the key is not to make any conscious exceptions. In my practice I’m including everything from a piece of garbage on the road, to potholes, fire hydrants, dust, blue skies, puppies, parts of my body I’m not thrilled with, smudges on a window, whatever comes to thought or passes my field of vision.
I’m going back into the lab today and will continue practicing in this way but I’m going to add one thing–I’m going to sit and think about anyone I feel any tiny bit of animosity towards (past and present), and give thanks for them.
Just so you know, if you see a mushroom cloud explosion in the sky today it might be my lab.
Princess, I love what you have shared here on your gratitude experiences and am enjoying and encouraged by your writing. Thank you! I used to do that all the time and somehow got out of the habit of doing it, so I am challenging myself to list my gratitude every day as I remember to do so as well. Blessings, love and light my friend!
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Dear Princess,
I am so thankful for your words. I have been dragging my feet while walking my spiritual path. I am inspired to ‘step up’ by reading your words on gratitude. I needed them ❤
Kindly,
Jackie
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In November I always do a 30 days of thankfulness on Facebook. Last year my pastor challenged me to do 365 days of thankfulness. Princess Sassy Pants is one of the things I am thankful for. I love you.
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Sending prayers to wrap around you & your son kimmie!
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I really needed to read this this morning. Thank you!
My son is going through a very dark time right now
and left the house Monday night and we have no idea
where or who he is with. Today I’m going to practice
extreme gratitude. Hopefully it will calm me!
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Adding ya’ll to my prayer list, Kimmie
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