Attitude of Gratitude

I just read something from someone's post on Facebook about some research on the brain.  We used to believe that we were born with all our brain cells and that if we lost some, we never got any back.  The new ways of imaging the brain have taught us that this isn't true.  Some brain studies show that people who practice gratitude as a spiritual practice actually grow a larger part of the brain that's responsible for positive feelings.  Imagine that!   Of course, spiritual gurus have been telling us for centuries that if we focused on the positive, we would be happier, but we weren't paying much attention.  Maybe with all the scientific studies proving this, we'll start paying attention.  Surely if we want to have the life of our dreams, we will need to train ourselves to appreciate the one we have!

How to Cook a Wolf

During downturns in the economy, I like to read Sara Ban Breathmach's Simple Abundance.  She wrote it during the downturn of the 90s and it's stilll valuable today. She refers to "How to Cook a Wolf" by M.F.K. Fisher who wrote that book during the food shortages of World War II.  How quickly we forget that "what goes up, must come down."  We don't make preparations for downturns.  It's as if we think "what goes up, will keep going up."  However, it's wise to prepare for a wolf at the door as part of our plan for the life of our dreams.  Ms. Fisher recommends outsmarting and catching the wolf at at the door and having it for supper.  In other words, expect and be prepared for downturns by living without extravagant indulgences - without even the longing for them.

Freedom from Expectations

This is a day late for Independence Day.  However, in the spirit of independence, I want to share that much of the feeling of bondage I used to have came from my expectations of how things are "supposed" to be.  In recovery groups, it's said that expectations are premeditated resentments.  My expectations kept me from spending time and energy on living the life of my dreams.

Here's the truth I've discovered - expectations come from my ego - my idea of how other people are supposed to behave.  When they don't behave the way I expect, I feel justified in being angry and feeling superior (my ego loves to feel superior).  Never in my life have I ever felt happy and peaceful while feeling superior.   I feel happy and peaceful when I let go of expectations, live from my heart rather than from my ego, and enjoy what is, moment by moment.

" Expect nothing; live frugally on surprise."  -Alice Walker