The state of grateful
We hear about it all the time … the magic of being grateful, how gratitude is the best attitude, or some other iteration of sage wisdom we might choose to carry with us for an injection of inspiration to get us through the days.
But have we really put our finger on the pulse of what it feels like to inhabit such a state?
Meandering the paths of thankfulness myself, the most compelling (and simple) explainer went something like … the best display of gratitude is to live a happy life. Can’t recall its exact origin … if anyone knows, and cares to share, please comment at the end of post!
Although this is my personal go-to, there are several others I find worth keeping close in heart and mind ― ones that pull me back to a pure sense of living gratefully.
“Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart — a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water — I accept with joy.” ― Bhagavad Gita
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Breath is the finest gift of nature. Be grateful for this wonderful gift.” ― Amit Ray
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” ― Eckhart Tolle
As we read each of these, it becomes apparent that feeling grateful is in fact a way of being … in other words, an intention. Once we get clear that thankfulness is a conscious choice, we can open into it at any given moment.
Just like our yoga practice, this means maintaining continuous vigilance and fine-tuning our self-awareness day in and day out.
We skip a few days on the mat, and our hips just don’t sink as low in our pigeon pose. We miss some sessions of sitting meditation, and our focus just isn’t as keen. The same transpires when we gloss over tapping gratitude … our spirits are less lifted, our joy subdued and our connectedness with self and others diminished.
Tis the season to get started, but we reap the rewards in follow through. I invite you to take a good look at your state of grateful, with the same priority you place on brushing your teeth before you embark on the day … and make thankfulness part of your self-care routine!