"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." ~Melody Beattie
That's true. Gratitude changes everything. Especially when times are tough. When you make the effort to find it within you to be grateful for what you have and appreciate every little thing, your world changes.
I am happy to co-host the "Gratitude Circle" with Corinne Rodrigues of EverydayGyaan, starting today. We'll be co-hosting a linky on the 4th Thursday every month and invite you to join us.
But before I tell you how it works, I'd like to share something with you.
Gratitude Changes Everything
Years ago....and I can't help feeling tearful when I say that phrase in this context - when my Mom was advised complete bed rest by the doctor as the second last resort to recover from spinal TB, we were nervous....the last resort being surgery that she may or may not have survived. This was October and little did we imagine that come February and she would no longer be with us.
But back to that day in October. Suddenly, we had no idea what to do. Complete bed rest meant not moving from that bed for the next three months. Which meant she lived horizontal for that time. The idea was to get her on-the-verge-of-breaking backbone to heal. It meant using a bedpan and being sponge bathed for 90 days. Eating, lying down. Absolutely horizontal - not being raised even a little, as that would harm her back.
Well, long story short... I told my Mom we wouldn't be hiring a nurse to look after her because I would. She believed in me. But she knew I was nervous. So she said - why not make our gratitude list this moment? We had gotten into the habit of writing what we were grateful for, several years ago when times were really tough - I mean, there were days when we didn't have enough to eat.
Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. ~Eileen Caddy
I got my gratitude book and looked at her, pen poised on paper. She told me "Whenever life gets you down, remember it is just temporary. Think of all that you have at this moment.
When we got started listing all the things we were thankful for, we couldn't stop. I won't show off the list now, but I can tell you that I hold it close to my heart as a major source of motivation for when I feel down.
Point is - Gratitude changes everything. Appreciation changes our perception. We feel better able to tackle the things that look overwhelming.
"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." ~Gerald Good
During those two months, I was immensely grateful for the following:
- The time I spent with my Mom. Reading to her, gossiping with her, laughing with her.
- We became even closer as a family and spent lots of time together
- We looked forward to weekends more than ever...watching movies, eating together. Sury would give my Mom a running commentary of the dialogs as her eyesight was weak.
- Vidur was such an angel, always cooperative and loving. He would read slokas (prayers) to her every day believing it would speed up her recovery.
- He spent all his time at home with her, discussing his homework or keeping her amused with his anecdotes.
- The kindness of strangers - at the pharmacy, the grocery store and all the other people who readily delivered stuff home.
- Our doctor, who visited Mom regularly to check on her progress.
I remember, one day my Mom said she was so happy she was ready to die any moment. We all laughed because the idea of life without her was so ridiculous. She was recovering and she was only 64. But life has other plans. She told me that should the unexpected happen, always focus on the good stuff. And insisted that we donate her body to a medical college, as a token of her gratitude to life.
♥
And so dear readers, I am happy to announce the launch of the " Gratitude Circle" with Corinne Rodrigues of Everyday Gyaan. We have much to be grateful for. And we think it would be such a great idea to record our gratitude once a month, publicly, together.
I've found that when I read someone else's gratitude list, I feel happier. It is the positive outlook, the courage to choose to appreciate rather than complain that is so motivating.
I invite you to join us in the Gratitude Circle.
Here's what you do:
- Grab the button. Right click to download the image. Upload it into the sidebar of your blog. Then link it to http://vidyasury.com or http://everydaygyaan.com
- On the last Thursday of the month, publish your post about Gratitude. It can be an experience, a story, a poem - anything to do with gratitude. A tip: Start a gratitude journal if you do not have one already. Start jotting down what you are grateful for on a daily basis and you'll have one solid post practically writing itself.
- After you publish your post, come on over to Corinne's blog or here - and add the link to your post. Visit others in the linky.
- Are you on Pinterest? Pin your gratitude posts, quotes and anything related to gratitude on to our Gratitude Circle Pinterest Board. Please request an invite.
- Join our Circle of Gratitude on Google Plus.
- Join our Gratitude Circle on Facebook. You don't have to have a blog to join this group.
- Feel good.
I look forward to reading your gratitude posts!
"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer." ~ Maya Angelou
Now...tell me two things you are grateful for!
"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." ~Margaret Cousins
I am deeply honored that you are reading this post today. Thank you for your presence in my life.
With love, Vidya