— Oprah
Gratitude may
be one of the kindest things that we can do -- for others, for ourselves and
for the universe.
More than 16
years ago, Oprah began keeping a gratitude journal, where she writes five
things for which she is grateful every day.
She says that beginning to keep a gratitude journal is the single most
important thing she has ever done.
I love the
idea of gratitude -- who doesn't? But as
with many ideas, it is sometimes easier in theory than practice. My yoga teacher lately has been talking about
"digging" into gratitude, particularly when we are facing a
challenge. The other day after class, she said,
"the fact that we have moved the way we have is enough to fill us with
joy."
Not long ago,
a friend of mine shared that years ago when she was having trouble appreciating
a parent, someone recommended finding three things that the parent had done to
show love. It had a tremendous impact on
her. And, in a ripple effect, on me. When I find myself having trouble with
someone whom I feel I should love, I think about three things that person has
done to show me love. Invariably, the
gratitude softens my heart.
Gratitude
does many things. It can help us to slow
down and appreciate our surroundings. It
can give us patience with a loved one.
It can give us the sense of wonder that some of us have forgotten to
enjoy. And it can infuse kindness into
our daily encounters.
There are so
many of life's moments and experiences for which to be grateful -- from the
simplicity of a breath or a smile to the love of a dear one or the use of our
limbs. Our bounty is endless and yet we
often forget that as we face the challenges that life invariably throws our
way.
What if today
we find three things for which to be grateful?
And, as with the best of memories, what if we let those little joys fill
our hearts with gratitude?
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