Making Gratitude Your Attitude

The following piece is an excerpt from my book, “Word, From Your Mother,” a daily guidance journal written for my children, Liv and Pierce-Gabriel.

Excerpt #14

It’s essential to ponder prayer and praying. I believe it’s underrated and often forgotten. Our lives are busy, and we take for granted all the blessings that surround us. In the  Bhagavad Gita, there’s a prayer you pray for yourself, your brother, the people in your town, your state, your country, and the world. When I remember to intend this prayer, I also add in blessings for the entire cosmos. It doesn’t take much time to say this prayer. I often remember to include it on my drive into or back from work. I don’t feel it needs to be very specific, either. Just general but with concerted intent. 

Every prayer is a form of meditation. When my mind gets busy, I remember to turn to prayer to stop the wheels from spinning. Sometimes, I “forget” how to pray, but then I remember something that Meema told me. She said that saying the name Jesus is a prayer in and of itself. It has helped me tremendously when I’m suffering from anxiety or anticipation. I say Jesus’ holy name, and an absolute peace washes over me. 

You both know that I’m not a holy roller, but anyone who doesn’t have an appreciation for Jesus seems to baffle me. He was a master of the ego and in full alignment with spirit and source energy. An ultimate achiever of peace! Who wouldn’t want to acknowledge and appreciate him as a human being? 

Anyhow, there are many masters and guides who one could follow to learn how to, by their example, achieve peace and teach the way of peace. I can guarantee that all of them have taken time each day to pray, meditate, and quiet their minds long enough to receive messages from their heart and ultimately from Source energy, where all good things come. 

When should you pray? I say, always and every minute. Think of it as an ongoing conversation with God. If I feel insecure about something, I first remember to return to the present moment and gently soothe myself that everything is okay. Then, I say a short prayer to God. For example, “Dear God, I recognize that I’m feeling uneasy right now, please help me align with my heart, and with you to feel peaceful, right now.” 

I find that as long I bring my awareness to the moment, I can “catch” myself as the quiet observer of my feelings. Then, I can ask for help or give thanks, depending. Also, be sure to thank God for your blessings. For example, say you’re at a fun event with your friends. You can feel the happiness and excitement in your heart at that moment. Recognize it! “Thank you, God, for this happy moment in my life. I love that I can hang out with my friends and have a great time.” Also, pray for the mundane or things we take for granted. 

The other day, I recognized and thanked God for my ability to craft intricately with my fingers. It is a skill we shouldn’t take for granted. “Thank you, God, for the intricate use of my fingers as I craft this painting. I will never take for granted this small miracle.” 

“Gratitude is the attitude”– 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18. “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. See, I didn’t make this one up.