Why We Give Thanks

We are taught early on that it is correct to say, “Thank you,” when we are given something, whether it is something that we have asked for, or whether it is a gift.  It’s just good manners, right? 

On the metaphysical level, however, there is also a good reason to give thanks, and that is because the Universe responds in kind to what we send out into it.  Therefore, the more you give thanks for what you receive, the more likely you are to get things to receive.

This is why our affirmations often begin with, “I give thanks for....” or “With thanks, I have...”  The purpose is not necessarily to be polite to the Universe, or to a deity, rather, it is to keep the positive energy that brought good to us, going.  We build positive momentum that supersedes karma, in some respects, assuming we have negative to balance out. 

Giving thanks for every little thing that you get, including the gas you buy for your car, the food on your table, your job—whether you like it or not, the relationships in your life, your home, your bed, your family and pets, a warm day, sunlight, fresh air to breathe, a cozy sweater, your dreams, including the sleep that you are able to get, and so on.  Every little thing in our lives is worthy of our thanks.  The more you say, “Thank you,” the more good will come your way, and continue to come.

What You Say

We all know the importance of choosing words wisely when we speak with children, yet sometimes when speaking with our peers, family and friends, we get rather loose with our tongues and snipe angrily.  All too often, we feel guilty after the fact, but we can never take back our words. A well-placed apology helps remedy the situation, and sometimes those around us will be understanding, especially if they know we have been under a great deal of stress, but avoiding bitter words in the first place is the best route.

How do we contain or restrain ourselves, especially when we feel we are the injured party?  The first thing is not to go there in the first place.  If you are feeling hurt by someone else’s words, if you are inclined to be angry, back away.  Take a walk or go to a quiet place where you can reflect and think about what has been said.  Perhaps you need to do a reality check, in case you are misinterpreting what you heard from another.  It won’t do you or the other person any good to trade insults, and those words can’t be taken back.  Spending a moment trying to clarify your emotions and deciding the best way to respond without causing more confusion and hurt feelings will help to resolve conflict and ease the way back into each other’s good graces.

Once you have established how you feel about an interaction, resolve to confront the situation calmly.  Face the person and explain what your feelings are and why you are upset.  This will earn you more respect in the long run, but you will have the benefit of having sorted things out and planned a response ahead of time.  Hopefully, the other person will have thought things through, as well, and will negotiate a resolution that heals the relationship rather than adding more strain.

May you be richly blessed!

Your Dreams

We all have dreams, places that we wish with our heart of hearts we could go.  Perhaps your dreams involve travel, or meeting someone important.  Perhaps you have a particular kind of work that would mean a great deal to you.  Perhaps you want to perfect marriage.  It doesn’t matter what you want in life, there is a path in which you can travel to make your desires come into being.

Affirmations are one way to establish the good that you want, but first, you must set goals for yourself.  If your dream is to have the perfect job, you want to affirm something like, “I have the perfect job (say what that it) for perfect pay (specify).”  Affirmations for other things, like the perfect home, might be, “I live in a beautiful home that is paid for and brings me endless satisfaction and comfort,” for example.  Your affirmations should always be spoken in the first person, present tense.   That is, you are going to say that you have whatever it is that you want in your life. 

To be effective and bring your desires into reality, affirmations should be placed on little notes that you affix around your environment.  When you see the notes, whisper the affirmation on it three times, as many as 36 times a day.  What this does, is create the metaphysical, the unseen energy, to get the ball rolling in your favor. 

What else can you do?  You can create images of what you want.  You can draw or paint your desire, you can cut pictures out of magazines or print pictures from the internet, but the important thing is that you surround yourself with images that keep you focused on your desire.  If you want a particular house or car, get pictures and keep them where you will see them each day, as many times a day as it takes to keep you focused on your desire.

The third part of the equation is your own willpower.  You have to believe that you can get what you want, and you have to will it into being.  Start small if you need proof that you can achieve your dreams.  But continue to work on the things that matter the most to you.  Where will your dreams take you?  Wherever you want to be, wherever you have the will to take yourself.

May you be richly blessed!

Footprints

When you go to some natural monuments in this country, you may notice that there are signs telling you to leave nothing behind.  They are very careful that the footprints left are gentle upon the earth.  This is particularly the case in ecologically-sensitive places. 

I am reminded of the wheel ruts left by Conestoga wagons on a bit of the Oregon Trail in Wyoming.  The ruts are about four feet deep in spots, but if you assume that there has been some erosion over the years, chances are they went deeper than that at one time.  This is a fragile place where the interaction with the monument could erase a significant event in our history.

But walking gently upon the earth doesn’t just intend that we do no harm to the planet.  It means that we interact with each other in a sensitive and caring manner, as well.  It means that the words we speak to each other, the tone we take, should reflect respect and kindness.

I recently purchased a wooden item at a thrift store.  It was bare wood and I intend to finish it.  As I stood in line, the lady ahead of me turned to sneer, “That’s cute,” regarding the item.  I smiled and said, “It will be.”  Was it necessary for her to imply superiority by making her negative remark?  Not at all.  But even those who trade in thrift stores will have to bolster their egos by putting others down.  It’s shameful and unnecessary.

We don’t know how much damage we can do when we make hurtful remarks to others.  Different doesn’t require that we condemn.  We are meant to show our love to all people.  Our petty jealousy is something that we must learn to keep in check.  We need to ask ourselves what it is within us that is lacking, that we must concern ourselves with the choices and attributes of others.  If we encourage others at all times, we display confidence and security of our own well-being.  Make a conscious decision to love others, to make their lives better as we walk gently upon the earth.

May you be richly blessed!