I’ve been thinking about gratitude and what it means to live with an attitude of gratitude.

It’s easy to be grateful when life is moving smoothly, but when we feel as if we are traveling a rocky road how grateful do we feel? Furthermore, how grateful do we act?

I wake up in the morning and I thank God for a new day. I think of at least one thing or one person in my life that I am grateful for. I meet the day with intent. I will be grateful no matter what the situation. And then I stub my toe on the door casing and all my good intent cannot change the reaction I have to the pain and frustration of being dumb enough to stub my toe.

Here’s what I believe changes my “reaction”. My spiritual condition. Am I in harmony with the people around me? Am I spiritually open to any and all connections God has in store for me? Is it my desire to practice love and kindness? Do I love myself and do I know I deserve to be treated kindly, by me? If I do, my “reaction” to stubbing my toe will be one of acceptance. Yes acceptance! Accidents happen and it hurts but I’m not dumb and I don’t need to over-react.

Let’s take on a more serious event. 

I am currently going through my father dying and my mother suffering because of the impending loss, but I think even worse her daily grind of caring for the person she has loved for over 50 years. It is difficult for certain. Am I walking in gratitude? Am I in a place of acceptance? Have I let the people in my life in on my pain and my concerns, making a spiritual connection? Yes to all.

I’m not perfect, I have my moments where I have regrets and I wish I could help more. But I accept my weakness. I pray for strength and I share my weakness with someone who I know supports me. I give myself what I need and I give support to my mother and my children. I have that ability to give because I’m living in an Attitude of Gratitude.

No matter our situation in life there is something to be grateful for and we can answer yes to all those important gratitude questions if we stay connected, ask our higher power for help and practice loving kindness at all times. Always forgiving ourselves for missteps and having the willingness to start over if we mess up.

I pray I continue to put gratitude in action in my life.