Gratitude

I often write about Gratitude. It is a key philosophy of many eastern spiritual practices. Every morning when I wake, I begin in reflection. I reflect on how grateful I am to be alive with a new day. I thank God for all the blessings that are my life. From this mindset, everything I experience in each and every moment of that day, I appreciate completely. I practice taking nothing for granted. I am grateful everyone I am honored to share life with me. I am grateful for every challenge life offers me. Gratitude allows me to be fully present. The only thing that truly is real is the moment I am living. Be it a conversation with a parent, praising a student, my daily phone call to my sister, kissing my wife or looking into Brayden’s eyes, I am fully present. I always say, “The present is called the present because it is a gift.” I believe yesterday does not exist and tomorrow is but a dream. The present is all that truly matters. It allows me to see the truth of that moment. It offers me the opportunity to see and experience everything for the first time. Every time I see a sunset, I embrace it as the first and only sunset I have ever seen. This is also the great joy of having a child. I am reminded, through all of Brayden’s first time experiences just how amazing life is. The other day he discovered his hand. He was both curious and in awe. It made me hold out my hand and appreciate the gift I often pay no mind to. I mindfully bent each finger and smiled at my new discovery. It was like renewing a friendship with a long lost friend.
So I write about gratitude. I encourage everyone to breath, being mindful of their breath and to be present in the moment. Practice an “Attitude of gratitude. Take nothing for granted. Is your cup half or half empty? I believe, “My cup runneth over.” Always be grateful for each and every day you are offered. Be present and grateful in the moment. It will greatly improve the quality of your life.

Respectfully,

Professor Beliso