“What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life.” -Oprah Winfrey

I could jump for joy, it seems that finally I have turned the gratitude corner.  My persistent focus on finding the grateful perspective on everything is taking hold and I am watching my anxiety like a neighbor rather than having it take over the house.  Even in my lowest moments when fear of the unknown and the uncertainty of these times is nipping at my heels, I am still finding myself a few steps ahead, feeling my way towards receiving.

Letting go is the art at hand. This is easier to focus on than I would have ever imagined. Surrender is as easy as just not needing to have all the answers and yet trusting they are there.  I am getting better at it because the more I practice it, the more I am able to see that I was never really controlling all these things that I drove myself crazy trying to control. Also it is a relief once you start practicing this letting go. It makes showing up easier and fun.   Today I spontaneously remembered that all I have to do today is have a good day.

Framing the world through these rosy glasses of release and receive is really more fun. Even today with a small attack of poison oak on one arm and the other afflicted with some weird nerve pinching in my shoulder,  I was able to live in my body without a heavy story line. Clearly, not entirely free of stress, I was able to come sit next to it and try to be a friend to the stress response that is so deeply patterned in me.

Really in every direction, I can find a grateful picture.  Even the places that have held my glance in their tragedy, I can lean towards it with my heart and see something beautiful and loving going on. Gratitude changes everything.