This has been an amazing week! So many gifts have been given to me. I am feeling completely grateful for the following gifts: Moving my son into a great university where he will be studying nursing.
Getting a great offer on our farm we have on the market. Getting the opportunity to buy an Airstream with very favorable circumstances. Finding a lot with a fantastic view for future use. Participating in a half Ironman distance triathlon tomorrow. Starting new professional engagements, and most of all, having a great partner next to me that is as excited about all of it as I am. I am feeling truly blessed. Practicing letting go and letting God has brought me so much peace and now so much happiness. Happiness comes from gratitude. Gratitude comes from recognizing we have received gifts, experiences or things of great value to us, freely given. As David Steindl-Rast explains in this Ted Talk, https://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful?language=en#:~:text=The%20one%20thing%20all%20humans,and%20above%20all%2C%20being%20grateful, it is not when we are happy that we are grateful, but when we are grateful that we are happy. The fact is, every day is a great gift. Nothing is of more value. It is given to us completely freely. My job is to remember that and be grateful. This week has been easier than others to do so because there were so many other gifts given to me as well. And also because I have again been practicing daily gratitude recaps with my wife, each of us listing 5 things we are grateful for from that day right before we fall asleep.
What is your gratitude practice? Do you feel happy when you are grateful? I hope you are experiencing both right now.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy the gift.
Art
