“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” Melody Beattie
When life is difficult, do you take the time to express thanks for what is good in your life? Do you focus on what you don’t have or what you do have? How does being grateful enhance your life?
Expanding Life Through Love and Joy
It seems to me that my life has expanded this year. So much good has come to me. I’ve been more regular than ever about my gratitude practice, and I’ve felt my heart open and expand.
My dear spiritual teacher Gladys used to say that the reason we are in this physical life is to expand our energy through experiencing love and joy.
So, on this day before Thanksgiving, I want to thank everyone who has helped make my journey rich and rewarding this year.
I Am Thankful For Family
First, I want to thank my brother who has been so supportive in many ways. Before I published my memoir this year, I sent it to him to read. I have to admit I was rather nervous about his response. We may have grown up in the same family, but everyone’s experience is unique. I was relieved that he accepted what I had written as my story and shared his point of view about it. Since he is also writing a book, we have become closer as a result of sharing this experience.
I also want to thank my niece for reading the book and sharing her thoughts and feelings about it. I have valued our discussions so much and they have taken us to a deeper level of understanding our family and relating to each other.
I Am Thankful For Spiritual Friends
Secondly, I want to thank the personal friends who have encouraged me when I was down, celebrated with me when I succeeded, and bought my memoir, Awakening to the Dance: A Journey to Wholeness, the moment it came out. I also want to thank you for spiritual discussions and hikes in the woods that have calmed my soul. I am also grateful for those I’ve met through the Jubilee Spiritual Journey Team and the Open Table Discussion Group and the discussions we’ve shared on deep and spiritual topics. You’ve been an inspiration.
I Am Grateful For Writing Friends and Technical Guides
Thirdly, I want to thank again the members of the networking group, Freelance Fridays, especially Joe D’Agnese and Brad Swift for your wonderful support through every step of the publishing process. The exchange of ideas about publishing, promoting, and the business of book selling has educated me in ways no books can do. Thank you for sharing your real life experience.
Fourthly, I want to thank two technical teachers, Sarah Benoit and James Imes, for their wonderful classes in social media marketing, blogging, and ebook publishing. Their classes were part of AB Tech’s Small Business Incubator headed by the supportive Duane Adams. Andrew Plyler has also been a great help leading me through the quagmire of computer challenges I’ve faced, and I understand 90% of what he tells me the first time because he knows how to talk to nontechnical people.
I Am Grateful For Readers And Workshop Attendees
Last, but definitely not least, I want to thank everyone who has bought a book, and I’m especially thankful for reviews you’ve put on Amazon. I also am very grateful to everyone who attended my “Release Your Fear” workshops. Each time I teach it, I learn more from those who share their fears and concerns. You are my teachers too and I have learned so much from you.
And of course, I am most grateful for my wonderful blog followers and readers. Your comments and support and your wonderful blogs have been a source of inspiration to me.
I Am Grateful For the Abundance of Community
With all these gifts coming into my life, my ability to experience love and joy has expanded. I have released so much fear and learned I can trust the Universe and Spirit to guide me down the right path. Something huge has shifted too. There was a time when I would have been extremely uncomfortable accepting so much help. I had to do it all myself. I was afraid of depending on someone else. Now I’m grateful for the community of generous people in my life and have learned that accepting what is given lovingly is as important as giving.
Was it the gratitude practice that made a difference? I don’t know, but I will continue it for sure. I like what Eckhart Tolle says in A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, “Acknowledging the good you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
May you have an abundant Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this year? Please comment.
© 2012 Georganne Spruce ZQT4PQ5ZN7F5
Related Articles: Eckhart Tolle Quotes, Key to A Happy Life, The science of being thankful (mnn.com), Eckhart Tolle on Gratitude
Awakening to the Dance 