Since ancient times, philosophers and sages from every spiritual tradition have taught that the key to experiencing deeper levels of happiness, fulfillment, and well-being is cultivating gratitude. One of the earliest advocates of a daily gratitude practice was Dutch philosopher Rabbi Baruch Spinoza. In the seventeenth century, he advised that each day for a month, we ask ourselves the following three questions:
1.) Who or what inspired me today?
2.) What brought me happiness today?
3.) What brought me comfort and deep peace today?
We invite you to try this practice and share your responses with the Chopra Center community. Your stories may just help others connect to the beauty in their own lives. Whatever we put our attention on expands, so taking a few moments to focus on the gifts of our daily experience can open our hearts just a little bit more and may even blow the doors completely open . . . letting us feel our original, blissful nature.
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God… every question of those brought me to God…
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My head department inspired me today by making it available for me that I can use the facility to workout anytime of the day or night that I love to.
One of my best friends from Iran shared a sweet link on my facebook wall, with a wonderful message and made me so happy in the morning.
One of my great friends who work at the other location, sent me a wonderful message in the with a great picture, and recognized my hard work, which brought comfort and happiness to me. Also, my mom’s message on the wall of the fridge was really nice which brought peace to me. Chopra’s messages on facebook, which was so peaceful today as always. -
I was inspired by Justin….we dated a while back and yesterday he initiated a reconnection with me after not talking for a while. When he is around I am inspired and I feel really good. I feel a strong spiritual connection with him. When we met I was writing a cookbook and everything was bright and beautiful in my world. What we had felt good and I think he felt good as well during our short dabble in courtship… Sadly at that time, I was dealing with some pretty traumatic personal issues from a horrific past relationship that I had not fully emotionally resolved. Justin was the first person I had a relationship with after over a year and a half after not letting anyone in to my world. We had a lot of fun together, I felt a connection between us and saw glimpses into what the future could hold for the two of us together taking on the world as a team. ………fear struck me from my past and I began to take what we had together and sabotage it.. Completely! I literally found everything wrong him and started focusing on is lesser qualities instead of his good ones… Not good….I later found out that I was doing this as a defense mechanism coping with my trauma. I was afraid of letting anyone into my life, and afraid of getting hurt. We last spoke in September which was a short time after my best friends wedding. The feeling of love was not in my air.. I stopped writing my book, and really got into a rut- I felt like I needed change and I started seeing a therapist and began thinking and started dealing with things in my past that had been holding a strong weight on my shoulders. It has really helped. I feel better emotionally since I started the process and everyday am working on healing myself and finding the strength to live up to my fullest potential again. I kind of wrote him off as “oops, I messed this one up… I am sure he will find someone nice. Guess its not me.” and continued on. I thought of him several times remembering our first kiss and the feeling I got when we were together… Then the other day I had a strong pleasant thought about him. Yesterday, he re-opened the doors when he asked me to be his friend on facebook. We chatted and he is supposed to text me this weekend so we can plan a time to get together. I think now I can appreciate his friendship and companionship with a better head on my shoulders and have gratitude for the inspiration he brings to my life.
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Who inspired me today?
I was inspired by Justin….we dated a while back and yesterday he initiated a reconnection with me after not talking for a while. When he is around I am inspired and I feel really good. I feel a strong spiritual connection with him. When we met I was writing a cookbook and everything was bright and beautiful in my world. What we had felt good and I think he felt good as well during our short dabble in courtship… Sadly at that time, I was dealing with some pretty traumatic personal issues from a horrific past relationship that I had not fully emotionally resolved. Justin was the first person I had a relationship with after over a year and a half after not letting anyone in to my world. We had a lot of fun together, I felt a connection between us and saw glimpses into what the future could hold for the two of us together taking on the world as a team. ………fear struck me from my past and I began to take what we had together and sabotage it.. Completely! I literally found everything wrong him and started focusing on is lesser qualities instead of his good ones… Not good….I later found out that I was doing this as a defense mechanism coping with my trauma. I was afraid of letting anyone into my life, and afraid of getting hurt. We last spoke in September which was a short time after my best friends wedding. The feeling of love was not in my air.. I stopped writing my book, and really got into a rut- I felt like I needed change and I started seeing a therapist and began thinking and started dealing with things in my past that had been holding a strong weight on my shoulders. It has really helped. I feel better emotionally since I started the process and everyday am working on healing myself and finding the strength to live up to my fullest potential again. I kind of wrote him off as “oops, I messed this one up… I am sure he will find someone nice. Guess its not me.” and continued on. I thought of him several times remembering our first kiss and the feeling I got when we were together… Then the other day I had a strong pleasant thought about him. Yesterday, he re-opened the doors when he asked me to be his friend on facebook. We chatted and he is supposed to text me this weekend so we can plan a time to get together. I think now I can appreciate his friendship and companionship with a better head on my shoulders and have gratitude for the inspiration he brings to my life.What Brought me Happiness? Playing baseball with little two year old Emma this morning
What brought me comfort and deep peace? Talking to my good friend Melissa
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my sweetie saying he loves me inspired me today
glorious purple carrots at the farmer’s market brought me happiness today
an extended meditation practice – on the beach – brought me comfort and deep peace today -
I was very inspired by the book ‘Buddhism for dummies’ because I smiled a lot while reading it made me happy too and reading those words and learning more and more about the philosophy of Buddhism made me feel a great comfort and inner peace!
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The last words my mother said to me just before she passed was to be thankful and gracious.Simple,yet powerful.Something I have practiced from the time I started walking,but the practice of it never ends.It’s a constant weeding through the muck to see it.I am proud of my mother for all that she was,her sufferings and her gratitude.She’s the sweetest angel I have ever met.
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I had a fantastic day today! I am studying Human Services; Child and Famiyl Studies at Griffith University in Australia and I am required to complete a practicum at an organisation next semester. I will just explain a bit about the course first. Once I complete my course I hope to work with improving relationships between children and families, which incoporates parenting skills, communication and counselling. I had the interview with the organisation where I will be undertaking my practicum, to see whether I would fit with them and whether I felt I would fit with them. Well we both fit each other. It was a lovely feeling, I felt I could be myself in the interview and that was enough for them. They understood my life philosophy and I understood theirs. I got the placement. I believe they inspired me, gave me a new sense of belonging that i’m not alone with my vision, which is somewhat comforting. I felt very happy about it and I am glad I spotted this blog so I could share this with others and be thankful for today.
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What inspired me today was waking up and feeling a healthy body, being thankful for life and feeling lucky that I do what I love (painting). My best friend had an accident and we have shared a lot of time together and today we shared a very special moment of reciprocal gratitud which made me happy. Aknowloging that being genuine and intuitive with the Choices I make is the best way to keep my peace and comfort.
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I was inspired by Deepak Chopra’s DVD’s today. I long to hear, feel, sense that Our Creator is just a breath away…..It excites me to know that there is a continual message, from our source.
Yes, all the questions concluded my answers to be “God”
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What inspired me today was listening to some of the guided meditations on this website. The words help me realize that I am ok, and that I don’t have to tackle my ‘issues’ all at once…finding myself can be a process and to do it at a comfortable pace.
What made me happy today was to be awoken by my husband kissing me before he left for work. I love that, it makes me happy even if I’m not completely awake.
What brought me comfort and deep peace today was doing my medition in the early morning sunshine. The warmth of the sun on my skin makes the experience so much more intense.
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Everything is an inspiration to me. As my inital awakening experience continues to deepen, my gratitude for all things and all people grows and grows. The way that I can do look at anything or anyone and see my Self everywhere is a constant and steady source of inspiration. All of you at The Chopra Center have been absolutely inspiring me. You all have been walking on this path with me for quite some time and I am eterally grateful for the peace, love, and stillness that you share and that you bring out in others. Thank you so much! I have great love for you all. Namaste.
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In my opion, it is the little things in life that can make us happy, if we just cooperate. For example if it is raining be happy with the sound of the rain hitting a tin roof. One of my favorite saying is: “If you can not change you situation then change your attitude”. The fact of being tested it isn’t the test it is all in how you respond.
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The thought of a big English family breakfast brings hope to my heart.
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