Recently, a very hokey movie was on television and I got hooked on it, watching it all the way through. Not only was the storyline hokey, the acting was so bad…that I could tell it was bad. Usually, I cannot; this time I could.
However, there was one line that made it all worthwhile. The newly-deceased woman, having just spent a day of her afterlife back in an earth-like situation, was telling her mentor angel how surprised she was that, after living a life without ever thinking about being alive, suddenly, today she felt more alive than ever.
The angel asked her, “How often were you aware of being alive while you actually were?
This was a very powerful question! As he then noted, “You now have a different perspective.”
In a past article it was discussed that one way of developing gratitude for the simple things, such as our senses, is to imagine losing them all, then gaining them back one-by-one. As you can imagine, each would now take on a whole new meaning, being seen from an entirely new perspective.
Personally, I fall into this trap. I rarely think about being alive. Though, that one line brought it — and a huge sense of gratitude — back into focus, at least temporarily. The trick is to keep conscious of it on an ongoing basis, setting up reminders if necessary until it becomes habit.
The same with breathing. Aside from my friends into Meditation (sorry, Linda Ryan, I still don’t do it) and other arts where breathing is part of the ritual, too many of us forget about breathing, and even that we are breathing. Imagine how much more we’d appreciate it if we, for some reason, lost that ability. Somewhat frightening to even think about. The trick is to stay conscious that we are breathing.
This would certainly help us in the gratitude department. And gratitude might be the root source of everything good that we experience.
I continue to work on these things. How about you? And, how can we do even “more better-er” in this regard?
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I work everyday on finding things to be grateful for. I also ask in my morning mediation practice to live my highest good and connect with all things beautiful. I do believe I have a good perspective on each day as I experience MANY “my cup runneth over” moments, however, I do want to experience even more each day!
Those moments are too beautiful to experience them here and there!
Terrific, Vidette. Thank you for sharing that with us. Great wisdom and terrific advice!!
What a wonderful article Bob, and yes we take way too much for granted. I know it sounds crazy but the journey I took through cancer was a blessing because I did awake to what we take for granted. However, having said that, when we get back into the flow of things and our traumas are far behind, it is easy to slip back into the unconsciousness. Thanks for reminding me to wake up. ♥
Wow, Bob, thanks so much for your kind words. I do know that all the things we go through in our lives are for a reason. I am grateful and humbled that I was chosen to help in that way. YOU are such a blessing to this world and your article today is just one in a million ways you have helped. Blessings to you my friend 🙂
Bob, one way we remember to appreciate being alive is to come across articles like yours. Great reminder. Too often, what makes me take a deep, sweet breath of life is when someone close to me passes away. Especially the ones who are much too young. Double especially, the ones who are my age.
I’ve come to realize, as I ponder the subject more attentively with each passing year, that the busier we are — or bogged down, depressed, stressed, etc. — the less opportunity we have to think about the automatic stuff we need to appreciate more. The wife or husband who’s always there, the breathing that keeps us alive. It’s when I take five to go outside with my dog so he can take care of business that I stand there, breathing in the cold air a little deeper than normal, and realize I love breathing. I can turn off the machine for those few minutes, knowing the computer will wait for my return, my only priority to watch that very simple animal.
Thank you, Mike. I appreciate your kind words. And, yes, there are many things, some happy and some sad that can really cause us to step back and look at the world with gratitude. As you mentioned, it’s so often the automatic stuff that we need to appreciate more. Thank you for sharing with us!
Hey Bob, a great life jolt for a Monday morning, thank you! I have been reading alot about awareness lately. It actually started with my reading the Go-Giver and following that with various law of attraction books.. so thank you again! I think I am becoming more aware, but there is much more practice required, but I still sometimes manage to spend the whole day AWARE of my bad mood and negative thinking, but not quite able to shift it! Gratitude is surely the answer, so I must focus on more of it, perhaps just remembering to be thankful for the experience of being alive (good or bad mood) is a great place to start!
Thank you, Michelle. Wow…you are SO on the right track. And, yes, there is always much more practice required (at least for me). And, that’s part of the awareness itself. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, and thank you for your kind words about “The Go-Giver.”
Thanks Bob for sharing this fresh perspective (we can always count on you for that!). It brings to mind one of the interviews we did when you shared that when you get your cup of Dunkin coffee, you not only appreciate the server but the person who made the cup, who picked the beans and the entire process that brought you that delicious moment! Everything we have is delivered through other PEOPLE — appreciating each one of them, as well as our own blessing of being alive is the most inspiring place to live in!
…And what movie was it?
Thank YOU, Nancy! I remember that. There’s so much more to appreciate well below the surface, isn’t there. Regarding the movie, I can’t tell you the name for two reasons: 1., since I spoke ill of it, I wouldn’t want to say the name publicly. 2. I really don’t remember the name; it was that bad. 😉
Hi Bob, I am so grateful that I have been on this journey for so many years already. I am grateful being 73 years young with so much more to share. I have been a part of Women’s Prosperity Network for the past year or so and I really am grateful for all the connections I have made. It has kept me in touch with you! Lots of love and light, Gramma Shirah Penn
Thank you, Shirah. I’m grateful for knowing you, as well. And, glad you are part of Nancy’s WPN. It’s a terrific group that touches a lot of lives, as do you!
Thank you, Stacy. Always so great to hear from you. One other thing you did as a result of your far too long struggle with cancer is to turn your experience into a blessing for so many others through your magnificent book, “Me, The Crazy Woman and Breast Cancer” http://amzn.to/zzCJbm. I’ve heard from so many people who have been given strength and encouragement from your book. Thank you!
Thank you for the great post Bob! I think the only time i remember to be grateful for being alive is when I hear someone has died. I need to set better reminders and create the habit myself. At least we are all one step closer since you posted this 🙂
Thank you for this inspiring post. I think we can get so caught up in the to do’s and deadlines and even our gaps – how we want to improve and grow. This is a refreshing reminder to stop and breathe – to be present to the moment we are in and grateful for it. As always, I have loved following the comments too. What a lovely crowd has gathered around this.
Thank you, Christie. I think that is a struggle just about all of us have. I know it’s something I have to continually work on!
Thank you, Dondi. Those are great points you make. And, yes, the commenters – as always – have added so greatly to the message and fill me with … Gratitude!
One of my favorite religious rituals is our morning prayers. These include thanking the Lord for our daily miracles, such as being able to rise, walk, breathe, see, etc… These prayers really help keep me humble and well grounded.
Thank you, Rich. Absolutely, the morning prayers serve as a great reminder of the many things for which we can and should be very thankful!
Thanks Bob. I have been going through a lot lately and I know Gratitude and a new perspective is so important. Thanks so much for this. We are having to put my dad in a nursing home tomorrow. I know it has to be done. Gratitude is the key to dealing with this and life in general. To be grateful for all the wonderful times and great things I have learned from my father. I was just writing about being grateful for the simple things in life we take for granted. the senses are a great example.
Thanks again for all you do, Bob. Take CARE.
Al
Al, I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. I wish there were something I could say to make you feel better. Hopefully, the nursing home is fairly close so that you can visit him a bunch. Even so, it must still be very difficult.
I often pinch myself to make sure I’m alive. When one has been in a bad situation and gets to rise out of it, you realise that you get to go to work, you get to do dishes, you get to see another sun rise, you get to see your mom again, you get to do something nice for someone, you get to choose…you get the picture? (those arent in order, nor is the list complete.)My gratitude list is to infinity and beyond, because I am alive and free. Each morning I arise and say Hello to My Abba Farher, before my feet hit the ground. I am conscious of my alive state every moment of every day. It’s a really cool place to be….present(here)! I didnt ask for it, in fact, I believe it’s a” present,” as in a “gift.” 🙂
What an amazing and very powerful reframe. And, knowing some of your story, Amy, I know how “easy” it would have been to go in just the opposite direction. But, you didn’t – and that is a HUGE credit to you and your amazing character. Thank you for sharing with us!
Good reminder Bob. We can never underestimate the power of gratitude to remind ourselves how lucky (normally) we really are and more importantly, to reframe our thoughts into positive ones.
I know myself that I am always more productive and creative when in a positive frame of mind.
I had an occasion this past weekend to be reminded about how fragile we really are and thankful that we are surrounded by such awesome people and gifts. If you aren’t, change it.
I need to make this a more regular undertaking. Gr8ful.
Thank you, Doug. Yes, very true that it’s easier to be both more product and creative when in a positive frame of mind. And, whatever the occasion was you are referencing in the third paragraph, I’m glad everything turned out okay!!
Here is what I know~Since adding meditation to my routine, I find I am consistently (almost naturally) more grateful and just plain old happier than I ever remember being. It’s not that my life and circumstances are better than ever, just that I enjoy and appreciate everything more. Just sayin’….
Like Dondi, in addition to enjoying your post, I also enjoy all theses great comments. Thanks Bob, and thanks for the mention 🙂 It’s never too late to try something again, right?
Bob, I’ve had such a great run in life, with so much to be grateful for.
Then, yesterday, I hit a snag and felt overwhelmed, scared, out of sorts.
It didn’t seem like I could pull myself up, but after an hour in bed (at 7pm),
I asked my wife of 31 years what would she like to do.
She suggested watching Pride and Prejudice, which we have watched before.
Watchig it helped me realize the beauty of my life and though I go through struggles, there is light through it all if I look for it. I tell my wife after movies like this ‘I have never seen a movie as rich and blessed as my own life is. I am such a blessed man.’
Thanks for posting.
Paul, what a terrific letter. I can tell you are indeed blessed; more so because you realize how blessed you are! Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you, Linda. That’s awesome, my friend. But, indeed…it IS too late LOL!