Cultivating Gratitude

These days I am returning to the practice of gratitude in a more conscious way. I know I’ve written about this before, but gratitude is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and comfort. So, I picked up my copy of Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer by Brother David Steindl-Rast, and began reading it again. The first chapter is full of good stuff — did you ever stop to consider that the trees, the ocean, the sky, and everything that sustains our lives are pure and absolute gifts.

But let’s be honest, it’s easy to lose track of gratitude, in the demands of work, the fatigue of the body and the spirit, and the constant feeling of pressure over time, money, and other concerns. So how do we keep ourselves encouraged? By finding ways to remember and practice gratitude through the day.

I have been listening to a CD by Angeles Arrien called Gratitude. I listen to it on the way to work, and it sets the tone for my day, by helping me to remain open to giving and receiving gratitude throughout the course of my day. I’ve been practicing this in the hard moments, too, and it’s helping. When I wake up in the morning, even after a difficult night’s sleep, I take a moment to be grateful for the sleep I did receive. When I’m rushing at work, I take a moment to be grateful for my lunch.

Recently, my mother fell and needed to get hip surgery. After the shock and fear of the situation, I found a way to be grateful for the good care she was receiving. Again and again, we face so many situations that we can’t change in the moment, but we can change our response to them. A few hours after the surgery, my mother said to us, “I’m so grateful.” She was grateful to be alive, for the surgery to have gone well, and for having us around to comfort and support her.

After hearing about all the benefits of practicing gratitude, such as increased happiness, less anxiety, greater motivation, and more contentment, I decided to engage in a very basic practice that I had heard about so many times: keeping a gratitude journal. It’s really simple. Every day, I write five things I’m grateful for. I can write in the morning, afternoon, or evening. It’s been almost three weeks, and I am beginning to notice that the practice is helping me to recognize and acknowledge the gifts in my daily life — in work, in relationships, and all around me. I am committed to keeping my gratitude journal for now and see what happens.

Meister Eckhart, the German philosopher of the 13th century, said, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”