#gratitudepoem

[elisabethpike]

View from the kitchen window, 6.30am.

Gratitude, a weapon

It could be seen as incongruous, offensive, even, to write gratitude poems during a global pandemic, and I did think this to myself as well, as I was writing them, but what if gratitude is exactly what we need to get us through?

Gratitude will grow resilience in us, it will illuminate what has been right there in front of us all along, it will arm us against depression, illness, and low self-esteem, and it will fill our minds with positive thoughts so there is less room for the bad ones. It's not about pretending bad things aren’t happening, it is making a choice to hold on to what is good, however tiny we feel it may be. Whatever we have or do not have, we always have a choice to be thankful.

How do you wake up in the morning? Do you spring out of bed with happy thoughts or is it a slower, more laboured affair, involving rolling slowly out of the covers with a moan, or with children standing at the bedside asking for their breakfast? I still struggle to get out of bed, but quite often, after a nice strong tea with half a sugar and 20 minutes to actually wake up, I feel ok. From then on, I have been known to have a ‘sunny disposition’. I’m not sure if this is something I have cultivated or something I was just born with, but I would like to think that I am an optimist at heart even though I have plenty of low moments, and times of loneliness like everyone does. The thing that sets me the right way up, though, is thankfulness. It reminds me time and time again what is important. It reminds me to appreciate the tiniest thing to the biggest thing, and hopefully it makes me feel a little more me, (and I like to think that a thankful me is a real me).

As a fresh uni graduate, I remember getting interview advice from my sister-in-law and she said, ‘At the end of the day, they’ll be considering whether they actually like you and want to work with you’, and I took that piece of advice with me into my first rather intimidating graduate interview. I was trying to go with ‘relaxed’, but I came across as ‘flippant’ they said. ‘Not enough fear’, is what they probably meant. Oh well. I didn’t want the job anyway. I’ve been writing quite a bit about gratitude lately, and it got me wondering whether I believe that gratitude is a weakness or a strength. And what of sunny dispositions and looking on the bright side? Are they fake? Can a cheery outlook be manifested by trying really hard? And will it even help us anyway?

Firstly, I think gratitude is a practice that we can all develop. We may feel that we are more ‘glass-is-half-full’ or 'glass-is-half-empty', but gratitude will help us in myriad ways. If we stop to think, and count all the good, and then write it down (this is important – studies have shown that writing it down makes a difference), then it has the power to transform our lives. And we all want this don’t we? Who doesn’t want to be happier? I don’t think we can fake it - stopping to look is stopping to look. If you are taking time to be thankful, then it will be impacting your life. It’s different from happiness though. I’m not saying that because I practice gratitude, I'm blissfully happy all day. You can sometimes be thankful and feel sad at the same time.

Recently, as I was thinking back on this strange timing of writing all these thankful poems during the pandemic, I thought what if we were to learn to see gratitude as a weapon? What if it fortified us to carry on with grit and determination, to keep going through the long, dark tunnel of this virus, through what we know will be a difficult winter, and come out the other side, still smiling (and not in a fake way).? What if we could wear joy like armour? What if a sunny disposition is actually the way to weather dark storms? It’s not that we don’t get knocked down, but that our natural way up is like a flower opened towards the sun, petals like hands, saying thank you. What if gratitude is a lifeboat, something for us to cling to while we weather these storms?

Finding joy in adversity isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. And it will strengthen us more and more, the more we practice gratitude.

So why not try it for yourself? See what happens when gratitude turns you the right side up.

[sufisoulselective]

* I am entirely, Meant to be, Wrapped within This particular moment, Awake inside This particular mind. Alive inside This particular skin, Alive in this Particular time. • • #HappyBirthdayToMe #GratitudePoem SelfLovePoem #InRepairAndGettingThere #poets #poemsporn #poetsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt-TG6ZBLh9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ac1o4mktz2h5

[cardcandyuk]

Thanksgiving Day falls upon us next month and I am delighted that my Amazon customers are loving our sweet Happy Thanksgiving Day card. Thank you for the continued love and support. The glory days are coming.....or maybe they are already here. I am grateful for you, yes, that's WONDERFUL you. Happy Wednesday 💖 www.cardcandy.co.uk CLARABELLE 🦋 #thanksgivingday #thanksgivingturkey #thanksgivingcards #thankful #versecards #gratitudepoem #gratefulheart #happythanksgivingday #thanksgiving2021 #familythanksgiving #friendsthanksgiving #usa #americanfriends #seasonal #holidays #thanksgivingholiday #acrossthemiles #acrossthepond #americansinlondon #londonlife #londonamerican (at Marylebone London) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVhdgtfDsII/?utm_medium=tumblr

[wqueens7]

#meditation #meditationsonnet #meditationpoem #gratitude #sanctimony #socialmedia #distraction #gratitudepoem #gratitudemuscle #faith #sonnet #poem (at 48Th Avenue Stairs) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAuvsjWhSik/?igshid=1nkpsrj9qh0sv

[bluepoettree]

I guess I’m back on the road running 🏃🏿💨 @tar_run_klub THIS TIME I FEEL LIKE I AM RUNNING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THIS TIME IT FEELS LIKE I GOT NOTHING TO LOSE. THIS TIME IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS EVERYTHING TO GAIN. IT FEELS LIKE IM STARTING FROM SCRATCH. . . . . . #brownsville #goaloopenmic #runforhealth #sunday #anchorfm #goalo #themouthbook #blackmenrunnyc #keephusslealive #basedworldrunklub #8kforkobe #getoveralllifeobstacles #blackmenrun #letsgetit #blankflag50 #taskforceprotectme #lordtinyshorts #mudmademonstar #bluepoettreepodcast #bluepoettree #5keveryday #runeveryday #optimisticaffirmations #positiveaffirmations #111milechallenge #gratitudepoem #tat #helpteacigarettes #dropandgivemefitness #nikerunclub https://www.instagram.com/p/CAW1I8LglcP/?igshid=bw4as4dxcl5i

[elisabethpike]

L A S T D A Y! Thanks everyone! 🤗🤗 Virtual hugs to you all! It's ends at 11pm tonight for any la at minute peeps out there! :) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elisabethpike/voice-at-the-window-100-poems-written-during-lockdown #lockdown #coronavirus #poem #gratitudepoem #kickstarter #poetry #poetsofinstagram #saythankyou #lockdownpoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9D74Sntz5/?igshid=zpgq06xx30ti

[sufisoulselective]

* Driving home at 1 am, Smiling at the night, Singing the refrains. I remember my lonely Nights in this city, I remember how lost I became. Smiling because now I driving home to our bed, In our house, on our End of the lane. Home, at last. Home again. • • #sufisoulpoetry #latenightpoem #homeagain #gratitudePoem #poetsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs20_KCFfn8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b9vih4bjy0yk

[cardcandyuk]

Woo hoo, we got "AMAZON'S CHOICE" again this year for Thanksgiving Cards. 👍😃 Feeling super grateful, brightly blessed and ever so chuffed, all at once. 🤩 www.cardcandy.co.uk #thanksgivingday #thanksgivingturkey #thanksgiving2021 #behappy #gratitudepoem #gratitudequotes #usa #thankful #americanfriends #blessed #amazonseller #amazonfba #thanksgivingcards #thanksgivinggift #happythanksgivingday #clarabellecards #cardcandyuk #londonlife #womaninbusiness #friendshipcards (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUW9dV9DoMp/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cardcandyuk]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY A very special day, where thanks is given, for happy times and the joy of living. Moments like this, are heartfelt and true. Happy Thanksgiving Day, I am grateful for you. On Thursday, 25 November 2021 thousands of people celebrating this special day will be greeted with this beautiful verse. Last year, we completely SOLD OUT on Amazon UK. So this year, I am ready for the awakening. We are a brand that represents the fullness of the human spirit. We encourage and support you in achieving your dreams because YOU my friend, yes YOU, you deserve the very BEST and we love you for it. ❤ CLARABELLE 🦋 Let's fly high together Angels. www.cardcandy.co.uk #thanksgivingday #thanksgiving2021 #thanksgivingcards #happythanksgivingday #usa #america #americandreams #freedomofspeech #americanfriends #friendsusa #unitedstatesofamerica #americansinlondon #clarabellecards #cardcandyuk #londonlife #gratitudepoem #thankful #angels #flyhigh #ecommerce #womaninbusiness (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUMg__rqQsk/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cardcandyuk]

Good Wednesday Morning lovely you. 😃 How is your week going? Do you have a good friend or family member who needs a little cheering up right now? Do they need a little nudge in the right direction to get them back on track with the right kind of thinking? Being grateful in the moment for EVERYTHING that you have in your life is such a special quality. This "TO CHEER YOU UP" encouragement card is just perfect to ignite a little self-happiness. 💖 A little love ❤ my friend goes a long long way. 🦋 Show you care and spread the love. Please tag and share with a friend who needs to hear these words. 🙏 Wednesday's are truly wonderful and the "fullness" in the "wonder" all starts with YOU. CLARABELLE 🦋 from CLARABELLE CARDS 🦋 www.cardcandy.co.uk #gratitude #grateful #thankful #gratitudepoem #poem #poetry #wonderful #wonder #fullness #happiness #clarabellecards #cardcandyuk #poetrycommunity #tocheeryouup #smiles #behappy #joy #mindfulness #bepresent #meditation #mentalhealth #opportunityknocks #cheerup #goodvibes #positivity #coffee #cuppacoffee #pretcoffee #morningcoffee #cupofjoe (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUHWAPEjLRn/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cardcandyuk]

Go get your dreams. We sell the most unique greetings cards in the world. Send this DREAM card to inspire your loved ones to act upon their dreams everyday. "I see you there, living your dream life and totally inspiring others to do the same." CLARABELLE 🦋 Please stop by our AMAZON store and ETSY shop today. www.cardcandy.co.uk CCUK 💌 #dream #dreamscometrue #Dream #dreamcard #dreamcatcher #universe #love #care #poems #versecards #cardcandyuk #clarabellecards #gratitudepoem #empoweringyou #encouragementcards #clarabellecards #inspiration #foreverinspiring #ecommerce #womaninbusiness #forgiveness #mentalheath (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTq_TNIDKS3/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sufisoulselective]

* I showed all the signs, But pretended too well. I was much too proud, To ask for help. But help was sent, In ways big and small. Ways that arrived, Like parades Down the street. Others like shy dogs, Who crept close, and Fell asleep at my feet. And I’m grateful, For them all. • • #sufisoulpoetry #gratitudepoem #poetsofinstagram #poemsporn #poets

[sufisoulselective]

* Sometimes, You must look At your ordinary life, And be thankful, For the wonder That it is. Sometimes, You must allow Yourself The immense luxury, Of being Content. • • #sufisoulpoetry #gratitudepoem #thisisenough #thankful #poetsofinstagram

[elisabethpike]

Wowee! We're nearly there! Thanks so much guys, I'm super excited about this surprise of a project and it has been really nice to have something to focus on other than the trickiness of navigating this new normal that can seem baffling and contradictory for all of us! But it is what it is and although this will be a strange and potentially very difficult winter, we will get through it and hopefully next year will be a little more normal! Who's planning their holidays already?! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Link in bio to support the campaign. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elisabethpike/voice-at-the-window-100-poems-written-during-lockdown #holidays #2020 #coronavirus #winter #spring #lockdown #gratitude #gratitudepoem #writer https://www.instagram.com/p/CE31rEWntk0/?igshid=fhba0c04jstt

[elisabethpike]

A line from #52 which was all about the wisdom of the trees and the way that they come back, resilient with LIFE, even through storms, forest fires and whatever else life throws at them. Do you wonder what this strangest of years is growing in you? Has it already sent you off on a new path? I think for a lot of us, we are too close in to see the changes yet, but this is affecting the course of our life in some way or another. And out of adversity comes strength and that is what the trees teach. Think of the tree going through a hard winter with little growth and remember that the closer the rings are, the stronger the wood will be. 🌳 🌲 🌴🌿🌱 #Kickstarter #campaign #poem #poetry #gratitude #gratitudepoem #trees #wisdomoftrees https://www.instagram.com/p/CEY_KsxHumW/?igshid=o0xv7i7oe6sj

[elisabethpike]

This is my incidental beauty. I notice the light on the fields in the background when I am doing other stuff and it lightens my heart a little each time I see it. It is taken from Gratitude #57 in the collection. Hope you are all having a lovely weekend 💕. You can check out the Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elisabethpike/voice-at-the-window-100-poems-written-during-lockdown (link in bio) #writer #author #voiceatthewindow #vatw #gratitude #kickstarter #campaign #saythankyou #brightfield #gratitudepoem #poetry https://www.instagram.com/p/CEPOn1WHhpa/?igshid=1im62m97qdrnq