Rudimentary Gratitude

This morning I started thanking the Universe before I got out of bed. Sleepiness lends a bit of clarity to my thoughts, in an odd way, because I’m too tired to think of anything except the thought itself at its ground level.
No fancy words come to mind, no clouding the issue with explanations, just the idea in its rudimentary form.

It occurred to me that I was grateful for this clarity. The feeling associated with thankfulness gets through easier when I’m not paying any intellectual attention.

It went like this: I’m grateful for the time I have to thank the Universe before I get out of bed.

That led to: I’m grateful that I can get out of bed.

Which in turn became: I’m grateful that I have a bed.

This seemed like a very good starting point for the day.

It reminded me to not take for granted the advantages I have, nor complain too much about any perceived shortcomings in my life.

Are they really there? If I gave it much though I could whine and bellyache with the most accomplished of negativity purveyors.

I choose not to.

Turning Annoyance On Its Ear

My next-door neighbors had a few people over last night and fueled their celebrations with music, alcohol, and loud talk.
A particularly loud, obnoxious voice awakened me and annoyed me enough that I couldn’t get back to sleep.

I tried meditating/self-hypnosis, but couldn’t concentrate enough to suggest that external noises didn’t bother me. I tried to focus solely on the lovely, steady rhythmic fall of the rain, but partying won out.

My annoyance simmered for quite some time. I asked the Universe to convince the neighbors to call it a night.

Nothing.

Finally it occurred to me to flip this over and tickle its tummy. If there’s something in this to be grateful for, then I want to know it.

Instead of being irked over loud noises, I thanked the Universe that I can hear.

Instead of being upset over partying, I’m happy to live in a land where people can gather and are allowed to enjoy themselves on their own property.

I’m grateful my neighbors have an active social life and can burn off steam. A quiet loner next door might ultimately be a tragedy in waiting.

I’m grateful it was raining because it kept them indoors instead out on the balcony.

The volume was fairly low as compared to some of their partying last summer. It was turned down even more by around midnight. I’m thankful they were considerate enough to do this.

Interestingly, once I expressed gratitude the partying seemed to calm. I think I even drifted off a few times before midnight and I didn’t feel anywhere near as annoyed as I had earlier.

Gratitude works in mysterious ways I’m finding. And I believe that the more difficult it is to express gratitude, then the more important it is that I do so.