What if every single thing you experienced today was either a blessing or a lesson?
Counteracting the Complaints
We’ve talked a lot about complaints and how easy it is to complain and spot things that are less than ideal. This week has been such a reminder about my own tendencies to complain. I have been immersed in my healing community, immersed in prayer, contemplation, mindfulness and connecting with others and my own heart. Yesterday I left our group feeling peaceful and open-hearted but then I immediately cussed and called someone a hurtful name when they cut me off in traffic. I couldn’t believe how quickly I was pulled out of my peaceful grateful state of mind. Then I lashed out at myself calling myself a hurtful name when I realized I left a big bag of ice out to melt.
Then I heard a curandero, Rod Garcia, talking about finding gratitude for everything, the blessings and the lessons. It made me wonder if it would be possible to categorize every single experience as either a blessing or a lesson. Being cut off in traffic could be a lesson in patience. Finding a melted bag of ice could be a lesson in self-compassion. Finding the lesson doesn’t automatically make it something we are grateful for. But finding the lesson is the first step towards gratitude it because seeing it as a lesson means that we found value in the experience. Uncovering inspiration, learning and maybe even prompting action, a new way forward.
I don’t know if I can completely eliminate my instinct to complain but what I have started to do is notice when I am complaining and stop myself and ask, “What lesson is there for me?”. I invite you to join me in this practice. If you do, please reply and let me know what the experience has been like for you.
People won’t have time for you if you’re always angry or complaining.
~Stephen Hawking
What were the blessings and lessons you experienced today?
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[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″] My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it! A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide. My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can too. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336. [/su_note]