Recently I was reminded of the magnitude of gratitude.  It’s staggering.  It has literally shifted me into a different energy and mindset, creating new opportunities and experiences for me in a very short time.

I thought I stepped my gratitude up, and in truthfulness, I had.  The part I overlooked was the fact that I had conditions on my gratefulness.  It has become easy for me to be grateful for general or random things.  When it comes to acknowledging surprise blessings that are wrapped in unexpected packaging, I sometimes get distracted by the exterior.

Many times I get caught up in trying to control every aspect of every situation.  Instead of setting my intentions on the goals I want to achieve and then allowing the universe to deliver them to me, I get hung up in trying to control exactly how the desired outcome is delivered.  I will pray and ask for guidance, and when it comes I look at it like a gag gift, instead of appreciating the speedy and gracious delivery and acknowledging that my prayer has been answered.

There is plenty of reason to pay close attention to the saying, “good things come in small packages.” It teaches the lesson to expect the unexpected and be grateful through the process.  If I ask God to help me, I must trust that He will help me exactly as I need it.  He knows better than I do what I need and how I need it.  I can’t ask for help and then guide Him in helping me.  I must TRUST that He knows what He’s doing and will always be there for me.

So after being made aware of the beauty and grace that was wrapped in a package opposite of my preference, I have a new perspective.  A light was turned on and a veil was lifted.  I am looking at the same situation with a brand new pair of eyes and it feels great.  There are definitely benefits of having sincere, unadulterated gratitude in my consciousness.

Lessons Learned:

Trust God. He keeps us in his constant care and protection, even when it doesn’t seem like it. His plan is bigger than ours.

Expect the unexpected. Things may show up in undesirable or mistaken identity packages, open them anyway.  There is grace, beauty and the answer to your prayer inside.

Take gratefulness to the extreme. It serves you better.  You will feel much happier in everyday life and you will see things through brand new eyes.

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In light of my new perspective, I have started a new gratitude journal that I will add to everyday.

Share your thoughts in the comments: What are some of your gratitude stories? Or where have you noticed surprise blessings in the midst of your ungratefulness?

Peace, Love & Gratitude,

~Alexis~

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