The thirty-fourth bead in the blessing cord is the Blessing of Gratitude. It is the blessing of Earth in Chesed. As I write this, it is November and in a couple of weeks we will have our Thanksgiving holiday here in America. I am always reminded at this time about an article I read about a man whose meaning of Thanksgiving changed when he reversed the words into Giving Thanks. He went on about how he changed his life by starting a practice of sending out thank you cards at Thanksgiving to anyone he thought had helped him. This season always reminds me of the power of Gratitude. This blessing is one of the keys of a happy life.
Gratitude has been proven by psychologists to make people happier, more alert, enthusiastic, determined, optimistic, and energetic. Gratitude makes us more aware of all the good things in our lives and we begin to see every opportunity as a new blessing. Gratitude has a powerful magnetic quality as well. When we are grateful we attract more of what we are grateful for. The universe is always listening to what we are thinking and saying. It hears our every thought as a prayer. When we are grateful, we are praying for all the blessings of life. Gratitude charges these thoughts and amplifies our manifestation. Many spiritual and mental manifestation programs say to be thankful for what it is you are trying to manifest even if it is not yet in your life. This act of gratitude super-charges the manifestation to bring happiness and satisfaction.
Gratitude can be difficult in many situations. This is when we must turn our minds to working on contemplating “What good can come out of this situation?” “What can I learn from this?” or “How can I/we/the world benefit from this?” Even after we have contemplated we may not see a way to be grateful for the situation. These times of trouble outline the better times with such stark contrast. They at least help us see when times are good and to be grateful for them.
Some of the ways you can improve your awareness and gratitude is to practice it. Start your journal everyday with a number of things you are grateful for. Put up a sign or reminder to check-in with what your grateful for. Decide on a trigger in your environment that whenever you see it you will think of something you are grateful for. Wear a piece of jewelry that reminds you to be practice gratitude. Notice when people say thank you and tell them what you are thankful for about them or the situation you are in. Set a period of days to write a thank-you card to someone every day.
The practice seems so easy and that is why it is hard. Sometimes it is thinking of a perspective unlike our own to see all that we have to be thankful for. Putting on the head of someone who has very little in the way of resources can help you be grateful for all that you do have and maybe even share a bit with that person or the world.
The most powerful of all the gratitude practices is just giving to those who are in need. This doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, it could be just doing the dishes for a busy spouse. Giving thanks to things that have served you well in the past but are not necessary to your life and then giving them to someone who can use them more. You get to say “thank you” to the world with this gesture and see someone else gain happiness from your act.
Meditation of Gratitude
Hold the thirty-forth bead of your blessing cord, the bead of Gratitude, the bead of the blessing of Earth in Chesed.
Count your self down into a meditative state.
Allow the screen of your mind to expand to create a sphere around you. Feel a rising sensation as sky- or electric-blue light begins to fill the sphere. Resonate the god name of Chesed: El.
Call out in your mind to your higher self to come and be with you in this meditation. Look above you to the great expanse of the universe and see a spot of bluish-white light descending and growing larger. This light is like a small star that comes closer to the top of your head and stops about six feet above you. This star is a representation of your higher self. Thank your higher self for being present and send up to it a breath of gratitude for being with you and a part of you. Feel the bliss of your connection.
Bring your attention to the screen of your mind before you. Call up on the screen of your mind someone you feel grateful for. See them before you. Call out to their higher self to be present with you. Ask if this person is open to a gift of gratitude. If not, just thank them with your words, knowing that you are subjectively communicating your thanks to that person.
If they are willing to accept a gift of gratitude. Tell them thanks for what they have done for you. Then imagine you are gathering the blue light from around you into a ball of light between your hands. Say to yourself:
“I create this gift and blessing of gratitude to be what your higher self thinks you need for the highest good, harming none.”
Raise the ball up above your head and breath up to your higher self asking for its blessing on this gift. You may feel a tingle as the ball is blessed. It may change color or become a symbolic object of what it is this person needs. Be aware of what it changes too, this may guide you to how to express your gratitude and thank this person in the physical world.
Give the gift to the person and say thank you again. End the exchange with a “blessed be.” Wave farewell to the person and their higher self. They fade from the screen of your mind.
Give thanks by breathing up to your higher self for its help in this gift and blessing.
Become aware of all the blue light rising around you to obscure this place. The blue light begins to fade as you feel a slight decent. The screen of your mind begins to go back to its normal size and color.
Count yourself up into waking consciousness.
Give yourself clearance and balance. Ground if necessary. Write down your experience.
Contemplation
How can I incorporate gratitude into my life? In this moment, what am I grateful for? What good can come out of this situation? What can I learn from this situation? How can I/we/the world benefit from this situation? Who in my life can I show thanks to? How can I give my gratitude back to the world for my blessings?
