Gratitude is one of those precious things that we lack nowadays. We tend to complain, curse our luck, and think in terms of conditionals: “If only I had done this…then I would have made it.” Instead of grumbling, we should in fact be thankful in this very moment towards the universe and the higher powers for all the abundance we’ve received.
Just nine years ago, I was very miserable, suffered from severe OCD (obsessive–compulsive disorder), and was taking medications. It was a really hard time. On top of that, I was overweight too. However, in the short time period of a year and a few months, everything changed. Not only did I regain my foothold in normal life (something I didn’t think would ever happen), I also emerged from my spiritual crisis refreshed and vigorous. I had a clear vision about the most important thing in our lives—the spirit—which we unfortunately tend to neglect, due to modern society’s obsession with materialistic things. However, that is a topic for another day. Right now, I want to focus on gratitude. Gratitude supports the spirit and is definitely a trait of spiritual awareness.
Today’s post is inspired by Vidya Sury and Corinne Rodrigues, who both run the Gratitude Circle. Here is my own list of the things that I am grateful for:
1. First, I thank my Guru and all the teachers from our spiritual tradition for the support and love I receive from them. I especially thank Sri Swamiji; if it wasn’t for him, I could never have made it. Thanks to the Guru’s grace, I perform daily yoga nidra sessions under the guidance of his voice. I also add the practice of sankalpa, which means a resolve that will soon be realized. The practice of yoga nidra, a gift from the greatest yogis of the 20th century, can cure almost every disease, improve the immune system, and correct bad habits, thus reorganizing one’s personality and destiny completely. I thank Sri Swamiji for explaining to me in detail how to formulate sankalpa and letting me reside in his ashram, which allowed me to gain experience along the way.
2. I thank the Lord in both their aspects—the female and male forms—for their mercy, generosity, and compassion. I thank the Lord for showing me and inspiring me to read the Bhagavad Gita, and letting me listen to the chanting of Ramayana. I thank them for blessing me with such a genuine Guru who guides me in my daily life.
3. I thank my parents for their support, help, and goodness. I am thankful that I have a proper family to call home.
4. I am thankful for the happy childhood I had, for the true friendships I have made, for the traveling I did, and the wonderful places I have seen and will see in the future.
5. I thank destiny and the Lord for bestowing upon me the gift to write and craft stories. I am glad that I can use literature as a therapeutic tool to express my infinite imagination.
6. I thank the universe for being a woman in a woman-friendly country. I have been so many lives a man, but there are certain traits that men can never manifest and express as well as a woman can. In my opinion, we women are blessed with inherent qualities like patience, kindness, motherhood, and forgiveness.
7. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to start this blog, which has allowed me to make so many wonderful online friendships.
8. I am thankful that I was born in this free-for-all digital age when traditional gatekeepers are being bypassed and artists no longer have to fit labels and earn the approval of agents, publishers, and universities before they can express themselves. It really is the era of choosing yourself!
9. I am thankful for being alive today. This very second. Now.
Hari Om.
This is my humble list of gratitude just for today, but every day is a good opportunity to spend a few minutes thanking the higher powers for all they have bestowed us with. Mantra chanting is a very good practice to engage in while you think about what you are thankful for.
Don’t lose time; start this very moment! The Time is Now, as expressed in the lyrics in this song.
