When we focus
on the abundance that is present, rather than the problem or what is
missing in our lives, we eventually learn a very important truth that we
always have more blessings rather than otherwise. Problems seem more because we count them, we
measure them, and we analyze them more often.
Let us be grateful even if we have lost someone or something and try to
understand that for better things to happen, some older things or circumstances
have to go first in order to create empty spaces for God to fill with
blessings. The Divine
Pedagogy (teaching) tells us that God breaks
to build, He
empties to fill, He
annihilates (destroys) to create.
Perhaps we
have a relationship issue. Let us thank God and believe that perhaps we need
to be the
right person
in a relationship; or perhaps, He gives us the wrong person before giving us
the right one, so we know how to appreciate the gift when the right one
comes. Perhaps we lost our job. Let us thank God anyway and believe that we
will get a better job soon. There is always a reason.
Gratitude is
the birthplace for our greatest growth. We grow most, not when
everything is smooth nor when everything is going our way. We grow most when
there is intense trouble or intense pain; when we are attacked by problems
from all directions.
Gratitude
changes the way we view life and ourselves and it is free. It transforms
difficult situations that were once intolerable and seemingly unchangeable.
The moment we feel gratitude, the situation begins to lighten, and then we
begin to see the opportunities to create change. We feel better about
ourselves and our ability to positively affect our environment and our
world.
When we are
grateful, we develop preventative maintenance program for resignation,
cynicism and doubt; depression is lifted, conflict turns to harmony, and
stress releases to peace. Let us search our mind for all that we have to be
grateful for, everyday and frequently.
We will learn that the key to a happy, healthy and successful life is
gratitude. It not only heals, it rejuvenates the body. Take a look at someone's face
that has been ravaged by years of resentment. That person looks drawn and
haggard. Then look at someone who has lived life with gratitude. That person
is radiant with health and aliveness.
We cannot be
grateful and unhappy at the same time. But when we turn to God whether in
joy or in sorrow with a whispered word of gratitude, we begin to transcend
the fluctuations of earthly existence and to anchor our lives in a love that
will endure forever because gratitude comes from love. It is the natural
expression of a loving heart.
Love is the power that heals our lives, and love is the power that will
ultimately heal this world. Giving thanks and praise spreads healing energy
and makes our lives and the world a better place to be and live.
By Tim Pedrosa
