Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. -- Seneca
It has been said that acceptance is the answer to every problem. I can believe that, and I can also believe that gratitude is the path to acceptance.
Gratitude is an easy get when we're not invested in an outcome. The rough road to walk is when we self-determine the only acceptable result to a personal problem, and then pray for that. Acceptance is not even considered so there's nothing to be grateful for to our reasoning mind.
Those of us seeking still more spiritual growth are blessed because, for one thing, we early on learn that prayers are best served that ask for naught...a simple "thank you" is the best prayer. I love the quote of Meister Eckhart, "If the only prayer you ever say is 'Thank You,' that will suffice."
I loved that quote the minute I first read it. I loved it, but it was seriously hard to remember...like when I knew what I needed, and I wasn't getting it. Peace of mind, for instance, when my sister/friend/parent/boss had done me wrong...again.
I can never be grateful enough for stumbling onto that gift of Eckhart's. I made it my spiritual cornerstone...the base I return to every time my ego-victory thoughts get in the way of Me. The hard part in the beginning was simply remembering, and then not beating me up when I didn't remember immediately.
Today, whenever I'm getting all up in my head, especially with a non-personal problem (say, Donald Trump), if I'll just slow down, think my thank you prayer, and remind myself that God loves Donald Trump every bit as much as he loves me, I can at least laugh. And there's my gratitude.
Laughter is gratitude's favorite child.
Thank you.
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