BLOG 24

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

“L’ingratitude attire les reproches, commme la reconnaissance attire de nouveau bienfaits.” Madame de Sévigné

Though the French don’t celebrate an official Thanksgiving (as it is done in Canada on the second Monday in October, and in the United States on the third Thursday of November), gratitude is a universal language that speaks volumes through its expression in words and gestures. The above quote by Mme de Sévigné, part of an online French course that I vow to study seriously and then forget immediately, can be summed up in English to mean “like attracts like”. More literally translated, it means that ingratitude attracts disappointment, whereas gratitude attracts further benefits. Such a self-evident truth can be easily dismissed with an everybody knows that complacency that erodes the importance of actually living it.

How often do we ask ourselves, when confronted with an unwelcome event or outcome, if it is a result of something we’ve said or done; our karma, so to speak? Conversely, when something desirable happens, can we see the train of thoughts and action that attracted it? Can we model our behavior after the qualities we find attractive in other people? Their kindness and consideration; their empathy and generosity? How else to become the truly human (goodness-embodied) beings we have the potential to be? How can we “people” our world with individuals whose values align with our own, whose goals mirror what we are trying to achieve?

For a superficial but memorable example of the law of attraction, I recall what once happened while traveling in France. I bought a deep-blue satin dress in a charming market town, and while wandering the cobblestone streets I mentally conjured the ideal piece of costume jewelry to accessorize my new purchase. I wanted something colourful and chunky, like random-sized pop-beads, but not the cheap plastic variety. To my happy surprise I stumbled on just such a necklace of bright red ceramic beads separated by tiny gold spacers. I was elated. And not a little surprised that I should find something so close to what I had imagined. I immediately began to mentally conjure up bigger and better things I wished to make manifest in three dimensions. (You can imagine how that went…)

Since then, having learned to temper my expectations, it still sometimes happens that I “magically” stumble upon things or people I want or need to find. This serendipity keeps me watching out for signs or affirmations that I’m on the right track with any decisions or choices I’m in the process of making, including my deliberations regarding my gimpy hip.

While I think it’s due to divine grace more than my own flawless behavior, I am exceedingly thankful for the way friends (near and far — I’m a bit of a complainer) have come to my aid when my hip became particularly painful. Help came in the form of walking aids (which I was initially too proud to use), and detailed information about surgical options (about which I was in denial). I was even introduced to a respected orthopaedic surgeon who holds occasional clinic hours in Waimea. Without the latter showing me an X-ray of my bone-on-bone hip I might’ve been willing to wait for a now-imminent hip replacement. The serendipity didn’t stop there. I was also compelled (again, reluctantly) to see a myofascial trigger point release therapist who literally got me back on my feet. It strikes me as no coincidence that I have benefitted from some impeccably timed “interventions”. Left to my own resources I’d probably crawl under a rock (a version of my head-in-the-sand tendency) or get addicted to street OxyContin.

I’ve also considered the role of Providence in these happy-chance meetings. Goethe’s poem on Committment comes to mind:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

“All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”

Whether it be the law of attraction or an intense commitment to relief and healing, (perhaps they’re the same thing), I’m now suffused with gratitude that these unforeseen incidents, meetings and assistance have been raised in my favor. If I’m committed to anything it is to paying forward the benefits I’ve received in whatever ways I am able. Which included sending a big, heartfelt thank-you to my entire blog Ohana, for all the support and encouragement you have given me as I navigate my physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual journey. You do not go unnoticed.

Alors, levons nos verres et soyons reconnaissants!
So, let’s raise our glasses and be grateful!