Gratitude

"Monarch of Love" - by Rassouli

In Spirit Walking, Evelyn Rysdyk states that practicing gratitude "allows individuals to have a physical and emotional resilience that was not accessible before." Gratitude is healing, and I personally feel that expressing it is necessary for us to be able to live in harmony with the world. Many of us choose to be grateful only for the "big stuff," or when circumstances call for it (e.g. when a family member has passed away, or when we're in an accident). Otherwise, we feel as though we have a right to everything comfortable in our lives. 

Evelyn Rysdyk writes about an exercise for creating a "Shamanic Gratitude Journal." Although she asks you to use an actual notebook, I wanted to take the time to list some things here. The rest will go in a journal.

So here are some of the things I'm grateful for...

+ My parents, for giving me the gift of life, for raising me well and in good health, for enriching my childhood, and for wanting me to be secure. 

+ My brother, for all his assistance over the years, and for helping me practice the art of patience and compassion. 

+ Spirit, for guiding me through my struggles, helping me with my issues at exactly the right moments in my life, and showing me the beauty and magic of the world.

+ My helping spirits Spike, Shiva, El'azar, Leon, Pierre, and the animal spirits who have crossed my path, for offering me wisdom, guidance, and insight when I needed it. 

+ Mother Earth, for giving me a beautiful home in which to learn, explore, and experience. 

+ All the friends I've had over the years, for all the company and lessons they had to offer. 

+ All the people whose hard work have given me a comfortable life, for providing me with shelter, food, clean water, clothing, entertainment, and the ability to express myself. 

+ Lor, for being a powerful catalyst in my life and helping me to love and care for myself. 

+ SCAD, for immersing me in a new experience and helping me realize my true path. 

+ All the beautiful sunsets, sunrises, meteor showers, full moons, snowfalls, thunderstorms, rainbows, clear winter skies, gorgeous autumn foliage, warm weather, ocean views, summer greens, and animal life I've had the pleasure of experiencing in all my twenty years, for reminding me how beautiful and inspirational pure nature is. 

+ All the plants and animals that have given up their physical forms so that I may be nourished. 

+ All the teachers who have crossed my path, for helping shape me into the individual I am today.


I'm truly grateful.