In Giving Thanks - Gratitude
I wish to give a virtual thank you hug to Therese for letting me post this blog. I am honored to have met you by spiritual chance via video classes - because the two of us decided at the same time we wanted to complete a holistic coaching certification course.
Te, with an E, as she became known to our class, was one of the people I simply bonded with. We have never met in the physical realm because we live a distance apart. We do hope and look forward to giving each other a real hug someday!
Therese is the spirit of the lotus that can coach people with such ease. She is my friend and the founder and creator of Yourlotusspirit.com
In Giving Thanks - Gratitude by Therese Logan “If the only prayer you said was 'thank you,' that would be enough." ― Meister Eckhart
As the days get shorter and darkness falls upon us, nature allows us to reflect and remember.
I question the difference between giving thanks and gratitude in this Thanksgiving season.
Giving thanks and gratitude are not the same. Yet they both open the way for us to live from our hearts.
We all know that life is not always easy. To live from our heart charka, we must practice gratitude and thankfulness. Practicing gratitude is accepting things as they are. Thankfulness helps us to notice and express thanks when things do go right.
Gratefulness is a way of life, and thankfulness is an aspect of it.
Gratitude is the appreciation and awareness of the blessings we often overlook. It is the practice of focusing on what is good instead of what is missing. It is an attitude. Being grateful is something that people aspire to be because it fundamentally changes their perspective and lifestyle. Being thankful is even more powerful when times are rough. Gratitude is looking at the light in the darkness, about being intentionally grateful for what is still good despite what glaringly isn't.
Being thankful is a part of this. It is by no means unimportant. We should be grateful for the gifts and kindness we receive.
The motto "It is better to give than to receive" can lead to almost a self-sacrificing attitude. I do not believe that is the real reason for the quote.
I have found joy in giving. Seeing the smile that appears when someone opens a gift you gave them, the ability to share the joy in one's storytelling, and always ready to lend a hand when needed. There is a beautiful feeling when giving is given with an open hand and heart, expecting nothing in return.
I'm unsure if others feel this way, but giving is easier than receiving. I am the one whose face reddens when opening a gift.
I have a hard time receiving. I had to release and reflect on receiving these past few weeks, allowing others to help me. It was not easy to "let go and let love." In receiving, your heart opens with gratitude for the love that is shared.
In the spirit of this holiday, I am thankful for the beautiful gifts I have received, the kindness of others, and the love shared.
May we be thankful this season and grateful for all that we cherish.