This Sunday is the Feast of St Ignatius and the end of the 500th anniversary of his conversion. I want to reflect a little on gratitude which is at the heart of this way of living.
Ignatian spirituality has been described as “an optimistic vision of a world shot through with Divine Love.” Ignatius urges us to notice all the gifts that have been showered on us by God. Gifts of life, our senses, the love of family and friends, the beauty of the sunrise and all the marvels of creation. To notice that God not only creates life and gives gifts, but God also dwells
within them and within us. God is constantly at work in us and in the world. God constantly showers blessings on us but often we don’t have eyes to see it.
As neuroscience has developed, we have come to know that our neural pathways literally change when we habitually live from a place of gratitude. Our brains become ‘wired’ to notice the good more and more. Recent studies in Positive Psychology show that gratitude is key to being able to a fulfilled life.
Our context is certainly not an easy one. We struggle with so many challenges in our world at the moment that is it unsurprising that we can easily be pulled into frustration and despair. Instead of ‘doomscrolling’ Twitter or Facebook and hooking into the negatives, here are some suggestions for intentionally cultivating gratitude:
At the end of each day reflect on your day, noticing the gifts, however big or small they might be and thank God, the Giver of all good things.
Keep a journal beside your bed and write down the three things you are most grateful for each day. You can also write them on a piece of paper and put them in a gratitude jar. At the end of the month read through them with God and be reminded of the gifts.
Ask God to show you a person in your life who has been a particular blessing to you. Send them a letter or email thanking them for their impact in your life or pay them a visit and express your gratitude in person.
Living a life of gratitude is not about putting our heads in the sand and ignoring the social problems around us. But it allows us to engage with them differently – looking and working for solutions with new eyes from a hope-filled place of partnership with the Creator and Giver of all good things!
If you have found these reflections on Ignatian spirituality helpful you may like to sign up for our online Ignatian celebration happening tomorrow morning 30 July.
