January Gītā: 4.22

yadṛcchā-lābha-samtuṣṭo 
dvandv'ātīto vimatsaraḥ
samaḥ siddhāv asiddhau ca
kṛitvā'pi na nibadhyate

‘Content with whatever gain comes of its own accord, and free from envy, they are beyond the dualities of life. Being equipoised in success and failure, they are not bound by their actions, even while performing all kinds of activities.’

Bhagavad Gītā 4.22

Being happy with whatever comes our way and free from envy in a spiralling world is harder sometimes than perhaps it should be but cultivating an active and mindful daily practice of gratitude can help.

Gratitude is more than saying thank you although that’s a great place to begin! When we are grateful we notice what is before our eyes and also feel the intention behind it. Gratitude opens our eyes to the simple goodness which envelopes us and this in turn manifests hope. Through conscious gratitude we are content with whatever gain comes towards us as we feel the effort and energy supporting it.

Of course it is not so easy when we meet the challenges of life but still amidst the disappointments there are things to be grateful for if we take the time to look. By stepping back we might even be able to reassure ourselves that we cannot always know the reason for things but that trusting in the process will reveal everything in its own time.

– Louise Newton