Gratitude in Abundance

  There have been a lot of difficult aspects and retrograde planets in the astrology so far this year. 2012 was always deigned to be one of monumental change and resultant frustration for people generally. Last week saw a Mars/Saturn conjunction which had the effect of pressing on the accelerator whilst having your other foot on the break.
  Yesterday (Friday) saw a new moon in Leo. The promise of a fresh start linked to creative ideas and innovation. Mercury reaches the point that it was in the heavens several weeks ago before going retrograde so the ground that needed to be reviewed has now been covered. It is time to gain traction and move forward again as we approach the sun's ingress into Virgo the time of reaping what we have sown so far this year.
  You don't have to understand astrology or believe in it but if you gain a basic grasp of its philosophy and general trends then you do have a useful tool for evaluating the ebb and flow in life. It's something I find particularly useful to have to hand as a generalised pattern recognition processor.
  Astrology apart we all go through patches of feeling despondent, frustrated and down-right thwarted at times. For everything there is a season and knowing when to sow and when to expect to reap is a natural rhythm of life not just for growing food and crops -although this year one might be forgiven for not believing this as the weather has destroyed many vegetable growers' hopes!
  One thing that does keep us on track however is gratitude. It has been proven that an attitude of gratitude works wonders in keeping positive. It is life affirming. "Always look on the bright side of life" (Eric Idle) may not be so easy in times of stress and difficulty however, finding something, no matter how small, to be grateful for even in the dross lifts the spirits and can bring about a major positive shift in thoughts, feelings and hence actions. Appreciate the beauty of a flower, a view, the generosity of a friend, the smile of a stranger. Anything can be brought into focus and seen as a gift.
  Expressing gratitude in times of lack as well as times of abundance is an empowering act. Expressing gratitude in abundant amounts (not cynically or frivolously for the sake of it) every day also brings an abundance of love, hope and faith into one's life. These are not things and so may disappoint in our materialistically focused world. They are however, fundamental support systems in their own right and give us the foundation for a life well lived.
  enJOY!!!!