What if we embrace gratitude to calm our minds during stressful times? What if we allowed the cool, rainy Oregon winter to envelope us and support our body’s need to slow down? What if we began saying to ourselves, “It’s ok, you can relax now. You can heal now. Be thankful and breathe into the resistance with gratitude.”
How we perceive our innate challenges of the human experience leads to suffering, or not. It is a choice we make. Zen and Buddhist masters would say that it isn’t “real” that we are afraid, or worried, or uncertain, or lost. Instead, what is real are the facts and what we do with the facts. Such as a tough day at work, a loss of something important to you, a difficult conversation,… what we do with the facts is where we make our choices. This is where we have the potential to relax if we choose it… to be grateful, if we choose gratitude. To see challenges as opportunities to grow or take time to rest.
Let’s remember that we are human, uniquely separated by our minds. We’ll put a slant on whatever comes our way. It’s the function of the mind. Here’s my challenge for today, this week and this lifetime: Choose a slant that serves the greater good for yourself. Choose to see gratitude. To see space. Seize all opportunities to add merit to your life.
Every morning before your feet touch the ground ~
Close your eyes and inhale, saying to yourself, “I choose gratitude”
Exhale and say to yourself, “now and always”
Here’s to a New Year, and new opportunities to awaken the deepest parts of our selves. My intention is to share my inspirations, and to receive yours, with an open heart and mind. My hope is that we practice being in harmony with the planet and one another. Encourage Love to guide our way, as Love is all there really is.
Namaste,
JENGi
