"One should be grateful for everything and anything, as everything and anything is in fact ALL THAT IS, and deserves gratitude." Monika (Ascension Program Student)
 

Namaste To All,

I was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine under the shade of a tree feeling so absolutely peaceful, talking to Pachamamma (Mother Earth) and appreciating all that earth has to offer while thinking about what to share for this month’s newsletter. Many possibilities were floating through my mind but I really hesitate to put to print my interpretations as I believe they usually have a rather short lifespan since awareness is a process and, therefore, constantly expanding and changing. As well, interpretations are very influential, especially when shared with passion, and contribute to the fallacies of the collective consciousness, as mankind is becoming aware. I much prefer to share the teachings received from ALL THAT IS because I know they are Truth.

My eyes were closed for the most part during this internal dialogue but I could feel no real connection to any of the stories surfacing from the wells of thought. Then I started to think about gratitude and how important this was for our spiritual growth; how it was so difficult at times to be thankful for things we do not understand; how sometimes we take so much for granted; how our expectations cloud the appreciation we need to express; how if we really took the time to become aware we will know that just about everything in life deserves gratitude; how I was reminded many years ago, and used as an example during a gathering, to honor and give thanks for the very water that we consume; etc, etc. Maybe this is to be the topic for this month!

As I opened my eyes, I saw this large white bird, which I labeled a Crane, fly across the pond from left to right, landed there as though watching me and then walked to the side I was sitting, although not close. I could still see her/him from where I was sitting, with her long graceful neck just looking out across the pond, just Be-ing, it seemed! All thoughts of the article left my mind as I gazed at her with pure joy. Another few minutes and she decided to sit, or to crouch, or to do whatever large birds do when they are not standing tall! Still admiration flowing to her. But now, that feeling I was searching for earlier surfaced and I knew that Gratitude had to be the topic Great Spirit wanted me to write about. How can we not be grateful when there is so much to be grateful for! With that intent, my beautiful reflection took off for parts unknown.

As I continued to embrace the peacefulness, the internal dialogue continued. I was reminded that only yesterday Agitation visited me but I did not feel very grateful. Instead, I felt quite sad when I realized what my Soul was showing me, about me. Yet today there is heightened peacefulness. Across my mind flashed words from ALL THAT IS: Be grateful for the situations and circumstances in your life; see the blessings in them, especially if they are not pleasant. All situations and circumstances are wonderful gifts. Know that all of life’s experiences are to assist you in knowing how well you are progressing with your life’s evolution. Without the “is not” you cannot really know the “IS.”

Was today’s magnified peacefulness a gift from the non-peacefulness of yesterday’s message? Was that an example and an awareness of the “is” in response to the “is not” of yesterday? Was my desire for greater peacefulness being demonstrated today as a result of my choosing differently? My interpretation tells me it definitely was. And a most powerful gift it was.

Now I have even more to be grateful for. Not only am I grateful for this reminder, for all that I am and for all that there is, I am ever so grateful for yesterday’s experience of the “is not” that allowed the “is” to be so amazingly magnified.

May you, too, continue to live a life of gratitude for all things. And this is my interpretation at this now moment in time.

Infinite Love and Blessings, always and all ways, ATI Angela.
June 14, 2009