An Attitude of Gratitude
As I sit on the airplane on the final leg of my 23-hour journey home, my heart is filled with gratitude — gratitude for having the opportunity to spend 10 days in Bali with my amazing three daughters on what was without question “an adventure of a lifetime!” We did all of the things and saw all of the sites that a tourist is supposed to do and see in Bali. And then some! We trekked, boated, explored, shopped, cooked, watched traditional dances and ceremonies, played with monkeys and turtles, ran away from lizards, spiders and snakes, saw amazing sunrises and sunsets, and visited local markets, rice fields, temples, healers, and priests. Yet the one thing that impressed me the most about Bali was the Balinese people.
Before I went to Bali, many people told me I would find all the people to be so happy. As one of the many wonderful people we met in Bali explained to us, “happiness is relative.” He went on to explain that the Balinese people live in a tremendous sense of gratitude. As this man told us, “If we wake up, we give thanks. We try to enjoy each day because it may be our last. We don’t worry about the future. We have fewer expectations so we are not disappointed. We spend our day trying to speak good things, do good things, and think good things. Even if we don’t achieve it, we try every day.”
Although Indonesia is still considered a developing country, I was so impressed by the richness of the soul of their people. They all have such a strong sense of faith in the Divine. They are in a constant state of connection – praying, giving thanks, and making offerings to their higher power. They accept what is as what should be. They focus on their commitment to serve G_d, their family, their community, and nature. Even their houses or family compounds are built with this sense of balance. As another man who invited us into his family compound explained, “We divide our land like the body: ten percent (what would be equivalent to the head) is dedicated to the temple and worship. Thirty percent (what would be equivalent to the torso) is used for living, family, and being with others. Sixty percent (what would be equivalent the legs) is dedicated to nature and growing food.” The Balinese people have a profound respect for nature because “if they have food, they can survive.”
Just being around the Balinese people, we could feel our hearts expand. To some extent, they made it seem so easy. They focus on balance, harmony, and staying present to the blessings of each moment. It was in this beautiful setting that I was saddened to hear about the passing of the wise and inspiring Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou spoke a lot about the importance of gratitude and giving thanks. She said, “When you have an attitude of gratitude you wake up saying thank you!”
Although many of us talk about having an “attitude of gratitude,” it still feels like a goal or accomplishment that we are trying to learn or attain. In Bali, it is who they are and how they live. I am so appreciative that I was able to experience it firsthand. And I’m grateful to bring it home to share with you!
Transformational Action Steps
1. Each morning and evening, make time to just pause and become present to what you are grateful for and to say “Thanks.”
2. When you get up each day, make a commitment to “say good things, think good things, and speak good things.” Become aware of the impact of your new choices.
3. Take a look at how present you really are in your life. See if you can identify three to five structures that would support you to be more in the present moment.
With love,
Kelley
The Ford Institute is honored to keep you connected to the groundbreaking transformational work of Debbie Ford (1955-2013). This message is designed to inform, empower and inspire your emotional and spiritual education and evolution.
