The Power of GRATITUDE

Good morning.

This is my very first blog post. I have to admit that I am a little unsure of myself in tackling this new project, but here I am, taking that first step in something that I have felt brewing for a while . . . 
I am only nervous because it's a completely new process for me. I am not exactly tech savvy, but those around me who are more in the know, assure me that this is the way to go!
Funny, I have never considered myself much of a writer, but for some reason, this year I have been feeling a real push to share what I have learned, in a bigger way than just my facebook page.

So here goes . . .

The picture above is of my bowl of gratitude marbles. It reminds me every day of all the things I have to be thankful for. I see my cup overflowing and I count my blessings. The idea for my gratitude marbles came to me during a meditation several years ago when I was just embarking on my path of spiritual awakening. I couldn't wait to get home from the group and fill up a vessel with something abundant . . and then I found the marbles I had kept from when my children were small. This felt perfect, as they had already reminded me of how lucky I am to have a beautiful son and daughter. I set them up in a prominent spot where I could enjoy and be inspired by them.

Next day, I was walking on the beach as usual, collecting sea glass as I do, and there shining at me in the sand, was a gorgeous weathered glass marble!! I couldn't believe my eyes. I felt so happy and grateful, and knew it was a sign that I was on the right path. I took it home and added it to my bowl where it still lives with my other gratitude marbles. I collect glass of all colors, shapes and sizes on my beach, but I have never seen another sea glass marble. It looks like this . . .

A wonderful wise friend reminded me today of the value of being in a state of gratitude . . . For me, gratitude led me back to a place of inner peace, even though I was right in the midst of a debilitating chronic illness (I will share more about that next time). 

The spiritual Law of Attraction dictates that if we want to change what or who we attract, the best way is to hold more loving and joyful thoughts.We can repel or magnify situations as we choose, so these days I try to remember to visualize and affirm only what I desire!
I'm sure you've heard the adage 'Energy flows where our attention goes'.  In other words we get more of what we are thinking about. Hence, it is always a good time to elevate your thoughts to a more positive level.

 A few years ago, I read an inspiring book called 365 Thank You Notes. It was about how a man changed his life with gratitude. He wrote a thank you note to someone every day for a year, and what he personally gained from it was amazing. I started to do the same. I wrote to some prominent people in my life - hand written notes on lovely stationery, with my heartfelt words of gratitude. I really enjoyed the experience, it made me feel happy. And then something amazing happened to me . . I was walking along  the esplanade on a wintry day, to the post box to mail my first few notes, and there in the middle of the muddy path was my favorite hat!! Now why is that so incredible? Well my hat had been missing for more than a month. My daughter in law had bought it for me in Paris and I was very sad to think I may have lost it. I used to wear it to cover my ears on my morning beach walks, and it appeared that I must have dropped it one day, although it didn't turn up when I retraced my steps. Now, on this auspicious day nearly 5 weeks later, I nearly stepped on it!! It was clean and right side up despite the conditions, and I was delighted. A gift from the angels, who knows? But it really felt like a reward for the work I was doing. I couldn't stop smiling for days.

So my suggestion is to take every opportunity to say thank you. Invoking genuine gratitude (the kind you feel, not just say) creates a very high vibration in the heart, giving a sense of deep satisfaction. To live in a state of gratitude may just be the greatest gift you can receive. Of course, love and gratitude go hand in hand. The more grateful we are, the more love comes in . . and Love is the most powerful and positive force in the Universe.