More and more these days, people are discovering the healing power of gratitude. Many internet sites, blogs and magazine articles are zeroing in on this universal truth. Humanity is coming to recognize the logic of the fact that it is impossible to be grateful and hateful (or resentful or sad) at the same time. These states of thought are mutually exclusive. Nor, can one be grateful and discouraged or angry simultaneously.

Gratitude, on the other hand, facilitates harmony, peace, joy. It encourages forgiveness, patience, goodwill. It opens the door to worthiness, integrity and abundance. In other words, gratitude is a way of acknowledging and acting on the good in our lives.

Perception is individual. The old saying that a glass is either half full or half empty suggests that our world view is not so much a matter of what the senses can define as how we choose to classify our perceptions. And, we do have a choice as to what our "take" is on various circumstances. Viewpoints or mental stances don't just "happen" to us; they are choices. These choices can be conscious, but often they are a matter of habit.

In the Bible [Deut 30] we read, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live:" (We might add also: "Choose blessing that both your and your descendants may be blessed.") This counsel was given thousands of years ago to the children of Israel; but, this guidance is just as valid today.

These promises, however, aren't a matter of coincidence or good fortune. They come with a condition stipulated earlier in the book of Deuteronomy. We read: "And all these blessings shall come to you, and overtake you, if you listen to the voice of the Lord your God."

And, then follows a list of wonderful ways in which God will bless his people. …"if you will keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and walk in his ways," you will be fruitful, and have safety, supply, dominion, and live in a land flowing with milk and honey.

"The Lord shall establish you an holy people unto himself, as he has sworn unto you, if you will keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and walk in his ways." [Deut 28: 2, 9]

We all can be obedient to those ten powerful commandments and reap the blessings God has in store for us, His children,--peace, joy, abundance, health, dominion, harmony, salvation, strength, achievement. We can all find the many ways in which good really is present in our experience. We can magnify and give thanks for this good, which comes from our Father-Mother God, to us. This truly does bring healing to our lives.