I recently read an article in Yoga Journal’s June 2012 issue, “Morning Awakening” by Phillip Moffitt, suggesting to start your day with a thought of gratitude. “Gratitude can be calming to the nervous system.” I don’t think we have to be wealthy and or have everything we want to be grateful. Ever notice how some of the poorest and those dealing with physical disabilities or illness are the most grateful? Nothing against the wealthy or healthy. In our media driven world it is so easy to get caught up in wanting the newest and the best of things out there. Is it really making us any happier? When I find myself caught in the space of wanting new things or frustrated because my body cannot do a certain yoga pose, I remind myself to be grateful for the bounty of what I do have and that my body is healthy and strong. It definitely calms my mind and changes my thoughts to how my family and I can give back. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda, he states that, “If we are completely free from stealing,(asteya), and greed,(aparigraha), contented with what we have, and if we keep serene minds, all wealth comes to us.”
So maybe ratherthan feeling sorry or depressed for what we don’t have, we can feel blessed for what we do have and look at how we can help those with even less!
“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand, gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” Eileen Caddy
Yoga and Inspiration 