Women in midlife

“When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep.  And I fall asleep, counting my blessings…”  Remember that oldie?

Notice how you felt as you were in the moments of feeling grateful.  Right now I’d describe it as serenity, fulfillment and abundance.  Isn’t that a wonderful simple switch to change your emotions or your vibration?

According to Wallace Wattles in the Science of Getting Rich being in the state of gratitude is moving toward the Divine/God.  He writes:  “the mental attitude of gratitude draws the mind into closer touch with the source from which the blessings come.”  So if you want simply to feel closer to a Higher Power move into a state of gratitude.

Most important--remember when you become impatient and frustrated with things as they are, you are dwelling on negativity.  If you believe in the Law of Attraction you’d realize that staying with negativity creates more undesirable results.  But if you can remember to turn to gratitude you turn your attention to the best and invite the best into your life.

Moreover, Wattles writes:  “the grateful mind continually expects good things, and expectation becomes faith.”  It is faith that sustains you while the seeds of your dreams gestate, sprout and grow.

When we are discouraged by the absence of expected results Wattles encourages us to be grateful for the “things yet to come”; be grateful in anticipation of having what you dream about. Isn’t it far better than to sit in despair?

Thus, gratitude helps you sustain the spirit to move forward with your big dreams that the Universe/the formless Substance is bringing into form.

June 4, 2007: I just watched the movie, "Take the Lead," based on a true story of Pierre DuLaine who affected so many lives in NY City schools with his love and teaching of ballroom dancing. Teachers have such possibilities to inspire and motivate, don't they? As you reflect through your teachers through the years, please in your heart thank the ones that gifted you with something life-changing. And share some of your stories with us, please.

I think of my university chemistry professor who in my junior year was my honors colloquium adviser: I remember after talking with him realizing: this man takes me seriously, as if who I was and what I thought were important. You can believe that this made an impact on my self-esteem.

But all our teachers come in various forms, don't they? It's just a matter of perspective. We can learn from what seems like a most unlikely source because always there is teacher in everyone you meet. It's just a matter of our attitude, our lens.

Today I want to mention some teachers of recent years and months to whom I am grateful. Don Miguel Ruiz of The Four Agreements. I have given more copies of this book away than any other. Just before bedtime in the past weeks and months I've read from the following lately: Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now; Abraham-Hicks, Ask and it is Given; Rachel Naomi Remen, Grandfathers' Blessing; Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success; Gangaji, You are That!

Please tell us about your teachers.