Real Gratitude

So many people are stating gratitude because, after all, it is "the season." I think that is great, awesome, and I really enjoy reading and hearing all the positive things that are happening. Wouldn't it be great if this was everyone's priority even when it's not "the season" to do so? Real gratitude is an attitude. It is waking up each day realizing you have a whole fresh day ahead of you and being thankful just for that. It doesn't have to be about things or how much money you have (or don't have). When there is an attitude of gratitude, the whole world looks different. Each day after I get up, I look out the window. As I stand there, my thoughts are not about going to work or planning my day but only on that moment in time -- the "Now" as Eckhart Tolle refers to it. Putting our thoughts on hold for just that moment to connect to who, what and why we are here is the most freeing thing you can do for yourself. The day will progress and whatever business needs to be handled will take place, but giving yourself this moment of pause as a gift to you will make a difference in your attitude the rest of the day.

The second thing I do after looking out at the world and saying good morning is what I call "Chi up and down." I stand still and feel my connection with the Earth underneath my feet as well as my connection with the universe above my head. Chi is our life force energy. I close my eyes and get in touch with that energy and actually start to feel it outside of my body and create a ball of energy between the palms of my hands, taken from each chakra center, feeling for any imbalance and opening the chakras for alignment. This may sound complicated if you are not aware of your chakras or your chi, but it really is pretty simple and the results of doing this exercise, which I have spent the last couple of months doing, is an enlightening uplifting experience.

So, just for today, I encourage you to look out your window and feel the gratitude inside just for being alive. Breathe in and feel your chi inside you, with the Earth underneath and the universe above you and have the most wonderful day imaginable! Hugz~Love