The Power of Gratitude

by
~  Andrea Chervenak ~ Louise Hay ~ Laura Alden Kamm ~Ellae Elinwood ~ Dr. Bernie Siegel ~

Andrea Chervenak:
I have always been a grateful person.  From a young age my father would often remind me that "there is always someone who has it worse than you."  When I was feeling especially sorry for myself he would tell me his favorite story, about a man who sat down at a bar and began complaining about the hole in his shoe until he realized the man he was complaining to had no leg.  I must have heard this story dozens of times, but it was not until illness struck did I realize the impact it had in forming my attitude about life.There was a time when I was so ill I didn't have the energy to turn over in bed. I remember laying there so full of fear and uncertainty. And then I would hear my father's voice reminding me that as difficult a time I was going through, there was someone, somewhere, who was suffering more than I was. Of the many factors that contributed to the healing I was eventually blessed to find, I have no doubt that the sense of gratitude that my father had instilled in me, was a large part of it. 

As I evolved spiritually, and developed a stronger sense of connection to God, I came to understand that being grateful is a state of mind, as well as a state of being. I stopped praying for things, and starting giving thanks for all that I knew was on its way to my life. I make it a priority to give heartfelt thanks for every blessing that comes my way - large or small. I no longer pray " God please bless me with ______" but rather, "thank you God for the blessing of ________"  because I know God wants all of us to be healthy, happy, and abundant...and so I thank Him for all of  the good that I know is available to all who ask with a pure heart. And when I hit those inevitable bumps in the road of life, I thank God for the the strength I know He will bless me with to move past the challenge quickly.  I also express my gratitude each day by asking God to lead me to all of the ways in which I may serve Him.

Gratitude is being thankful for what you are capable of giving, not having. It is finding the blessings in every circumstance, no matter how deep you must dig to do so.  It is making the choice to look past your troubles to see and appreciate life's beauty and wonder. It is finding a way to love even when you are feeling unloved.  It is knowing that every breath is a precious gift that will not last forever. It is understanding that life is filled with struggle and challenge, but also moments of beauty, joy, and peace. Gratitude is an appreciation of the good times, as well as life's trials and tribulations...because we know that these are the times in which we develop character, wisdom, and strength. It is when each day becomes a thanksgiving that we are living life with a true attitude of gratitude. 

Louise Hay:
I am grateful for all the good in my life this year. 
Gratitude is a gift I give myself and others. 
The joy I share is returned to me multiplied many times over.

Laura Alden Kamm:
Every morning I greet the day with gratitude. I end the day in the same way. I stand by my bedside and lift my arms above my head while saying, “Thank you my beautiful cells.” I bring my hands down in front of my body, moving the energy of heaven down through me. It is a Qi Gong movement. I lift my arms above my head again and say, “Thank you my beautiful body.” Once again, pressing my palms down slowly toward the floor, moving them downward in the front center of my body. Lifting my arms up again I say, “Thank you my beautiful Spirit.” The final time, I repeat the process saying, “Thank you my beautiful Laura.”  This is the way I express my gratitude for my cells, my body, my Spirit, and my persona as it all moves together through this life. Doing what I am here to do; experiencing what I am here to experience. I can’t make a move without any of these parts of my wholeness. So, thanks to them all!

Ellae Elinwood:
In the years following the death of my oldest daughter I really struggled with gratitude.  I found that the simpliest approach worked by far the best.  I took from the Irish...Count your blessings every day.  Large and small they will light the way.

Dr. Bernie Siegel:
Choose a role model who has lived the message and act and behave as if you are that person. It could be Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Albert Schweitzer or others. For me it is WWLD, or What Would Lassie Do? 

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