Develop an attitude of gratitude
Do you believe you can develop an attitude of gratitude? I firmly believe Gratitude is the key to all good things., providing your gratitude and appreciation is for what a situation is, not for what you think it should be!
I had a clear reminder of that this past Thanksgiving weekend. I had visualized spending the weekend will all of my 4 children, their spouses and my 5 little grandchildren. I had even done my Wishful Thanking pre-paving in full expectation of a fabulous family reunion, and congratulated myself in my determination to develop an attitude of gratitude.
A week prior to the big day, I had confirmation in my hot hands – everyone was able to attend. Not an easy feat, coordinating this, I congratulated myself as I happily went shopping to feed all 15 of us, happy visions of hugs and laughter filling my mind.
Well the morning of the big dinner, received the 1st cancellation – my stepdaughter had been called in to work and couldn’t attend, but her hubby and my grandson still would be. I mentally removed one chair from the table.
Time passed, and the house began to fill in, little ones (the oldest being 4) running up and down the hallway, with Nana (me!) basking in the warm loving feeling and sound of giggles.
An hour later, another phone call – my youngest daughter was ill, she, her hubby and another grandson wouldn’t be attending. Three more chairs removed from table.
But the thing was, we all had a wonderful day/night/overnight of food, fun and festivities. And even though it wasn’t what I would have planned, it was a fabulous weekend, and I was very grateful for how everything had turned out.
It was a wonderful reminder that everything always is exactly how it’s meant to be. Though we missed those not in attendance, fewer people created space for more intimate conversation, and gave room for other people to shine.
In the end, everyone agreed it was one of the best Thanksgivings ever, and my heart overflowed with gratitude for everyone there, and everyone there in spirit. It was a wonderful lesson in letting go of expectation and delighting in what was. I offer this in the spirit of encouragement, so that the next time things unexpectedly change in your world, you can develop an attitude of gratitude and gracefully accept what is, rather than wistfully wishing it could be different. Just place your faith in the trust that all is well, and is what it was meant to be.
In Light, Alexandria
Great lesson in “be happy in the moment.” Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it Martha, thanks for commenting!
“I firmly believe Gratitude is the key to all good things. Gratitude and appreciation for what a situation is, not for what you think it should be.”
That said it all in itself, but I guess that would have been a pretty short article 🙂
You’re right on both counts Mark! Thanks for commenting! And it’s such a fun vibration to practice!
I too live in “Everything happens perfectly.” It just makes sense.
Thanks Ali – it does doesn’t it? And it sure takes the pressure off us to try to make ‘what is’ into something else! The phrase, “it is what it is” (spoken in confidence rather than resignation) is said in my family a lot!
This is how I live my life on a daily basis. I wake up each morning and thank God for another glorious day and I live in a state of gratitude. It is an amazing place to be.
It really is Joanne – and the beauty of it is, even brief interactions with those of us who feel this way can make such a positive impact on those walking around under a dark cloud. Thanks for commenting!
Great post, so true, we always tend to focus on the negative of a situation, instead of just being thankful for what is happening in the moment. 🙂
Thanks Nikki! And as I read your comment, I’m reminded of something Bashar said; if you aren’t in the moment, if you’re busy in the past or future, the good things you’ve intended for your present can’t find you! (Bashar, for those who aren’t familiar, is a channeled energy with similar teachings to Abraham-Hicks.)