Pondering Gratitude......

So let me ask you, when was the last time you actually said "thank you" to someone (anyone) and looked them straight in the eye?  Truth is, we tend to throw the phrase "thank you" around with about as much sincerity as "I'm going to start that exercise regimen right after New Years".  While the words are there and stream out without hesitation, there is very little intent behind them.  I've started to have true intent each and every time I say "thank you" to someone.  Intent to show gratitude.  It's funny because,  while I'm being more conscious of looking directly at the person I'm thanking, many times, they aren't even looking at me.  There are times, though, that when I'm thanking a person they are looking directly at me as well and inevitably, smiles are formed.  It's a nice feeling to know that someone actually knows that you appreciate them....it's a nice feeling to know that you are appreciated.  Try it, you'll be amazed at how great your day will start being just by looking someone in the eye.

Every day I wake up and am filled with a sense of gratitude so enormous I feel I can bust.  I look out my window and my heart skips a beat.  By now you know my addiction to rainbows and sunsets (and whales and honu), but I can tell you that while it may be getting old for you, every rainbow and every sunset is like I'm seeing one for the first time.  I only wonder if I am giving off enough gratitude vibrations for my Universe to actually hear me and know that I am grateful?  Part of me is stuck in this rut of feeling like I'm just not giving enough back.  How much gratitude is enough?  Do I need to show more, give more, do more?  I suppose the answers to those questions lie in the abundance that I have and continue to receive.  While I try to show my appreciation, I am only human and often get caught up in life.  Sometimes being caught up leads me off track and I take for granted that beautiful view...my life.

The view.  No, not the television show, the pictures of one's world.  How much of the views that people have around them actually little snapshots into the world within their hearts?  Perception is another factor to take into consideration.  While I may post a photo of my back yard which to me looks spectacular and different every day, I'm sure there are friends of mine who think "seriously?  another damn picture of mountains?".  Is it possible to see the beauty in someone else's life?  The real beauty, the true nature of their gratitude, not the perceived beauty often brought on by envy?  It is my hope that when people hear my stories and see my photos, they get that glimpse of the gratitude in my life rather than see the beauty through envy.  To be envious implies that you are not happy with the gifts in your own life.  To share happiness and gratitude with someone is to bask in the beauty they have to share.
I missed the opportunity to see the Dalai Lama while he was here (too late on getting tickets-bummer).  There's something about this little man that just puts a smile on my face.  He has such a bright aura around him.  His smile emanates peace.  Just to have been on the same small island with him was an honor.  If only I could have been in his immediate presence.  People like the Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa blow my mind.  How can they be so.....centered?  They make being peaceful seem so easy, yet it's the hardest thing to accomplish in life.  How can contentment, calm and goodness in all it's forms, come naturally to some and not others?  I need to know the secret.....I am reading The Secret (again) by the way.  I think my problem is that I lack focus.  Wellllllll, rather, I focus on too many things at the same time.  It's like I have ADD or something....hmmmm.  Being in healthcare, I am often told that "they have a pill for that", I'd like to try to gain thought control on my own accord though.  Think if I send the Dalai Lama an email he'd respond?  I think I'll try it.

Back to my original thought (see?  the focus thing), gratitude.  The point I'm trying to make people, is to just be grateful.  Be grateful for the air you breathe, the food you eat, the water you drink.  Be grateful for your family, your friends, and even the people yet to come into your life.  Every person who passes through your circle, passes through for a reason and makes an impact somehow.  Be thankful for that person even if they ticked you off at the time.  Start looking people directly in the eye when you thank them.  Touch their hand if you can, too!  Give thanks and grace at all opportunities.....and hope it's enough.  One day you too will see that mountain that makes such a movement in your heart you will wonder if there's enough of you to give in gratitude.  Life's a beach, and then you live on one...