"Gratitude"  ©  2011  ~ watercolor by Carol E Fairbanks

  "Serenity flows through the natural world.  Listen and you can hear the beating of your own heart and the deepening of your breath in rhythm and connection with the powerful tranquility of creation that becomes fully alive in you,  as you return to the roots of your being. 

                                                                                                  ~  Bella Bleue

"Vineyard Harvest" © 2009 ~ acrylic on wood tray by Carol E. Fairbanks

                                The Rhythm of Gratitude

                                     
When I read a quote by Meister Eckhart, a German theologian, that said, "If the only prayer you say in your whole life is 'Thank you', that would suffice",  I thought to myself, "Yes, that's what a "good" person does."  But lately I have come to believe the reason for being grateful is much more than being gracious to other people.  Having a grateful heart puts you in harmony with the very rhythm of the earth, and, indeed, with all of creation. In gratitude, we give away a part of ourself to be shared with others..... whether it is our money, our time or merely our loving attention given to one to whom we are grateful.  Perhaps "serenity flows through the natural world", because it is reflecting the act of creation, which is a major give-a-way that keeps repeating over and over again within all the cycles of the earth.  And when we imitate this act if giving, we become more energetically in sync with that creative flow. Our very breath and heartbeat are calmer and more efficient, when we think and act with the earth's rhythm.

"Mother Love" ©  1999  ~ pencil by Carol E Fairbanks

The ancients knew this and honored these earth cycles, revering them as sacred.  They celebrated the completion of every cycle they observed in the passing seasons, and the harvest time at the end of the summer season was especially honored.  They praised their bounty of crops that had been gathered for food, feeling grateful for what they could harvest.  And it gave them peace knowing that their survival was assured throughout the cold winter that was sure to come.  The cycles and rhythms of the earth supported and cared for them.  No wonder they thought of the earth as a symbolic "mother".

We, in this modern world, have almost forgotten what it is to live in full harmony with the natural rhythms of the earth.  We eat the same produce that is almost available every day of the year, rather than gratefully consuming the fruits and vegetables that are just in season.  We have electric lights that artificially extend our day way beyond sunset.  We change and alter rivers, lakes, land and all of creation, as if we are wiser than the source that created them.  And maybe saying "Thanks" once a year at Thanksgiving is not enough "gratitude" to include us fully in the creative cycle of life.  So what happens to our "hearts" when we are separated from the energetic "heartbeat" of the universe?  If we are not fully connected to that Source that gave us life...that gives everything life... are we somehow less "alive"?

For me, when I am not connected to nature in some way, I feel it in my body and emotions.  I feel much happier and energetic when I am in the presence of nature. This summer, I did a lot of gardening around my home and now feel more connected to this space I call home.  Is it because I am harmonizing the essence of my being with the rhythm of the earth?  Do I sense this earth energy within my body that tells me I am connected to something greater and, thereby, feel less "alone"?  Whatever the reason, I feel more serene and grateful with my plants and flowers radiating their colors back to me, as I gaze at them through my doors and windows.  It feels like I am surrounded by "love".  Maybe, I am....it's Mother Love!  Thanks, Mom!

"Honoring My Mother" ©  2003 ~ crayon by Carol E Fairbanks