Today’s Mandala Message: Maintain a State of Appreciation
This week I’m working through Principle #53 “Practice Uncommon Appreciation”. I set my intention today to ponder aspiring to a state of appreciation. Canfield states: “When you are in a state of appreciations and gratitude, you are in a state of abundance. You are appreciating what you do have instead of focusing on and complaining about what you don’t have. … And because the law of attraction states that like attracts like, you will attract more abundance—more to be thankful for—to you.”
Over the years, I’ve gradually changed my focus from complaining to appreciating. Complaints still pop up for me however now I notice them sooner and can do something to change my perspective. Usually I end up asking myself “what can I learn or gain from this experience?” or “what was my part in this?” or “how could I have handled this differently?”
On a rather mundane scale I had an experience recently where my husband and I went to a comedy show in a beautiful, vintage theater. Being barely 5’2”, it’s always a challenge in older venus to have a clear view of the stage because invariably someone taller (which is almost everyon) will sit in front of me, blocking my view. Normally my husband would swap seats with me but this time the person in front of him was much taller…even my husband, who is 6’2”, had trouble seeing.
Through most of the show I was mostly in a state of complaining. Then I noticed some empty seats three rows from the stage. It took awhile for me to sum up the guts to just get up in the middle of the show and change seats. My husband didn’t want any part of it. He stayed put. I’m so glad I moved, I appreciated having a clear view. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until then that I would allow myself to enjoy the rest of the show. I wish I could have been in a state where I could have enjoyed it regardless.
So what’s my takeaway from this experience? 1) always bring a seat cushion with me so I can sit higher (if need be); 2) knowing that there’s nothing I can do about my height or who sits in front of me, I will set my intention (before the show) to enjoy it regardless of who’s sitting in front of me and focus on being grateful that I get to be there; 3) appreciate that I’m in a position to be able to go to such events; and 4) if at all possible, in future get seats as close to the stage as possible.
A good mindfulness practice would be to find time throughout the day to be in a state of appreciation.
So how about you? Are you able to appreciate the people around you? What do you appreciate about your life? If achieving a state of appreciation is a struggle for you, would you able to find little things throughout your day to appreciate?
“Make it a habit
— Ralph Marstom
to tell people thank you —
to express your appreciation sincerely
and without the expectation
of anything in return.
Truly appreciate those around you,
and you’ll soon find
many others around you.
Truly appreciate life,
and you’ll find that you have
more of it.”
Blessings,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
All Things Mandalas
An Invitation
I invite you to color along with me this year as part of what I’m calling “The Year of Self-Exploration and Expansion” with all of my “Mandalas of the ___” (day, week, month, year). If you’re interested in more of a self-exploration approach to coloring, check out my “Coloring Mandalas as Meditation”. You can download this mandala at MandalaoftheWeek.com.
Mandala of the Day 