On the surface, I think the idea of having a "gratitude
practice" is kind of corny. I mean,
really...the idea of trying every day to find something your grateful for and
then...what? Saying your grateful for
it? Seriously. What kind of good is that going to do
anybody?
When you Google quotes about gratitude, I find that the
quotes are generally too simplistic and make broad sweeping generalizations
(e.g. “Those who have the ability to be grateful are the ones who have the
ability to achieve greatness"). I
mean seriously. It's just not that easy
y'all. They also place unnecessary lofty
expectations that make it seem like, once you sprinkle a little gratitude into
the day to day, things will actually be pretty swell -- you'll forgive and be
forgiven, the sun will shine, you'll achieve greatness, your life will be
beautiful and lovely.
If someone were to quote me on gratitude, this is what I
would want it to say,
On the days that you can, be grateful. Let gratitude fill your lungs and your heart
and let it spill out of your pores onto the pavement. Be messy with your gratitude. Let it trickle down your chin and stain your
shirt. Refuse to wipe it away. Be grateful for your breath, and for colorful
sunsets, and for your favorite song on the radio. Be grateful for the toad in your driveway,
for dog kisses, for children holding your hand.
On the days that you can, be grateful for your favorite tea, or for
drive-through windows, or for the way that Cheetos turn your fingers
orange. Hold it in and let it saturate
you; then breathe it out. Feel the way
it sits in your body. That is
power.
On the days that you can't -- and there will be days that
you can't -- be grateful for the fact that you recognize your lack of
gratitude. Express gratitude for the bad
days by living through them and naming them what they are. On the days that you can't, repeat the
phrase: 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to start again tomorrow.'" On the days you can't, repeat, "I will
start again tomorrow." On the days
you can't, just say "tomorrow."
Hold that word in and let it saturate you; then breathe it out. Feel the way it sits in your body. If you are still breathing at the end of that
breath, that is power. Where there is
breath and there is power, there is a starting place for gratitude. Just the act of breathing is an expression of
gratitude for life.
Alright, fine, maybe that's more like a sermon than a quote
one would find on Goodreads. I have more
to say about this topic later, but for now, here's my Goodreads style quote:
"On the days you can, live your thanks. On the days you can't, just continue
breathing. When done with intention,
even breathing can serve as a whispered prayer of gratitude." - Me, 2013
Look for me on Goodreads, you guys. One of these days, I'm going to be famous.
I love this. What a perfect plan for gratitude.
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