Gratitude

On this beautiful Easter Sunday, I wanted to  reflect on something that is not directly from a specific chapter of, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind." Murphy mentions several times throughout the book that it is important to give thanks often and in a variety of scenarios. This may include giving thanks for a healing that is taking place, giving thanks to the infinite intelligence of the subconscious mind, or giving thanks for a prayer or desire that is being answered.

This past summer I made my Dad and myself matching coffee mugs that said, "start each day with a grateful heart." It is important that, when you wake up in the morning, you are setting the tone for the day. Are you going to grumble about the fact that you have to wake up early and go to work? By doing so, you are turning on that negative record player right away. Joel Osteen talks a lot about starting your day correctly. He says that you should start each day by declaring that you are blessed, happy, and going to have a great day. He even suggests looking at yourself in the mirror and speaking positive affirmations over yourself. "I am beautiful...I am healthy....I am prosperous..." When you wake up you have the opportunity to make a choice. Are you going to start the record player with wonderful and joyful thoughts? Or are you going to get immediately caught up in the fabrications of our society?

It is vital that you start your day on a positive note as it will set the tone for the rest of your day. I have known this for what seems like years. However, what I haven't seen discussed much is how to continue this positivity all day long.

A month or so ago, at the height of my anxiety I started a grateful journal. It came as a suggestion in a teacher's meeting and I happened to come across a beautiful pink notebook that I knew would be perfect for it. Each morning as I woke up I put on my fluffy robe, made a cup of tea, and sat down to write at least three things that I was grateful for. I had no difficulties coming up with something to list. On certain days I would write about my wonderful family and my home....On others I was simply grateful for that relaxing cup of tea. While this was a nice practice and it warmed my heart, it only took me about 5 minutes to complete. This activity alone did not give me the chance to reach deep prayer with my father. By the time I was dressed and out the door I had completely forgotten all about my little list and was back in negativity land. For someone that was trying to overcome rough anxiety I needed to go deeper and I needed to build in several moments throughout my day to help me stay on track.

When you enter a state of prayer, meditation, mindfulness, whatever you want to call it- entering with a heart that is open and grateful will bring you closer to our father and the law that governs our world. How do we do this and how do we maintain it throughout the day?

In Murphy's book he often talks about when you pray (again, you may interchange any word you wish here) you should make yourself comfortable, relaxed, and enter a state that is very near sleep.
It is then that your conscious mind is least likely to inhibit your desires and your subconscious mind is easily accessible.

One of the things that I began doing each morning was listening to a guided meditation for 20 minutes each day. I still wear my fluffiest robe and make a cup of tea, but then find a comfortable spot on my couch and curl up in a blanket. I then listen to the recording which leads me to completely relax my body before guiding me to a manifested beach. During this meditation I enter a state of prayer and go through things that I am eternally grateful for. My health, my family, my safety, the blessings that are still yet to come...etc.  I normally wake up with a bit of a nervous stomach and it is when I feel connected and grateful during this time that the muscles of my abdomen begin to finally unwind. One of the most important things that I have done over the past few weeks is that I made this morning ritual a priority. In order to have this special time I have had to get up slightly earlier. If I am ever running a little bit behind then I will skip something else in order to make sure I have time to meditate.

The difference between my gratitude list and this extensive time of prayer is that I allow myself to move from a place of conscious thinking to a place of feeling. I have said many times that it is not enough to just think about our father and the power...but it is important to feel it.

As a kindergarten teacher most days my schedule is like a freight train heading down the track full speed. I have to jump on and hang on as tightly as I can. Once I started re-reading, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" I knew that I needed to build in a quiet moments to connect with my father no matter where I was.

The first thing I do once I arrive at school- before I turn on the lights or put my bags down- is I pray over my classroom. I do this in a way that is filled with gratitude. I take a deep breath and say...
"Thank you father for another day. I know that it is going to be a wonderful and fantastic day. Thank you for keeping my students and I safe, healthy and protected. I know that you are with me all day today and I thank you for your guidance. Thank you for helping me keep my thoughts positive, loving, and true. It is going to be a wonderful day."

Not only do I try to set the tone for my day at home, but I do it again at work. It is so easy to enter that "career" mode where you are "on" and professional. Even when you have to have that persona you can still have your faith and God. Anytime that I feel my thoughts being de-railed or turned negative, I take a deep breath and say my scripture of the week over and over again.

Gratitude is a very powerful thing. It may help you out of an anxiety attack when you suddenly pick something to be grateful for. It may change your attitude in the morning when you have to go to work....I am so grateful that I have a job to help me provide for my family...

Being grateful is a way to soften your heart... To direct your thoughts to ones of positivity and wonder. Take a moment to realize all of the fantastic blessings you have in your life today. No matter how small they may be, they can truly make an impact.

Start each day with a grateful heart......live each moment giving thanks...