I often hear the song from the hymnal, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” in my mind intuitively. This always reminds me of how much I have to be grateful for.
In my new book, Your Life Comes with Instructions, the fourth chapter is on gratitude, which begins, When … you realize you are one with God and have all of the attributes of God, such as being all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful, and when you consider that the eternal core of who you are is ecstasy (perfect peace and happiness), and when you consider that you can trust completely that you are safe and loved, and when you consider a major part of your life plan and goal is joy and having fun – what more can you think and say than “Thank you.” Everything you could possibly want or need you already have within you! This is why I’ve been asked to write this book – to teach you to go inside so you truly come to know your Godness, perfect peace, joy, and trust.
I realize it’s easy to get distracted by all kinds of things that seem anything but happy and harmonious, and then focus on our physical being and forget our true spiritual nature. But that’s the point here. I hope you’ll open to this reminder of the great truth of who you are, which guarantees greater joy and ease in your life. I will be eternally grateful for the blessing and great fortune of knowing I can go within at any time for perfect guidance and support from my Greater Being.
When I think of other things I’m grateful for, I reflect on other chapters of the book such as Trust, Joy, Nature, and Relationships. Maybe more than anything else, when I know I can have complete trust that I am perfectly safe and loved this comforts and frees me most of all. And to know great joy, the beauty of nature, and others to share this with – how can I not feel blessed. I encourage you to make a list of all that you are grateful for. This makes me think of the work of psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman and the positive psychology movement – the need to focus on what is right with people vs. what is wrong, their health vs. their illness. Seligman concluded that the following character strengths and virtues would most likely bring you happiness and fulfillment:
- Wisdom and knowledge (creativity, curiosity/love of learning, open-mindedness, perspective)
- Courage (bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality)
- Humanity (love, kindness, social intelligence)
- Justice (citizenship, fairness, leadership)
- Temperance (forgiveness, mercy, humility, modesty, prudence, moderation, self-regulation)
- Transcendence (appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality)
This made me think about what we can do to create our blessings, not just celebrate them. Dr. Seligman believes there are other related things we can do to contribute to our well-being and flourish.
- Positive emotions – Experience a range of emotions. Not just happiness and joy, but others such as excitement, satisfaction, pride, and awe.
- Engagement – Activities that build on your interests that involve challenge, passion, concentration, and being completely involved.
- Relationships – Other people matter. Remember my research conclusion on why love heals: You need to feel listened to, heard, understood, supported, and cared for.
- Meaning – What gives your life purpose? Why do you want to live?
- Accomplishments – The pursuit of success and mastery whether this is individual – or community-based, fun – or work-based.
So, what does it mean to be blessed? Is it to know good fortune and happiness? That you are perfectly safe and loved? Perhaps it’s to know the truth – and the wisdom that there is no truth without freedom.
...my joy in you Depends upon your free expression And subsequent growth... Truth and beauty and love are one... and there is no truth withoug freedom. (Letters from The Cosmos channeled by Carol Swiedler)
God’s joy is in your freedom, not your compliance. You are a creator! Maybe this is the greatest blessing: the freedom and power to create your life.
You create your reality, which you can think of as a blessing – or a curse. I prefer to see it as a blessing – knowing I have all the help I’ll ever need by going within.
