Gratitude's Attitude

Yes!  It's true.  To have something more, better & aligned with who you really are, you gotta love what you have, even when it doesn't seem like there's anything to love!  As Byron Katie would say "love what is".  It certainly has been the story of my spiritual growth path.  When life seems to suck, give thanks!

 

I remember a Christmas (in a previous married part of my life) that wasn't feeling so hot.  No money, loads of debt, relationship wasn't feeding my soul in a good way, doing therapy, wondering if my parents role in my life had screwed me up, worrying that my kids' lives were screwed up and what role I'd had in that & needing some love & attention....ever been there?   Then you know the head space I was living in.  Not to rehash the past (that was my perception at that moment in time), but my spiritual upbringing  kicked in.  Be thankful - give thanks for what you have and who you have in your life now, because it's all for your highest and best growth. 


I wrote letters to my family members as the biggest part of their holiday gifts (I couldn't afford much more).  I thanked them for every good thing I could imagine they had provided for me, even if it was only what they thought they were providing, or what I thought they must have thought they were providing.  I needed to feel that I mattered and was loved.


The result of those letters was much love and thanks were reflected back to me expansively.  They affirmed that I did matter, that my gift of reaching out in love to others did affect them in a positive way that rippled out into the world.

No matter what life's circumstances seem to be handing you.  No matter what the world's financial, governmental, or seeming lack of harmony "look" like.  What's true is only what you allow as your current perception.  I had to see that I could give thanks for all that was or that "seemed" to be part of my life at that moment to understand that much of it really wasn't true if I looked to the core of who I knew myself to be.  Created in the purest way and filled with all that I needed in order to live a happy life that was not dependent on others or what they thought of me.


So this is my gift to you in this week of Thanks & Giving.  Love what is.  Love the skin you're in.  Love  your perceived world as it is.  Thank the people in your life for what you can or what you can imagine they thought they were doing for you.  Thank the Universe for this opportunity to see only what is there for your highest and best. The world will be a better place for it and so will you. 

Namaste

Gratitude and Growth

Beauty & Growth from the toils of winter

Let me thank all my friends now and say "You've helped make me who I am"!  What motivates me is motivating others to see the goodness already in their lives now.

Look around you right now. What can you see that is a miracle of creation, growth, or motivation?

• The tenacity of a squirrel chasing a robin away from his stash of acorns or his nest.  
• The beauty of the budding forsythia, daffodils, or Easter Lily.
• The cool moist air on your face.
• The stalks of pussy willows that represent the possibility of blossoming and growth.
• The gift of friendship. 
• The ability to be active.
• The abundance of food.
• Family gathering around you

What is good in your life right now? What would you like to have more of and how could you take steps toward getting a little closer to that goal?

What are you willing to let go of to have that feeling that you are in harmony in mind body and spirit?

Many of you already know one of my favorite quotes is from Lao Tzu. I recently realized there was a second line to this quote.

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
 When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need".

So get up off the couch, get dressed and go, live your life NOW.

Relax-Renew-Refresh-Rejoice

And don't forget to have some fun too!

Shining Your Light on a Friend's Shade

"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.

- Emily Kimbrough

You can't turn on a country music station without hearing a song about someone down on their luck. But what about those around you? Think about how much it means to you to receive a note in the mail from a caring friend when you're going through a hard time. Use those warm feelings to compel you to spread the love to others. We all need such encouragement and often we forget that it's okay not to be the pillar of strength when life has us by the tail. Throw your arms around someone today who might need a good squeeze, send a card to a co-worker who needs cheering up, or bake a special treat for your ill child. Friends are precious, not just in the sunshine of life, but especially in the shade." (Sparkpeople.com Healthy Reflection 2-1-09)

Taking those few extra moments to give emotionally or spiritually to someone else is paying it forward in Universal Love. Be part of the solution and energy grid--positive energy. Then when your battery is low--plug in and "ask".

That's the part so many of us refuse to do. We'll give and give, but if we're a bit low, had a bad day, lost our focus on the synergy available to us, we hole up and isolate. I'm learning that my friends want nothing more than to give back to me when I need some centering, positive energy, or an attitude adjustment. Who am I to deny their gift to me? It really is a rude thing to do. So surrender your pride or ego to the cosmos, open up your heart and soul and ask for a "Little Help from Your Friends" (remember that song- "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends?" Ask and receive a big hug of pure white Love from the the One Source.

Then shine your light on all those around you!

Even more good stuff, see dailyom.com

Seeing the wonder in the smallest details

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.
- Albert Einstein, physicist


What do you appreciate and what do you ignore? Is a sunrise any less special because its image wouldn't make it on a magazine cover? Is any day less precious because, in your mind, "nothing special" happened? For some reason, it's hard to be impressed with anything these days. Driving a car is a source of strain instead of wonder. The internet is already old news. Quick--when was the last time you paid attention to a space shuttle flight? Remember when that was all people could talk about? Once you take something for granted, you also take the life out of it. When nothing is "special," boredom and gloom aren't far behind. Look around where you're sitting right now, and try to see it for the first time, like a child would. Think about the human potential that created the stuff in the room. Think about the miracles of nature right outside your window. Think about how amazing it is that you're even here to see it. dailyom.com

Even the Grinchi-est of us can stop, smell the spiced cider, the fresh evergreen, (OK-so you don't have a real tree--go outside!), the recent huge full rising moon. For me the little things in life make it all worthwhile. The kiss of my dog when I get home, the sparkle of the lights during this season. Appreciate, really appreciate what you have now. If you don't have the money to buy expensive gifts, give the gift of love. Write letters to those in your life that are there for you. Tell them how much you appreciate all that they do. Even those people who irritate you. Surely there's something about them you can appreciate. It will come back to you ten fold. Be the candle in the mirror--Be the change you wish to see.~Here's my wish for you~Let your heart glow with the light that is of you!

This is the season of light, a time when hearts are aglow. I picture the image of a light that holds my attention. It may be a streetlight with sparkling snow flurries whirling past it. Perhaps I see sunlight creating prisms on a snow's glittering surface or moonlight moving shadows across a meadow dusted in white. My image may be of a single candle lit in the window with an intention of holiness. In this stillness, I reflect upon the light. I breathe and relax. All is tranquil, prayerful.

This is a time of insight, radiance, and joy. I give thanks in advance for love, sharing, and guidance. I realize I can let my own inner light shine out more brightly. With wisdom and kindness, I make a difference in the lives of many.
dailyword.com

If you're not feeling amazed and amazing--the light and the love--what changes do you want to make in your life?

Contact me--Let's stir your spirit within. jude@stirringthespiritwithin.com