Gratitude - an Invitation to Life

Dear All,

I am resuming my blog writing, for two reasons. 

One, the deep desire to express myself more frequently and two, on 7th March, I set a goal (apparently small but big because of discontinuity) for myself in an informal coaching session with Mr Deepak Sahni (thank you) that I will publish my blog post before 12 midnight on Sunday, 9th March.

What shall be the theme of my writing? A million dollar question that I have been reflecting upon for the last two days and I zeroed in on

"GRATITUDE" or "THANKFULNESS"

Why this theme? I considered it apt because in the journey of last couple of years, I have learnt that gratitude is the mother of all virtues. My conviction increased after I read the book 'THE MAGIC' and did 28-day exercise suggested in it.

Do you want more good to enter into your Life? What is the easiest way to unlock the doors of abundance? Gratitude opens the doors for more good to just walk into your life. It sends an invitation to the Universe that you are a person who is not only noticing but also acknowledging everything happening in your life. Universe loves to respond to the powerful frequency of 'gratitude'.

What does gratitude do to people? After expressing your thankfulness to an individual, have you ever observed the facial expressions of that person? Why talk of any other person when the easiest way to assess that is your own self. What happens to you after someone says thanks to you? Does it bring a shift in your feelings? Does it bring a shift in your energy level? Does it bring a positive shift in your thought process? If yes, it is obvious that something similar is happening to others too. This shift automatically connects you closely to other human beings.

I have noticed that we all take many things in our life for granted. Am I right? Let me share a couple of examples. 

How about the sumptuous food that you eat every day? 
or clean clothes that you wear?
or cleanliness of the place where you stay?
or everything being in order in your office every day you go there?
or the continuity of internet service?
or service in a restaurant?
or garbage being cleared day after day?

The list can go on and on...

My view in respect of all that is happening in my life is: expect things to happen and when they happen, notice them, acknowledge them.

What to be thankful for? To illustrate the point, let us take the example of food once again. Have you ever wondered, who all might have made it possible for the food to be on your table? Before reading further, take a pause and mentally list. How big is your list? Let us match.

- the person who cooked
- the person who cleaned the utensils
- the person who brought the gas
- the person who brought the vegetables and other groceries
- the person who transported
- the person who offered to sell
- the person who serviced you in the store
- the person who grew the vegetables

and again, the list can go on and on... And remember, this was only about the food.

Start noticing every small thing which is making your life possible today and be thankful and observe what this simple yet profound practice can create in your life.

Towards closing, sharing a few quotes on gratitude.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”                      ― Meister Eckhart

A picture that sums it all:

To sign off - my encouragement to you is - Today what will you be thankful for? Please share your thoughts and feedback. 

Wishing you love and life,

Vikram