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INVITATION TO INQUIRY

Getting to Gratitude

“Giving thanks for abundance is sweeter than the abundance itself.”

- Rumi

It is wonderful to hold an attitude of gratitude. When we take time to focus on all we that have in our lives gratitude naturally arises. Holding awareness of gratitude is a practice in itself. On a good day most of us can do this. Quickly name ten things you are grateful for in your life this very moment. Sometimes this practice of naming what we are grateful for is enough to shift us from a less than grateful mood. Gratitude needs to be given voice. An inspirational teacher William Arthur Ward said, “Feeling Gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Then there are those other days. When we are less than we hope and our behavior reflects something deeper. Our outer voice might say” that’s great” to a friend who just got a new job while the inner voice says “Why her and not me? It’s not fair.” There is a disconnect between what we wish for another and our feelings of insecurity. Why does this occur when part of us, indeed most of us, wants the best for those in our lives.

In Inquiry we look at what is expressed and what is also repressed or hidden from us. Often when we express ourselves there is sometimes another emotion or thought lurking in the background that is not always kind. In the case of gratitude it can arise as resentment or self-judgment. How can we get to a true, open hearted expression of gratitude? This following exercise is to bring up the repressed or hidden thoughts thatget in the way of truly being grateful. When we shine the light of awareness on what is hidden or resisted the results can be amazing.

This exercise is best done in writing so that you can see the resistance and examine the thought. Remember
it is only a thought.

1. Divide a page into two columns
2. Title the left column I AM GRATEFUL FOR the other RESISTANCE
3. Write down one thing you are grateful for and then in the blank column write any thought or feeling that arises. Take your time and write down all the exceptions and limitations to fully feeling grateful.
Be honest with yourself. Notice where your mind takes you and the story it weaves.

For example:

4. Once you have allowed all the thoughts up return to the original statement and notice how it feels to
say it, or write it again. Does it feel true to you? Can you speak it or write it without conditions?

5. Be grateful you have chosen to question, explore and grow.

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