Gratitude, a Cheat Sheet

A twist on the new-agey practice

Ok, so we’re approaching the American holiday associated with gratitude. I’m not going to name it since even the word can trigger upsetting memories for some people.

Chances are, you’ve heard from somewhere along the New Age pipeline that Gratitude is one of the highest vibrations known to the people who believe you can measure such things. You might even have been assigned a daily gratitude list from your therapist or coach. Or even me. It’s likely that I’ve suggested this to clients and students in the past.

Here’s the thing. If you approach this task with the same amount of gusto that Bart Simpson shows when writing out “I will not interrupt the teacher” on the blackboard x 100, you’re missing the mark.

The magic is in the feeling of gratitude. That’s what creates the energy/vibration/frequency/juiciness. Mechanically repeating words is not going to cut it.

But Pamela, you might be thinking, you don’t understand. My family is a mess, there won’t be any booze at the holiday dinner. My sister is serving tofurkey. I’m guilty of the blasphemy of disliking football and parades.

Yeah. I get it. I’m not saying you need to or even should be grateful for the circumstances in which you find yourself on this very complicated of days.

Nah. That’s absurd.

I’m suggesting to find one thing that you are sincerely grateful for and turn the dial up on your appreciation of that one simple thing to maximum capacity. Generate the frequency of gratitude, but do it in an authentic, fun, creative, and meaningful way.

What the heck is she talking about, you might ask.

Hear me out.

I’ve created a gratitude cheat sheet. I can practically guarantee that at least one of these items is going to resonate with you. I’m providing it well in advance so you can practice and develop a strategy that might be more effective than sneaking out to the garage to do bong hits or shots, faking appendicitis, or hiding in the corner all day.

1.        Gravity. This cosmic law is highly underrated. When is the last time you worried about falling off the planet (not counting last year when you were out in the garage wink wink)?

2.        Oxygen. Is just there, hanging around, everywhere you go, plentiful and available for each and every inhale.

3.        The sun. It would be awfully cold and dark out here, spinning around in the galaxy without our very own star to shine down on us.

4.        Wi-Fi. Remember when you had to go to the library to choose books from a very small selection? When you had to locate an encyclopedia to look shit up? When you made the weekly trek to the video rental store? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, trust me, you have it good these days with the world at your fingertips.

5.        Spellcheck. An automatic leg-up when wanting to appear smarter than you really are. Not autocorrect, though. I consider that to be more of a curse than a blessing!

6.        Running water. Unless you’ve made some very unusual life choices or are having a difficult day, chances are, you could have an abundance of hot water pelting your skin anytime you like. Flushing toilets are probably the single most awesome upgrade in the history of civilization.

7.        Butter! Sorry vegan friends. But it’s not like you didn’t already know that you’re missing out on something really fantastic.

8.        Mashed potatoes. How can a vegetable be so fabulous? Sorry ketogenic peeps. This really shouldn’t be a surprise.

9.        Chocolate. ‘Nuff said.

10.  Trees. They make oxygen without complaint and are much better company than many people.

11.  Sleep. Isn’t it the best? You don’t realize how wonderful it is until you are deprived and then you will never again take it for granted.

12.  Laughter. You know, the genuine bust- a- gut kind of laughter, best shared with loved ones.

13.  You tell me! What is something that is (nearly) universally appreciated?

You might not have the traditional holiday experience and wish you could. You might have exactly the traditional holiday experience and wish you wouldn’t. You might be one of the rare people who has created a day of bliss, connection or solitude, the favorite menu or a water fast, and complete control over the TV remote.

You might feel all sorts of feelings about this particular day and all the fixings that come with it. Whatever your situation, I hope I’ve managed to spark some levity and offered some insights into how to re-work Gratitude, the Practice so it suits you and your own unique needs, or have inspired you to throw it out the window altogether.

Wherever you find yourself, in both location and on the emotional spectrum, I’d like to encourage you to be kind to yourself. Life can be challenging and you’re likely doing the best you can.

I’m especially grateful for the trees, “running” water, and sun that were so very magical and medicinal on my walk today. 💕