Grateful

As part of my journey I am learning to celebrate all that it means to be me. One project that can be done often to facilitate this celebration is the creation of a gratitude journal. I used to keep one a few years ago, but I think I'll pick it back up. Every few days or so I would sit and do a free-write on all those things for which I was grateful. My lists tended to vary from the very important (my loving family ) to the seemingly trivial (Jill Scott's new single). It was funny that no matter what mood I was in when I started my list, by the end of it I was in a better mood.

Too often we spend time thinking about where we are lacking and what we need. However, where our minds and attention flow, so too does the energy of creation. When we choose to spend time focusing on those things we do not like, we are failing to send energy to those things for which we are grateful. As the old folks say, "what we resist persists." In other words, the time and energy we spend lamenting about our lack of energy could be spent in the sun enjoying nature (and refueling our cells). The energy we spend complaining about boredom could be spent getting lost in a book. The time we spend hating our physical bodies could be spent creating recipes for clean, healthy eating or in the gym using our muscles.

Elders have said that we should claim all victories and accept no defeat. This applies to our attention as well. Celebrate those little things that make you who (and what) you are. Those minute details that others criticize? Take only a few minutes to reflect on their truth and then either (1) use this information to do and to be better or (2) toss it out of your mind and keep moving.

There is joy all around us, let us be grateful for the opportunity to tap into it at will. Choose happiness through gratitude and joy will abound. Tomorrow is a new day to be and to do better.

Peace, Love, & Light,
tdp