Gratitude
Dear friends,
We recently shared some thoughts on how to face tests. We all know a positive attitude about them is a good idea, but hopefully that letter took the idea a little deeper. I believe it's time to write more about "gratitude." (C'mon... Thanksgiving wasn't that long ago!)
One of the major obstacles to both our inner growth and our happiness is our strong tendency to focus too much on ourselves. The primary delusion on this planet is that we need things to be a certain way for us to be happy. So we spend all our time focusing on what we do not have, what we need more of, and what we lack. Then we constantly measure to be sure we are getting "our fair share."
The word for delusion in Sanskrit is maya. It also means "the measurer." We are like the farmer who plants a seed and digs it up every thirty minutes to see how it's doing!
There is a phrase I have always loved: "Service is Joy." We think self-focus will bring us what we want, but self-forgetfulness is much better. Like the Mom with two sick kids. She is working like crazy, trying to help, feeling their pain, and getting little sleep. She collapses in a heap after both kids are well. It's amazing how we can keep a positive service-oriented attitude and accomplish almost anything when we are self-forgetful.
A little story: I was on my college pool team (pocket billiards). I was having a great run during a practice. The pockets looked to be the size of watermelons and I wondered how I ever missed a shot. I went along sinking shot after shot and then thought, "Damn! I'm good!"...and missed the next shot. I was in the zone and suddenly out of the zone.
Focusing on the blessings that we do have is far, far superior to focusing on what we wish we had but don't have. A study was done that showed that virtually everyone—regardless of income level—felt if they were just making 10% more, they'd be happier. Balderdash!
And then there is this from a simple Google search:
Research has shown that that the practice of gratitude is associated with many positive effects in a person's physical and mental health. Expressing gratitude can improve sleep, mood and immunity, and can decrease depression, anxiety, chronic pain and disease.
Body and soul. Not bad! There are countless blessings in our lives. May we notice them, appreciate them, and be ever grateful for them.
Blessings,
David G., manager
For the staff at East West