Being Grateful

Lately people who know me say i look relaxed and happy. When they ask me how I am - I say "great". And then they look amazed - how could that be?....Yes, I've just gone through one of the big transitions in life - having left a job of 13 years, and started a private practice in counselling-...how could I not be stressed? Or missing my previous job? Well, it is not that I don't have concerns - yes, I realize there are challenges to being self employed. There is a lot of work to be done - and it takes time to build a practice. Yet, I have a choice - where do I want to focus my energy - on the positives or the challenges?

The fact is, I think the source of my "happiness" is gratitude.

Gratitude is a practice. We can either go through life complaining or seeing what is missing, or take the opposite approach and notice all of the things and people who helped us get where we are. There are days it is difficult to be grateful - especially when things aren't going the way we want them to - yet, when we identify just one thing/person for which to be grateful, it is as if some of the burden of stress has been lifted.

I am so aware of how many blessings I have, and how clear I am that counselling is my vocation, that I am truly thankful..I am grateful for my network of friends, and colleagues who support me - and above all, my thirst for learning and spiritual discipline. I have heard it said that we can never be too grateful, for gratitude encourages generosity. And as we are generous, we spread the spirit of kindness, caring and healing. We get back more than what we give - it is not a cliche.