With the theme this month of “Gratitude is an Attitude” I’ve chosen the topic this week of “If You’re Happy…” You remember that song we used to sing as kids – right? If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands, stomp your feet, show your teeth, etc. The point is when you’re happy it will show up in your body and affairs of life.
The Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh has shared: “Breathing in, I am aware of my heart. Breathing out, I smile to my heart and know that my heart still functions normally. I feel grateful for my heart.” What a simple yet profound practice! How often do we consciously stop, breathe and smile for all the miraculous ways our body supports us throughout the day?
A reporter once asked Mother Teresa how she stayed positive with so many people needing her every day. She responded that anytime she found herself alone during the day, she would take a moment to breath and put a small smile on her lips – just the upturning of the corners of her mouth for 15 seconds with a deep breath. She would then easily greet whomever was next to see her.
A portion of the Optimist Creed says: “Promise yourself to wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile; To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others; To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.”
We are shaping and molding our very lives each and every moment by the thoughts we think, the words we speak and the actions which we take. Life can be a joyous adventure as we are propelled by the deep and abiding feeling of gratitude.
Say with me: “I stop, breathe, and put a smile on my face knowing I am incredible, powerful and a miracle Divine. I smile at Life and It smiles back. And it is so.”
—Rev. Gay Beauregard, Alpine Church of Spiritual Living
