A Thanksgiving Recipe for Gratitude

By Lee Jampolsky, Ph.D.

“I have come to see that gratitude has nothing to do with what I have accumulated, and everything to do with recognizing what I have always had, and always will. Gratitude is the most natural of states, and yet one I have often overlooked when I most needed it. Gratitude is a reflection of true humility, and yet to experience gratitude in this world definitely requires a willingness to stop thinking in ways that create a distance between you, me, other people, and the essence of love. One thing I have come to know about the recipe for gratitude is that only my mind can produce a “reason” not to be grateful, and only my mind can resolve it.

“This Thanksgiving, join me in recognizing that letting go of comparisons is the way to gratitude. Let us begin our day by living in gratitude for the one force that heals all suffering, Love. When we are aware of those less fortunate than us, be grateful that we can extend compassion, kindness, and the warmth of a helpful hand to them. Or, when we see those who seem to have more than us, be happy for their good fortune rather than envious.

“I have found through the years that there are two surefire ways to set my life on a disastrous course, which are to compare and then:

AA has also taught me to help another in order to get out of my self-pity or self-grandiosity, i.e., my egoistic manner of living

I’ll also leave you with an Apache Blessing:

May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being,
May you walk gently through the world, and
Know it's beauty all the days of your life.

Happy Thanksgiving, Don

*How the Bible Became the Bible - Exploring how the Bible came to be and why a literal interpretation of it may be dangerous. This exploration may open a door to your continued spiritual growth.