Grateful Hearts, Happy Souls

I want to talk about gratitude this morning because who doesn’t need a reminder to be more thankful of the beautiful things around them?

I’m grateful in this moment, sitting at my kitchen table with the back door open, my dog laying down right in front of it, his eyes closed, his breath audible. Looking out at the unmowed yard, I see luscious grass overgrown with the heavy rains, wind making the bright green leaves on our tree dance in the sunlight, a squirrel run along the top of the fence, and a bright blue sky with wisps of white cloud. I hear the birds talking, and the bugs, and every now and then, the wind-chime sing a note. This is one of my favorite places to be. Close to nature, in nature, observing and in love with. It truly makes my heart beat faster.

We often talk about gratitude as a means to get something. How to raise your frequency and get the things you want? Be grateful. How to manifest the life of your dreams? Be thankful. Or sometimes, we look at being grateful from a place of being small or unworthy. “I don’t deserve any of this, wow I’m so grateful.” And sometimes I feel that way too, which isn’t inherently bad. But I think we should be in a state of gratitude for the sake of being thankful and mindful—so we can notice and appreciate the joys of being alive on this earth.

Gratitude makes you happy, it makes all of life seem a little bit better, but it’s also just a nice place to be in. Not from a small place of feeling unworthy, but confidently owning the blessings and the beautiful life you get to be a part of. I want to be in a place of gratitude because it’s just the best way to live. It feels right. It lets me stay present and more aware of this incredible world that is SO deserving of love and awe. I believe it is the way we were meant to live, in harmony with the Universe.

If you’re having trouble feeling grateful, think of something that truly astounds you. For me, it’s the fact that the Universe is always guiding me, always with me, always loving me and making sure that my deepest desires become truth, whether I’m aware of it or not, or even if I’m outright rejecting it. Or, you could go somewhere that brings you joy like sitting in nature, going for a walk, going to the beach, or driving through your favorite part of town. Whatever naturally brings you happiness, use it to remind you what that feeling of gratitude is like, or ask yourself to find five beautiful things around you right now. I promise they’re there.

We have a limited time on this earth. Luckily, we are surrounded by constant beauty at every turn. Let’s appreciate it all while we can. When we’re grateful for everything, everything becomes a blessing.

Cheers, friends, to grateful hearts and happy souls.