Ritual: Gratitude

We can't front -- the reason all of us here at Spiritus really focus on "Sipping in the Moment," is because we have to. We can find a million reasons why we're too busy or our lives aren't what we want them to be or how everyone else is out to get us. Sometimes, that is an entertaining lark, but more often, it's just painful to sit and think about ourselves all the time.

Meditation and ritual allow for some time to let all the chatter slide away and let us be in the present moment. What is actually going on, right here, right now? Are we fed and clothed? Are we in (fairly) good health? Do we get to enjoy the things we have created and been given? Almost always, those answers are "yes" if we take the time to truly examine our current reality.

One of our friends is good at reminding us to look at where are feet are. Meaning, right where you're standing -- what's happening? The fight you're practicing in your head -- is the person in front of you? The disaster you think looming on the horizon at work -- has anyone told you that things are going poorly? The myriad scenarios in which everyone is unhoused, there are no friends left, your pets die, you die -- are any of those based in reality?

Finding gratitude in the day-to-day is really remarkable insofar as being able to change our attitudes. Even so, we're always annoyed when it's brought up as a solution. "A *gratitude list?* REALLY?" Really. Part of our resistance is that we think we need to find all sorts of grand things to be grateful for. But the grand things are all around us. It is perfectly acceptable (and encouraged!) to add that cup of coffee to your gratitude list. The car getting you to work. The crazy menagerie of friends and family you have.

Us? We're grateful for all of you. What sort of things are you grateful for today?