Gratitude Returns

Going through some of my past grateful walks, I noticed that when I send gratitude, the energy of goodness always returns.

I thanked the sea for the countless ways that she provides good to all and she sent in a wave and a smile to me.

I thanked Bella Grace for all the love she gives and she sent back a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face and a sweet kiss.

I thanked the sunset for being beautiful and the birds for how I loved to watch them glide and together they formed a smile for me.

I thanked the birds for how they coordinate to fly in unison with one another and they made a heart for me.

It took a long time for me to notice this pattern of goodness always returning. I wondered if it took so long for me to understand this because I don’t always notice an immediate return of energy. I had to go back through pictures to take notice at these little miracles happening all around me. It had been there all along although I did not have the eyes to see.

I am grateful that I don’t always notice an immediate return because I sense it has helped me to learn unconditional gratitude for everything in my life… the lessons, the challenges and the triumphs.

I also don’t want be someone with transactional gratitude… giving to get from something outside of myself. The truth is that whether something outside of me responds or not, I am sending appreciation for the experience of life itself.

Some experiences are easy for me to find gratitude in like being by the sea, Bella, the sunset and the birds gliding along.

Other experiences are more difficult for me like the challenges that come in all different forms. In the end, I am able to be grateful for my challenges because they are on my path to help me grow but it still takes me some time before I can thank the pain.

And then I realized that my gratitude practice always have an immediate return.

I am taking care of my own heart when I sit in gratitude.

I’ve noticed that gratitude expands my heart when she tightens from overwhelming stress. When I walk in stress, I notice all that disturbs me.

When I walk in gratitude, she seeks all that delights me.

And even when disturbing thing cross my path, she allows compassion to flow instead of strain.

Today, I send you gratitude for all the good that you done

I send you gratitude for all the compassion that you let flow through you.

I send you gratitude for all the challenges you have overcome

I send you gratitude for knowing you will get through your current challenges

I send you gratitude for being you