Dec 23, 2021
The Power of Gratefulness, Karma, and Manifestation
Some of us tend to overlook the power of gratefulness and the repercussions of the things that we do, say, and think in our lives. In the Christian scripture, there’s a very powerful verse that stresses the importance of being thankful for small and great blessings that we receive:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Gratefulness is one of the things that God requires us. In the human world, we tend to give more to people who are grateful for the things that we are giving them. This is also true when it comes to asking something from God, the Universe, or whatever term you want to use to refer to the Higher Power that created all things that we see and we can’t see.
Energetically, genuine gratefulness creates that spiral-like form of energy that goes outward and inward, upward and downward, similar to a spring. In Reiki, an alternative mode of healing that uses energy, this is similar to the symbols of Cho Ku Rei and Dai Ko Myo, which are spiral. These waves of energy come out and come in, simultaneously in a very rapid manner, energizing all the things that it can touch or within its reach.
The act of genuine gratefulness is a great action, or what they call “positive karma.” For those who are unfamiliar with the word, karma is a Sanskrit word that simply means “work or action.” This refers to everything that we do, the thoughts that we think, and the things that we say in our everyday lives, and the repercussions of those actions, speeches, and thoughts. Karma is one of the Cosmic Laws that govern the entire creation, both in the lower and higher planes. Every day, we are doing something that can affect the quality of our lives, and one of those, unfortunately, is being ungrateful — which poses a grave danger not only to our spiritual well-being but to our material blessings, too.
Remember that karma (the things that we do) can affect the energies that we emit, and being ungrateful is true, negative karma. Hence, we can never expect that we can manifest something good if we are doing something bad. There’s a need to reverse that bad attitude of being ungrateful, or not being thankful even to the smallest things that we receive. This is the true essence of the following Bible verses:
He answered and said unto them because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore, speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Cf. Matthew 13: 11–15, King James Version of the Bible)
This reminds me of the Five (5) Reiki Principles:
1. Just for today, I release angry thoughts
2. Just for today, I release thoughts of worry
3. Just for today, I’m grateful
4. Just for today, I expand my consciousness
5. Just for today, I’m gentle with all beings
Gratefulness comes along with gentleness, expansion of consciousness, and being confident that everything will be provided as God has promised it. In Hebrew, God is called “Jehovah Jireh,” the God that provides or supplies all things that we need (for affirmation, please pray Psalm 23).
To end this essay, let me quote one of my most favorite authors, Og Mandino (December 12, 1923 — September 3, 1996):
“Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about yourself. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.”
And just for today, I will be grateful. Aum!
