How to Bathe in Gratitude - Christine Kane

To really experience gratitude, you have to just "see" the world from your heart, not from your eyes.Years ago, I traveled to Peru and Bolivia.  It was a journey to many sacred sites.  It was most definitely not a luxury travel scenario. [She writes as she flashes back to a freezing cold night involving heavy rain, food poisoning, a herd of goats, a dead flashlight and an outhouse.]

When I flew back into the Atlanta airport, I entered the women’s restroom and turned on the hot water in the sink. My eyes filled with tears. I was flooded with gratitude. I was literally taken over by joy for the feeling of hot water, right there, easy access, “holy shit I could bathe in this right now.” I had sort of my own private Scarlett O’Hara moment:  “I will never take this for granted again!”

That moment has since been my measure for how to feel gratitude.  I don’t want to just list the stuff I’m grateful for. I want to bathe in it. I want my heart to burst open with the joy of it all.

Don't just think about gratitude, but experience it with your whole heart.

Have you ever injured yourself?  While you were laid up, or hobbling around, have you ever had that string of thoughts that goes something like this?…

“I need to appreciate my health when I have my health. I would give anything for health again. And then – I swear – I will never take my healthy body for granted again.”

The gift of these moments – if we can see it – is that we learn how much we each truly have in any given moment.

A healer I worked with taught me how to “see” with my heart.  It’s something I practice regularly.  It’s not hard. And it doesn’t involve lighting candles or burning incense. All you do is fully occupy your heart and literally just “see” your world from your heart, not from your eyes.  The challenge is to stay there as long as possible before slamming back up into your head and having yet another thought.

Try it now.  Read this with your heart. Or look out the window with your heart, not your eyes. (Extra Credit: Plant a large goofy smile on your face as you do this.)

So, at this time of year when we are all thinking about gratitude, take a moment to move beyond just thinking about it.  EXPERIENCE gratitude. Really embody it.  See from your heart.  It changes you. It makes you magnetic. It makes you attractive. It makes you love. It makes you rich.

And then?  Share in the comments below something or someone that you are grateful for and why it is so fabulous. Let us all bathe in your fabulous life with you…

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November, 2013 and has been given a slight makeover to keep it fresh and current.

39 COMMENTS ADD A COMMENT
  • Sylvia Hall

    I am grateful for my enthusiasm and for the enthusiasm of the young man with downs I saw this morning, carrying his very full leaf bag to the curb. After setting it down, he raised both arms to the sky and did a tiny celebration of accomplishment. Boom. I grinned my whole drive about that young man and his enthusiasm.
    XO

  • Roxane Lessa

    Christine,

    I am sure you are a mind reader. I have had those thoughts about my body every time I got injured. And this past year when I was hobbling around was no exception. Now that I am walking again, I take every day as a huge blessing. Pretty soon I will be dancing, which is my greatest joy in life, except for my kids, my talents and you, and the love and appreciation you have brought to my life.
    P.S. This year has been about being present, pushing past my limiting beliefs, and trusting how to work with my body, instead of against it. I give most of the credit to your leadership and programs, and a little bit to me cuz I did the work :).

  • dvon

    I am grateful for my Mental and Physical health! My sanity and ability to problem solve. For the people in my life that I am never alone, homeless or hungry. My many talents that I have been blessed with. The list could go on and on. What a great concept to see with your heart. You can feel it when you do so. So Simple!

  • Christine Kane

    Thanks to everyone for such beautiful comments here! I’ve loved reading them. (Even cried at a few!) Happy holidays and here’s to a fabulous 2014!

  • Annette, Wedditalia

    I’m grateful for my friend Tonia who recommended following you, Christine. Having you as a coach during this particular part of my life has been so eye-opening and changing. I’m thankful for all what I’m experiencing…!

  • Marsha Crites

    I am grateful that I can now access open-hearted gratitude these days. That my health is excellent and thanks to ACA I will now have health insurance. For the new love in my life, for the warmth and beauty of my home and land, for all I have learned from Christine and other coaches that have led me to this sweet spot in my work and life in general, for my amazing grown daughters and adopted grandchildren, for the privilege of working outside in my career, and for my new manifesto. “All that can be well, will be well.”

  • Roxanne

    I’m grateful for my good health, my family, all my wonderful friends, my sweet pet, my job, my talents, my lovely little home, my warm bed & fluffy pillow at night, the excellent food I eat & the beautiful & safe country I live in where human rights are are respected & our health a priority. I am grateful for all the opportunities & riches we all have & a world full of people that are connecting, sharing & moving into a consciousness that makes it possible for everyone to live rich, fulfilling & healthy lives.

  • Jul’s Arthur

    I am grateful for my sons who are the joy, inspiration of light of my life. I am grateful for my Mama who believes in me always. I am grateful for my clients and engaging in work I love. I am thankful for all of you that I have yet to meet; I feel you are on my path of love, fulfillment and creating a love filled, amazing and abundant life! You all rock!

  • Dagmar

    I am grateful for being naturally awake to be able to feel how grateful I am; I am grateful for my body which with type 1 diabetes has become such an amazing teacher about wellness and inner strength over the past 10 years, I am grateful for my awesome job and the fact that I am passionate about being of service every day, and that I am again feeling the call to go “home” to my studio and integrate that and life coaching into my future, I am grateful that I am learning to truly be grateful for my body as it is getting older and marvel at how amazingly alive I am and how teachable I remain — so curious of what I will create next in my life! I am grateful tonight for having stumbled upon this forum and feel called to articulate what is in my heart — for no reason – and that I will have such a ball practicing “seeing with my heart” as I am leaving for Germany! Thank you for introducing the practice!

  • Andrea Mock

    I am grateful for my art which takes me so many places and is always a challenge. I’m grateful for the love of my family. I’m grateful for christine who has kept me going in my business more times than I can count. I’m grateful to all those writers, dreamers, doers out there making the world a little better then before.

    Much love,

    Andie

  • Tammy Hart Dyer

    I am grateful…
    –To be alive healthy and active six years after a bone marrow transplant.
    –That my inner child can still play without reservation when given the opportunity.
    –That I never have to stop learning.
    –That my boys are safe and healthy and that I have good relationships with them both.
    –That my husband is so much fun.
    –That I continue to listen to my inner voice instead of following the traditional path just because…
    –That the Universe has always taken care of me – my personal security, my monetary security and my emotional security.
    –Hot baths!
    –My cat – Panic
    –My dog – Kitty
    –My new wet suit
    –Another chance to make a difference in this world.

  • Stacy Jenkins

    I am filled with gratitude and delight that I can “see” with my heart! Thanks Christine for sharing that gem. How fantastically cool! We human beings are so amazing. I feel sooo blessed every day to share my life with my best friend-biggest-fan-super-duper- supporter husband of mine. I have an infinitude of gratitude for my body’s miraculous ability to be radiantly healthy, ever-increasingly as I get older. I am thankful all of my family is still alive, and I have a beeuatiful, cozy, soul nurturing home in a lovely small town. I am grateful that I have all the healthy, nourishing food my body needs everyday-and that I can see, hear, smell, taste, touch and be touched, dance, feel, think and love. Last, but not least…I am absolutely grateful for hot water!!! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

  • Ramona King

    I am grateful for my young adult children and for the rare moments I am in the presence of all three of them at the same time. I take joy in their conversations of gratitude, disappointments and non-verbal expressions. They care about each other even when they fiercely disagree and I can trust they will work out their differences. I am honored to be their mom even when I’m not sure how to help, advise, or parent…just to have the opportunity to participate or observe the workings of their lives fills my heart. I’m grateful for love and a chance to offer them a life I didn’t have…to step back and watch the life they create…I am truly moved with gratitude

  • Tina Ours

    I am grateful to God. I am grateful for my family. I am truly blessed in friends. I work in a retired community of nuns…I am grateful for that opportunity, it has changed my life. There is an amazing sense of PEACE when you walk thru those doors everyday. I am grateful to have a job…and I know when those doors close next year God and the universe will bring me another truly amazing job I will love to go to daily! Hiring Christine? 🙂 lol….I am extremely grateful for Christine Kane and her blogs which have changed my life. It can be scary and overwhelming I am finding, but I am embracing those feelings and learning tons about life and achieving my dreams. Thank You Christine 🙂 from the bottom of my heart! I am grateful for my very best friend snoring beside me …my dog Shadow. 🙂 I am grateful for my health. I am grateful I can smile daily and hopefully bring a smile to someone who is also in need of a smile 😀 I am just grateful to be alive in this moment enjoying life….. Have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving everyone 🙂 ~Peace!

  • Pat

    I am grateful for my dreams coming true. I will have my Masters degree before Christmas. I am grateful for my loving and supportive family. I am grateful for my job I love and for my fellow teachers and friends. I am grateful for my faith. I am grateful for all the little things in my life, my son’s hugs, laughter, coke zero, wintry weather, fires in the fireplace, the little things that add up to a very full and blessed life that I cherish and appreciate.

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

  • Doug

    I am grateful for my 21 year son who is a Marine and is fighting in Afghanistan. We take so much for granted, yet he is over there defending our freedoms. You can’t say that about too many 21 year olds these days. I am grateful for my health and the ability to see the beauty in the world around me. I enjoy what I do and feel that the best is still ahead. I am grateful for this blog and you Christine for keeping me on course throughout the year.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Doug Mattice

  • Mindfulmimi

    Hi Christine,
    I am grateful for your newsletters that remind me to be grateful. You started me on this daily practice of writing down 5 thing every night that I am grateful for. I do this with my kids before they go to sleep too. When I forget, they remind me:-)
    I am grateful for my lovely, healthy boys, my own health, the wonderful friends in my life, my parents who support me through just about anything I do, having the time to paint and do my projects, having the guts to do thing imperfectly, being able to coach women to create the life of their dreams, for being vulnerable, for sunsets, for sitting in Paris right now typing this while sipping a red portwine 🙂
    Have a great Thanksgiving!
    Miranda

  • Gina

    Ok, I’ve filled the bathtub with my gratitudes and am now bathing in it 🙂
    My beautiful life, I love where I live, I’m launching my new biz, I get to do what I love, I get to be happy!
    The stillness of a morning hike, and then the breaking of the stillness, when the dogs, all wiggly-ness and pure joy in the moment, dance around me like hugs
    Funny movies and 80’s TV shows that make me laugh out loud because I can’t remember if I originally thought it was cool or funny
    My husband, my family, my friends, our love and support for each other is like a warm, fuzzy blanket

    Happy Thanksgiving Everyone 🙂

  • Gloria

    I am grateful for my dog. I am grateful that through his blindness he has taught me how to see with my heart. He has taught me that words are not as important as one’s presence and that devoting one’s life to spreading joy and consoling hearts is a noble purpose. I am grateful that he does not judge me as “bad “and “wrong” even when I do that to myself. I am grateful that each and everyday he looks at me as if I am the center of the universe and the intensity of his gaze convinces me that this is true. I am grateful that he loves to connect to other dogs and people and in so doing he connects me to others as well. I am grateful that he crawled into bed with me this morning, nuzzled his massive head against my cheek and with one sweet out breath let me know I am deeply loved. <3 Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving <3 Much appreciation to you Christine for creating space for us all to connect.

  • Erica Quam

    I am grateful for stepping away from a “secure” career and leaping into the unknown. I am grateful for a loving, adventurous partner who was willing to do the same. I am grateful for challenges and struggles to be there as teachers. I am grateful for family, friends, dogs, & cats. I am grateful for my yoga practice and taking time to calm, center, & focus each day. They say that gratitude actually strengthens your immune system. I am grateful for the PRACTICE of gratitude…not just once a year but every day.

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you Christine!

  • Maren

    I am overflowing with gratitude for my superhero, super sweet, super sexy best friend and hubby! I am awed by the creativity, beauty, strength and joy of my lovely oldest daughter. I am always smiling and surprised by the sweet, silly and shockingly witty antics of my curly headed firecracker two year old daughter. I am in love with my life, movement, yoga, writing, sunrises and true soul work that honors me with witnessing the strength and power of the human spirit on a daily basis. I am graced with a BFF of 28 years, a rock, a soul sister and my positivity. I am surrounded by dear, lovey friends, family that a supports, loves and forgives me before I even apologize. I am loved, blessed and so thrilled for all that is to come, for which I give thanks this day and every day!

  • Colleen Fleming

    I am grateful for connection and supportive friends near and far. I am grateful for my son and that he is home for Thanksgiving. I am grateful for my sweet, old, dog Stella.
    I am grateful to have enough. I am grateful for a warm home on this cold rainy Vermont day. I am grateful for my partner, for black tea in the morning, for yoga, for this life and this blog!

  • Cindy O

    I am grateful for:
    all the people I’ve met along the way who have helped, guided, consoled (when necessary) and supported me
    my cat Friskie who is my unrelenting, unconditional companion
    having the opportunity to be in career transition and do something I really enjoy
    being able to live in the apartment I do, with all its wonderful surroundings
    my time, my friends, my family
    having quiet time to reflect
    all the good, prosperity and abundance and love I have and that continues to flow into my life….

  • Carol

    I am grateful for the wind outside.
    I am thankful for living in music.
    I am grateful for my experiences – all of them.
    I am so thankful to have shared the beauty of unconditional love with my parents, even as the form changes.
    I am thankful my calico cats’ spots – they undulate and make me laugh.
    I am so grateful for hikes and freedom and silliness.
    I am thankful for my life.
    I am grateful for the miracle of life I see all around me – human, extrahuman …
    I am thankful for the gift of being able to honor strong feeling and let it go through me and remake me … thank you, Mom and Dad.
    I’m thankful for all you do, Christine, as I lurk. 🙂

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

  • Alle L’Eveille

    I am grateful for the people who have passed through my life and the lessons I have learned. I am even more grateful for the ones who remain and bring me joy and comfort.

    I am grateful for my dogs who give unconditional love and remind me always of how to forgive and love.

  • Susan O

    I am grateful and thankful for being able to serve a loving God each and every day! New mercies each morning. I am thankful for my family, especially for my hubby for supporting me in all the crazy things I do! I am thankful for the reflection on the past year and to see how far we have come forward. I am thankful for the peace I feel about where I am and where I am going. I am thankful for the strong women that I have connected with this past year. How I have been stretched to reach further than I thought I ever could…it’s awesome! Have a very blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

  • Lauren

    I am grateful for my friends, my dog sage, and my beautiful home. I am grateful for my health and fit body. Most of all I am grateful for all of my coaches this year who have helped me uplevel! Happy Thanksgiving everyone 🙂

  • Nancy Curtis

    I am grateful for the love of my family..
    I am grateful for my 9 yr old granddaughter who made us all realize that tradition is important..
    I am grateful for my husband of 41 yrs and how we have grown up together, shared, and loved through the beastliest of times and the most glorious of times…
    I am grateful for my business and the ability to help others reach their dreams and goals…
    I am grateful for my health and for living in a country where I get to choose how to create what I want in life…
    I am grateful for my two dogs Maggie and Elvis who remind me daily that it’s the simple things in life that are the best…
    Have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

  • Glenda Cedarleaf

    The practice of gratitude has truly transformed the tragic into magic in my life.
    I recently uploaded a Guided Meditation Video on Gratitude–
    it’s purpose is to help us reconnect with the present moment through a mindful exploration of our senses and nature. The beautiful harp music is by Tami Briggs, therapeutic harpist. Thanks for the opportunity to share, Christine!
    http://www.HavenofRelaxation.com/gratitude-video

  • Elizabeth Milligan

    I am grateful for my life and the love and support of my partner, family and friends. I am grateful for the ability to move freely and easily and for my fitness and health. I am grateful for the house I live in and the surrounding nature and wildlife. I am grateful for the beauty of the world around me. I am grateful to have found a community like this to share these thoughts with ♥

  • Dr Anna Garrett

    My list is long…first of all I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for ever-expanding business and the abundance in my life.

    I am grateful for good health…to be 54 and able to do most anything I want (except a pull-up…but it’s coming)

    And I am SOOOO grateful for the day in March 2007 when you and I first met. Knowing you has changed my liife in a thousand ways.

    Happy Thanksgiving Christine.

  • Irina Lauran

    I am grateful for my awakening. I am grateful for my health. I am grateful for the friends I have. I am grateful for being able to meditate. I am grateful for my Vision Board (thanks to you Christine Kane). Thank you!

  • Nneka, Working Mystic

    It’s a day of rampages! I’m basking, milking, BATHING in appreciation!

    I LOVE my body. It’s whole. It’s fit. It’s strong. It’s healthy. I totally appreciate the energy and vitality that is flowing in my veins.

    I appreciate my friends and family for their unwavering support. I am truly enfolded and held.

    I’m LOVING my business. I’m ever appreciative that I have a business filled with clients and new frontiers. I appreciate my board of directors which includes you and Team Uplevel, my accountability partners, and the Gold Academy mastermind.

    I am just in LOVE with life. As light floods into my home and offices, I bask on all the things that catch my eye – each here for a purpose. My life is full, rich, multidimensional, and unconventional. I am appreciating EVERYTHING that’s here to make it so.

    Much love to you and team Uplevel <3 I appreciate YOU!

    • Alle L’Eveille

      Yay, you go, Nneka! Your enthusiasm and positive attitude are infectious!

  • Hilary Cummings

    I am grateful for my family (my 2 handsome, talented sons and my dear husband). Their love for me and mine for them is the fuel that keeps me going. I am also grateful for my health which I often take for granted as I see people around me who deal with health issues. I am grateful for getting through 2013 (almost there), a very trying year with my husband’s accident all of the impact it had on our lives, but we are getting through it. I am grateful for today as I sit in the car dealership getting my (paid off) van fixed. I have a vehicle and I am so grateful for that.

  • Marta Maj

    I am greateful for my family, that they are together, we are healthy. I am greateful for my job, that I have skills to do the job and perform well. I am greateful for my aspirations and dreams.

  • Stephen Lalla

    Very grated to having completed a magnet and holiday greeting card project that is being mailed/distributed in the U.S., Netherlands, and Africa. It’s amazing to think that something touched by a few will now be touched and in the homes/offices of so many. 🙂

  • Juaquisha truesdale

    I am grateful to God for waking me up everyday. I am grateful for having family who Loves me. I am grateful for a Job to be able to make sure the disabled get home safely even during the Holidays. I am grateful to have a place to live and food to eat clothes to where. I am just got a lot to be grateful for.