GRATEFUL: A Different Perspective

Well, its November. I don’t know about you, but this year seems to have flown by.  Many of my friends, family members and clients are wanting to feel more grounded as this year comes to an end. They also want to manage the holidays with ease and grace.  People are still reeling from Covid fatigue, disorientation from so many changes and transitions, and a lack of clarity on what is next.  And then, there is Thanksgiving.

Many people are feeling anxious about family gatherings.  They are wondering how to navigate challenging opinions and conversations.  In fact, some are feeling upset by much of the contentious altercations they have experienced or witnessed.  The big question is “how do I become grateful when I feel so much constriction?”

Others are dreading being alone during this time.  They don’t have family close by and are not even sure who they would want to be with during this time of uncertainty.

As I reflect on this year, there have been lots of ups and downs. There has also been a lot to be grateful for.  I, personally, have had to take a deeper dive into my inner life and spiritual practice. As I journaled, I discovered that there were eight spiritual aspects, pillars, of gratitude that helped me move through every circumstance and situation.  That is what I want to share with you this month in hopes that it will support you navigating the holiday season that begins with Thanksgiving.

Eight Spiritual Pillars of Gratitude

I believe that the foundation of happiness in life is love.  Love of self, others, humanity, and our planet is vital for peace to live within us.  Love is a frequency that lifts everything to new levels of consciousness and awareness.  Gratitude is a container for love to flow through every aspect of life. Living in that space of knowledge is the pathway to a peaceful existence.  That is why we need pillars of strength and guideposts to support the inner journey.

For me, a spiritual pillar is a metaphor, indicating that an idea, or principle can support a person though life’s changes and transitions.  These structures remind us of our strength and innate inner guidance.

1. Grace – This is the energy of the divine that flows through everything. It is not something earned. It is present and moving to remind us beyond any circumstance that the spirit of God (universe, higher power, or whatever you choose to call it) is fully operational and supporting every human being.  When there is any transition or challenge, the remembrance that grace is operating can bring a calmness to any situation.

2. Resilience – Most people think of this as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.  They think it is about being tough. I believe resilience is about standing strong in the face of any challenge so that you move forward with persistence, adaptation, and a deep desire to transform. It is about being clear that change is inevitable and how you handle it creates a reality.

3. Acceptance – The more you try to argue with reality, the more pain you experience.  In the 12-step serenity prayer it says, “accept the things I cannot change.”  That means moving out of resistance to the situation and doing the best you can to handle the experience in the most conscious and supportive way possible.  It means “feel your feelings” and then lean into the highest and best for all concerned.

4. Truth – Acceptance occurs when we are willing to tell the truth to ourselves and others.  This is not about blaming or shaming of ourselves or anyone else. This is getting real about our thoughts, feelings, and desires.  What are you really experiencing and what do you need to come to a place of peace?  This is not always easy but having a prayer partner, coach, or therapist can support you in getting there.

5. Enthusiasm – Enthusiasm is really all about embracing great eagerness to be involved in a particular activity which you like and enjoy or which you think is important. This is about connecting to something that you are passionate about or brings you joy.  When I am down, I tap into things that excite and inspire me. Then, I engage in them fully.  Sometimes that is dancing, singing, hiking, or writing music.  Whatever it is, I walk away from the challenge for a short time and connect to what lights me up.

6. Faith – Spiritually speaking, this is all about having confidence and trusting in something that you cannot see.  It is standing in a place that no matter what you will be guided, supported, nurtured, and held. It really means being still and tapping into an inner knowing that beyond any circumstance the universe has your back.

7. Understanding – This is a place of clarity that we are all connected and interconnected.  This is the place where we can seek knowledge so that we move into spaces of empathy, tolerance, forgiveness, and insights.  Judgment is toxic.  Activating a desire to understand can lead to portals of compassion and caring.

8. Learn – Every experience is an opportunity to grow. The challenge for most of us is when we are immersed in pain, it is hard to see the learning possibility.  An important tool in any challenge is to pause and ask, “what is here for me to learn?” “What is the gift of this experience?”  Those two questions have been game changers for me.

When you can tap into these principles, it becomes so much easier to be grateful, find peace and love yourself unconditionally.  This will take practice, but what I have learned is that EVERY situation carries a blessing. Sometimes it is in disguise, but when you get to it, life becomes so much easier to navigate.

I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, no matter how you experience it. Know that you are loved, and you matter.

Love and light,

Cynthia