theMessenger - Gratitude (Nov 07)
November
2007
Gratitude
is the memory of the heart.
- Jean Baptiste Massieu
I love the idea of a
remniscent and grateful heart. I could reflect
volumes on what the heart has led me to know in my
short life. It is upon its urgings that I
continually traverse the majestic mountain of my
spirit's longing. And the ever-more expansive views
continually take my breath away! This month, I sit
in silent celebration of the imprints of self-love
that gratitude has left deep within my heart.
I looked up the etymology of the word gratitude.
There are many derivations listed...however, I am
most struck by the root of the word as: grace, to
welcome. How much of the time do we graciously
welcome the remarkable conditions of our life? Do
we fight with tooth and nail to change them so that
we might find peace in our hearts (chasing the
dragon for days, months, years at a time)? Or do we
look deeply within out hearts, invite gratitude,
and welcome the path that is revealing us one
glorious petal at a time? I commit to choosing the
latter more often. While I do understand gratitude
to be an agent of creation (modern metaphysics
teaches us to give thanks in advance for that which
our heart desires)...I am more inclined to feel an
authentic and divine buzz of appreciation when I
allow my heart to remember, notice, and celebrate
the many miracles of everyday magic in my current
reality. It is in this space that I feel my heart
SHiNE with gratitude and remembrance.
In coaching sessions and teacher trainings, I often
hear myself reminding clients to reframe their
perspectives. I witness that we are often cynical
in our approach to our life circumstances. Yet, by
consciously shifting our vantage point from one of
critical perplexity and resistance to curious
wonder and acceptance, we create a space for
gratitude to emerge.
Invite
Wonder. Embrace Gratitude.
Not for what it might bring you to do so,
but for all that your heart already possesses in
the simple act of holding you
close.
With Wonder-filled Gratitude,
Candice