November is the month we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.It is a reminder to be grateful for all the blessings in our life.I have taught in my workshops that being grateful is a way of life and a state of mind rather than something we do once in a while or for the holiday season. Human beings have a tendency to be pulled down by negativity too easily. It takes spiritual strength to find the positive and good in the daily challenges of life.
Living in gratitude is more than just being thankful for what we have or thinking positively. It is feeling compassion, appreciation, and connection to others and our Creator. Let me share an example from my book Celestial Living Reflections on Love and Faith.
One evening I came home from work and was very tired. I had been working as a massage therapist 40 hours a week, which required a lot of strength and energy from me emotionally and physically. I reached for a package of salad mix that had been washed, cut, and ready to use. As I was sitting at the table I began to think of all the people that it took to grow the vegetables, harvest the vegetables,transport the vegetables to the store, and those that worked at the store to sell me the food. Something powerful awakened in me that opened a deeper level of gratitude and connection to everything and everyone on the planet. I was receiving A GIFT from many people! I felt honored through the service of so many to bring me this food that was so convenient for me to eat at this particular time. I felt like a queen eating this $3.00 package of pre-mixed salad.An enormous amount of love expanded within me and out towards all people on the earth. This spiritual experience changed how I view everything and everyone in my life.
Living in gratitude opens our eyes and our heart to love more deeply. Gratitude allows us to experience more compassion, to increases our appreciation for life, and feel our connection to humanity.
I have felt deeply loved by God through the goodness of others. Whether I have known them or not I feel the connection we have with each other and my life is blessed.
May you take some time to ponder how others may bless your life today and always.
Love and light,
Johnna Andrea Tuttle
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