Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Divine Recipe

Want the secret divine recipe to a happy life?

Of course you do.

Here it is.

Forgiveness & Gratitude.

Mix the two together liberally and what you get is a divine recipe for happiness and authenticity.

Oh!  This might not be what you were hoping for.  Unfortunately, botox and liposuction aren't the recipe for happiness.  Neither is winning the lottery or marrying your soulmate.

Years ago I would have never thought that I could forgive someone and then be grateful for their presence in my life.  It would have never occurred to me to forgive something or someone immediately for any action 'against' me.  It certainly never would have been an option to be grateful for them!  That would have been an incredible stretch for me.  I used to believe that I was doing the best I could and that anyone who had a problem with that was trying to bring me down or damage me in some way.

Over the last few years though I've had excellent opportunities to use forgiveness and gratitude together on larger relationship issues and lately I've come to use them on every tiny issue that creeps in that has the potential to be blown out of proportion and land me in victimville for a week or more. 

I'm here to tell you that without a doubt these two gifts are something no human being should live without.

What I find so magical about them is that they are the kinds of things you can do even if you don't feel like doing them at first, even if you don't think there is going to be a 'payoff'. 

We know that with reactions like blame, shame, resentment and anger we get an instant payoff emotionally.  There is a rush of adrenaline, we rally the support of our friends and get them on board with the story.  These are all instant gratification reactions.

With forgiveness and gratitude the payoff is more subtle.

The reason why you don't have to actually feel like you are in the forgiving or grateful mood is because just by setting the intention to forgive and be grateful you are opening your heart to the most Holy Love.  And when we open the heart to the most Holy Love things start to happen magically.

I remember at first using forgiveness without gratitude (I didn't know they belonged together).  It took me a long time to feel forgiving on a conscious level even though I was aware that somewhere in my being I longed to be.  Then I started using gratitude.  This is when things started to get really fun.

I actually have had moments where I've asked myself "What is wrong with you?  Why aren't you reacting to this?"  I am also very surprised when someone apologizes to me for something they feel they did wrong because...well...the thought doesn't usually cross my mind anymore. 

I didn't consciously set out to erase any need to react.  I think what started to happen was that my inner need to forgive and be grateful began to overtake my need to be right or to be heard or even to be loved.  I believe that when we offer forgiveness to another and then we flood ourselves with gratitude for having had the experience we are an open channel for Holy Love and so then acceptance, love and connection are automatic.

I believe that forgiveness and gratitude are the divine recipe for erasing fear.  Whether your fears are surrounding finances, career, relationships or health.  Forgiveness and gratitude are the healing forces that take your current circumstances, whatever they may be and turn them into something greater, impactful and positive.
 

1 comment:

  1. As always your words come at a wonderful and 'perfect' moment for myself. I love your timing! Very well said. For me, the gratitude did take time and when we get caught up in the feeling of the issues, and sadness is the main, I sometimes have to embrace the knowing of the gratitude.
    Blessings, as always! Kim M Watson

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