Gratitude is a sacred word. One problem. What if you aren’t feeling genuinely grateful right now? Does this make you a “bad person?” Heavens, no! We’re all perfectly imperfect human beings and life’s challenges can often bring us to our knees. While I admit it’s a stretch to be thankful for the pandemic, lives lost, illnesses, dissention among people, a multitude of injustices, acts of violence, poverty, hunger, homelessness, extreme climate changes and unresolved relationship issues, I know from my own life that it is still possible to successfully bring a glimmer of light to a heavy heart – even during the darkest times.
The 6 H’s will guide your life with spiritual directions for reviving internal gratefulness – no matter what is going on in life. My hope is that these six seeds will rekindle an authentic thankfulness within you – especially when you feel most resistant …
The 6 H’s of Gratefulness:
- Hope
- Healing
- Heart
- Heaven on Earth
- Humility
- Happiness
Hope. Hopelessness is the worst disease of all. Despite everything, exercise your hope muscle. Live in the “you never know.” You never know what GOOD can happen when you least expect it. Remember that “worry is a negative prayer.” Something magical may happen when you least expect it.
Healing. Do the inner work to heal yourself from inside out. Heal your spirit, shift your negative thoughts to positive affirmations, visualize the healing of your body, and while you’re at it, visualize healing for our world.
Heart. Keep your heart soft and open to yourself and to others. Shoo away your inner critic and simply LOVE. Love the shadow and the light within you and treat yourself as your own best friend. Love others, too – even those with whom you don’t agree. Remember that everyone has a story and was born pure and innocent. You were born pure and innocent, too. Love that inner child as if your life depends on it. Because it does.
Heaven on Earth. Breathe in the healing of nature. In brief moments – even during the darkest times – we can breathe in nature’s medicine and find heaven here on earth. Nothing shifts our body, mind and spirit more quickly than our awe and reverence for the majesty and miracles of nature.
Humility. Even when life is a struggle, find a way to be humble enough to be grateful for what you DO have. It’s as simple as being grateful for each inhaled breath and each exhaled breath. It’s as magical as getting out of our own way long enough to be thankful for every loving act of kindness received and every act of kindness we gracefully give to others.
When we are struggling with challenges, we often ask, “Why me?” It’s understandable to feel this way. It also takes a certain kind of humility to remain the curious witness and student of life. Instead of “why me,” what if we asked, “What can I learn from these experiences? How will I expand as a human being?”
Happiness. Happiness is an inside-out job. It requires releasing the words “If only … then.” If only I had money, then I’d be happy. If only I were healthy, then I’d be happy. If only I found the right partner, then I’d be happy. If only I were rich and famous, then I’d be happy.”
Happiness begins with finding something – anything – to be grateful for.
The time is now. Create a grateful list. Begin your sentence with “I am grateful for” and add to your list as you go through your day. This simple action plan will shift your mood and mindset in minutes. Keep hope, be vigilant about healing your body, mind and spirit, open your heart to love, honor our earth’s abundance, and take moments during your day to invite gratitude into your life. It will shift your perspective in a New York minute.
