Skip to main content

Attitude of Gratitude

My back begins to readjust as my feet are flat up against the wall.  I begin to breathe deeply and slowly as I listen to her calming voice.  One of the best things that I have learned from my yoga teacher is to approach each day with an attitude of gratitude.  Every class, she starts us off with time to pause, reflect, and name all that we are thankful for.  I hear other "yogis" recite their grateful words or phrases.  Doing just that takes the focus off of self and seems to energize me for the poses that we do.  I come away from class invigorated.

But I have discovered that really is the best attitude to have even when I'm not at class.  Contentment comes from gratefulness.  For me, gratefulness is combined with praise to God for all He is and has done for me.  I naturally have a tendency to be an ideal realist. I hope for the best, but endure the reality.  It is what it is . . .  However, as I put up with whatever comes my way, my joy can easily be robbed from me by those uncontrollable circumstances.  So out of my darker days, I found that practicing praise and thankfulness can restore joy and hope.  By doing just that, I am building an attitude of gratitude.  

Maybe, that it why she has such a Mona Lisa smile.  The portrait captures joy and satisfaction that only comes from within the heart.  Her eyes want to tell you why, but you only have her face to offer explanation.  But I bet it all began for her by simply having an attitude of gratitude . . . 

"Remember the word to Thy servant, in which Thou hast made me hope.  This is my comfort in my affliction, That Thy word has revived me."
Psalm 119: 49-50 


Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 28, 2012 at 2:08 AM

    You have some interesting art displayed on your blogs...you do then yourself?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easter Production

Driving down the freeway, the large billboard caught my eye.  "Join us for our Easter Production,"  it beckoned with splashy brown and orange colors.  It made me think, yes, that's what the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been reduced to. . . a man made production.  Even this very day we celebrate, the headlines are all about the celebrities that attract the biggest Easter crowd.  E.G. "Tim Tebow draws thousands to Texas Easter service."  Once again, I had to think . . . who is Easter really about?  What happened to "Jesus draws a crowd?" I have grown tired of celebrity worship.  Yet, it seems in America that is what most Christians are interested in. We flock to mega churches, we drink in videos and studies all geared to keep us simple minded and complacent.  No longer is theology a priority to be taught.  No, it's better to read through the Bible in a year by reading only 5 minutes a day.  Never mind, contemplating or discuss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Summer Breeze

  Gypsy Rose immediately prances to the back door as she hears her name.  We are ready for our morning walk, which has started later than usual, since I have some of these summer days off.  But it is still early enough to catch the morning breeze.  Walking south, I am refreshed by feeling the gentle wind all around me, it's a cool wrap in contrast to the summer sun.  But it all seems to disappear as I turn the corner and head west, my summer breeze is gone.  I am at a loss for it even as I continue north and east.  It's only as I begin the southern sidewalks back home that I am met with the blissful breeze.  I realize that though I wasn't feeling it for most of my steps, it was there all along, I just had to turn the right direction to get relief . . .  Sometimes, that is how my relationship with God seems.  Yes, I know He is ever near and is with me, but I don't feel that fact.  Sometimes my prayers seem to be in a vacuum, and I'm ...
Post a Comment
Read more

I am He

It's another one of those finicky March mornings.  Yesterday was picture perfect with early morning warm sunshine, crisp clear air, and rocky mountain peaks all framed by a royal blue sky.  On the other hand, today is a gray cloudy morning with the brilliance of Spring abruptly dimmed.  It's even a bit too cool and breezy for my morning bike ride, so I'll enjoy this "clock change" Sunday morning here on my favorite couch.  Opening the patio door, invites the sweetest aroma inside.  You are instantly drawn to find the source of what you smell.  Looking to my left, I see the beautiful vine that has climbed up one of Juniper trees, and has another trail of itself winding through a second tree.  It is like looking at a cascading fountain of brilliant blossoms.  I have found that the vine is known as a climbing jasmine.  I have no idea how it has ended up in our yard.  I can't exactly find its original site.  I use to think it was ju...
Post a Comment
Read more