|
Sometimes we forget to take the time to
recognize the richness that defines our lives. This may be because many
of the messages we encounter as we go about our affairs prompt us to
think about what we don’t have rather than all the abundance we do enjoy.
Consequently, our gratitude exists in perpetual conflict with our desire
for more — whether we crave time, convenience, wealth, or enlightenment.
Yet understanding and truly appreciating our blessings can be as simple
as walking a mile in another’s shoes for a short period of time. Because
many of us lead comparatively insular lives, we may not comprehend the
full scope of our prosperity that is relative to our sisters and brothers
in humanity.
If you find it difficult to take an
inventory of your life’s blessings, consider the ease with which you
nourish your body and mind, feed your family, move from place to place,
and attend to tasks at hand. For a great number of people, activities you
may take for granted, such as attaining an education, buying healthy
food, commuting to work, or keeping a clean house, represent great
challenges. To experience firsthand the complex tests others face as a
matter of course in their daily lives, try living without the amenities
you most often take for granted. This can be a great experiment to
undertake with your entire family or a classroom. Understanding working
poverty can be as easy as endeavoring to buy nutritious foods with a
budget of $100 for the week. If you own a car, relying on public
transportation for even just a day can help you see the true value of the
comfort and conveniences others do without. As you explore a life without
things you may normally take for granted, ask yourself for how long you could
endure.
The compassionate gratitude that floods
your heart when you come to fully realize your abundance may awaken pangs
of guilt in your heart. Be aware, however, that the purpose of such an
experiment is to open your heart further in gratitude and compassion.
This awareness can help you attain a deeper level of gratitude that will
allow you to savor, and above all, appreciate your life with renewed
grace.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment