The Value of Gratitude

Gratitude

When gripped in the throws of a negative situation, whatever it is, it is all too easy to allow despondency to colour our outlook at times.  It is all too easy to forget the things in our lives that bring us pleasure. 

Daily things like a child’s smile or laughter.  The contact from a friend or loved one. Anything that brings you joy or a sense of completion. They are the little things which make us smile and feel cosy in that moment of time but are quickly forgotten in the more basic and gruelling demands of the day.

So today I’d like to return to the breath meditation, so as you settle yourself comfortably where you won’t be disturbed and begin focussing on your breathing, this time instead of counting your breaths, focus on something, anything that happened to you today that made you smile and as you inhale, focus on that memory. Hold the memory for as many breaths as feels right to you then let it go.

Continue focussing on your breathing and then bring in another incident or person you feel grateful for and hold that thought while you focus on your breathing. Embrace the gratitude for as long as it feels right and then let it go.

Do this for as long as you feel comfortable, bringing in and connecting with all the incidents, people and memories that perhaps you took for granted and didn’t appreciate at the time.

Don’t be surprised if some incidents from the past, that appeared negative at the time suddenly reveal themselves as the catalysts that brought about changes for the better.  Embrace them in your meditation, offer your gratitude and let them go when it feels right to do so.

When you are ready, concentrate for a few more moments on your breathing alone.  Feel it centering you, and when you are ready let your focus return to your surroundings and present circumstances.

At times life can overwhelm us to the extent we forget to express, or even acknowledge, our gratitude for those little treasures in life that so often slip below the horizon before we give thanks.

Gratitude is like a flower, sow the seeds, and before you know it, you are noticing more and more positive things around you and your gratitude expands and grows in an ever increasing circle.