GRATITUDE - Nov 2009
Fearing the future and regretting the past are two favorite pastimes in many of our lives. Unfortunately, they are a barrier to being present for the present, and block any hope of gratitude for the past, present or future. "Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear but around in awareness," said James Thurber.
The reason I like this quote is that it reminds me that in order to be grateful I have to pay attention. Gratitude - deep and authentic gratitude - doesn't usually just land without an invitation. To be grateful, we have to notice the person, the event, the moment itself, or it passes by without any effect upon us.
Most of the world's great and small religions call followers to pay attention, to be present, to not let life pass unnoticed. Seems simple enough until we face another day of lists and tasks. I'm betting most folks reading this don't have "be aware," or "notice the present," or "pay attention" on their lists.
Maybe they should be.
My two dogs often force me to pay attention. Young children do, too. I remember one day spent with my granddaughter Brid when she was 3 years old. She and I went for a walk around the block. After 45 minutes we had made it to the corner, five houses away. She was paying attention and I went along for the ride. I was glad to do so that day; I had given the day to her, something for which I shall always be grateful.
My dogs, on the other hand, demand to be taken for walks, often when I'm in the middle of something important ... something more important than them? Say it isn't so! Well, no, generally, not more important than my beloved fur babies, so they remind me to get up, walk outside where I get to see sunrises and sunsets, trees in great colors, and skies full of ideas. Those tricky fur babies remind me to pay attention.
For that I'm grateful.
Most of the world's great and small religions call followers to pay attention, to be present, to not let life pass unnoticed. Seems simple enough until we face another day of lists and tasks. I'm betting most folks reading this don't have "be aware," or "notice the present," or "pay attention" on their lists.
Maybe they should be.
My two dogs often force me to pay attention. Young children do, too. I remember one day spent with my granddaughter Brid when she was 3 years old. She and I went for a walk around the block. After 45 minutes we had made it to the corner, five houses away. She was paying attention and I went along for the ride. I was glad to do so that day; I had given the day to her, something for which I shall always be grateful.
My dogs, on the other hand, demand to be taken for walks, often when I'm in the middle of something important ... something more important than them? Say it isn't so! Well, no, generally, not more important than my beloved fur babies, so they remind me to get up, walk outside where I get to see sunrises and sunsets, trees in great colors, and skies full of ideas. Those tricky fur babies remind me to pay attention.
For that I'm grateful.
