Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is not a feeling; it is an attitude. We can practice it regardless of how we feel in any given moment. When we cultivate a grateful attitude regardless of external conditions, we magnetize our awareness for good and contribute to peace. Gratitude turns us towards truth and frees us from self-preoccupation and worry.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

We hear a lot about gratitude but there are times when it feels difficult to find something to be grateful for. We can have our moments when all we see around makes us feel angry, worried or fearful. This attitude of gratitude is something that we need to practice all the time, but how? When we practice gratitude when times are good it is easier to find things to be grateful for when times are hard. When we have a regular practice of gratitude, as Yogacharya O'Brian says "...regardless of external conditions we magnetize our awareness for good...". What is a regular practice of gratitude? Dr. Rick Hanson has written several books about developing resilience to overcome difficulties in our lives. He says, "Each day is like a path strewn with many little jewels...that are easy to overlook...The jewels are already there. Why not pick some of them up?" For example, noticing the taste of the glass of water that we drink, how we feel refreshed after drinking that water and then having gratitude for even being able to drink that water, that is a jewel that we are picking up. It takes some effort to pay attention and appreciate the many small good things we encounter each day. When we do that regularly, we are creating an habit of gratitude. That attitude of gratitude is what will carry us through the difficult times.