“Transcendent moments of awe change forever how we experience life and the world.”– John Milton
I was going to call this post “the Freaky Math of Gratitude” and then I remembered I wrote one a few years ago called exactly that.
That post, if I must say so myself, made an excellent point so I’ll include it (the original) below for a bit more oomph to the idea I’m about to share.
Unlike math formulas, gratitude doesn’t work in a linear fashion. It doesn’t add up the same way as the simple 2+2, 5 x 7 equations we learned in grade school.
Because it works on many dimensions and because it’s powered by love, it multiplies in a way rationalists can’t understand. Heck, I’m not even a rationalist and I don’t understand how blessing some tiny fragment of a perceived problem causes it to magically transform.
For example, let’s say I only slept 2 hours last night. When I say “thank you” for those two hours instead of bemoaning the other six I’ve been trained I also need, I feel less tired. Try it. Let me know how it works.
The observer effect, a well-known and undebatable principle in physics, addresses the bizarre phenomenon in which the act of observation alters the behavior of that which is being observed.
All matter is wave-like and because particles exist in multiple states simultaneously, the position (the observation) I choose collapses that reality into a definite state. So I can either collapse the gratitude state (and feel rested) or I can collapse the “aint-it-awful” state in which I need more Z’s. Both waves, always available.
The Course in Miracles says that, even our “wretched illusions” (that’s a bit harsh, if you ask me) contain a hidden spark of beauty. Which is where gratitude comes in. It ignites that itty-bitty spark of beauty.
I’m a fan of itty-bitty. Love that it only takes “a mustard seed.” Mustard seeds are so small you practically need a magnifying glass to see them.
Because our dominant paradigm is so hepped up on “more, more, more,” “the bigger the better,” it totally overlooks the immense power of a tiny idea whose time has come.
Lots of regenerative, loving ideas are coming, my friends. And they all start with that tiny mustard seed of gratitude.
Here’s to having the very best weekend of your life! And if you’re so inclined, read on for the last time I wrote about the freaky math of gratitude. #222 Forever!
“I will give thanks to you forever and with my whole heart.”—Book of Psalms
Between the above quote and the story I’m about to tell, you can probably surmise that I went to church yesterday. A dear friend joined the Unity church here in town so, of course, I went to cheer her on. That’s what possibility posses do—celebrate each other for any and all spiritual leaps. Go team!
The speaker at the church service reminded us of the Bible story of the fish and loaves. It happens to be a favorite of mine because its math equation doesn’t add up to what we consider “normal, scientific reality.”
5+2=5000 is not an equation that computes for most of us. It doesn’t match what we were taught in school. Every reasonable, educated adult knows that five loaves and two fish do not feed 5000 people. But that’s only because, alongside math, we were taught the erroneous subject of scarcity and limitation.
When you use the equation of gratitude, when you add blessings to “math problems,” the resulting sums are skewed in your favor. Gratitude compounds and expands everything – even material things.
Jesus and his 12 disciples took 7 measly items (5 loaves and 2 fish) and, by blessing them, by giving gratitude for them, grew their larder into a feast for 5000.
Every word or thought or even breath of gratitude multiplies whatever you have. It renders old school math problems irrelevant. It adds up to truth and the unfathomable math of miracles.
I know I repeat this over and over and over. (I figure I can get away with it because it happens to be Thanksgiving week here in the United States.) Counting blessings turns even the tiniest of things into monster-size blessings, abundance and, yes, miracles that defy all laws of mathematics. Happiest of holidays, my friends!
#222 forever!
Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World).
33 Responses
Love you Pam!!! Thank you for the hope you bring us!
Love you, too!
So great to hear from you. A smile on my face from your refreshing articles!
Thanks, Fatou!
Forgive me for not commenting on the subject at hand, but I need to say that the universe has a wicked sense of humor. I’d rather not get into my story but suffice to say this experience actually makes me laugh because it was so not what I was manifesting but it so was!
Thank you
Bonney
Wonderful way to wake up! Here’s to abundance, miracles and a magnificent weekend ahead. Sending love and gratitude your way Pam. And to everyone! ❤️🙏
YES!!!!
So beautiful and so true! Thank you, Pam, I love you!
And I love you, Sheila!
Thank you, Pam. I needed those stories today. Namaste.
Namaste!!!
As always, wonderful post(s). ❤️
Why thank you!!!
“Gratitude compounds and expands everything – even material things.” – I don’t know how many times I read the sentence and every time I did, my awe multiplied. Love you Pam. I feel so grateful for this sparkling article. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you, Pam. So grateful for you!
I’m grateful for everything! Thanks!
Awesome post, Pam! Math has NEVER been my strong point, but I can do this kind all day long! Thank you! 😊
Yes, it’s my kind of math, too!
Thank you for the wonderful post. Loved the math
The best! Love love this and all your posts!
I always appreciate your posts, Pam! Somebody higher, more adept than me at keeping it high. I’m inspired each time. I intend to inspire others. I think I already do. Thank you, thank you!!!
Thank you! Love it! I am so grateful for you and all your posts. The posts always come in at the exact right time for me.
I love this so much! My dear mother (born in 1917) shared so many wisdom and abundance ideas with me in just the most natural way as I grew up. She explained to me she never had had to worry about money and that I wouldn’t either if I listened to how she did it. She was a manifester before the word got coined (no pun intended). And I am a manifesting queen myself! Much gratitude for you, Pam.
Thank you Pam, you are one of my favorite people. all love to you.
Th
Thank you very much. Your perspective on things has changed my life for the better!! I appreciate you❤️
So grateful for you and your posts, even when I don’t comment I send positive vibes from my heart to yours (from here in the UAE). May I ask, where did you read about the observer effect? Dr David Hawkins mentions something similar called the Heseinverg effect.
Finally a math I can count on having success!!!
Love you Pam,
Kate
This is SO true, Pam, but something that’s seemingly SO easy to forget. I need reminders almost every time I “have to” clean the toilet to be thankful that I have a toilet; each time I “have to” fix dinner that I’m grateful for the nutritious ingredients at my disposal; etc., etc., etc. The realization that I’m responsible for my thoughts and that the ones I choose to focus on create my experience of life’s circumstances is SO valuable. Happy Weekend to you, too!
You are a beautiful reminder of truth and I am soooo grateful for everything you share Pam. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️
Two fabulous posts in one hit! What a way to start my day! Gratitude to you dear Pam for bringing these truths to us with easy to understand examples in your inspiring and delightful way. 🙏🥳 Your suggestion of being grateful for the two hours of sleep you got instead of bemoaning the 6 hours you didn’t get really resonated with me, and I feel like something shifted at that moment that helped me really “get” the idea of being grateful for everything – even the things we would not normally feel any gratitude toward at all. So thank you! 😁
Have a marvellous weekend yourself – or what remains of it anyway – and ‘monster size’ blessings galore to you and me and everyone here until next time. Love you Pam! 😍🦋⭐️🌺🌲🤗
Fantastic advice!
Gratitude ROCKS! Making a gratitude list is one of the best ways to pull you out of sadness or depression or a funky mood! Got attitude works for all ages! Reminding people about gratitude is so critically important because it changes your focus entirely.. For me, it’s easy to speak out loud in the car while I’m driving listing all that I’m grateful for, it’s like a prayer, I’m grateful for so much even the tiniest of gestures or comments or circumstances. I’ve taught my kids about gratitude and it’s interesting. If I’m speaking to my son… When I’m complaining he’s quick to remind me “what are you grateful for?” I love it! I am grateful to you, Pam Grout – You have taught me much!