Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Image Credit: Lina Trochez
It’s easy to grumble when things don’t go our way. We blame ourselves, others, the situation, the circumstances, or the environment.
Stop!
Years ago, when my retreat center burned to the ground, I felt sorry for myself. Poor me! The bills for the renovation didn’t care that everything was destroyed.
Once I got over the shock of watching my dream retreat burn down, I became aware of the firemen putting their lives on the line. Several were suffering from smoke inhalation. I requested that they let the house burn, rather than having to live with myself if any of them died in the inferno. The man in charge said to me, “See that man over there? He is the insurance adjuster. He’s here to watch us do our job.”
When all was said and done, I was left with three walls and a wood-burning stove. Ironically, my insurance provider never told me that paying an extra $18 a year would cover all my losses. Oh well, live and learn. Everyone lived, which was great news.
I was left with the choice as to how to proceed.
I chose gratitude over anger. It was a powerful transformation. I had temporarily lost my livelihood, and yet I found something more powerful: I learned that gratitude is often overlooked amidst life's challenges. The local Chinese restaurant temporarily became my office while I regrouped.
Embracing gratitude can catalyze unexpected solutions. Gratitude serves as a beacon, illuminating pathways otherwise obscured by frustration or despair.
So, what did I do with four walls and a wood-burning stove? I gave it to the firemen in exchange for burning down the rest of my retreat. I sold the land and began again.
Here are a few keys to getting through tough times.
-Become curious in the midst of turmoil. Remember to breathe. Take a long, deep breath in and hold it for as long as you can, and then very slowly exhale. Tune into how your heart rate slows and how peace enters both your mind and body. As I do this exercise, I think to myself, ‘Receive the breath and release the breath.’
-Shift your perspective. Pay attention to what is going right, no matter how small. That simple mind shift is conducive to problem-solving.
-Gratitude fosters resilience. Expand in the face of contraction and the impossible becomes doable.
My teacher once said, “Endure to the end and you will find your new beginning.” Out of the ashes comes wisdom, healing, and a reservoir of strength, resourcefulness, and the ability to see beyond the present and into a brighter future than you can imagine.
Stay tuned for the next stress tip!
Peace & Blessings,
Dr. Lin Morel