The theme of gratitude has been popping up a lot in my life lately. In the past, I used to take success for granted. I grew up doing well in school, being a talented soccer player, and life generally unfolding like I wanted it to. Don’t take me wrong, there were definite ups and downs – like the year that my grandfather died AND I skipped a grade, in effect losing one of the most important persons in my life, as well as most of my friends. First year of university was also a disaster but I could see my part in creating my own downfall. I bounced back the following year and kept on chugging along back on the path of good fortune. I never really evaluated just how lucky I was in life until three years ago, when my life melted down. In one year I had to put down my puppy, my long-term partner and I broke up in effect shattering my heart and making me realize that I had allowed myself to become so accustomed to being part of a two that I no longer had sense of myself as a one, and I didn’t get into medical school, just to list a few things. It literally felt like anything I wanted that year did not come to fruition. All of a sudden, all of those things that I had taken for granted were not so trivial anymore…

Flash forward three years and here I am. Back on the positivity boat and understanding more and more the value of gratitude. Life isn’t always a cake walk, so when it feels like it is, it’s especially important to take the time to notice and give thanks. This past week, I was at my last psychic development class of the year, where one of the members brought through a beautiful message about the importance of gratitude, the essence of which is as follows (with my own thoughts mish-mashed throughout). It is important to be grateful and acknowledge the gifts around you because gratitude lifts the soul to a higher level. Every molecule that exists in the Universe contributes to our existence.  All of life is a miracle.  The world we live in is a miracle. The Universe is a miracle. Your body is a miracle. None of it would have happened if parts didn’t come together in a particular way. Humans gravitate toward being grateful for the positive, but gratitude can, and should, also be applied to the negative. Everything is a lesson. Every smile, every bump, every bruise. Phenomena are not as important as the spiritual lesson behind them. By seeing the dark as an opportunity to learn, we can lift ourselves out of the moment or situation and bring our heart higher up. I find that applying the serenity prayer to situations really helps shine rays of sunshine on them. In every situation, there are things that we cannot control. However, there are also things that we do have power over and can change.  When we choose to focus on the things that we can change, and be grateful for that which is in our realm of control, we help regain our power… and a weight lifts off our shoulders. Everything is going to be alright. Everything IS alright.

Today I was rummaging through antique stores and found an original Newsweek from the 1980’s that marked John Lennon’s death. The shop owner saw my sheer joy and gratitude over this find and sold it to me at a discount. On a day when I found killer old man suspenders and a floppy, eccentric bow tie, I am EXTRA grateful for this find. Hello world! I love and appreciate you.