The Multi-Faceted Face of Gratitude

Dr. David Hawkins, a researcher out of Sedona, AZ and the author of numerous books on consciousness has found that thanksgiving and gratitude are very high-energy, high-vibration states. So, with the Thanksgiving holiday happening this month in the US, I of course decided to put myself in a high-energy state and write about gratitude and how it shows up in my life and those around me. I started my research with my five year-old son, Nathan, one of the highest energetic souls I know. As I drove him home from school one day, I told Nathan I was writing an article about being grateful. I asked him what he's grateful for and he said “Otie, our new boat, and our new pet.” I didn’t need to remind him that Otie, our beloved 19 year-old cat, had just passed away, but I did comment, “But we don't have a new boat or a new pet yet." He very matter-of-fact said "I know.” Imagine that – at five years of age and he already knows the benefit of being grateful in advance for the things we intend to draw into our lives. Neale Donald Walsh says, “Life proceeds from our intention for it.” I very firmly believe that if we set forth an intention, it will unfold before us. I guess, since Nathan seems to have an intention for a new boat and a new pet, I better get ready for those things to arrive in our life soon! It was almost unthinkable for me to recall that afternoon car ride as I looked at what had happened only a few months later. We were blessed not with one, but with THREE new pets – three stray cats that found their way into our lives, hearts and homes. And, yes, my son is a powerful manifesting child because we also now own a new (to us) boat! We had no plan on purchasing a boat when Nathan made his bold proclamation. Thank God I didn’t bother to tell him that at the time! He saw what could be, and was grateful in advance for the good that was coming to him. I saw another example of gratitude unfold in my life earlier this month. Sarah Kipp is a graduate of my Life Design course, which is an intensive coaching and transformational program. While in Life Design, Sarah took on an assignment about maintaining a gratitude practice with fervor, as she created a gratitude blog, and brought to fruition a goal that had been in the works for several years. This goal was to create an evening event that was completely dedicated to gratitude. I attended Sarah’s Gratitude Gala earlier this month and it was a wonderful, full evening of entertainment, food and socializing. I personally was filled with gratitude as I watched people at the Gala celebrate the evening, the people in their lives who have touched them, and the simple joy that spread throughout the room and was felt by everyone there. Sarah’s passion for gratitude transferred this consciousness principle to over 100 people that night. The evening was truly a testimony to the power of gratitude and indeed a testimony to the committed work of one inspired individual. The word gratitude will come up often around this time of year as friends and family gather for a series of wonderful holidays. I am all for making gratitude a way of life every day, not a once-a-year holiday! Take a few moments to reflect on what you want to bring forth in your life through gratitude, as my son, Nathan, has done. And above all, just fully enjoy the giddy joy that can bubble up when you allow gratitude to take hold in your heart. Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!