S4 Ep9: Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Gratitude?

Gratitude empowers – given and received I have an amazing life. And for that, I have tremendous gratitude. Gratitude is something we easily take for granted. That’s not anyone’s fault, per se. But when you live in a mass-consumption, consumer-driven, fear-based society, gratitude is easy to shunt away and take for granted. By having gratitude for what you already have, you can get what you desire. However, having and expressing gratitude for all you already have alters your desire in positive ways. Gratitude and mindfulness Mindfulness – as I define it – is active conscious awareness of your inner being. It’s achieved by a combination of sensory input (via your 6 senses) and knowing – in the present, here and now: ·        What you’re thinking ·        How and what you’re feeling ·        What your intentions are ·        What actions you are or aren’t taking Being consciously aware of these makes you mindful. And it tells you, right now, who, what, where, how, and why you are. When you’re present and actively consciously aware, you can recognize what you do have. Material and immaterial, mindfulness opens the door to look and see what you have for your life. With this awareness, you can offer thanks and practice gratitude for those things. Why is that important? Because if you’re not grateful, how do you expect to change anything or get anything new? Thinking, feeling, and saying “thank you” builds bridges When you practice mindfulness, you’re creating inner self-awareness of your thoughts, feelings, actions, and intentions. That active, conscious self-awareness in the now makes you wholly present. Once you gain mindfulness within, you can look at the intangibles you have. Your emotions become clearer. Then, you can turn your head, heart, and soul to your outer world. With a clear perception, you can see the things you have, the people in your life, and the good therein. When you see this from such a clear, mindful perspective, it’s apparent the good you have. Gratitude also shows you – and the Universe – if your desire is genuine or based on consumerism. When you’re grateful for what you have, what you need – really need – becomes clearer and easier to get. Ergo – yes, gratitude for what you have can get you what you genuinely desire. And there is never, ever such a thing as too much gratitude. This week’s Applied Guidance for Mindfulness Tool: Every day for the next week, at the end of your day, write out 5 things you’re grateful for. These can be either tangible or intangible. They can be big or small, significant or insignificant – it doesn’t matter. Seek, find, and choose 5 things (people, places, whatever) for which you have gratitude. When you’re writing this out, please do so in this manner: “I am so very grateful that I have *insert tangible or intangible person, place, thing, or whatever* in my life.” Then, read each one, aloud, three times. Don’t just read the words, feel the gratitude. Say “thank you” aloud after the third time reading them. After a week of this practice, see how it makes you feel. Do you feel the empowerment that gratitude creates? Author Website Email Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok Blogs: titaniumdon.com and mjblehart.medium.com Cover artist Fe Mahoney: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaliasInspirations