Thankful every day

Sunrise

I believe in every-day gratitude.  It's a habit I've tried hard to cultivate but I don't always succeed in exercising. Sometimes I lose sight of all that I have to be thankful for and get bogged down in the things that make me sad and frustrated and angry. The things I've lost. The things I wish for and don't have. The goals I haven't reached. The opportunities I've failed to grasp. The dreams I haven't even properly entertained, let alone made real.

We are encouraged to be constantly looking for the next thing to achieve....  And I do think there's value in considering what I still want to do, see, learn...  even acquire... in visualising experiences and things to strive for, in planning, and in allowing room for change, and to grow. 

But I think if you look only at what you haven't yet achieved, or what you've lost, or evaluate by comparing yourself always to others who have done better or more, you end up living in a world measured entirely by what's lacking. You begin to notice only what's missing.  That's not a world that has at its heart all there is to be grateful for, or allows for living in the present rather than just looking to the past or to the future. And that's not a world I want to live in.

So I do reflect on what I have. Here and now. And there's so much. An abundance of loving souls, good things, great experiences, beautiful moments. Every day.

And oh how I love the idea of a holiday built on gratitude. And on the expression of gratitude. THIS is a holiday I can align myself with.  I didn't realise until this year that Canada celebrate Thanksgiving too and I can't understand how every nation doesn't dedicate a day to a holiday celebration like this?

So, although we don't officially celebrate Thanksgiving on this side of the Atlantic, I'd like to adopt the holiday for myself today (perhaps next year I'll borrow it from Canada if they don't object) and take the opportunity to give thanks. 

Thanks to those who love me and never fail to show it, even when I am remote and hard to reach. Thanks to those I love, who fill my heart and remind me I'm able to feel intense and unreserved joy. Thanks for all that I've had the opportunity to learn and see and do in my life, and all the opportunities to come. Thanks for the many comforts, simple and profound pleasures, that I enjoy every day. Thanks for the luxury of being able to pause to give thanks.

I'm sure I've quoted this before - it's one of my favourites - but today it seems particularly apt so I hope you'll forgive me for quoting it again, because I want to remind myself that...

A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart

Maya Angelou

And to those of you who are officially celebrating Thanksgiving today, as well as those who are not, I wish you a peaceful day and an abundantly joyful spirit.

Sunset