04.24.09
grateful in now
Be grateful now. and now. and now. Life will be full of awe and small miracles.
Beach tip of the day: May 1st begins sea turtle nesting season. Pick up your beach stuff each night. Mama turtles can get stuck under lawn chairs or abort nesting because their paths are blocked.
I looked up grateful this morning in the dictionary. Along with the common “appreciative of benefits received; thankful” definition, there was a second one that interested me more. Perhaps because I selfishly always look for happiness.
2. Affording pleasure or comfort; agreeable.
This definition reminds me of the practical benefits of expressing gratitude. That each moment we are thankful for what that moment is – we afford pleasure, comfort and are agreeable. That is how I choose to live.
It seems the Universe is trying to teach me this lesson by showing me what happens when “gratefulness in the now” is absent. Lately, I have met a couple of people who are basically unhappy and fighting their lives. It has been interesting to see the war. Especially how angry they get when it is suggested their lives are actually wonderful, that there is a myriad of opportunities and people who love and support them. It is frustrating to sit back at that point and watch the pain born of ungratefulness. And yet – this has been a gift to me. And for what it is worth, I end up silently offering the Universe gratitude for the incredible things in their lives as well as mine.
And then, I walk away. There is no benefit for either one of us to be around each other. I create each moment – hopefully in gratefulness – sometimes in mindlessness – but always my choice. It just angers others who don’t believe that – talking about it doesn’t help.
Living “grateful in now” does. Choosing others who are on the same path brings together the collective energy of pleasure, comfort and yes, happiness. I choose this moment to be thankful for that. And yes, my life is full of awe and miracles.
Blessed be…
