Gratitude Meditation.

   Keeping with the spirit of the season,  I thought it would be good to show some gratitude and thanks giving for the many, many blessings in my life and share a simple meditation that allows one to perform a quick "check up from the neck up" if you will.

   Make a short list, say about a dozen, of the the things that you are grateful for.  Take a few minutes to feel thankful for and ponder what blessings each one of the items on your list brings into your life.  As you feel the appreciation and gratitude, you will feel a release of stress as the complications, situations and challenges in your life become insignificant compared to your blessings.

Here is my list.

My lovely wife, best friend and companion.
My dear friends that wear the title of my children.
Breath, health and activity.
Employment and professional purpose to give refinement and reflection to my days.
The privilege to meet new people each day and to become acquainted with their marvelous points of view.
My many online friends whose blogs I read and enjoy, the many visits and comments they make on mine.
The friends who challenge me to find new ways to communicate this fire that burns within me, to share ideas and vision with others about the immense and magical event we share called LIFE!

   Remember, problems only exist in your head where you can't do anything about them.  Situations are what you have when you are faced with a challenge in the present moment.  Don't confuse problems with situations.  One is in your head, one is what you deal with and work through in your daily life.

   May you find out how blessed you are as you make your list.  May you show love and appreciation to God/Creation and others for your many, many blessings!  May you find peace in the acknowledgement of your blessings.  May you be in awe of the innumerable blessings you never even realize!!!

  What is the most unusual item that turned up on your list?

Peace, Love and Gratitude to you, your family and those within the circle of your presence.

Billy B.

Sunsets.

   I'm not sure the exact reason.  I have always loved a great sunset.  When Colette (my wife) and I lived in Texas, we would sit out in the evening just to watch the marvelous crimson sunsets that happen in western Texas.  That was one of the blessings of living there.

   I know that there is beauty all around.  I also know that there have been times in my life when I failed to appreciate the miracles around me or the beauty that predominates just because I was lost in thought or worse, familiarity.  Perhaps that in and of it'self is why the practice of watching one's breath can bring so many benefits.  Just letting go of thought and forgetting about the familiar habit of breathing to experience each breath and appreciate it for the miracle that it is.

  Today, I will keep it simple and short.

   I challenge each of you to notice something that is a constant in your life, forget what you know or think you know and just appreciate, whatever it is, for the blessings or beauty or miracle that this one things is.  It does not matter if this is a person, an object, a scene or any tangible item.  Just chose one, appreciate it and admire it as if it were new to you.  Take a moment and be present with it.

   If you dare, take a moment and tell me what happens.

   May you experience the miracle that is you!

Peace,

Billy B.