How to cultivate an attitude of gratitude? It’s simple !
Start your morning by saying this or something similar ,with your eyes closed, before you actually get up :
Thank you for yet another beautiful day! Let me make this day a good one!
When you sit to have a meal , just express your gratitude to all that made food on the table possible :
I am grateful to the nourishing soil, the unseen helpers ,the natural elements, the farmers, the sellers because of which I am having this meal that nourishes me from within!
Here’s a prayer from the Bhagavad Gita :
Brahmārpañam Brahma Havir BrahmāgnauBrahmañāhutaṃ,
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam BrahmakarmāSamādhinah.
AhamVaishvānaroBhutvā PrāñināmḌehamāshritaha,
PrāñāpānaSamāyuktah PachāmyannamChaturvidham.
HarirDātāHarirBhoktā Harir Annam Prajāpatih
HarirVipraSharīrāstu BhūnkteBhojayateHarih.
The ladle is Brahman. The oblations is Brahman, the offering is poured by Brahman in the fire of Brahman. Brahman alone is to be reached by him who has deep contemplation on Brahman as the one to be known and attained. He sees Brahman in everything
When you interact with someone, you can express your gratitude by what you say and how you say it – it makes the interaction stronger and healthier. After your conversation, you can say a quiet thank you :
I am grateful for this wonderful discussion. I wish you well from this space of gratitude.
When you go at bed at night, say this to yourself
I am grateful for doing what I could, for all the divine guidance received!
A heartfelt
Thank you
is enough!
You can express your gratitude multiple times, of course. But the ones mentioned above are easy to follow and you can choose to start with one note, and then proceed to the others, one day at a time.
A Chinook Prayer
May all I say and all I think
be in harmony with thee,
God within me,
God beyond me,
maker of the trees.
– Chinook prayer, Pacific Northwest Coast
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