A Spiritual Cure for Crankiness

Ever have one of those days when things don't go as planned, and while you know eventually you need to move into acceptance and "just get over it already," you seem to find yourself in a chronic state of crankiness? That happens to me sometimes; in fact, that is where I found myself this afternoon.  After some healthful venting, acknowledging my feelings and being with them for a while (rather than stuffing them down), I decided it was time to transform the energy.  I find it helpful to do something creative with my energy, and I remembered the power of expressing gratitude in the form of writing.

For this year's World Day of Prayer, Silent Unity sent out a packet of cards to send to loved ones which let them know that they will be included on the prayer list for 30 days. With all my involvement this year as Chair of the UISA World Day of Prayer Team, my WDOP prayer list has been on my mind for weeks, however I had neglected to put pen to paper until today. As I considered the people who have touched my life in this past year, the list grew beyond the number of lines allotted on the form!  My prayer list became a gratitude list, and allowed me to see my life from a higher view -- to step back from my focus on a singular experience and see the whole picture.

Now I am seeing all the good things I have to be grateful for, but what about that something that didn't go as planned? What about the disappointments? Do we just "get over it" and move on?

In Spiritual Economics, EB cites the Apostle Paul, who said, in effect, "In all things, give thanks." (p. 88) So that situation that went awry...that, too?  EB emphasizes that the phrase is not "for all things, give thanks," but rather, "in all things, give thanks." What's the difference? It is not a matter of feeling gratitude that a seemingly negative event occurred, it is the practice of having a grateful heart in all circumstances. EB explains: "Paul is stressing the importance of a grateful heart, not simply an expression of gratitude for things, but a heart that is grateful (full of greatness)....A grateful heart actually opens the way to the flow and becomes an attractive force to draw to itself great things." (p. 89)   
In shifting my awareness, I am now in a place in consciousness where I can confer a blessing upon even that difficult situation and those involved. I have an opportunity to grow, to learn and to transform my thinking from a grateful heart, and I now am seeing this situation from a whole new perspective. I recognize I have a choice as to how I will move forward, and I am choosing gratitude. Rather than stewing in my "rightness," I would prefer to radiate happiness, and gratitude takes me there.

I invite you to experience the greatness of your being, and choose an activity of gratitude today.  If you received those prayer cards or have some blank cards available, find a few minutes to bless a loved one with this gift of gratitude. You could send an email or text, but a handwritten note is such a rarity these days that it can truly touch someone's heart to know that someone took the extra time to acknowledge them. Just a few moments of gratitude can reset you to your natural flow of joy, and is a certain cure for crankiness!

Please join us, in person or via LiveStream, Thurs. Sept. 12th, 11am CT, for our Silent Unity prayer service with our future Unity ministers joined by Rev. Lynne Brown & music by Spiritus (from my home ministry, Unity of New York). We have a beautiful musical meditative experience planned for you featuring Myrtle Fillmore's affirmative words on this year's theme: "Living Well: Nurturing Mind, Body and Spirit." I hope you will join us & add your comments on the experience.

Blessings to you all, and Namaskar!