The Magic of Gratitude

The Magic of Gratitude

I wrote in my last post about the power and effects of magic in my life. I also mentioned a house party my husband and I threw this past Friday night. John’s friend, the fantastic guitarist Dave Nachmanoff, played a private concert for our guests, and he closed his show with a song called “Grateful.” Wow – I’ve been humming or singing it ever since.

Then, yesterday, I found a book called The Magic at a yard sale. It’s by Rhonda Byrne, the woman who wrote The Secret. What amazing timing!

In her first chapter, Byrne writes:

I am here to tell you that the magic you once believed in is true, and it’s the disillusioned adult perspective of life that is false. The magic of life is real – and it’s as real as you are. In fact, life can be far more wondrous than you ever thought it was as a child, and more breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and exciting than anything you’ve ever seen before. When you know what to do to bring forth the magic, you will live the life of your dreams. Then, you will wonder how you ever could have given up in believing in the magic of life.

In the next chapter, she writes:

No matter who you are, no matter where you are, no matter what your current circumstances, the magic of gratitude will change your entire life!

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Gratitude can magically turn your relationships into joyful and meaningful relationships, no matter what state they are in now. Gratitude can miraculously make you more prosperous so that you have the money you need to do the things you want to do. It will increase your health and bring a level of happiness beyond what you’ve ever felt before. Gratitude will work its magic to accelerate your career, increase success, and bring about your dream job or whatever it is you want to do. In fact, whatever it is that you want to be, do, or have, gratitude is the way to receive it. The magical power of gratitude turns your life into gold.

So there it was, right in front of me. These two seemingly unrelated themes coming together, as if by divine providence, at the precise time I am most ready to receive them and study them and jump into them with both feet. Generally speaking, I’m a grateful, optimistic person. Many days, I offer a mantra upon waking:

Thank you for this day, my life, my liberty, my faith, and all the love in the world. Thank you for peace.

I want to make waking with this mantra an everyday habit. So far, discipline and I are wary frenemies – but I’m getting better at various aspects of it. That’s why I so related to Dave’s song. His chorus contains the line, “but sometimes I forget…”

Here are the lyrics:

I’m grateful for the sun that warms this valley
I’m grateful for the water and the wind
I’m grateful for the cool of summer evenings
And I’m grateful when the morning comes again

But sometimes I forget, so for now I’d like to say
I’m grateful for this day

I’m grateful for the family that surrounds me
And I’m grateful for this time we have to spend
I’m grateful for my teachers and their wisdom
And I’m grateful for the company of friends

But sometimes I forget, so for now I’d like to say
I’m grateful for this day

And I know there may be troubles yet to come
But still I have to smile
And I know our time is short
But I’m glad to be part of the dance, for a while

I’m grateful for the gift of sharing music
I’m grateful for the sweetness of the wine
I’m grateful for the bounty at our table
And I’m grateful for my baby’s eyes that shine

But sometimes I forget, so for now I’d like to say
I’m grateful for this day

And here’s a link to the song itself. Take care if you watch it, though, or you too may find yourself humming it for days!

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Laura Orsini is an author, speaker, and consultant who coaches other authors to make and market exceptional books that change the world for the better. She is birthmother to Eric, who is finishing college in Boston this summer. Their adoption has been open for the better part of Eric’s life. She continues to toy with the idea that these posts will one day become a book. In the meantime, you can learn about her novel in progress, Stan Finds Himself on the Other Side of the World.