Focus on Gratitude

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." 

Cicero's sentiment is one we are all feeling right now. You have only to see the videos of the nightly rituals of making noise at 7:00 pm to thank the healthcare workers in New York City to agree we are big on gratitude these days.

And we have so many people to be grateful for.

Think of this display of gratitude we are seeing in so many places as a side effect of the global pandemic and the upending of our usual daily lives. It is one of the good things that has come from this. It is a good thing to remember and be grateful for all the people keeping our lives going while we are staying safe and following the guidelines.

Real gratitude opens the heart and an open heart is one that is at peace with itself. It isn't about what you have or don't have - it is a state of mind that connects your soul-self to the greater flow of divine blessings. You can have gratitude even in the most difficult of circumstances, like the one we collectively find ourselves in now, and that might be when it is most needed.

While you may not be able to summon up a big platter of gratitude for a trying situation you can still, in that moment, open your heart to gratitude for the smallest of things. For even in the most difficult situation you may have a friend supporting you by dropping off food. You may smell the scent of a beautiful flower. You may see streaks of sunlight across an evening sky. 

Remember that any difficulty, whatever it might be, doesn't define who you are - that in those moments who you are is an incomparable being of love and light. In those moments you are divinely guided, protected and cared for. 

Here are some things that I am expressing gratitude for right now:

1.  I have a comfortable bed that is so warm and cozy on chilly nights.
2.  I am grateful for chocolate in all its forms - oh, yes I am!
3.  I am grateful for my sister, my nieces and nephews, my cousins, friends and colleagues - I have a truly rich family of love and support.
4.  I am grateful that I have the time to watch a favorite series and not feel I have to rush to 'do' something productive.
5.  I am grateful that I get to write this BLOG post.

As you can see, there are countless things to be grateful for - profound and silly, important and mundane. Your entire life can change if you can look at it through the lens of gratitude. 

You may not be able to do much to change the current situation right now but what you can do is focus on being grateful. That is the choice you have and it is a truly powerful one.

This week I invite you to join me by putting a focus on gratitude.

Stay in. Stay well. Stay safe.

With Love,

Cathleen