A Short Reminder of Appreciation
written 4/19/2011
A Life lived with conscious appreciation of all that surrounds us is a life lived in joy. To be able to look at the sky in wonder and awe, no matter what the weather forecast, is to appreciate the wonder and awe of life. To look at a tree and smile at the tree with love and appreciation is to love and appreciate life.
I have always appreciated my surroundings. I have walked out of a building, after being indoors all day, and stopped as soon as I stepped outside. I looked up at the sky, and I smiled at the sun. This is to appreciate, to be grateful. I believe that if every single one of us can appreciate these moments, then stress, unhappiness, disappointment, hate, and all the other earthly fear emotions will dissipate, slowly, but surely…and will be replaced with gratitude, and ultimately, with love. To appreciate is to love.
I have been disappointed; yet I have learned to let go of the disappointment and the attachment to it, by appreciating what is around me. Attachments become unimportant and cease to exist when you can consciously accept and appreciate the splendor and greatness of creation.
I dare you to try it. The next time you’re feeling down, or something that you have no control over has rendered you unhappy, leave where you are, go for a walk, or simply look out your window. Look up at the sky, and smile at the sun, know that it is smiling back at you, know that the Grand Architect of all is smiling back at you. Know deep down inside that this moment of happiness is shared, and know that you are not alone, ever.
Take it all in and appreciate what your eyes are allowing you to see, allow your soul to see it. Remember not to allow your mind to block your soul from appreciating these views and these moments, for that would be a disservice to your soul.
This is a promise to you; it may not seem like it’s making any difference, but it will, in time. The gratitude will reflect itself right back to you, just be patient, and the reflection will come.
If you can truly appreciate it, and accept it, you will cure your own unhappiness. You can cure it naturally, and without the help of anything other than what has been created by your own mind.
To appreciate creation is to appreciate yourself.
I leave you with 3 quotes from one of my favorite poets about gratitude:
“Gratitude is the wine of the soul. Go on! Get Drunk!” Rumi
“To praise the sun is to praise your own eyes” Rumi
“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life” Rumi
With Love
SS