Eat Chocolate

I have friend named Maximilian, a very charming and wise man. The other day I asked him what advice he would give me about life and he said "Eat chocolate and say YES!" Many of you know that I rarely eat chocolate even though I think it tastes heavenly. Well, I decided to have a piece, at his urging. It was rich and smooth and tasted so good that everything else faded away. Ahhh...this was Max's point. The sensual experience of eating chocolate took me inward. I stopped thinking and talking and just relished the sensation. As Max would say - think less, feel more. I bet there are lots of ways to apply that adage. Eating chocolate was certainly a good way to start.

The part about saying "yes" was a bit more challenging. I decided I would try saying "yes" at every opportunity during my day: running late for an appointment, having a great talk with my son, being annoyed with a friend, a misunderstanding with my husband, a good yoga practice. Then in addition, I would say "yes" to the politics of the day, earthquakes and our severe winter drought. As I said "yes" more and more throughout my day, I discovered that "yes" was a testimony, a declaration of my power. That despite the complexities of life unfolding all around me, a big, bold "YES" was a clear assertion of my intention to live my life with grace and gratitude. Max describes "YES" as a big warm bear hug. As I said, Max is very wise.

Gratitude

Where does gratitude come from? I am little hesitant to admit that it just dawned on me. This is how I discovered it…try this…for the next two hours become a receiver. Just use your senses. Receive the taste and aroma of a delicious fresh tomato and basil sandwich, the warmth of a hug from a dear friend, the fall breeze rustling your hair, the lull of the wind chimes in your neighbor’s yard, the goose bumpy feel you get from looking at a beautiful twilight sky. The opportunities are, quite literally, endless.

After this concentrated intention to receive, you will notice a kindness in your interactions and a patience and love that you bring to what you do. That is the expression of gratitude, imbued in every encounter you have and action you take.

The secret for me was to stop being a doer all the time and to receive. Then gratitude began to flow and I knew that I could bring a fuller and richer expression of my Self to the world.