THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

The first time I really learnt of the Power of Gratitude was in my first Reiki class, way back in October 1993 or was it 1994? Of course one had heard of that word and like most youngsters not paid it much heed.. I just took it to be another word for Thanks. And like most youngsters, I was taught to say “Thank You” often. And often I did say it, sometimes meaning it, and sometimes…well, just for formality’s sake.

My Reiki Teacher R Chandran, was thus the first to almost drill into my head, heart and very being the importance of Gratitude. He explained that after the attunement to Reiki, what would get the flow of the Universal Energy started was Being in a state of Gratitude. It was the switch one flicks on to get the energy to flow. We learnt five principles of Reiki – Principles which are to be Lived, as part of one’s daily life, along with the practice of self healing thru Reiki. And the first of these principles is the one on – You guessed it – ‘Gratitude’ – Thank You, for guessing it right J

What does it mean to be in Gratitude?

It is not only expressing thanks but also feeling a deep sense of Gratitude for all that one has and is in life, that is so important. We did this wonderful exercise in our Reiki Workshop – about expressing Gratitude to our Footwear. I remember how strange it felt the first time. The second time I did it, I was blown away by the experience. No, no,, my heart did not overflow with the emotion,,, instead my shoes REPLIED !! They said something like “You are welcome, however we would be greatful too, if U polished us more often”! I almost did a somersault as I stared at the pair of dirty, dusty shoes which I had taken so much for granted. And I have never looked back since then – not just regarding polishing my shoes more often – I mean about my journey with Gratitude.

And just for the record, I do polish my shoes very regularly.

Yes, I have for days, as an exercise to begin with, have begun my day by expressing gratitude to the bed I have slept in, the sheets and pillows I have used, the slippers I then wear, the toilet I visit, the running water in the toilet, the basin, the soap I use then, the toothpaste and toothbrush…. And so on and on thru out the day. It’s not just being greatful to the things in one’s life but also being greatful to the people in one’s life, the situations and opportunities, the challenges and accomplishments that is important.

Do this daily for a few days. Begin your day with being greatful for all that you have in your life, all that are and all that is in your life. See how wonderful and amazing your days will become. Life will take on a more splendid hue. Once I received this message When U create place for Gratitude in your life, you create space for Grace in your life. For long I did not understand the meaning of this term ‘Grace’ (Apart from it being the name of some pretty gals, you know). Then it struck me, plain and simple. It simply means receiving blessings of the Divine, it simply means good things happening in your life.

Isn’t that amazing ? Being truly greatful brings in Grace and Blessings. Now if that seems like magic, so be it. If that seems miraculous, so be it, and if that seems unbelievable to some, live with it,, just remember to be greatful for that logical, rational mind of yours which also serves you so well in other areas. Gratitude is not just an emotion. It is a POWER. Attune to this power daily.

If you have been reading keenly, you would have noticed that by standards of current English literature, I have mis-spelt one word very often above. That word is – and now I spell it correctly, ’Grateful’. Have a second look at how I have spelt it in the above sentences. Yes, it’s been spelt as GREATFUL. That’s because, I think that IS the way to spell it and more so, to realize its Greatness.

Being in Gratitude, I realized one of my dreams. To be a Reiki Teacher. In my Reiki classes and classes on Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques, I not only speak of Gratitude, but I take my students thru various exercises on Gratitude. I share a very simple one with you here :

Daily, write down a list of the things, people, situations, etc in your life to which you have reasons to be Greatful. Serially number each sentence and begin it with “I am greatful to/for……” Write down not only the big and expensive things in your life like your beautiful home, your stylish car, your glitzy cell phone but also the small things which U may tend to overlook. Like your footwear. Like the old cupboard etc. Be Greatful to/for your body and its different parts and be in gratitude for each part of you – from the supposedly more important organs like the brain, heart and liver to supposedly unimportant items like your little finger !. Would you trade your little finger for a million rupees ? Very unlikely. Thus, make your Gratitude List. Read it then with a true feeling of Gratitude for all that is present in your life.

One way in which Gratitude ‘works’, in your life is that it gives U a sense of perspective. You crib and complaint less, you become less envious and jealous, you become more generous and less greedy, you stop taking things for granted, you become more present and conscious and live more in the current moment – in effect, you become more peaceful, calm, loving, kind and happy. Aren’t these the main qualities and experiences that most people want?

Another way in which Gratitude is of use (if that’s what your ‘practical, modern, skeptical, logical, rational’ mind is wondering about) is that it brings in more goodness in your life. How? Simple. When you focus on the good and the great in your life by way of being in the state of Gratitude, guess what! By the Law of Attraction, you are then attracting more of Good and Great back into your life. Remember: When U create place for Gratitude in your life, you create space for Grace in your life.

Thank you for reading this. I am truly Greatful. Start making your List of Gratitude, NOW!

By Parvez J Daruwala