In the 2001 movie “America’s Sweethearts,” Eddie (John Cusak) spends some time in a wellness center, recovering from the very public breakup of his celebrity marriage. Part of his program includes expressing gratitude: “I’m grateful for the earth… I’m grateful for the stars and the sky…” While the movie portrays his chanting of gratitude as a point of comic relief, there’s truth to the scenario.
When we’re stressed, upset or visiting an internal place of fear or scarcity, it’s easy to slip into believing that nothing’s going our way. We can lose sight of the everyday, ordinary gifts we have in our lives: family, friends, a warm bed, a roof over our heads, freedom to change jobs, cities and our minds.
Every night before going to sleep, my husband and I share something that we’re grateful for. Today, I’m grateful for new friends and for those I’ve yet to meet. If we look inside ourselves and at the simple gifts of everyday, we can always find something that reminds us that we are surrounded by abundance and love. Gratitude centers and calms us when we feel immersed in stress, change or fear.
And in a pinch, if you’re really feeling lost, it’s always good to be grateful for the majesty of the earth, the stars and the sky.
Getting Curious:
What are you grateful for? How do you express your gratitude? What opportunities do you have to express sincere appreciation to people, for doing something as well as for being who they are?
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