We just celebrated Memorial Day and we remembered those who died for our country. Brave men and women who joined the armed services and died in defense of liberty. A sense of gratitude and love surface as we remember those who died. Memories can often bring out in us a sense of gratitude and love.
Gratitude and Love are what life is all about. Holidays can help us appreciate the importance and power of gratitude and love. Everyone is looking for love which is all around us. But to find love which is present in every smile, every greeting, and every moment of life, I must first start with a sense of gratefulness for life, for creation, for love, for family, friends and people. Gratitude in the present moment allows me to see Love in every moment of life.
There are many memories and experiences that every person has had in life which have been centered in love. The love of two friends. The love of a child for parents. The love of parents for children. The love of two people in marriage. The Love of two people in a committed relationship. A young couple walking hand in hand. An elderly couple walking hand in hand. Love will always be experienced when we are grateful and look for love.
The positive memories of those who died for our country causes us to be grateful and experience the meaning of love. Gratefulness for our life and our daily journey in life causes us to experience love.
Memories of love bring gratitude. Gratitude causes us to slow down, stop and reflect and opens our hearts and minds to see love in the present moment.
The people in my life, past and present that have positively influenced me, showed me love and kindness. It is what I most remember about them. When I have an attitude of gratitude in this moment, I easily see the goodness and love in my life.
Gratitude helps me to feel my emotional wounds in life so I can start healing. Loving everyone takes me away from hanging onto anger and resentments and helps me to come fully alive in love.
Happiness in life begins with gratitude which leads to an experience of God. In this experience of God, my willingness to be loving and caring increases and I begin to look for God and Love in each moment of life.
Every celebration brings people together. When people come together to remember friendship and happy memories, loving connections increase. Loving connections increase positive experiences. Positive experiences cause an atmosphere of gratitude. When I embrace gratitude, I embrace love and begin to have a deeper desire to know and experience God.
Life is meant to be always about becoming more grateful and loving and deepening our connection with an always caring and loving God.
Loving and grateful people do not invest in condemning others.
Life for every person becomes better when we invest in positive memories. Gratitude for these memories bring more love into our lives. When I invest in positive memories, I will be inspired to invest in gratitude and love. And when gratitude and love become part of my daily existence, peace and inner harmony will be the result and each moment becomes an experience of God.
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Fred Cavaiani is a licensed marriage & family therapist and limited licensed psychologist with a private practice in Troy. He is the founder of Marriage Growth Center. He conducts numerous programs for groups throughout Michigan. Cavaiani is associate editor and contributing writer for Human Development Magazine. His column in the Legal News runs Tuesdays. He can be reached at 248-362-3340. His e-mail address is: Fredcavi@yahoo.com and his website is FredsCounselorsCorner.com.
