THREE SIX

36 reasons for gratitude.

 

Tonight – on the eve of my thirty-sixth birthday – I took myself away from my family holiday in South Africa for a few hours to reflect upon what tomorrow and this number means to me.

 

Much like Christmases over the last few years, I specifically requested that no gifts be bought or offered for this birthday: I know I have enough already. I consciously choose the richness of experiences over anything that can be wrapped in paper.

 

I believe that with an in-built sense of plenty, this life can be approached with a more refined sense of consideration. In doing so I trust that the planet will receive greater respect, and as a result all the people on it will have a fairer share of it’s resources.

 

To mark my birthday, I decided to be specifically grateful. I came up with thirty-six reasons to be filled with gratitude:

 

  1. I am surrounded by love.
  2. I have a supportive, generous and kind family.
  3. I am blessed with friends that I can easily call family.
  4. I am as nourished as I choose to be – always.
  5. I woke up this morning.
  6. I had a bed to sleep in last night.
  7. I had a clean floor under my feet when I rose today.
  8. I am deeply connected to the blue mat upon which I complete my daily practice.
  9. I have a limited amount of breaths on this planet – I aim to make each one long and deep, and make them all count.
  10. I have a body that responds in kind to how I treat it.
  11. I am able to understand my own mind more each day; I increasingly see my own patterns, reactions, habits and nuances, and know how to work around them.
  12. I can walk – far, and unaided.
  13. I feel sand between my toes on a regular basis.
  14. I have eyes to gaze up at the stars on a clear night.
  15. I see my own relevance.
  16. I see my own irrelevance.
  17. I am able to communicate with my friends all round the world at the click of a button.
  18. I am a white male, and I admit to the privilege that this has afforded me since birth.
  19. I give thanks for the patience, determination and forgiveness of all those that are neither male nor white.
  20. I have a passport that allows me to travel and learn from an almost unlimited number of cultures.
  21. I fly, often.
  22. I know that in acknowledging and dealing with my own negative emotions I limit the destruction that they can cause further down the line.
  23. I have not consumed an alcoholic drink since 28th August 2016.
  24. My teachers are everywhere, everyday – all I need to do is remain open to their lessons.
  25. I have the gift of reasoning, so I know that we humans are neither worse nor better than each other, or any other species on this planet.
  26. I seek authenticity in all my relationships – personal and professional.
  27. I understand that every person on the planet has a different view of it.
  28. I am an openly gay man and I am free to love whomever I choose.
  29. I give thanks for vegan chocolate – daily.
  30. I have the ability to dream – big.
  31. I have seen sunrise and sunset from six continents.
  32. I see that depression finds its roots in lack of acceptance of the past.
  33. I know that anxiety is a fear of the future.
  34. I can say that drugs have been in my rearview mirror for 19 months now.
  35. I made it to thirty-six almost seamlessly. Almost.
  36. I started this list thinking I would struggle to fill it, when in truth I could go on…funny how the mind works, isn’t it?

 

With gratitude,

Nathan

Comments (8):

  1. Gina

    13/04/2018 at 8:08 PM

    This is the kind of gift to give yourself and those who love and support you. Well said. Truly felt. And profoundly shared. Big kiss from NYC and Happy 36. If I remember that’s was a good one ?

    Reply
    • Nathan Morse

      17/04/2018 at 10:33 AM

      Let us hope so – the last few have been pretty bloomin’ awesome so yes I feel good about this year!
      XX

      Reply
  2. Christopher Pollard

    14/04/2018 at 12:02 AM

    Loads of love, and many happy returns of the day. XXX

    Reply
  3. Samantha

    14/04/2018 at 12:11 PM

    A beautiful piece and deeply felt. I am so proud of you and everything you have achieved in your 36 years. I miss you every day and wish you the most perfect birthday. I am grateful for you and for all of the years we have already shared together xxxx

    Reply
    • Nathan Morse

      17/04/2018 at 10:32 AM

      Awww Sam. Thats the sweetest thing to say. I j’adore you, as you know. Thank you for your friendship, and your light.
      XX

      Reply
  4. AJ

    14/04/2018 at 7:09 PM

    Happy birthday Nathan! Wow, I love the sentiments: a list of reasons to be grateful. It’s got
    me thinking about my own list. So much more inspiring than the self indulgent ‘bucket list’. Lots of love AJ xxx

    Reply
    • Nathan Morse

      17/04/2018 at 10:35 AM

      Thank you AJ. Much appreciated!
      Its actually a really fun activity.
      Can’t wait to see yours!
      XX

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *