A Spiritual Viewpoint

Gratitude is a sacred word. One problem. What if you aren’t feeling genuinely grateful at this moment? Does this make you a “bad person?” Heavens, no! We’re all perfectly imperfect human beings and life’s challenges can often bring us to our knees. While I admit it’s a stretch to be thankful for the pandemic, lives lost, illnesses, dissention among people, acts of violence, lost jobs, extreme climate changes, money struggles, injustices, and unresolved relationship issues, I know from my own life that it is still possible to successfully bring a glimmer of light to a heavy heart - even during the darkest times.

The 6 H’s will guide your life with gentle spiritual directions for reviving internal gratefulness – no matter what is going on in your life. My hope is that these six seeds will lead you to feelings of authentic thankfulness - especially when you feel most resistant ...

The 6 H’s of Gratefulness:

• Hope
• Healing
• Heart
• Heaven on Earth
• Humility
• Happiness

Hope. Hopelessness is the worst disease of all. Despite everything, exercise your hope muscle. Live in the “you never know.” You never know what GOOD can happen when you least expect it. Remember that “worry is a negative prayer.” Something magical may happen when you least expect it.

Healing. Do the inner work to heal yourself from inside out. Heal your spirit, shift your negative thoughts to positive affirmations, visualize the healing of your body, and while you’re at it, visualize healing for our world, too.

Heart. Keep your heart soft and open it to yourself and to others. Shoo away your inner critic and simply LOVE. Love the shadow and the light within you and treat yourself as your own best friend. Love others, too - even those with whom you don’t agree. Remember that everyone has a story and was born pure and innocent. You were born pure and innocent, too. Love that inner child as if your life depends on it. Because it does.

Heaven on Earth. Breathe in the healing force of nature. In brief moments – even during the darkest times – we can breathe in nature’s medicine and find heaven here on earth. Nothing shifts our body, mind and spirit more quickly than our awe and reverence for the majesty and miracles of nature.

Humility. Even when life is a struggle, find a way to be humble enough to be grateful for what you DO have. It’s as simple as being grateful for each inhaled breath and each exhaled breath. It’s as magical as getting out of our own way long enough to be thankful for every loving act of kindness received and every act of kindness we can gracefully give to others.

When we are struggling with challenges, we often ask, “Why me?” Many of us have asked the universe this question and it’s normal to feel this way. It also takes a certain kind of humility to remain the curious witness and student of life. Instead of “why me,” what if we asked, “What will I learn from this experience? How will I expand as a human being?

Happiness. Happiness is an inside-out job. It requires releasing the words “If only … then.” If only I had money, then I’d be happy. If only I were healthy, then I’d be happy. If only I found the right partner, then I’d be happy. If only I were rich and famous, then I’d be happy.” Happiness begins with inner peace, self-acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, love and letting go.

Happiness begins with finding something – anything – to be grateful for.

The time is now. Create a grateful list especially when you don’t feel like it. Begin your sentence with “I am grateful for” and add to your list as you go through your day. This simple action plan will shift your mood and mindset in minutes. Keep hope, be vigilant about healing your body, mind and spirit, soften and open your heart, show courageous vulnerability, honor our earth’s abundance, and most of all, take moments during your day to invite gratitude into your life. It will shift your perspective in a New York minute.

Cheryl Melody Baskin is an award-winning author, recording artist, intuitive life coach, spirituality and peace educator, and sound healer. She is also the founder and moderator of a large Facebook community of peace, love and hope called “Shift of Heart” and the recipient of a Life Achievement Award from The Visioneers International Network.