Tuesday, June 2, 2020

The Power of Gratitude



As I write this, the whole world is in the middle of a pandemic. It feels like everything is going wrong. The news is very negative, there's so much fighting about who's right and who's wrong, and no one seems to know what to do. Most of us are sheltering at home in order to stay safe and healthy.

In March, the Governor of my state, ordered all nonessential businesses to close, and that included mine. Which, of course, meant no income.

My first thoughts were filled with panic and fear, even though I know the power of our thoughts, I still felt very afraid. My shop has appeared to be my only source of income for the past 40 years. What would I do? How was I going to pay my bills, buy food, and survive?

Knowing that my thoughts and feelings are creating my future, and knowing that I was not wanting what I was thinking and feeling to create my future, I decided to practice what I teach, what I truly believe.

To stay focused each day on what I DO want, to count my blessings, to find the good, and to look for things to be happy about.

I woke up on April 1st feeling a lot of panic, fear, and anxiety as I realized I did not have the money to pay my rent at the shop.  Instead of focusing on that negative "fact", I decided to search on my phone for some good news. 

The first story that came up was about a man in New York, that had just told all of his tenants, "no rent due for April", for them to take care of themselves and their families, not to worry about the rent.

I suddenly felt such gratitude and thankfulness for this man, for the gift he was giving them, and for his generosity, that I felt compelled to send him a thank you card and say so. I expressed to him how much I appreciated what he had given them, a month of not having to worry about the rent, but also the gift he had given me. The knowing that there are people in the world that are loving, kind, and generous. I cried tears of gratitude as I wrote the card.

I looked up his address, put a stamp on it, and took it to the post office  wearing my mask and gloves.

Later that day, as I told my Sweetie about it, I felt all the gratitude and thankfulness again, and again began to cry. Every time I thought about it, I felt gratitude for this man's generosity.

On April 30th, I realized I still did not have the money to pay my own rent, and another month would be due the next day. When I suddenly received a call from my landlord. We talked for awhile, about everything going on in the world, when he suddenly said to me, " I am waiving your April rent, and possibly May's rent also". 

I instantly started crying as I felt all the gratitude and thankfulness for the gift my landlord was giving me. He had given me the very thing I had been feeling so much gratitude for. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I am so happy and grateful that my rent is paid in full.

Gratitude is a powerful, positive emotion, and we are constantly creating our future with our thoughts and emotions.

Look for all the things you can truly be thankful for.

Here's to your Lucky Life!

Lucky Lady Kathleen