Greetings Nobody in Particular,
When I woke up this morning the first thing I thought about was gratitude.
What started as a small routine nearly 13 years ago has morphed into a ritual that I repeat every day when I wake. Around the age of 35, I started focusing on gratitude during my meditations, and about that time I began to experiment with a mantra. I finally whittled it down to these five sentences that I used to start my morning yoga practice with…but now say to myself before I even get out of bed:
I am grateful for this life
I am grateful for this new day
I am grateful for this moment and to wake up next to my beautiful best friend again
I am grateful for this breath that will nourish and sustain this body, mind and spirit
I am grateful for all the bounty and blessings this day will contain
Though it may be simple, I can’t quantify how much more grateful I feel in each and every moment because of those few words. I feel more grateful with every breath because after years of engaging in this practice I realize how much every day matters, just like my mother’s wooden sign says. The most trivial happenings make me smile like a fool sometimes. And it doesn’t take much, believe me. But it is finding joy in the small, simple moments in life that makes cultivating gratitude so powerful.
Many years ago, I showed my students several clips from an introductory philosophy documentary, Examined Life. Listening to the words of Cornel West, a seed must have been planted within me back then. In his final segment, Dr. West illustrates how our need for completeness makes us view the passage of time with dissatisfaction. Focusing on the regrets and missed opportunities enslaves us to a past we can no longer correct. He goes on to state that perhaps that’s the wrong idea, the wrong perspective. Maybe, West says, we should focus our gratitude on the time that we have been allotted. In his words, “time is a gift…time is a giver.” I think he’s right on both accounts. It’s not just our birthday or holidays that should be celebrated, but every day. Each time we wake we have another chance to take control of our lives and try to better ourselves just a little bit more.
The one thing I am most grateful for every day, however, is Erin. She has made my life so wonderful that those words or any others I type from here on out could never possibly express what she has meant or means to me. I tell everyone that I meet that I would not be the person I am today if it were not for her. She has such a good heart and has taught me the true meaning of love.
I know that every day is supposed to be a special day—and it is—but I also realize it is just another day. Another present moment, which is the real gift. The more that I focus on gratitude in my life, the easier it becomes to stay in the moment. It’s not always easy, though. Certainly there are times reserved for reflection and distraction, but they’re getting fewer in frequency. If anything, the routine of my everyday life contributes to this new sense of well being because I am grateful for every aspect of it. It may be simple, but it suits me just fine.
Before you go, Nobody, I’d like you to reflect on a few things in your life for which you’re most grateful. I’m sure some people will be at the top of your list. Tell them. More importantly, tell them the reason for your gratitude. I’m sure it will mean a lot to the both of you. Now go enjoy your present moment…I have a whole lot left in this one, that’s for sure.
With gratitude,
- Ryan / Phunky
P.S. - Here is one of my all time favorite quotes from Marcus Aurelius, which nicely sums up what I said above:
Great wisdom here Phunky. Gratitude is so powerful. This was a nice little reminder to be more mindful about my gratitude. Kudos.
Hey Phunky, great read!
I'm grateful for so much recently. I'm working really hard and for once it seems to be paying off. This has made me more motivated, which makes me work even harder, and the positive cycle just seems to be continuing.
So, I guess I'm grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves to me recently. As well as the new connections and friends made that have presented them 🫶