Daily Deposits of Gratitude

Why do we wait until something has happened to express GRATITUDE for it and only APPRECIATE and give GRATITUDE for our own lives and the lives of those we cherish when they have been put in jeopardy? Or someone does something kind for us?

To be able to know GRATITUDE intimately you must first accept all things that come to you in this lifetime are for your LEARNING and APPRECIATION.

During the 58,808 earthquakes we experienced in Cantebury New Zealand, starting in September 2010, I was guided to adjust my beliefs about GRATITUDE which meant rather than being grateful after the fact, I may want to now give thanks before anything takes place; create a GRATITUDE BANK and put into it daily. To be GRATEFUL for 'everything' no matter whether it is deemed good or bad: a tough challenge in the face of what was happening at the time.

The day I received this insight was June 13, 2011 and Canterbury was still in the grip of aftershocks following both the September 2010 and the hugely destructive February 2011 quakes. This day was no different to any others. By the time the 6.4 quake arrived we had already experienced 14 quakes that day, the smallest being 2.2 mag and the largest 5.2. A fairly normal day for us.

Our children were at school in the city just like they were that day in February and in the morning I'd been given the guidance to be grateful no matter what. To give thanks for this life no matter what happens, unaware that I would be challenged that very day, to put this new found wisdom into practice.

The 6.4 arrived at 14.20pm, shaking us all to the core. We managed to contact the children and decided that it was better if they caught the bus home, rather than clogging the roads to go and pick them up. That was not an easy decision, as my first reaction was to rush in there and rescue them just as we had done in February.

They arrived home eventually safe, sound but sadly worse for the wear from their ordeal. I was so grateful to have them home; to be together again so that I could protect and keep them safe.

It wasn't long before we were putting them on the bus so they could return to school in the shaky city. My gratitude bank got some huge deposits and mammoth withdrawals during the next few years.

This life is a fragile existence. We build our lives on a ball in space which is a living breathing organism and when she decides to shift, we can only go along for the ride.

No matter who or what we are, when the Earth does her thing, we are but rag dolls at the mercy of her immense energy. Being reminded of this gave me a much-needed kick in the pants, to refine my quest to be truly more of who I am and appreciate more and more all of the gifts of people, health, home, and life that I have right now and not to waste a moment of it. I thought I was doing that, but I came to realise it goes deeper and higher than I ever imagined.

I start my day by saying, "THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING" expressing my GRATITUDE for everything I am unaware I am or will be grateful for. Then think of everything I have to be grateful for and there is so much.

If you choose to here’s a good place for you to start.

Instead of waiting until after something has occurred that brings about feelings of GRATITUDE try PAYING IT FORWARD. I invite you to start your day by DEPOSITING UNCONDITIONAL GRATITUDE into your SOUL BANK, unconditionally GIVING THANKS for everything that will happen that day no matter what it may be.

For your life you have CHOSEN TO LIVE and for those who have agreed to share it with you. Your GRATITUDE must include those who you feel have hurt you in some way for they are your greatest teachers. I can hear your disgust at the thought of being GRATEFUL to such a person but GRATITUDE doesn't discriminate between good or bad - you do.

By doing this we are acknowledging our APPRECIATION for the life have chosen to live, the learning in all things; for the people we share it with and opportunities that this life affords us. Most importantly for what we can and cannot yet understand.

Include others by showing and expressing your GRATITUDE to them for being your in your life and for those who are of service to you. A simple genuine THANK YOU or I APPRECIATE YOU makes all the difference.

Don't wait another second to EXPRESS YOUR APPRECIATION, pay into your GRATITUDE bank for what you have no matter how big or small. Your present awaits you.

I am rocking my little ball in space and my GRATITUDE bank is filling up, so I want to share some of it with you.

From the fullness of my heart I say "Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I truly appreciate you.”

Until next time when something comes "Write From My Heart."

Olwynne xxx