Welcome to this morning gratitude meditation.
This meditation is designed to help us connect with our inner sense of gratitude by visiting the many blessings we have and then setting an intention for this day.
Sit or lie in a quiet place where you can relax.
Connect with your breathing which should feel relaxed and easy.
Close your eyes.
Today is a new day of possibilities,
Renewed energy and maybe even new beginnings.
We know that our lives are on paths intended for us to learn lessons and gain wisdom and not to be perfect or always unfold the way that we want.
So even though this means that lessons may present themselves as challenges,
There is always much to be grateful for.
We celebrate being alive today by traveling this morning within,
Reflecting upon the abundance within our lives with a grateful heart.
Let's begin with your inward life.
Ask yourself,
What natural qualities do I possess that I am grateful for?
What things can my body do that I appreciate?
What personal qualities have I developed that I am grateful for?
Remember as you are answering these questions,
Continue to relax.
You may also be experiencing a feeling of gratitude growing from within.
But if you aren't yet,
Accept this without judgment.
Let's continue.
What other things about my mind do I appreciate?
What personal challenges do I currently have that will further enrich my life once they are in my past?
What have I accomplished that I am proud of?
Who helped me achieve these accomplishments?
What valued knowledge has been passed on to me?
Who has helped me gain this knowledge?
What guiding wisdom am I grateful to possess?
Let's continue this gratitude meditation with a look at our outward lives.
But first,
Check in and notice the gratitude that you have already nurtured.
Allow it to spread throughout your entire body.
As we continue this meditation by exploring our outward lives,
Remember that we learn lessons from others by life experiences that at times can show us how we want to be treated and at times teach us how we don't want to be treated.
Both are valued life lessons.
With this in mind,
Ask yourself,
What are some sacrifices that my parents,
Ancestors,
And community have made that have made my life better and I can be truly grateful for?
What valued life lessons have I learned from my parents?
Who are some people in my family that I appreciate?
Who are some other people in my life that I love?
Who are some people from my work or where I spend most of my day that I appreciate?
Who are some mentors that I have been blessed to learn from?
What are some things about my home that I love?
What are some other things that I have that I am grateful for?
What is happening in my life today that I am grateful for?
What is a blessing that my future holds?
What are some aspects of nature that bring me joy?
What are some foods I eat and love that also sustain,
Nurture,
And awaken me?
What freedoms do I have that I am grateful for?
What are some things that I have that I am grateful for?
What are some things that I am grateful for?
Now,
Set an intention for this day,
Still new and unfolding.
Say to yourself,
As I go about this day,
I will notice all of the thoughtful acts and blessings,
Both great and small,
Being extended towards myself and others.
I humbly notice the aspects of myself that enable me to live my life.
I notice the privileges I enjoy.
I recognize the love that my life holds.
As I go about this day,
I will also look for opportunities to share with others the things about them that I am grateful for,
Without any expectation of their returned acknowledgement.
I understand that this day may hold challenges or things that I dislike,
And if these are things that I cannot change or choose not to change,
I choose to have the wisdom not to let these events cloud my ability to honor all of the beauty in my life.
Now,
As I end this meditation,
I begin my day with a gentle swelling of gratitude within my heart and throughout my body.
I begin my day with my eyes open to life,
Open to my ability to have presence of mind,
And open to my ability to see and feel the grace granted to me by my past,
Within my present,
And unfolding in the future that awaits me.
Namaste my friend.