“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~G.K. Chesterton
I once stood on the top of a mountain.
Here I use the term “mountain” generously. In reality it was quite small relative to other nearby formations. Though slight in size, as I stood atop that old rock, as I watched the amblers, and listened to the wind, I felt small, powerless, and for the first time in a long time, free. It was an overwhelming sensation, and something I can hardly explain.
When it comes to the sensation of gratitude it seems that there is a similar feeling. A disbelief and wonder. I recently watched a TED talk on vulnerability by Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor and author. Throughout her talk she had many interesting things to say about what it means to be vulnerable and how to “dare greatly,” but the sentiment that stuck out to me the most was her connection between vulnerability and gratitude and her idea that gratitude takes a level of vulnerability. One has to look at what they have and let go of the fear that this goodness shall pass. It’s a humbling and yet freeing thing: the realization of what little control that one has in their life. Look no further than last year. One lesson 2020 taught me was what it means to feel grateful for Everything. This was a lesson of the past year, and yet I feel the need to dig up old stones in order to build a path down which I may venture in this new year.
To be grateful for everything, one must lose some sense of control. He or she must be willing to acknowledge the good in their life without fear. Yet, it seems that there is another step to gratitude. One must remove the sensation that they have “earned this.”
I fear that people only hinder the boundless sense of thanks when they look to themselves as the cause of their joys.
When I went hiking, about half-way up the path, it was easy for me to look at my accomplishments and impress myself with my own feat. Yet, when I had fully ascended the mount, when I stood at the summit, I did not look to myself—instead I looked beyond. As a result, rather than a sense of accomplishment, there was a sense of astonishment.
If you allow me, I’d compare gratitude to love. Love is action, Love is sacrifice, Love is an overwhelming power. It’s my belief that when one loves they look not to themselves. Nor do they feel that they have earned this right, that they’ve worked for this love. Rather, it’s a gift freely bestowed, not an obligation or expectation. Love cannot be earned, only appreciated and fed. To live a life full of love is akin to living a life based on gratitude. One must be a reflective surface constantly shining outward.
So, this year, let’s feed our relationships, discover the freedom of gratitude, and climb our mountains all the way to their summits.