Fill in your favourite deity, person, place or thing. Gratitude is an attitude and we choose our attitude. No matter how much we think we may not be in control of our feelings we are always in control of our choices. And today, I choose to celebrate life with an attitude of gratitude.
I am grateful that it is raining today because rain cleans the air, the streets, the buildings, the leaves on the trees, the bugs on the leaves and after it has done all that it seeps into the ground and ensures the nutrients are carried through the soil to nourish the flowers, the grasses, bushes and trees. Water is the single most important life sustaining element and in recognition of this fact I give thanks today for the rain.
I am grateful that I was born, you were born, all the pets I have ever met were born, all the people I have ever met were born. I am grateful there is a cycle called life and that I was born into it to have my own personal experience of it. I attended a presentation of bodyworks. Real people give of their bodies for scientific study and the edification of all of us who choose to learn. It was both a humbling experience (the complexity of the body) and a venerated one (these were real people’s bodies we were seeing inside). I am grateful for all the ones who came before and will come after.
I am grateful there is a sun nearby. Our Sun plays such a vital role in my life. Whether it was streaming in through the window of my childhood during spring reminding me of how safe and secure I was, or is setting on the horizon with my family in Cuba reminding me how hot the night will be or simply ever present in the afternoon sky during the peaceful days of autumn here and now in Canada, I am grateful the Sun has always been and continues to be an important presence I can orbit.
As marvelous as water, people and solar energy are there is one thing even more precious to me. I am grateful I am conscious and in celebration and to honour consciousness I strive to create conscious choices in my life. Conscious choice is when I align myself with the spiritual magnificence of the universe not just remain in awe of the physicality of it all. Conscious choice is when I put myself in context as one in seven billion humans, not just one in this particular body. Conscious choice is when I remind myself that no matter what I think may be a problem or a success in my life, it is just one moment in time and there are millions more to come. Conscious choice is when I take the time to be grateful for everything and everyone that helps me build this life I love to live. And I am and I do. Namaste.
