Grateful For Nothing

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Hand-drawn art by Rupali Bhuva
Image of the Week

Agradecid@ por nada
--por Gregg Krech

Si estás leyendo esto, es muy probable que tu vida sea relativamente segura, tan segura que no tengas en mente la seguridad. Entonces, cuando no pasa nada, no te sientes particularmente agradecido. Esperas estar seguro, del mismo modo que esperas que se encienda la luz cuando golpeas el interruptor en la pared. Pero cuando esperas morir o esperas que tu hogar sea destruido, "no ha pasado nada" es un milagro.

Ese es nuestro reto: permitir que nuestros corazones y nuestras mentes sean tocados por la gratitud sin la presencia de un huracán. Apreciar la vida y la gracia con la que nos despertamos cada día y nos vamos a dormir con seguridad. Reconocer que nuestra seguridad personal es un regalo y algo sobre lo que tenemos poco control. Podemos sobrevivir a un huracán y sufrir un ataque al corazón al día siguiente. Nuestras vidas están colgadas de un hilo. Nos pone nervios@s pensarlo, por lo que tratamos de no hacerlo. Pero ese hilo nos ha retenido desde que nacimos. Y de vez en cuando es bueno notarlo para que podamos estar agradecidos por ello.

"No ha pasado nada" no es particularmente emocionante. No es tan entretenido como una buena película. No es un desafío intelectual, ni es adorable como un gatito bebé. Pero cuando esperas lo peor y no pasa nada, es digno de celebración. Una celebración del hecho de que a pesar de todos nuestros problemas, dolores, dificultades financieras y conflictos de relación, estamos vivos y respiramos y, por el momento, estamos a salvo.

Así que tómate un momento y siéntate. Y respira "no ha pasado nada". Y exhala un soplo de agradecimiento. Agradecimiento por solo poder respirar. ¡Eso es realmente algo!

Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Cómo te relacionas con la noción de que "no ha pasado nada" sea algo digno de celebración? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de una época en la que experimentaste gratitud por nada? ¿Qué te ayuda a estar agradecid@ por tu aliento?

Gregg Krech es autor, poeta y una de las principales autoridades en psicología japonesa en América del Norte. Extracto anterior del blog Gratefulness (Agradecimiento).
Seed Questions for Reflection

How do you relate to the notion of "nothing happened" being worthy of celebration? Can you share a personal story of a time you experienced gratitude for nothing happening? What helps you be grateful for your breath?

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Add Your Reflection

8 Past Reflections
GE
Aug 29, 2019
Nothing, never happens
--- Dan Milman

:)
SI
Aug 24, 2019
Alive and breathing, nothing happened. A breath out a breath of thanks... Gratitude
JM
Jeerasak M
Aug 17, 2019
Tabula Rasa
RU
Aug 14, 2019
Being grateful for nothing takes a deep connection with the Creator. Some people like the terrorist or jihadists believe that every one else should be killed because it is written in their book and are grateful for nothing. They kill one animal to offer to the Creator, only to make the Creator angry for destroying its creation. This is so disgusting. How can I be grateful for these evil minded? I am grateful to the Creator that i am grateful that we have such evil people who are grateful to do destruction and live with selfish motives. This means, or amounts to, that I am grateful for nothing.
SH
Sande Hart
Aug 13, 2019
I am grateful for this reminder of my privilege. I have been "unpacking" my white privilege since I was 21 years old, and now, with my work in the field of compassionate integrity, I remember that compassion is the willingness to look at suffering and the impulse to do something to alleviate it. It does not require I actually take action, but it does remind me not to look away or don't turn the channel. I have become increasingly aware of how privileged I am to have this choice, and that comes with deep reverence and gratitude. Also, when in a state of gratitude, I can more readily respond with equanimity and grace, both internal and in my daily life. Thank you for this awareness! I am so grateful for nothing!
AM
Aug 13, 2019
Every morning before i open my eyes to the day, i consecrate the day to my highest self. The rest of the day flows.....every moment with my master's name on my lips. When my eyes close for the day i just say" Thank you Sai for this beautiful day". A lot of stuff happens during the day. The good, the bad and the ugly. Each moment with HIS name on my lips.
After reading the article i get it that my days have been in gratitude. Reading this article...assimilating the truth and being able to respond... is this not a miracle ? This is a wake up realization.
DD
Aug 11, 2019
I see "nothing happened," which means nothing happened that is a problem, as being very worthy of celebration. It's a time without disruption, a time of peace and stability, a time to breathe deep, relax and enjoy. I've had many times of nothing happening, including right now, most of which I take for granted without feeling gratitude. And there are times mainly of reflection or meditation when I am aware that nothing is happening, I am free of big problems, life is good, and I experience deep gratitude. What helps me be grateful for my breath is knowing that life's a fiddler on the roof, precarious and fragile, always changing, with no guarantees. I know the bottom can fall out at any moment. What helps me be grateful for my breath is having had times when it was hard to breathe, when big problems did occur, and times of seeing big problems occur for others. It helps me to know that nothing is for sure, and no breath can occur any moment. It helps me to know that... View full comment
JP
Aug 9, 2019
Every moment I breathe in and out. It is a gift of life. a thread running through my life, holding my life. It is so close to me that I do not notice it, not aware of it and be grateful for having such a vital gift.This is the way I relate to the notion of "nothing happened." Attending to my breath, being aware of the in and out rhythms of my breath and being grateful for the breath is worthy of celebration. I celebrate it and be grateful for it. I recognize that the stream of my life does not always flow smoothly. I have experiencedsmall and big hurricanes in my life: people close to me passing away, going through chronic aches and pains and swings of ups and downs. As I am getting old, thoughts of the doors of life coming to close arise in my mind, and I see the shadow of death approachingme. Noticing these thoughts and accepting them makes me realize the inevitable truth of my existence. Awareness of this happening in my mind makes me appreciate the gift of life, the gift... View full comment