Life Lesson #9: Gratitude

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
-Marcus Tulliuscicero

Definition: Gratitude is our ability to appreciate the blessings we have in our lives.

Synonyms: Appreciation, giving thanks, pay it forward, counting your blessings.

Meridian Associations: Bladder

Organ Associations: Bladder, Urethra

Physical Imbalances: Bladder Infections, Lower Back Pain, Spinal Pain.

Pain Patterns: Low Back, Spine, Ears, Feet, Ankles, Shins, Little Toes.

Emotional Patterns: Paralyzed Will, Pissed Off, Terror, Abuse, Powerless.

A large percentage of my job is helping patients deal with any perceived emotional and mental stressors. I frequently deal with patients that complain about their job, their co-workers as well as their bosses. I routinely help them process anger, rage, and frustrations. Often times my patients job, co-workers or boss are merely mirroring back at them some aspect that they have not mastered within themselves, typically in the form of a self limiting belief such as: I am a victim, I am invisible, what I say has no merit, or I am not capable or worthy enough to hold this job. When that is the case, I typically perform the Message In the Mirror technique from my first book, Reclaiming Your Power. If a self limiting belief is not the issue, then the issue is a lack of gratitude.

Gratitude is the act of appreciation for the blessings we currently have in our lives. Unfortunately, we overlook our blessings and focus on what we don’t have in our lives. This ranges from poor relationships, financial hardships and of course our careers and the people involved in our careers. I have spent a lot of time helping my patients come to terms with their jobs, co-workers, and bosses. After a while, I got the feeling my office visits become whining and complaining sessions for my patients. I changed my tune as well as my tone with my patients after watching the events unfold with the economy after the last two years.

When my patients start whining and complaining about their jobs, co-workers and bosses, I now tell them they are lacking gratitude and not counting their blessings. Most of my patients are either confused or angry about my statements. I then proceed to tell them, “I know a thousand people that would gladly be in your position, you have a job, you can pay your bills, be grateful, count your blessings and QUIT WHINING AND COMPLAINING!

The exercising for mastering gratitude was originally printed in my last book, Reclaiming Your Power. I decided to include in this book because it is an awesome tool for mastering gratitude.

Exercise to Mastering Gratitude:

Typically, when you ask someone what they want, they will spend their time telling you what they don’t have or don’t want. “I want a new car!” “I want a bigger house!” “I want to be thin!” “I want more money!”
Certainly there is nothing wrong with wanting more but, when our focus comes from a point of we create more lack. It is easier to focus on what is lacking in our life. We get complacent and take our abundances for granted. We need to slow down and take inventory of what we have already created in our lives a “Blessing Inventory” counting our blessings is a foreign concept to many people. Our egos distract us with lack instead of abundance. A great way to break the cycle of lack is to focus on abundance that surrounds us already. It is an exercise in redirecting our intentions.

Take out a sheet of paper and make a list of things that you want in you life, the list might look something like this:

#1 Money
#2 A brand new car
#3 a bigger house
#4 to lose 30 pounds

Now on another sheet of paper make a list of what you already have in your life this your creations or “Blessing Inventory” the list might look something like this:

#1 My old car that gets me to work
#2 A roof over my head
#3 My job
#4 My family

If you can’t think of any other blessings, don’t worry keep a running inventory. When you think of more abundant thing in your life add them to the blessing inventory after awhile you list might look lie this:

#1 My old car that gets me to work
#2 A roof over my head
#3 My job
#4 My family
#5 My health
#6 Last years trip to Disneyland
#7 Food in kitchen
#8 Fresh air to breath
#9 Sun light
#10 My computer
#11 Time to read a good book
#12 Watching my kids sports/activities
#13 Sitting down to a meal with my family
#14 A raise at work
#15 Feeling connected to God
#16 Going for a hike in the mountains

The idea is to continually add new blessings to your inventory. Any time we fall into the “Lack Trap” pull out your list and review your blessing inventory. When we focus on what is abundant in our life we then move into gratitude. We live in a quantum world of creation. When out thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs, and actions radiate unconditional love and eternal gratitude we create more and more abundance. After a while of focusing on and being grateful for the blessings you currently have in your life, you will find that your original list of the things you wanted in your life will already be in your life.

Love, Light & Laughter

Dr. Corey