Recently, I’ve been pointed at several resources that emphasise the value of gratitude. The power of acknowledging what we have, what makes our life happier, or better or more worthwhile. Funnily enough, it’s not something that gets that much coverage in the Huna tradition I’ve studied (there are many versions of Huna). I suspect that’s because, when you are totally in touch with yourself, the planet and God or Higher Consciousness, gratitude just becomes a part and parcel of your being. It’s like a cycle. The more you acknowledge what you are grateful for, the more in touch with yourself, planet and higher consciousness you become. And vice versa.
Tony Robbins On The Value Of Gratitude
One of my facebook friends shared a fine Tony Robbins video, Gratitude Is the Anecdote. It’s a facebook link, but never mind! In it, Tony talks about his morning rituals. He apparently goes for a short, 10 minute walk, and during that time he thinks about 3 things he can be grateful for. It might be as simple as the wind on your face, or it could be more complicated. So the other day, I thought I would do a Tony.
It was pretty chilly when I woke up, with a grey sky. Dreich, as they say in Scotland. So going for a gratitude walk wasn’t high on my list of things to do. In addition, I was feeling quite stiff and had a slight headache. But I let the resistance go, put on my boots (it gets muddy i the fields round these parts), and off I went.
The first thing I felt grateful for was the driechness, although I don’t think that’s a real word! I used to live in Greece, and from May to September we almost never saw a cloud, or any rain. On the odd times when there was a good rainstorm, it transformed the earth and we celebrated. It’s the contrast. We appreciate the sunshine so much more when it’s not there day in day out. And actually that’s true for life in general. We appreciate the peaks so much more when we have something to contrast them with.
The second thing was that as I walked, the stiffness started to disappear. Movement is just plain good for you. I was very grateful for that.
The third thing was the roses in my garden. I know we’ve come into summer when they start to bloom, and they are doing just that. After months, and months of very little colour, I’m finally able to enjoy the reds, the whites, the yellows. And I do love the long days of summer, and having daylight at 8 or nine in the evening.
Gratitude And The Slight Edge
The other resource I came across recently is the book called ‘The Slight Edge‘ by Jeff Olson.It’s a fast easy read, and well-worth checking out. The idea here is that by taking small steps and making small changes each day is a far more effective path to happiness and success than trying to make radical change. Olson has several principles you can build on, and one is writing 3 things you are grateful for in your diary each day.
I started doing this, and certainly it’s a fine strategy for British winter. However, personally, I find the Tony Robbins approach more effective because it’s more immediate, it gets you out of the house and, most importantly, it gets you moving.
Why not give each a try for a fortnight or so, and see which one works for you?