Practicing Gratitude

“In between

These gentle streams,

Sips of the serene

Listening”

Even at your absolute lowest, there still exists a myriad of things to be grateful for. Cliché, I know, but even the simple opportunity to experience life is a miracle.

Think about how you got to be here. The particular mix of circumstances, the long unfolding of events that resulted in you (or any of us) being born into this world. It’s absurd when you really sit with it. Regardless of how or why you came to be, what came before, or who really runs this whole show - what a gift it is that you are here, able to read these words and interact with what’s around you.

Of course, it doesn’t always feel like a gift. Sometimes it feels confusing. Or scary. Or pointless. Or boring. Or unsuccessful-so-far. It would be impossible (and counterproductive) to feel giddy and grateful at every turn of the clock.

It’s okay to wonder “Why?” or “WTF?!”. There’s nothing wrong with questioning existence or your place within it. At lower points, maybe you’ve even started to lose faith. Or maybe you just don’t care that much about this so-called “opportunity,” let alone feel grateful for it.

Feeling bad is part of the deal. But if you find yourself having too many bad days - or not enough that feel meaningful - practicing gratitude can be a low-effort, high-impact way to soften rough patches.

Even the fact that you can feel grateful (or feel bad, for that matter) is a miracle in itself. The practice begins by noticing more and more things to be thankful for in ordinary life. By being present. By allowing yourself a moment of peace inside a moment of gratitude.

Whether you speak to your God or quietly to yourself, try forming a simple ritual. Start with five minutes, once or twice a week, of saying “thank you” for the opportunity to experience life and all that comes with it.

Send a little love to the people you care about, even if only as a thought. Take a few slow breaths and notice the air doing its quiet work. Be present for each bite of a good meal or the sip of good coffee. The more you acknowledge the small things, the easier it becomes to face the big things.

You may not notice it at first, but the extreme lows will start to soften. The sun will feel warmer because it sits at the center of your experience. The air will feel fresher because you’ve paid attention to where it comes from and what it gives back. Relationships will deepen because you’ve considered what makes each one special. Even Nothing Days can feel full, because of the intention you’ve earned them with.

The overall experience begins to feel like a miracle again because, well, it is.

For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way.

Thank you.

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Rich conversation

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An abundance of

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Steady calmness

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Closeness with chosen God(s)

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Free-flowing time, plenty,

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Between

From Fire & Earth: A ThoughPose Poetry Collection | 10/31/2020

In between

These gentle streams,

Sips of the serene

Listening

Standing trees

In between

The roots and rocks below;

The dirt and its dwellers

Water falls

Drips from the sky

In between

The clouds, the blue and dry

A sound, something loud

Whispering wind, echoing "whoosh"

Cooped up in a silent space's secret

In between

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