More information keeps surfacing about the transformative power of gratitude. When I am most afraid, I throw gratitude at the very object of my fear. It enables me to see the cup half full.
For example, I was worried about my twenty-something son who has been back-packing and rock climbing around the world for two years. Whenever I get scared, I think of what I'm grateful for about him. Suddenly his strengths rise up in front of me. I see how resourceful he is, how he protected himself in a couple of near scrapes he faced in Istanbul with some criminal scammers and in Southern California with some skin-heads. I think of his goodness, his intelligence, how he loves people and they love him back. I think of his desire to reach out and help people, how he carried some elderly people away from a rest home fire in Panama, yet knows how to say No to people who co-dependently want him to carry them emotionally. By throwing gratitude at him, my worries melted away.
We can also throw gratitude at the situation we find ourselves in in this world. For example, how has Donald Trump been a force for positive change? His darkness has been a wake-up call to what is wrong with our society. His behavior has forced us to examine our own issues from the inside out so we can live more authentic lives. The suffering he has caused has helped many to find purpose in their lives.
Would love to hear your thoughts, insights, and struggles with gratitude, and ways to become a heart warrior. Don't be afraid to express where you are stuck.
A friend who is a lightworker of the highest told me yesterday that she could find no light in Donald Trump. It contradicted my theory that there is light in everyone. I still am unsure. It's a process.
The research on gratitude is growing. it gives us all reason to start a gratitude practice. Here's a recent article https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/02/19/can-gratitude-help-you-recover-from-a-heart-attack/?utm_term=.0ce7a788b148&wpisrc=nl_optimist&wpmm=1
Children who practice gratitude regularly do better in school, have less ADHD, and a happier outlook. Adults who practice gratitude do better in their jobs, have better relationships, and better heart health.
FYI - I will be teaching two classes in March to help with heart warrior training -- March 5 and March 12.
They go beyond gratitude to other ways to expand inner strength, but gratitude is a biggie.
One class uses the power of intention and the other teaches skills to become stronger and more resilient in the midst of a chaotic and often depressing world. If anyone wants to sign up, there is a fee -- $49 each class. If you have already taken one of these classes, I can let you take it again for a nominal fee. Like all my classes, they are fundraisers to pay for this website. Just email me and I'll send a paypal link:
March 5: How to Get the Life and Love you Want and March 12: How to Stay Strong and Happy Even in a Chaotic World.
https://www.jeannemayell.com/event/willing-your-way-2/ and https://www.jeannemayell.com/event/how-to-stay-strong-and-happy-even-in-a-chaotic-world/
Please forgive me for using this space to promote a class. I hadn't intended it when I opened this thread, but it would be silly not to mention it when it does provide a chance for some to work on these skills.
I love the story of your son, Jeanne. I feel the beautiful architecture of a heart that grew a brave young man who loves others as he explores a fascinating world. I was so moved by the youth from Parkland and the adults who stood behind, next to, and all around them, like sturdy beams. In all of the photographs and videos, I saw the strength of adults so lovingly present so the voices of young hearts could speak truth. I am grateful for the hope I feel about the power of young people and am grateful for opportunities to be part of the woodwork that supports their journey.
Jeanne, we all don't really quite understand and appreciate how much work you put into this website. Please, advertise yourself shamelessly!!!
So I had a shitty weekend (and life has been generally difficult since some time). But everytime I'm low, I must say people always come through for me and help is always at hand even if I think I'm completely abandoned. It is really touching and I'm deeply humbled because I know many people are struggling too. Yet they are willing to reach out, help, say a prayer. It's so sweet it always makes me tear up.
Here we are have many discussions about the dire state the country is in and how certain people and their ignorance and bigotry can drive one crazy - I just want to say one thing about Americans: I haven't ever met so many hard working, kind and generous people ever before. Okay, one could say that I might just attract nice people or that I haven't been in many countries (I've lived in my fare share of societies, and okay, Kiwis are probably the bee's knees :-)) But Americans are extremely hard working but also extremely generous. Hard going, but so very generous! I love Americans for that ❤️
Thank you, Gracesinger and Tee. Your words fill my heart.
I love this post! I've been super busy in real life and haven't had time to post recently, and I'm grateful to come back and see this. The thing I'm most grateful for at this moment is my son. He signed up for his first year of highschool last week, went on his first official date, and is a wonderfully centered young man. We had some discussion about the shooting in Florida. He talked about the planned walkouts, and I told him I would support him in joining them. He said, "I know Mom, but I think I'll stay in class because my education is important." I will support that too!
I try to list 10 things I'm grateful for every day, but not in a journal, and not all at once. It's kind of like a daily treasure hunt to find nuggets of good stuff the universe planted for me to find in my day. When I find them, I stop a minute, savor them, and say thanks for this. Sometimes it's as simple as the sun warming my skin when I step outside. Sometimes it's as big as the movement our children are engaged in to make our world better. I'll try to list some of mine here daily. We all should!
I am grateful for the chaos and darkness we have because it has forced me to see all the light that's rising up. With gratitude I see the work of so many who are determined to make a better world.
Today we are having an election in my town. Two men and two women are vying for two seats on an environmental board that determines how we use (and care for) our woodlands. The women are long time environmental advocates. The men have only business backgrounds in equity management. The men want to clear the woodlands for playing fields. I was a soccer coach for many years and can say with certainty that we do not need more playing fields. We need more woodlands!
Thank God for an energetic force of women in this town who have been distributing yard signs, arranging for poll sign carriers, setting up speaking events, sending out postcards, and getting out the vote.
It's going to be a landslide for the environmentalists.
The women have campaigned with grace and power.
There is one man in another town race for School Committee who uses a contentious approach. He stands for one thing -- blasting the system and appealing to people's discontent. His positions are liberal, but his method is to blast and hurt. He reminds me of Trump. People here are not buying it. They don't want that kind of ugliness to get a foothold here.
The light workers work tirelessly to improve our town's sustainability, project by project, year by year. They do it by offering a positive approach. I am grateful for this.
I am grateful for the opportunity to post my gratitude. It somehow makes it feel real.
I am grateful for reporters like Ari Melber who interviewed Sam Nunberg last night on his show. He is a warrior. And also for reporters like Rachel Maddow whose eloquent and humor filled reporting brings us truth. I am grateful for my sweet neighbor who always has cup of coffee and a smile for me. Her toddlers light up my day. I am also grateful for my son. He showed me his sense of humor and delightful smile this weekend. He has been hiding it for some time.
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Remember my town election that I described up above? Well yesterday was election day. The women environmentalists running for the environmental board won in a major landslide. And that guy with the contentious Trump approach I told you about who was also running? He was soundly defeated.