The Art of Gratitude

Let’s say tomorrow morning we awake to discover that what is present in our life is that which we have been grateful for. I know I am scrambling as I write that to remember what I’ve been grateful for.

I’ll be very careful of my thoughts and prayers with this in mind. :)

Understanding the singularity of thought sets us on the path to being competent in the art of gratitude. However, being able to ride a bike no hands on that path takes practise. The pay off for honing the artful skill of gratitude is living a life of overcoming.

Note I didn’t say “escaping all the heart break, grief, sadness, pain and disappointment of life”. To escape all those lessons would make the game much too boring. “A life of overcoming” is what movies are made of. I am living a blockbuster hit as I’m sure you are. :)

The singularity of thought says we can only hold one thought at a time: abundance or lack, love or bitterness, competency or inadequacy, self-centered or gratitude.

I know it’s not easy. I get it, really I do.

I am grateful for coming in 8th out of 10. Rolling my eyes. Letting my shoulders slouch. I practise this singularity-of-thought thing all the time.

I am grateful for all the poor, I mean interesting choices I’ve made in relationships. Blood starting to boil. Thoughts of sucker punches. A teensy laugh at that thought. Really. I practise thinking gratitude.

Rein it in, Laurie.

I am grateful for my finish at the 2022 Nobull CrossFit Games. I know the lessons it gifted me. Invaluable. I am grateful for every relationship I’ve experienced. How else would I come to know and love myself?

What I’m saying is, I cannot be anything but grateful when I practise looking for the good, the lesson, the gift. And feeling gratitude is a good feeling. It lifts my shoulders, softens my eyes, makes me smile, puts me at peace, allows me to see what’s next.

Think gratitude and it is all you can think. It’s all you can experience.

Next is our quality of gratitude.

If and when? I’ll be grateful when or if… This level of gratitude is a thief. It robs us of peace and confidence by trapping us into thinking gratitude is the result of something, a reaction of something. Gratitude is always the cause of something. Try it.

Gratitude for… This quality of gratitude can limit us to our subjective bias. I can only be grateful for a podium spot. I can only be grateful for that which makes me smile.

Live IN gratitude… Frees us to see good (God) in all situations. We practise gratitude regardless of the impact, positive or negative. This is revolutionary thinking. Transformational.

“Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life. Third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.” ~ Matthew Henry, Theologian, on being robbed of his wallet

'‘Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.’ Philippians 4:6-7

'“But I’m worshiping you, God,
calling out in thanksgiving!
And I’ll do what I promised I’d do!
Salvation belongs to God!” Jonah 2:9 from the belly of the whale

And think on this. Really, really think on it. Whatever your reason for thinking you have nothing to be grateful for, remember that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. If it is greener, it has undeniably been watered and fertilized.

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