Thank you, thank you, thank you....

That's what was in my mind when I awoke this morning, a stream of "thank yous" that I was saying to someone.  The object of my profuse gratitude was left behind in dreamland, but the feeling was with me as I rolled out of bed.

Sometimes I'm slow to take a hint, but as I sat down to meditate this morning, it seemed obvious to stick with the mantra that had been presented to me.  Indeed, "thank you" works perfectly well paired with the breath - inhale "thank," exhale "you."  Since whatever triggered this thought in my dream remained veiled in my subconscious, I was left with nothing particular to be thankful for, except everything, and no one to thank, except the universe.

So, gratitude has become the theme for the day.  I found a description of gratefulness as: "the full response to a given moment and all it contains."  (Br. David Steindl-Rast's gratefulness.org)

That struck me as very much like a description of mindfulness: "an attentive awareness of the reality of the present moment."  (shortened slightly from the Wikipedia entry for mindfulness)

The main difference seems to be that mindfulness is awareness of the present moment, whereas gratefulness is a response to it.   Clearly then, to be grateful, you must also be mindful.  Mindfulness and gratitude are a well recognized pair, as a quick internet search reveals.

Recognition of the importance and power of gratitude flows deep and far back.  Finding that Martin Luther referred to gratitude as "the basic Christian attitude" and that Cicero said that "gratitude is not only the greatest of all the virtues, but the parent of all others," reinforced its value and place in my practice.

A common understanding of a practice of gratitude is that it changes your mind from negative to positive thoughts.  In fact, I began meditation and yoga practice at a time when I felt my responses to life were too often negative, and I wanted to shift my perspective to the positive.  I had the strong sense that if I was more positive, I would be happier.   That has certainly proven true.

I'm now more aware of the relationship between my intention to be positive in all things, and the concept of gratitude.  To continue further, I think the next step for me is an intentional gratitude practice, journaling daily about things for which I am grateful.