Thank you for joining this meditation on gratitude.
Gratitude is a feeling of reverence about things that are given to us.
It's recognizing the value of something or someone in our lives.
Most spiritual life involves awakening a benevolent,
Joyful,
And compassionate heart in spite of all that's happening in our lives and in the world.
Gratitude is a bow to our blessings.
So sitting or lying.
Try to get comfortable with an ease-filled posture.
Notice your breathing without trying to control it.
Just think about how our lungs miraculously nourish our bodies with oxygen.
Let's begin the practice of gratitude for our physical body.
Our senses,
Our immune system,
Our heart and lungs.
Our muscles and joints and the mobility that they provide,
All of our amazing organs and their unique systems,
All the homeostasis and balance provided by our whole body as a whole.
With gratitude,
Imagine someone who brings you great joy and happiness.
Someone that allows you to be true to yourself,
Authentic and unapologetic.
Someone who loves you unconditionally.
Just acknowledge how rich your life is with this loved one in it.
Think about what this support and love means to you.
Thinking about your circle of loved ones,
Your family,
Your friends,
And how they want the best for you and show you care.
Despite the imperfections of some of these relationships.
Just give a gentle nod of gratitude for what they bring to your life.
Is pay attention to what's beautiful and how they show up for you.
Imagine the animals.
Past and present that have brought you love and joy,
Comfort and peace.
Just think about the depth of love you've shared with the beloved pet and what that has meant to you.
Just hold their image in your mind's eye.
And the warmth that you feel in your heart when you think of them.
Thinking about your sacred ancestors and loved ones that have passed.
Hold them gently in your heart as you remember the love,
Guidance and values they imparted.
Think about the sense of pride you feel for them.
And how they helped you be who you are and get to where you are in your life.
Remember how they carry generations of honor with them and how you now carry a piece of them with you.
Just think of all the glorious ways we're better people because of them.
Just think about how we can still deeply love and honor these relationships and hold them close to our hearts.
Thinking now about nature and its awe,
The beauty that surrounds us that's here to be enjoyed.
The sky,
The clouds,
The sunrise or the sunset.
The rainbows shooting stars.
Oceans,
Rivers and lakes,
Plants and flowers,
Insects and butterflies and all the birds and creatures on the earth.
Think about when you pause to really see these things,
How it shifts our thinking to one of joy and connection.
I'll bring to mind all the people that help you in some way.
Maybe it's the mailman.
The Garbage Man.
The grocery clerk,
Delivery drivers.
Your hairstylist,
Teachers,
Librarians,
Doctors,
Nurses,
Dentists,
Our insurance reps,
Firefighters,
Police,
The list goes on.
Send a silent message of appreciation to these folks.
Or any others you want to pay homage to.
I'm thinking about all of our friends and family,
Our neighbors,
Our communities,
All of our social connections.
That we have in our lives that fill us up and add depth.
May we be grateful for each and every one.
And for our homes and places of comfort and safety,
Along with all the amenities that we might take for granted.
Just as we're grateful for our own blessings,
Let us hold space for the blessings that others have in their lives,
Our friends,
Our families,
Our acquaintances.
Think about the sense of well-being this brings for simply appreciating and for wanting this for others.
For their happiness and for their comfort.
May we each be filled with grace,
Gratitude,
Joy,
And peace.
And may we extend this feeling to all people and life forms everywhere.
And if and when you're ready,
You can open your eyes and wiggle your toes,
Maybe move your feet to come back to the space that you're in.
Namaste.
