The Power of Gratitude Practice
I’m such a strong believer in the power of cultivating an attitude of gratitude. From both the spiritual and scientific perspective, tapping into the feeling and emotion of gratitude will greatly affect how you experience daily life.
Last night my car was broken into. Walking up to see my belongings thrown along the sidewalk, notes and personal items tossed around with such disregard. There’s a feeling of violation that comes with an experience like this. As if you have no privacy and no protection against dirty thieves trolling the streets. My first inclination was to think of how terrible it felt, how much money I’d have to spend to replace the items taken. But almost immediately, interrupting that thought, was a voice from deep within me. It said, “What can you learn from this? Be thankful it wasn’t worse. No one was harmed. Maybe it’s time to replace those items to bring in new energy. This is an opportunity to evaluate what you really need.”
In the past, this voice was not loud enough for me to hear, and I would have been focused on the negative aspects of this experience. Instead, I saw my gratitude practice be put to the test. In the face of negativity, adversity and personal violation, I could only focus on the positive. I’m safe. I’m healthy. Unharmed.
I’m sharing this story because I want to drive a point home with you; especially during this holiday season. It’s easy to get distracted with the parties, the pressures of buying gifts, or spending time with family that you may not vibe with easily; but this is where your daily practice comes in.
This is where all those mornings you spent focusing on gratitude shine a light in your life. You have changed your brain through daily ritual. Even on the mornings when it doesn’t feel natural, waking up stressed, but choosing to focus on gratitude. The late evenings when you’re overwhelmed with work and just need a fucking break, but choose to spend 5 minutes in your gratitude journal before falling asleep. This is what it’s all for. Those moments of overwhelming pressure. The universe hands us these little gifts to learn and grow from. Having my car broken into didn’t feel like a gift, but as I reflect back on how I handled it emotionally, it was a teacher for me. It brought me to tears, not because of my personal items, but because whoever did this isn’t happy. They feel desperate, like stealing from others is their only way to survive. It’s heartbreaking.
So, I encourage you during this holiday season and beyond, look deeper. When you see someone begging for money or food, when your car is broken into, when a customer service clerk is rude to you; reflect back with love and gratitude. You might not see the effects immediately, but I promise you, it is felt. It is echoed through the universe, raising the vibration of those around you. Encouraging others to show the same love, compassion, and patience. We’re all out here doing our best; living in the same universe, but experiencing it through billions of different lenses.