I had the privilege of seeing a fabulous production of Nicholas Nickleby this weekend (Parts 1 & 2!) at our local Playmaker’s Theatre.  And, there in the first act, emblazoned on a large banner covering an entire “wall” of the school for outcast boys, was the following prayer:

“For the blessings we are about to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful.”

The schoolmaster demanded the boys chant this “prayer” before they received their pitiful crust of bread and drop of milk.  And, if I remember correctly, it is the exact same prayer the headmaster of the orphanage in Dickens’ Oliver demanded his boys say before receiving their gruel.  In fact, I think they sing it in the movie version.

Let’s look at that for a moment, because I think that for centuries people have equated the act of “giving thanks for what you have” with a sense of lack.  As if God were demanding our gratitude and that we’d better be thankful for the little we have because some people don’t even have that much (not to mention the control the headmaster, or church leader was attempting to exert on its people.)

Interesting, isn’t it?  No wonder the transforming power of the practice of gratitude has been hidden for so long…mankind has completely misunderstood it.

Thankfully in the 21st century, we’re a little more enlightened about both the treatment of young people and the purpose of gratitude.

Far from being a practice we must do to appease a fickle God who might just take away what little we have if we don’t show our appreciation, the practice of proactive gratitude states that the blessings we have in our life are a visible manifestation of a loving, limited Substance that lies behind the form.  And, that the recognition, celebration and documentation of the visible manifestation helps us to remember the limitless Source from which they come which opens us up to receive more…much more.  It also helps us to remember that we are so loved and supported by Life itself which desires only our happiness and success in life.

Remembering this, let’s recommit this holiday season to acknowledge our many blessings and open to receive even more.

My gratitudes for yesterday…

I am so grateful for reconnecting with an old friend and having a rift in our relationship healed so that we can both, once again, experience the love and joy of our friendship. I am so grateful for her.

I am grateful to have had the whole day to…finish my Christmas shopping! Hurray!

I am grateful for the love and support of my business coach, Jo, who devoted 2 hours to helping me reconnect with my mission in life and helped me figure out how to move forward.