The Power of Gratitude

Did you know that there is enormous power in the habit of gratitude? Focusing on the blessings in our lives breathes energy and thus life into consciousness of what's working for us .. what's going right. I've coached those who claimed "nothing is going right!" They say, it seems like they are either coming from a problem, in the middle of one or heading towards one.

We have all felt this way at one time or another in our life. This is the time where we've got to stop and close our eyes, take a breath and look at what is working. I asked the question, did you eat dinner last night? How did you get to the office to meet with me, did you have gas in your car? Are your children healthy? Can you walk on your own, can you breathe on your own? There are so many many things in our life that we take for granted but as we begin to consciously bring our attention to every blessing in to life regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant, an amazing phenomena begins to take place. First we begin to feel an inner shift, as we realize things are not as bad as we perceived. As we begin to feel better, we become lighter and our emotional energy begins to move up a vibrational scale from worry and fear to eventually hope, optimism and positive expectation. Now this is the place where inspired or in-spirited ideas are conceived. Ideas that may have been trying to get through but were redirected to a detour of no return.

A couple of weeks ago I was coaching a young woman who called me and said she had just started a new job and couldn't believe that after only a week on the job she was feeling like a respiratory infection was coming on. Her health insurance hadn't kicked in and she had limited funds. At first, she expressed an energy of why now, why me? Which was accompanied by worry and fear of losing time off from work, remembering times in the past when she had experienced the same ailment and was unable to talk. As we continued to talk I encouraged her to take a look at what she could be grateful for and what was working in her life. She stopped and thought and responded that at least she caught it early, and that she was grateful that she would eventually have health insurance where only a few weeks prior she had nothing and no hopes of any. She found several blessings that came to mind. Within a very short period of time she was able to lift herself emotionally as she continued to take the prescription of snippets of gratitude.

When she got to urgent care she said there were tons of people in the waiting room waiting to see the doctor and when she got to the window, they told it cost $125. She looked in her wallet and only had $100 and a credit card that she wasn't sure had enough credit available on it to cover the difference. She handed them the credit card anyway. They responded that their credit card machine was not working and they would accept $100 instead of $125. She thought oh my God, this gratitude thing is working, and continued to give thanks. Right then she had an unexpected nose bleed which prompted the receptionist to take her back to see the doctor immediately before all the people who were waiting. Again she thought I don't know why that happened but here I am in the doctors waiting room!

When she left she called me and told me the story and said she had a respiratory infection and there seemed to be no cause for the nose bleed. Then she said "one more thing, I don't have to buy a prescription, they gave me sample antibiotics for free!"

Within 2 days all symptoms had gone completely away! What an amazing demonstration of the Power of Gratitude!

Don't Wait Until the Rain Stops. Dance Between the Raindrops NOW!

You don't have to go the hard way to things, but you do have to go from wherever you are. If one good thing happens today and a hundred bad things, talk about that good thing a thousand times--and talk not about any of the bad things. Play the good-feeling things over and over in your mind--emphasize everything that feels good.



The Universe has understood the things you have been asking for and is answering perfectly. And if you won't work to orchestrate the how and where and when, and who, but instead work to be in the receiving mode--as you practice rampages of appreciation, and as you collect fun things and beautiful things and use them to become an Ambassador of Well-Being -- the things you have been asking for will unfold in a continuum of extraordinary life experience. Those who don't yet know what you now know will stand flabbergasted as they see the stunning unfolding of your life experience. You've just got to get happy--that's all it takes.



Excerpted from the Esther Hicks workshop in San Diego, CA on Saturday, February 15th, 2003

With determination and faith, I create a life I LOVE!

I read something this morning that I'd loved ....

What is my intention today? What do I want to feel and experience over the next 24 hours? As I begin to probe these questions. I connect with Spirit in oneness and gratitude. I visualize the day ahead ... who will I see and what actions will I take? Then I consider what qualities I will demonstrate and what attitude I will hold. Will I be patient, adventurous, loving, grateful?

Life is made up of the choices we make, the love we give and receive, and the faith we hold every moment of every day. If we have been waiting for "someday" to come, we stop waiting and make the decision to live fully and freely right now.

I set an intention to live a life I love today .. to find wisdom and inspiration in all that comes my way. As I participate in life's dance I do so in great anticipation of good in every area of my life!

I Am Calm and Serene ...

Nothing can disturb us without out permission.  For that reason, let us begin our day with a choice for peace.  Regardless of external events, the length or urgency of our to do list, or the activity of our busy mind, I find peace within. These words are taken from the Daily Word.

As we become quiet, aware of Spirit, and aware of our own thoughts and emotions, we are not sidetracked by any rash reaction to turmoil. We focus out attention on our breathing, close our eyes and envision the tranquility of Spirit.  We feel calm as we make a few simple choices for peace.

A few moments in prayer or meditation attune us to the serenity within.  In Spirit, we are calm, serene and undisturbed.