Every year is full of amazing experiences—experiences full of love, kindness, and excitement. Experiences full of people and sometimes no one. Those moments leave me feeling blessed and honored. They are invisible until I take a second to pay attention. Please take a second with me and think about something you are grateful for. Please don’t try to make it something major—just a memory that clicks and brings a feeling of lightness within. Ok, let’s do it… Ok, think about it… I’ll describe what I’m feeling as I just did the same.
I have a little smile growing, a feeling of pride and power. I guess I feel empowered. I want to tell you about it and why I’m so excited for it. Being grateful is as much a physical practice as a mental one. It’s a practice that brings a bit of life to this moment.
Please send me a message on Instagram or leave a comment and tell me what you’re so grateful for. I was thinking about this event we produced in the school called La Familia Showcase. I was excited not only because of the event itself but because, despite having produced a dozen similar events, this time felt different. In this iteration, I trusted myself. I reminded myself every day that everything was going to be ok. I love the people involved, the planning, and the execution of the whole thing. I was grateful because I was enjoying it more than ever. I was grateful that, despite doing a lot, I was much more mindful of my limitations, trusting others, and trusting the process. I like to notice that I’m accepting myself a little more every day. I’ll now share with you some of the practices I’ve implemented over the years.
Grateful Shower
I don’t always do this, but I practiced it for a long time, and I’m looking forward to bringing it back. It’s a practice that makes me feel like I shine as the light touches me through the water. In the shower, while the water sprinkles on my skin, I pay attention to the temperature of the water and the places it touches. I repeat, “Thank you for…” I do this for the entire time I’m in the shower. One sentence leads to another, and my eyes open a bit more as I become more aware of what is happening. No music, no distractions—just my regular shower with a lot more attention to myself, my mind, and all the amazing things I’m grateful for.
Three Things I’m Grateful For
Another common method is listing three things I’m grateful for. This tends to bring to the present moment a sense of achievement, hope, and love that carries me to Morpheus’ hands way faster. I have to admit that feelings of gratitude aren’t always happy. Sadness can invade me quickly because sometimes I feel grateful for things I can’t have anymore. But I’m so happy I could experience them. Like my family, who is far away from me. Yet, they gave me an education and the opportunity to build a great life in this amazing country.
Thank you for reading, honestly.
Gracias for Reading
That’s how I usually finish every blog post I write—because I’m honestly very grateful to you for spending time reading my thoughts and views of the world. It’s a pleasure to write and to learn to express myself. This is an exercise that brings life to my weeks, and I’m so grateful that you’re part of it. This reminds me of another way I specifically use gratitude to bring feeling to my art. Just before performing, I allow my fear and excitement to transform into gratitude. Usually, a couple of tears come out to remind me of the beauty in what I do and how much it means to me. It’s a way of saying thank you to myself for the work and effort I put into things—hundreds of hours for a 3-minute show. So, if you ever see me dancing, know that I’m super grateful to have you there with me.
Gracias for reading,
Pedro
PS. Gracias is more than just “thank you.” It carries a deeper meaning: a heartfelt acknowledgment of the people, moments, and experiences that bring richness to my life. It’s not just an expression of gratitude; it’s a celebration of connection and shared humanity.