What is gratitude?

Gratitude is a spiritual practice that fills the heart with joy with each inhale. It makes you feel special even if you are going through a difficult time. It’s recognizing your dependence on the strength of the whole. It’s not just saying thank you or paying gratuity to your service providers. 

In the middle of my meditation sessions, one morning, I opened my eyes and noticed something that I had never noticed before. I was sitting on the beach. It was early morning. The ocean was still, perfect weather, the birds were singing. A few people were walking in the distance. I saw a butterfly, a couple of birds, the sand, the plants, the sun, the moving patches of white clouds, a cargo ship in the far distance, the noise of an airplane up above. Normally, you see these things and you don’t think about them, but on that day, I saw every little piece of the puzzle that makes life possible. My heart was filled with joy. That was when I realized that this world is nothing but a system that miraculously works together. Suddenly, I felt a deep appreciation for everything that supports life - the earth, the air, and the water. I felt appreciation for the captain of that cargo ship and the pilot of that airplane trying to enhance my life and wellbeing. 

This experience changed how I viewed the world and myself in relation to the world. 

What are the benefits of gratitude?

If I could pick one lesson from this book out of all 20 of them, this would be the one that would make you the most happy in your life. 

If you ever felt special, powerful, witnessed a miracle, or abundance, you have experienced being grateful. 

Now, 

How to practice gratitude daily?

Follow my routine as I do three - four times a day: 

I put my hands on my heart, close my eyes for one minute, and think of everything that I am grateful for at that moment. It can be anywhere at any time of the day or night - even if it's for one long inhale and exhale.

I can give you an example of one of them for this moment, right now. This is a moment in my life. Your's will be different from mine. 

I am grateful for my smiling face
I am grateful for my home office
I am grateful for food in my refrigerator
I am grateful for this nice and quiet day
I am grateful for my camera
I am grateful for technology
I am grateful my dad is feeling better
I am grateful to the doctors and hospitals for their service
I am grateful for my telephone
I am grateful to people who made the video phone
I am grateful for my mango tree
I am grateful to be alive
I am grateful I have no pain
I am grateful to have supportive people around me

Open your eyes and get back to whatever you are doing at the time.

This is a wrap for me here.

Please comment below how this practice made you happier or ask me a question. I'd love to hear it and share it with others too.

Until next time, 

Aloha