In 1999 I wrote a book for my graduation project from college. It explored many aspects of gratitude, and contained essays and exercises designed to instill this attribute more deeply into the consciousness of the reader.
In this unpublished manuscript I suggested that we practice an exercise that I called soul aerobics. Soul aerobics is simply the habit of vigorously observing the beauties that surround us, then stretching ourselves by acting gratefully on those observations. My belief was then, and continues to be, that in so doing we will find a deep sense of joy that fills our souls, increases our energy, and lifts our capacity for gratitude to new levels.
Soul aerobics takes no special equipment except that with which God has already endowed us: our eyes, our heart, our mind, and our strength. But each of these must be in the proper condition if soul aerobics is to be effective. Our eyes must be eyes that desire to be open and able to see. Our heart must be softened and receptive; our mind, anxious to be influenced by beauty; and our strength used to express our praise and gratitude to our Creator for blessing us so abundantly.
Soul aerobics also requires no specific level of income because everyone, everywhere can participate. Blessedly, the beauties we stretch ourselves to see and appreciate are the beauties which He has placed before all His children: the lovliness of wildlife, trees and sky; the power of water cascading over rock; the gentleness of spring breezes; the wisdom in the face of an elderly friend; the twinkle in the eyes of a child; the elegance of well spoken words; the deep tranquility of a silent summer night.
Oh Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!....When I
consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars,
which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou are mindful of him? and
the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little
lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou
madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands, thou has put
all things under his feet. (Psalms 8:1, 3-6).
David marveled at and delighted in the great goodness of God, but more than that, he acted on his feelings by expressing profound appreciation.
As I participate in soul aerobics, I find my heart rejoicing in the wonders of the earth, and in the abundance of natural gifts that God has placed here to bless our lives. Not only has He trusted me with these gifts, giving them to me to enjoy, He has asked me to care for them, "to have dominion" over them. How carefully I do that, and how joyfully and sincerely I express my appreciation of these gifts is a measure of my devotion to Him.
Today, while going about the daily routines of life, pause to note the many opportunities there are to practice soul aerobics. Allow some of your time, attention, heart and energy to be focused on the beautiful people and places around you. Take it all in. Delight in the joy it brings. Marvel at the beauty you see, and experience the evidence of God's hand in these beauties. At some point during your busy day, or before retiring tonight, simply give thanks to Heavenly Father for all these blessings and their ability to strengthen and uplift your soul.
TODAY'S AWESOME BLESSING:
The night was cool and perfect for sleeping. It followed an evening of thunderstorms. The rain last evening was heavy and wind driven. It's rare to have rain like that here. It was very much like the rain in New England. I am grateful for that little taste of the east, because I've missed those marvelous, booming, thunderstorms with their torrential rains.
I love the smell of rain. I love it more when it's been hot for days and days and days then the sky burst. I'll stand just outside my door and take in the smell, yumm!
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