Gratitude
is a condition of the immediate; it happens now and is about right now. It is
not about the future (that is hope). It is not about the past (that is reverie).
Gratitude
is about small stuff as much as global, life-changing matters.
Gratitude
is specific. (It is not, “my health is good.” It is, “my shoulder moves freely
today.”)
Gratitude
is about balance. It doesn’t require a lot of something to have gratitude. It
is also about keeping our perspective in balance.
Gratitude
is about what we have, not about what we don’t.
Gratitude
requires an acknowledgement of blessings.
More
than a feeling or stance or value or ideal, gratitude is a practice, a set of
behaviors that we can cultivate.
Gratitude
is, finally, about giving away to others, serving them, out of our deep, abiding appreciation for our very life.
I wonder what
else I will learn about gratitude as my journey progresses…
And I wonder how
you understand gratitude? What practices do you engage to foster the wellspring
of gratefulness in yourself? How do you demonstrate this to others?
I urge you to
consider this, for gratitude does
make a difference.
All blog images created and/or photographed by Jennifer J. Wilhoit unless otherwise noted.