Spiritual writings from various traditions invite us to be grateful in all things. I have found this to be a most transformative practice. So much of spiritual Principle can be theoretical in terms of how it informs our moments. What we say we believe is often a far cry from what gets activated when the chips are down. It is more likely that what we say we believe is what we WANT to believe. We know it in our guts and hearts when we hear Truth, and yet in this realm of duality, Truth must become true. This integration happens when we are challenged; when we are not getting our way, when the dream has died, the lover has left, the account is empty, and the diagnosis is dire. This is when what we say we believe to be true is strained to the breaking point. This is when our unconscious core beliefs come crashing forward and our affirmations sound like the pitiful cries of a desperate child. When it is most difficult to be grateful is when we most need to be.
It is when it appeared that everything important had been taken from me that I learned the most about gratitude. It was staring at an empty table that taught me the most about fullness. It was death that taught me about life, poverty that demonstrated abundance, and loss about infinity. Being pushed to the edge gave me wings. I have leaned that gratitude is a sign of awakeness. Thanksgiving is prescriptive. In concert with my faith gratitude is the aperture of coming attractions. It is vision. When I am able to be grateful in all things I become a vehicle for the miraculous. My openness gives way to possibility. I am not tempted to pinch off potential.
At this time in my life my preferences are being pushed, and my perceptions are being challenged. My thankfulness is more than ever a moment by moment choice. Integration is my constant companion and my sweetest friend. I am grateful this day in all things. In ALL things. I would prefer that some things be different right now, and I am trusting that they are as they are currently meant to be. I will not be tempted into resistance, seduced into rejection. I am grateful in all things, for I am within the Source of all. Appearances come and go, yet my gratitude remains my constant. I am awake. I am grateful. I am giving thanks. I am in the knowing that as long as I remain in gratitude, I am aligned in the Highest Good that is ever seeking to flow forth through me.
In all things. Yes, thank you, yes. In all things.
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