Gratitude: A Mystic Exchange
by Jenni
There is power in gratitude. In fact, I believe that when we give thanks, we receive much more than we give.
The human heart is wired in such a way that our spirits can be lifted up–or cast down–depending on what we focus our attention. Even if I do not feel grateful, I can choose to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. In my own life, I have found that when I struggle with frustration, anger or sadness, the act of giving thanks transforms my perspective. It’s a mystical exchange!
Whenever I sing or write or speak or even just think of the specific blessings in my life, the color of my world brightens. In place of longing for what I do not have, I receive contentment. Instead of feeling rushed and restless, I realize I am exactly where I need to be at this moment. In exchange for selfish apathy and a dull heart, I receive a spirit of generosity and compassion for others.
What better time than Thanksgiving week to practice gratitude?
I encourage you to find a few minutes to jot down 20 things you’re grateful for. (You know I love list-making!) Here’s my Gratitude List:
- God’s lovingkindness to me
- The deep peace and joy He’s given me
- Seven years of marriage to my best friend Seth
- Seth’s patience, wisdom, and strength
- The new life of our son, William, who’s asleep on my chest as I type this
- William’s health and the sweet spirit we’re already sensing in him
- Seth’s stellar daddy skills and partnership in raising our son
- The loving relationships we enjoy with our parents and siblings
- That our parents and siblings are all alive and healthy
- Old and new friends who share our joys and lighten our struggles
- Living in the warmth, shelter, and spirit of this old farmhouse
- The luxury of a 3-month modified maternity leave to focus on my baby
- The people, projects, variety and flexibility my career allows me
- My health and no longer being immensely pregnant
- The half glass of chilled Pinot Grigio my father-in-law just brought to me
- My mother-in-law cooking dinner in my kitchen right now
- Not having to worry whether I’ll eat or where I’ll sleep each night
- The beauty of nature that surrounds me
- English breakfast tea
- Good books
What are you grateful for today? I’d love to hear about it and celebrate that with you!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Thanks for this post, Sweet Friend! I read it on a break from writing my thesis, and I am writing just now about how the medieval mystics persisted in hope (and gratitude) in the face of much suffering and pain… Anyways, I loved your post & so look forward to catching up soon. Perhaps next week, after the holiday? Love to you and your boys!
Thanks, Dnae. I’ve thought of you several times lately, remembering my trip to Vancouver with you and Mike. I hope you’re having a good “American Thanksgiving: today.
I’m wearing the shirt we found at My Sisters Closet together. Can’t wait to read your thesis! Much love, Jenni
Great post Jenni and great reminder. My housemate and I have talked lately about how grateful we are for what God has provided us. I have so many things to be thankful for since I’ve been in Mexico and I need to remind myself of them when I’m not feeling so happy and grafeful. I have been safe since living here, there are some other missionaries from the states that we can celebrate Thanksgivng with tomorrow, the house I get to live, the love and support of my friends and family at home. Those are few things on my thankful list:) Love you and miss you Jenni!
I love it. Thanks so much for writing, Courtney. I’m grateful too that you are safe and happy down there! Te amo!!!
Nice post, Jenni! I love reading your blog, it’s so inspiring. And what I’m grateful for today (even though in my country we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving) is that I can still find people around the world who believe in God. Sometimes it feels like we’ve been pushed to the underground. Keep it up, girl!
Thanks, oolung! Bless you, sister!
Indeed indeed! We CAN choose what we think. We can choose to be thankful and grateful and at peace. It is indeed mystical. It must be the root of contentment and all that is good in this world. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your newly expanded family!
[...] about writing it down, and getting it out there. I was inspired this week by gratitude posts by Under the Apricot Tree and Inside Out, and decided to write my own. A little cliché perhaps, but I ask you to indulge me [...]
Beautiful post! I was just reading a news article about the study of brain chemistry which they have now proven literally changes when in a state of gratitude.
I am grateful to have found the beautiful words of many writers through blogs that inspire me on a daily basis.
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