SCALING UP GRATITUDE? ...

CONTEXT MATTERS | Most people enjoy getting things done; others appreciate deep thinking, and others aim to have both manifests at certain times, particularly in times of stress or a dramatically changing world. People explore ways of making things work, of being productive in their own trades, professions or creative endeavours and try, sometimes with a certain naiveté, to get ready for anything.

 RESILIENCE & SURVIVAL | Then reality comes along demolishing our plans, our most genuine hopes and deepest aspirations – giving us in the process time to mourn the losses, regroup, heal and – most importantly – reconnect with the people that really matter in our lives. At a recent Zoom Café-Conversation a group of friendly colleagues wanted to explore the meaning of “gratitude” – in the framework of our core values and priorities. 

REASSESSING THE JOURNEY | Given today’s realities, COVID19 et-all, manifesting our gratitude comes from a deepening understanding that whatever we do both personally and collectively we are indeed interconnected – and it invites us to reassess our goals, strive to overcome our anxieties, our fears and sometimes overwhelming sense of confusion. And that, according to many wise people, is the precise moment to ground ourselves in the wondrous recognition of how remarkable life on this planet is and how essential it has become to truly re-examine the state of our world and our country in it. 

PRINCIPLED COMPASS | Gratitude is not necessarily just contemplation and pondering in reverence, but it is also the possibility of a renewal of our essence as humans and our diverse creative imagination. The world at the end of this pandemic won’t be the same; thus, in my opinion, entering in a large public & interpersonal dialogue as to the learnings of this “COVID19 wake-up-call” no matter how painful, is vital. 

RE-FOCUS | A community and a deepening practice of gratitude is one luminous manifestation of the talking, and listening actively that may have come with COVID19 and the past 12 months. In the midst of the pandemic, economic collapses and serious mental health issues, the Canadian state has responded extraordinarily well to the needs and fears of our fellow-citizens. 

TUNING-IN | From now on, I’d like to believe, we should be much better prepared, “tuned-in” as a country, indeed as a planet, for the next round of challenges we know will come. In the meantime, I am grateful to have a group of trusting friendly colleagues to chat and explore these issues. How about you? Share your thoughts when you have a moment ...