The Net of Gratitude

The Net of Gratitude
Giving thanks for abundance
is sweeter than the abundance itself:
Should one who is absorbed with the Generous One
be distracted by the gift?
Thankfulness is the of beneficence;
abundance is but the husk,
for thankfulness brings you to the place where the Beloved lives.
Abundance yields heedlessness;
thankfulness brings alertness;
hunt for bounty with the net of gratitude.
~Rumi ( Mathnawi III)

As a woman with ever fluctuating hormone levels  I’ll often find myself in different moods on different days.

Ideally, I want to stay in a great mood all the time.  Who doesn’t!   I’ve noticed that when I’m in a great mood or a great frame of mind good things come my way.  Honestly!  I’ve been experimenting with this lately.  If  I’m in a great mood I always get a parking spot right near the door!  Funny!

I’ve learned a little trick recently to help pull me back when I’m on the edge of any dark moods.
I ask myself what I’m grateful for right now.

I usually start out with the small stuff  like;  “I’m grateful I have a warm car to get around in” or “I’m so grateful for this tea I’m drinking.”  Things like that.  If I’m feeling particularly blue it may be only a few things in the beginning.  What I’ve noticed is that I immediately start feeling better.  The clouds start to lift and before I know it I’m in a great mood again.
And I realize that I’m in control of how I feel in every moment.  I can choose to wallow or blame or I can use this simple exercise and feel great again.

As Rumi said above, giving thanks for abundance is sweeter than the abundance itself.  It just makes you feel so good and then when you feel good you always get the best parking spot!