How Grateful are You?
This story always helps even me to remember to be grateful for the blessings in my life.
An Example of Being Grateful
Recently I overheard a woman at a store complaining about everything she doesn’t have and the things she can’t do because of her busy life. I so wanted to turn to her and say, “I bet there are things in your life that are positive and give you joy.” I believe there’s always something to be grateful for. It’s a bit like the story of the person who complained about the pain in their legs until they saw someone with no feet. I want to share this touching story of a woman I met after one of my lectures that happened on one of the work cruises that I did some time ago. This story always helps even me to remember to be grateful for the blessings in my life.
Before I connect with those on the Other Side, I often open up the floor for questions about anything from psychic development to a dream, or even an unexplained experience. This particular lecture was at the end of an Alaskan cruise, and I remember this day clearly. We’d been up early to witness the spectacularly turquoise blue streaked glacier at the top of a fjord, which had captured our imagination with the raw spectacle of nature! The ship was now sailing in calm waters down the sound. The lecture theatre was packed, and as I paused for questions, there was the usual sea of arms waving for my attention. This woman raised her hand while staring at me with a sheer intensity in her eyes. She had barely been passed the microphone when she started, “John, can you tell me why I was given away as a child and separated from my ten siblings?” Everyone turned to look at her.
It took a moment for her question to sink in. I didn’t offer up an immediate psychic answer, as I felt I had to ask her how her life turned out thus far. When I asked the question she almost shouted back, “My life is a total mess!” The bluntness of her reply caught me off guard, and I peered out into the audience to look at her closely. I wondered why an attractive woman in her early forties would feel like this. I took a moment to compose my response. “Aren’t you on a cruise ship in one of the most beautiful places in the world?” I asked. “Yes,” she replied. “So, how’s your health?” I continued. “Fine,” she said. I asked if she was happily married. She continued to nod to my questions. “Who’s that beautiful child sleeping on your lap?” I asked. “My daughter,” she replied. I finished up by asking her if she owned her own home, which she did, and then asked, “So how does this translate into a mess?”
I pointed out that she needed to stop and take a long hard look at all the good things in her life and be grateful for what she’d been blessed with. I finished up telling her that I believe that every day you get out of bed and your foot touches the floor, then I think you’re doing okay. I glanced at the clock and realized that I had to move on. I didn’t get a chance to ask her about the conditions surrounding her upbringing, but I was trying to show her how much she really had, and to let go of the past and to live and enjoy her life with gratitude. I know it’s sometimes hard to be thankful if you’re ill, down and out, hurting, missing a loved one, or even depressed. Somehow, when you acknowledge and have gratitude for the blessings you do have, an energy shift happens in your soul and a sense of lightness can be felt as though a weight has been lifted.
Be grateful for both who and what you have in your life, instead of complaining about everything you don’t have. When you focus on gratitude, you’ll start to attract prosperity and abundance into your life. When I say prosperity, I’m not just referring to financial riches, but about less tangible things, such as love, friends, kindness, health, and compassion. There are many kinds of prosperity and abundance, so by just saying “Thank You” and holding those words inside where they can resonate with your soul, it will help with the connections and good intentions of others to create affirmative experiences. Equally, it’s all right to thank yourself. If you’ve done something positive for yourself then pat yourself on the back and say: “I thank me.” You deserve it.
Appreciate all the abundance and goodness that’s around you. Be thankful for your health, children, sunny days, your garden, family, a stable job, good friends, or even the person who lets you jump ahead in line at the bank! The more joy you begin to notice and appreciate, the easier it becomes for you to experience more happiness, joy, abundance, prosperity, and most importantly – love.
John’s Lesson
By giving back, you’re acknowledging and honoring the Divine Source, and by doing so, you’re keeping the energy of the “giving and receiving circle” open and fluid. When you focus on having an attitude of gratitude, you’re adopting a sharing mentality so that everyone benefits.
Here are just a few ways you can express gratitude:
Saying prayers of thanks
Giving love unconditionally
Giving blessings for what you do have
Acknowledging a good deed from your neighbor
Donating your time to your chosen charity
Giving food or spare money to a homeless person
Saying a kind word to a stranger
Sending a card to someone who could use encouragement
Even a smile is a gift to others
I want to express my gratitude to you and thank you so much for your support. I will do my very best to inspire, bring hope, and to show you that you really are so much more than just a physical being – you are and will always be, a soul with unlimited potential!
Live a Soul-filled life!
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About the Author
John Holland is an American artist, best-selling author, spiritual teacher, and public speaker, who describes himself as a psychic medium. johnholland.com
