Practising The Art Of Gratitude (Part One)

When the theme of ‘Gratitude’ came into my mind for this week’s blog, my first thought was ‘Oh no. I can’t be doing with that. There’s too much going on in my life - a few of them, things I’d rather not be happening.’

Then as I started writing, I realised that gratitude is exactly what I needed in my life right now. In reality, I had so much to write about the blog became too long - so I’ve had to make it into two parts. Part 1 this week. Part 2 next week.

I have been reminded to practise gratitude for all the things and people I have in my life at this moment in time, rather than all the things I might wish were different.

Practising the art of gratitude breeds possibility in all things and can expand the joy in our lives. We might not feel grateful for what is happening but it helps us appreciate what comes.

It’s about living life on life’s terms. Things rarely go smoothly. There are those wretched bumps in the road to be faced. Facing adversity and finding a way to be grateful for where we are today seems to let in some air. A chance for things to improve.

Gratitude is a difficult area for me, especially when some things are happening in my life and with my family that I’d like to change or not have happened in the first place.

I’ve spent many mornings making a gratitude list and to be honest there are times when it has felt like a robotic process. I ask myself - ‘Does this list make any difference?’

The answer is a simple ‘Yes.’ The act of writing the list makes a subtle change rather than an earth shattering epiphany. What I’ve noticed is the energy shifts slightly towards a more grateful, positive feeling for my life.

That is the reason I recommend the art of practising gratitude and making a list of all the things big and small that you can be grateful for. Making the list is a gesture towards creating some new opportunities in your life and a different way of perceiving your world.

Along the way, do your best to look for the good within everything that happens in your life. Being a Pollyanna can have it’s blessings. Appreciate and be grateful for all the many gifts you’ve been given, even if you have trouble sometimes in recognising them.

Practising the art of gratitude is indeed a gift of life, that can inspire and soothe our hearts. In this way we can learn to take our place in our own precious lives.

Next week in Part 2, I will give you two other tools you can use on the same theme, that will help you practice gratitude.

“Learn to hear the voice of your own soul. Then you learn to come down from the treadmill and walk on the earth.”

John O’Donohue