For me, these days, living in gratitude means. . .
. . .caring less about what I can get and more about what I can give and the small ways I can be kind and of service to others.
Living in gratitude means. . .
. . .being a teacher, business owner, wife, mother, friend, with integrity so that what I say, what I do and
who Iam at my core are aligned.
. . .it is cultivating the courage to walk the walk of upholding my beliefs, values & principles
living in gratitude means. . .
. . .with middle age and more than ½ of my life behind me, holding the preciousness of each moment just a
little more and mercifully, sweating the small things that much less.
Living in gratitude means. . .
. . .coming to terms with my humanity, accepting both my vulnerabilities and my strengths and in turn, allowing and accepting the same in others.
To this end, I welcome and seek out any and every opportunity to know myself a little bit more intimately- I try to remain teachable, and in making mistakes, learn from them, be accountable and say I’m sorry.
Living in gratitude means:
. . . having a.deep appreciation for all the ways life hasn’t turned out the way I planned, as the obstacles I encounter continue to be my biggest teachers and greatest catalysts for growth.
I Honor my past that has delivered me to my present with new understanding & inspiration – I am grateful for all I have lost and all I have found which both remind me I can live with and live without.
Living in gratitude means. . .
. . .being as mindful as possible, paying attention to the small in between places in daily life – the simple pleasures of sharing a meal with my family, listening and being available to my daughter, taking unplugged walks with my dog, tea with friends, creating a home environment that is esthetically pleasing and comfortable – all this sitting side by side with spontaneous moments of laughter, moments of almost unbearable sadness & moments of unbelievable beauty.
Living in gratitude means. . .
. . . appreciating and nurturing this body I have been given that allows me important physical navigation and powerful personal expression.
. . . cultivating a mind that chooses faith over fear, hope over despair & love over judgement & animosity
. . . honoring a heart that can feel it all, that continues to break and mend itself over and over again.
Like yoga, gratitude is a daily practice
Like yoga, gratitude is a mindfulness practice
Like, yoga, gratitude is liberating practice
And like yoga, ultimately it is a transformative practice
I am grateful for the fullness of my life – for the heartwarming expression of life, that informs my days and illuminates my world. I wish the same for you all and for all human kind.