gratitude (thanking god): the key to experiencing love and fulfillment in all seven areas of life by...

Gratitude (Thanking God)

By: DR. JOHN DEMARTINI

Presented By: Jeff Sohler

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INTRODUCTION

by John Castagnini

IMPORTANT...Please Do Not Skip This Section!

Why this ebook? What makes it so different? Not onlyare these answers important, they are integral to yourunderstanding of the story presented here. Please donot skip over this brief introduction in your eagernessto get to the meat of the ebook itself.

When I first thought to include Thank God I WasRaped as one of the stories for Thank God I...™ Volume1, the concept sent chills through my spine. Couldanyone who’s endured this brutal, horrifying experiencereally embrace these words? Over the years, I’veconsulted with countless women during their raperecovery. I chose the title after witnessing whattranspires for them when they come to this conclusionof gratitude. What became quite apparent over acourse of thousands upon thousands of conversationsis that we only evolve past the mental traum a fromsuch a happening when we can hold “the love for it inour hearts”


What is meant by “God”?

God — Certainly, the biggest three-letter word evercreated. Grand Organized Designer best describes theGod referred to in the Thank God I...™ books, websiteeducational material and seminars.

The thousands of people sharing their stories in thisseries all perceive God in their own light. Thank GodI...™ is about this network of people, willing to movebeyond having the right “name” for God.

Even the word “God” itself cannot finite the infinite.Rather, God refers to a system governing the brillianceof what is, and is not.

What this book series is not supposed to be.

This series does not condone or promote any of theacts the writers have experienced, nor do we suggestin any way that anyone should either commit any ofthese acts or subject themselves to any of these acts.This series also does not promote or label any specifickind of behavior as “right” or “wrong”, nor were the storieswritten or the book published for the purpose ofsuggesting that anyone rationalize their actions orbehavior.


In addition, the Thank God I...™ series does not promoteor deny any religion. Rather, it honors the existence ofreligion and all things as part of a perfect creation.

What is Thank God I...™ about?

Our intention with this series is to convey this one keyprinciple: Perfection permeates everything. Each timewe fail to recognize this principle, the next lesson tocome our way will once again offer us the opportunityto see the perfection and break through into freedom.In fact, finding perfection in the pain and pleasure ofour own personal tribulations is the only way we willever liberate ourselves from the bondage of patterns.Whether it comes in a day, a year, or a lifetime away,situations will come into our lives that will force us tobecome thankful for “what was,” and to whole-heartedlyexperience “what is.”

What is meant by “Thanking God”?

During the creation phase of this series, we werefortunate to have as our ever-efficient assistant,Cassandra Gatzow, a beautiful twenty-three-year-oldwriter and poet. Just prior to coming to work with us,Cassandra was diagnosed with cervical cancer. A littleover a year and a half later, the cancer spread and sheleft this world before the first book launched.


After Cassandra passed, my heart was struck by thewords she put to the page as she endured thisexperience. She wrote of her earth angels and herexplorations as she left her body to “dance with herangels.” She did not write about her passing, she wroteabout Thank God I...™ living as she moved through herlife’s greatest test, and her life’s ending. She viewedeach person, each moment as precious. How fortunateshe was, to see God in the now.

Imagine — this is what she wrote about her cancer:

“Tears fill my eyes daily with gratitude for every momentand every breath. It has allowed me to go after mydreams, to live from my heart, and to be truly free. Ithank God for my cancer and for allowing me to reacha place in me that I don’t think would have beenpossible without this experience. I am now twenty-three and feel that I have stepped into my skin proudly.I have felt an inner peace that many don’t find until laterin life. I am truly grateful for all my earth angels andwant to thank them for sharing with me this wonderfuljourney”

...Cassandra

There are 4 million tasks to accomplish in order tobring the Thank God I...™ network to the standard of ourvision. Thank you, Cassandra, for reminding me why


Thank God I...™ was conceived in the first place.

Thanking God is about the above. Not just what isabove this sentence; it is about what is above, guidingus at every moment. Beyond the pain, chaos, andconfusion of our circumstance exists true perfection.Thanking God is about finding this perfection. Thisplace of thanking God might seem nearly impossible tofind, but it is the only place we will find ourselves.

Thank God I...™ is true “gratitude”.

Sure, we all hear about the “good things” that people aregrateful for in their lives. But, is this gratitude? ThankGod I...™ gratitude is about a state of being. It is about astate of inspiration, non-judgment, and presence.Thank God I...™ gratitude is beyond the illusion ofpositive or negative. It is beyond the lies of “good” and“evil”. Thank God I...™ . gratitude is about finding God inevery word, thought, and deed. In spirit, we are beyondthe illusion of pain or pleasure and we are present withspirit. Thank God I...™ gratitude is about equal love forall that is, as it is, was, or ever shall become. Gratitudeis loving what we don’t “like” as much as loving what wedo “like”.

The diversity of authors and experiences

The intention of this series is to reach all of humanity,


every single unique creation. We did not base theselection of contributions to this series upon any faithor religious orientation. Each selected author took aformer challenge into their heart. The diversity ofauthors spans religions, countries, professions, age,race, nationality, and definitely experiences. Theyrange from strippers to doctors, from politicians to stay-at-home moms, and whoever they are, gratitude rules.From alcoholism to molestation or rape, the law ofgratitude prevails with each of our authors.Thankfulness for whatever is, or is not, ultimately rulesevery one of our kingdoms.

The vision of Thank God I...™

Little did I imagine how lightning-fast Thank God I...™would circle the world. This network includesthousands of contributors, reaching millions of people,sharing not only their stories, but also their answers!Beyond the books, and the online community, we offerworldwide conference calls, workshops, and seminars!The vision of this series will provide everyone withinspecific communities information in order to evolvepast the emotions that are holding them back. Thepeople and the project are revolutionary.

“All things in nature proceed from certain necessity andwith the utmost perfection.”

...Baruch Spinoza


GRATITUDE ( Thanking God )

THE KEY TO EXPERIENCING LOVE AND

FULFILLMENT IN ALL SEVEN AREAS OF LIFE

DR. JOHN DEMARTINI


What does it take to live “happily ever after”? Ask ahundred different people and you’ll get a hundreddifferent answers. While some claim happiness issimply being in a happy relationship, others believewinning a pile of money would allow them to livehappily ever after.

But, what if I told you that the hope for “happily everafter” is one of the greatest psychological and socialdelusions of our time? Winning a pile of money orhaving a great relationship won’t keep you happyindefinitely, and half the time it might actually do theopposite. This might come as quite a shock!

If you set yourself up with the expectation that you aremagically only going to live happily ever after, you mayfind yourself checking into a lifetime residence at theHeartbreak Hotel. Happiness-ever-after is a fantasy. It’sa fairytale, and from this illusion are birthed some ofthe most prevalent social concerns including stress,suicide, heartache, hopelessness, anger, resentment,and depression.

Everlasting happiness goes against our truest nature.The purpose of life isn’t to pursue only happiness, butto love and be grateful for life’s winding road, whichincludes both happiness and sadness, positive andnegative, and supportive and challenging experiences.


As you progress along your life voyage, you willexperience life’s natural cycles of highs and lows.However, the secret is to not fly too high on the upcycles or sink down too low on the down cycles.Instead, your purpose is to appreciate all of life’sexperiences (happy and sad) and grow from them byrecognizing their inherent balance.

In my signature seminar program titled TheBreakthrough Experience™, people learn the secret ofhow to embrace the complete balance of life (no matterwhat form of high or low it takes).

And through the use of The Demartini Method™, peopleuncover and find this secret. This profoundmethodology provides a simple means to help youinstantly find the blessings in every curse and teachesyou how to be grateful with whatever confronts you inlife.

So while you may not be able to live happily ever after,you can become deeply grateful in all areas of your life-- no matter what happens. Let me tell you how toaccomplish this “attitude of gratitude” in the seven areasof life:


Be Grateful For Your Spiritual State

With gratitude, you can open your heart to love.

If you desire to love yourself, others, and yourmagnificent experience called life, then being gratefulis one of the most important steps you can take.Gratitude helps you live the life of your dreams. Itdoesn’t matter if you are more conventional in yourspiritual or religious beliefs or more orthodox -- you canbecome grateful for the unseen energy flow of life thatsurrounds and fills you (the energy that some call thesoul, others term the holy spirit, while others refer to asthe life force). Do not underestimate the power anddepth that gratitude has in connecting you to your owninner vital forces which you can bring into youreveryday life.


Action steps:

Put aside a little time every day to connect with yourinner spiritual force. It is amazing how inspired you canbecome when you allow yourself to open your heartand mind to this inspiring inner world. Gratitude is thekey that opens up the gateway of your heart and mind.It allows your love and inspirations to shine.

Whether you say your prayers of gratitude each day,give thanks before meals, write up your wish list, tunein to uplifting music, or spend some quiet time incontemplation or meditation, a little time spentpartaking in a daily spiritual ritual of gratitude isincredibly nourishing for body, mind and spirit.

Affirmation:

I am forever grateful for my loving energy of life.


Be Grateful For Your Mental State

With gratitude, your mind becomes the most amazingplace to explore.

How wonderful to have a mind of your own. Your mindmakes up your private world, the secret part of yourselfthat often remains a mystery to others. Whether yourmind becomes a friend or foe depends upon how youmaster your perceptions, or how your unsettled mind’sperceptions run you. Your mind is like a garden. If youdon’t plant flowers in your mind’s garden, you willforever be pulling weeds.

It is unwise to take your mind’s powers for granted. Youdraw information in and send information out by yourthoughts and ideas. Your mind interprets, filters, andassimilates your concepts, strengths, fears, anddesires. Being grateful for your mind’s diverse rich giftshelps it grow and expand.


Action steps:

Learn something new every day. Keep a book ofinspiration nearby. (My book The BreakthroughExperience™ is ideal for this mind-enriching, gratitude-initiating purpose).

Affirmation

I am grateful for my mind because it provides me withan ability to think for myself and serve others.


Be Grateful For Your Vocational State

Gratitude has the power to transform your vocation intoa vacation.

Slipping into your cozy bed each night with a feelingthat you have accomplished something worthwhileeach day is something certainly rewarding.

Feeling productive is one of the most uplifting feelingsyou can experience. It helps you sleep soundly andheal.

Being grateful for your present vocational state doesn’tmean you must forever remain in your nine-to-five workrole. Whether your vocation makes you a homemaker,a student, an athlete, or even a holidaymaker, it isimportant that you feel that you have been productivethroughout your day’s activities -- no matter what theform.

For example, if you love to fish, you might view a dayof productivity to be a great day of fishing. If you are abusinessperson, it may mean the opportunity to closesome deals. If you are a homemaker, it could meancooking dinner for your family. Ultimately, beinggrateful for your own form of productivity completes


your package of life. Without gratitude, a great deal offulfillment will be missing from your everydayexistence. Productivity provides you with a sense ofpurpose, achievement, and satisfaction.

Action steps:

Each morning set yourself seven highest-priority actionsteps that will ensure your vocational productivity. Dothese actions first, before any less-productivedistractions arise. If you follow these seven actionsteps, then you will be certain to complete each day ofthe week with a sense of gratitude for what you haveachieved, not to mention that your life is likely to makea quantum leap forward as well.

Affirmation:

I am grateful for the ability to feel productive and serve.


Be Grateful For Your Familial State

With gratitude, the entire world suddenly becomes yourloving family.

Family means different things to different people. Youhave an immediate family, like your marriage partner,children, and parents, and you have friends who areinvolved in family structures of a more unusual kind.Your personal sense of family or close connection mayeven take the form of a pet or a distanced friend withwhom you only communicate via email. You may evenregard all those who reside in your community, city, orworld as part of your extended family.

But even if you consider yourself a loner, you still willhave closer or more distant connections to certainindividuals, groups, or other structures (even if only inyour fantasies). These connections can be intimate orless personal and may even consist of groups ofpeople rather than individuals. Ultimately, you have afamily.


Action steps:

Sometimes you may forget the role that others play

(and have played) in making your life complete. Sospend some time each day thinking of those whom youlove, such as immediate family members or old friends.Recall what their presence on this planet (or pastpresence, if they have already left this planet) meantand still means to you, and how it has contributed toyour fulfillment. Thinking grateful and loving thoughtsabout others will open up your heart and enrich yourlife.

Affirmation:

I am grateful for those whom I love and those who loveme in return.


Be Grateful For Your Financial State

With gratitude, you may materialize more money thanyou even need.

Being grateful for your financial state can be a tricky“attitude of gratitude” to master because you may beconstantly in the habit of affirming to yourself that youdon’t have enough money. Your money woes may beone of your biggest stress tests, and you may be facingfinancial shortfalls, or your finances or moneymanagement may be your constant concern orpressure. You can become one of those who can trulysay they are grateful for their financial state. Thesooner you are grateful for whatever you have, thefaster you will attract greater financial abundance. Yourvery thoughts, like “I don’t have enough money,” canmake your life a self-defeating prophecy. If your mindfills with angst over your financial situation, then youmay miss receiving the many riches that surround you.


Action steps:

If you find yourself being too busy worrying aboutfinances, or feel “less wealthy” rather than “more wealthy,”then begin counting your blessings today and becomegrateful for what you have and for the money you areabout to earn.

Affirmation:

I am grateful for the financial abundance thatsurrounds me and is available to me.


Be Grateful For Your Social State

With gratitude, every day becomes a socially fulfillingopportunity.

There’s a certain reason for the saying “novelty breathesfreshness into everyday life.” Variety and change createmore balance in life. Doing the same things repeatedlyis like re-reading the same pages in the book of life,and you soon become bored. Getting out of yourroutine, meeting people, sharing ideas, and finding outwhat works or doesn’t work for others and yourselfhelps you expand.

Your social and leisure life is important because beingwith others gives you the chance to see your worldthrough their eyes. Gratefully socializing helps yourelax, regain enthusiasm and energy, and allows you toshare quality time with others. Being grateful for theopportunity to share experiences, whether that takesthe form of playing golf, taking a vacation, or nurturingand creating old and new friendships, is an importantpart of your everyday life. Of course, when you loveyour work as if it were play and love your vocation if itwere your vacation, then you certainly have much forwhich to be grateful, and you become inspired at yourwork.


Action steps:

Go out of your way to plan “social days” in advance soyou may enjoy the anticipation in this experience ofgratitude. Be friendly and open to new people cominginto your life, and go out of your way to developfriendships that will enrich your life. This may meanthat you are not to wait for others to invite yousomewhere, but that you are to take the initiative andorganize get-togethers yourself. Make an effort everyday to expand your social network and connections.Making a phone call or sending a card to someone youwould love to have as a friend can set all kinds of newsocial wheels spinning.

Affirmation

My life is wonderful. I do what I love and I love what Ido with those whom I love.


Be Grateful For Your Physical State

With gratitude, my body becomes both a temple andan amusement park.

The greatest art form that exists on this planet is yourhuman body. What a magnificently structured temple ofsacred architecture your human-body form represents.But are you grateful for it? Sometimes you may be, butother times you may be taking your body for granted.Instead of complaining about the shape of your body(“I’m too fat, too thin, too short, or too tall”), be gratefulfor your body. You may be spending a great deal oftime in front of the mirror focusing on what youperceive to be the imperfections of your body ratherthan gratefully focusing on its beautiful or handsomeperfections.

If you are consciously or unconsciously going out ofyour way to break down your magnificent body bysmoking, eating poorly, not exercising, or burning thecandle at both ends, then begin now to be grateful foryour lovely body and for the multitude of powerful giftsit provides. This gratitude attitude can make thedifference between experiencing wellness or illness.What you may term as “illness” may actually be yourbody’s clever way of intuitively guiding you back to


balance and more meaningful and grateful actions.

Action steps:

Be acutely aware of your body. Do not just expect it tomaintain its own well-being without any contribution oreffort on your part. Think of your body as a gift. Itserves to bring you fulfillment in life. Tend to your bodyand take care of it, as you would tend to or take care ofyour garden.

Affirmation:

My incredible body is a created masterpiece hand-signed by G.O.D.

. . .


Dr. John F. Demartini is the founder of the DemartiniHuman Research and Education Foundation and is thecreator of The Breakthrough Experience. He travelsthe world teaching The Demartini Method andappearing on international radio and television shows.Dr. Demartini has been featured in newspapers andmagazines throughout the world. As a privateconsultant, he has advised people from all walks of life.

Dr. Demartini has authored dozens of books, includingthe bestselling titles Count Your Blessings -- TheHealing Power of Gratitude and Love; The GratitudeEffect and The Breakthrough Experience -- ARevolutionary New Approach to PersonalTransformation. His website is www.DrDemartini.com.

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