Being grateful

Awakening

After one of the longest and coldest winters of my life,  the buds on the tree in front of my house are about to open. Warm weather the past few days has caused shoots to push up through the earth and leaves ready to burst from their buds.  I am so grateful for this long-awaited spring.  Yesterday I went to the garden greenhouses and feasted my eyes on the brightly coloured flowers there.  Their sweet scent was exhilarating.  The sun was shining, with clear blue skies.  So great to be alive and able to enjoy this!  All of nature seems to be awakening.  This in away parallels my own life.  I have gone through a long winter  and my meditation practice gives me hope, hope that I too will soon awake.

In gratitude for the signs of spring both in the exterior world and within,
Margaret

In-Gratitude or ingratitude?

I came across this picture on facebook the other day.  Whether we live a life of gratitude or ingratitude is up to us.  

When we live from a stance of ingratitude, we view the world through a lens of lack which leads to criticizing, and complaining.  We view the world as a negative perhaps hostile environment.  When we live in gratitude we see the abundance and blessings that surround us.  We are grateful for, and marvel in the small and big things -  in the mundane and ordinary as well as the extraordinary.  Our world view is kinder, gentler and supportive.  

One stance creates pain and suffering....the other peace and contentment.
Which do you choose?  
I know what my choice is!

In gratitude for all the blessings both great and small,

Margaret

Comparing

It seems that nothing  robs my happiness quite as much as  comparing. Comparing what I have in relation to others, sows seeds of discontent or lack.  Comparing this moment to another in the past can make it feel shallow or empty.  Judging the experience, judging our lives, comparing them to others,  is a "head game"  and takes us out of the full experience of the  present moment.

 Is my glass half empty or half full?  I say - just drink and savour  what is in it!

In gratitude for the gift of every moment,
Margaret 

10 seconds

I was watching a youtube clip of Fred  Rogers accept a lifetime achievement award at the Emmy's in 1997.  In his acceptance speech he said: "Would you just take,  along with me,  10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who your are.  Those who have cared about you and have wanted what is best for you in life. 10 seconds and I'll watch the time".  The he went silent as did the audience.  It was an amazing thing on TV - 10 seconds in silence, in gratitude. recognizing others' hands in our success!  So often we "puff up " with pride at our accomplishments.  How often do we look back to see the others  behind us who helped us along the way. It take humility to acknowledge that perhaps we have not done it all alone!  Mothers, fathers, teachers, siblings, friends, mentors,teachers coaches....the list goes on.  I invite you to take 10 seconds to acknowledge in your heart those who have helped you become who you are today.

In gratitude for all those who have helped me, shaped  me, and walked the path before me, making it easier to find my way,
Marg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upm9LnuCBUM

My Dog Drake

I live with an elderly dog that has a number of health problems.  Today is not a good day for him - He isn't eating and  is lying very still.  I am spending the day home with him  - even though I had other plans for the day.    He has been declining in health since the fall and I think that the end isn't too far off.  I would like to acknowledge some of  the gifts and lessons this dog has given me.

He has taught me to live in the moment, to treat every activity as a joyous adventure.  He makes me laugh -  he has a wonderful sense of humour  and is always "up" for some fun!  He has taught me unconditional love  and always greets me eagerly no matter what my mood may be.  He has taught me forgiveness.  We have been in many competitions together, and  he always forgave me for my blunders and did the best he could.  He has taught me that life is so worth living- to live "full-on" and  find the joy in every moment.


In gratitude for this wonderful life gifted to me,
with the hope that we may still have  many days  together,
 Marg

Looking for blessings

Practice looking for the beautiful blessings in each and every day, and never take any good thing -- big or small -- for granted. Life is full of miracles. ~Karen, from WayPoints by Karen Burch

I found this quote on facebook and thought I would reflect on it today.  For the past year or so I have been writing about gratitude - recognizing  and appreciating all the wonders gifted to us by the universe.  What struck me with this quote was that we must go beyond recognizing and being grateful for  blessings, but we must also look for them, seek them out.  It is an active, inquisitive, expectant process -  eyes wide open, searching for the blessings, miracles and gifts.  Like a child  eagerly looking for those Easter eggs which may be hidden from the common view.  What a wonderful way to experience life - full of expectancy and gratitude.  Now that is an attitude shift for most of us!

In gratitude for  miracles, be they big or small,
Marg

Gratitude transforms

I saw this poster on facebook and it eloquently echoes what  I have been trying to covey over the past year or so.  The attitude of gratitude is such a powerful tool in being able to live life joyfully and fully.  From of stance of gratitude we feel richly blessed - our lives are lived in abundance.  Without gratitude we live from a stance of lack - we are always looking for more, grasping for what we don't have and spending such time and energy on the quest for things or experiences. Trying to fill that void.

What is my choice? From which stance will I live in  happiness, peace and freedom?  For me the answer is clear.

Winter beauty

 For the past few days it has been mild and the days are getting noticeably longer.  I can sense that the cold, hard days of winter are  past.  We still will have snow and cold,  but the balance is tipping towards more mild days.  Winter has a special beauty - and there are times I am in awe of  winter's art.  Today I thought I would simply share images of the beauty of winter (taken  locally from the weather network).  For those of you who live in warm climaes, I invite you to "feast| your eyes on  nature`s handiwork.

In gratitude  for the wonders of winter,
Marg

Every second is a precious gift

I came across this poster while web surfing.  We take so many things for granted -  breathing for instance.  If you have ever had an asthma attack and struggle for breath,  you will fully  appreciate  regaining your breath. 

For me this past weekend,  snowshoeing  at my sister's country property reminded me of how richly we are blessed, creating a symphony of gratitude for this wonderful day: breathing in the fresh crisp air;
seeing the blue sky and "diamonds" sparkling in the snow; hearing the "swoosh" of our snowshoes on the snow; laughing and chatting with fiends. All these gifts during  a simple walk in the woods!  The simplest of things often give the greatest joy.

What else in our life are we ignoring or taking for granted? Carpe Diem - seize the day. I would  also say "seize the moment"! It is all so  magical...

Choose in every moment

This is our choice for every moment.
Do we relate to our circumstances with bitterness or with openness?
Pema Chodron

On Feb. 1 I turned the page  over on  my calendar and that was the quote  for the month of February .  As I did my morning meditation I was aware of the choice I made, to spend a longer time in "openness", in peace while meditating.   This quote mirrors what my teacher  says -  we can choose pain or peace,. It is up to us.

We can choose to anguish over the past and replay those same old grooves.  We can choose to  fret about the future and worry about things that may not even happen.  Or, we can choose to  remain in the present moment.  We can chose to react with bitterness, anger etc. or we can chose to react with openness, gratitude and love. It really is all up to us,  and the choices we make colour our perspective of the world.  Are we victim or are we empowered and in control?

I am so grateful for having this teaching.  Life would have been easier  had I  learned this earlier, but better late than never.  Now all I have to do is remember - pain or peace, bitterness or openness - the choice should be simple!

In gratitude for free will that allows me to choose,
Marg

My wonderful opposable thumb

If you count all your assets you always show a profit. Robert Quillen

Last week I  injured my right hand and went to  the emergency ward in my local hospital.  I left with a cast on my right hand and with  the possibility of future surgery to correct the damage. For two days I had searing pain, often constant.  My right hand was incapacitated.  Finally on day 3, the pain stopped and gratitude filled my heart.  I didn't care that I still had trouble doing the simplest of things- getting dressed etc. I was just so grateful that the pain was gone. The next day it was sunny and mild so I decided to go for  short walk around the block.  My spirits were lifted, birds chirping and the sun creating sparkling diamonds  in the snow. I was again filled with gratitude be alive, grateful for my body functioning so well day after day. When I  think of how many things can go wrong, it is nothing short of miraculous!  We take it all for granted. For example, our wonderful opposable thumb makes it possible to do so much.  Try opening a jar without the use of a thumb!  This injury has reminded me to be grateful for my body and not to focus on the lumps and bumps, wrinkles and warts. If we count our blessings in terms of our body, the profits are tremendous - and we are like millionaires!

In gratitude for my body which serves me well,
Marg