December 21: Day 174

STONE TWELVE CONTINUED
 
Thank: I am grateful. Gratitude helps me bring out the positive in my life and also makes room for The Divine to bring additional positive situations, people, and spiritual experiences into my life. I thank those who have guided me on my path.
 
Instruction: See what wasn’t there.

Gratitude helps bring out the positive in our lives — things that we might have overlooked before. When life gets us down and we see the glass as half empty and draining rapidly, we often overlook the little blessings that surround us — even the tiny miracles that go undiscovered. Sometimes these blessings and miracles are in the form of the wonder of nature — the blooming of a flower, the rise and fall of the ocean tide, the dawning and setting of the sun. At other times, these blessings and miracles arrive in the form of daily blessings that come our way. I’m always amazed when the Universe puts together two people with mutual interests such as common histories, shared likes and dislikes, and similar spiritual paths. Sometimes we fail to notice these happenings, because we were too busy with our schedules to take time to get to know someone better.

When we live a life filled with gratitude, we open to the world around us and the world within us, and our eyes see things that we overlooked before. We relish the new friends and acquaintances we make, and we see in them the hand of The Divine. We even learn to see these in strangers, too, and also even in our enemies, although this doesn’t mean we need to make ourselves vulnerable to our enemies again. We can be more open to the changing of the seasons and marvel at the splendor, and we can be amazed, even though it may terrify us, at the powerful ways in which nature can devastate the earth. Gratitude opens our physical eyes and our spiritual eyes. It promotes health and happiness. It lifts our spirits and lightens our day, and it has a positive impact on those around us.

Today’s Assignment is to be grateful for the world around you. Notice sights and sounds you may have overlooked. Take a leisurely stroll with no destination and no time limit. If you are physically not able to take a stroll today, let your mind stroll through your memories to find a quiet place and time that will bring you peace and serenity. Be grateful for the gift of life.