Gratitude is a practice that is used all year long. It is no secret that being grateful for what you have and what you want is the way to create more. Now that it is the holidays, that gratitude should be stronger than ever. More prominent this time of year more than any other. So, why is it so much harder to get into that state this time of year. How grateful are you really? 

I have been asking myself this lately. Actually, no. I haven’t. I haven’t been bringing my attention to being grateful at all. I am grateful in the moment, when I feel like something happens to be grateful for but it seems like that feeling dissipates quickly. It gets overshadowed by the never ending to-do’s of the holidays. Not to mention the fact that your regular life continues. You still have to work, do laundry, clean, etc. And it’s 2020 so, why don’t we throw in a pandemic and crazy energy shifts. Let’s just pour it all on and see how it turns out. 

Well, I can only speak for myself but it is not turning out great. In fact it feels like shit. There. I said it. This holiday season is SHIT! I do believe that the divine is perfect and creates everything, therefore, everything is perfect. I believe everything is happening for a reason and that reason is for the greater good. I believe that humanity is evolving in a way that we have never seen before and it is everything we have been waiting for. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t tough. It doesn’t mean that it will be easy. In order for things to start anew, the old must break down. For the phenix to rise again, it must first die. 

So, what does this have to do with gratitude? Or even further, the holidays? Well, the holidays bring an expectation of joy and compassion. Of looking and reviewing all the amazing people, opportunities, and happenings of the past year and being overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. At least it is this way for me. I usually need a reminder to not get too caught up in the commercial aspect go the holidays and look at what really matters. And that is, that I am an extremely blessed, lucky individual. I am surrounded by people I love and I always have more than enough to meet my needs. 

Usually it is very easy to get in the spirit and to be in the feeling of gratitude. But this year not so much. And compassion? It is pretty hard to be compassionate when you can’t see beyond your own nose. 

This is my wake up call and for anyone else that has been struggling, it is yours too. 

I intend to be more objective and have more perspective. I intend to stop cutting my sight short of my own nose. Look up. Be here, now. And REALLY take a good look around at what is. Not how I want things to be but just see things for what they are. 

The reality is, I have more things to be grateful for than I ever have before. The reality is every single person on this planet is going through the muck. The reality is the Earth is a living being that we are ravaging and taking advantage of. Wake up! It is not just a time to feel gratitude but a time to SHOW gratitude. 

This is the time more than ever to align yourself with the truth. To feel that connection with not only your own mind, body, and soul. But to feel that connection with every living being on this planet. Including Mother Nature. Because the truth is, we are nature. We are one. 

The more we can feel that connection, the more grateful we will not only feel, but act. It is one thing to feel grateful but to act grateful? That is powerful. Those are the ripples we need more of in this world. Feelings are powerful but aligned action in gratitude, is a force to be reckoned with. 

As we go through the rest of this holiday season. I intend to give not just with love but with gratitude. To give not because it is expected but because I am so lucky to be able to give and to have people to give to. I intend to act with more compassion because I get to. I am blessed enough to be here, on this Earth, right now. The least I can do is act in compassion and spread joy. 

This post is my reminder of all the wonderful things and people  in my life that I have to be grateful for. I just need to look up and around sometimes. 

How do you stay grateful when it is so easy to get wrapped up in yourself?

Hope you enjoyed this post. Until next time my friends!

Stay Well!