Gratitude can be a prickly feeling, if we’re being honest with ourselves as humble Midwesterners.
We have been taught to appreciate what we have and to strive for more, but also to never be greedy. It’s a constant karmic balancing act.
If we are too humble, gratitude can be tainted by guilt — maybe by the knowledge that we have food while a growing number of others don’t. But if we carry our gratitude with humility and love, it can be a motivator of generosity and a source of internal peace.
To get out of overthinking it, I like reflecting on how gratitude sounds and what memories those sounds bring up.
I invited one of my oldest friends and sources of constant gratitude, Max Maneater, to listen for gratitude sounds with me as a practice in deepening our friendship. Here are some aural tokens from us to help you hold gratitude with tenderness.
The crunch of leaves outside lets me know that the world is still turning.
– Clockwork Janz
My blind dog tip-tap dancing on the hardwood, because he knows I hear him and he wants to go outside. We have been through a lot.
– Max Maneater
Church bells, one of the oldest forms of musical public art, are all over our city soundscape. They make me grateful that humans have loved beautiful sounds for generations and generations.
– Clockwork Janz
My cat pawing at her bowl of water. She’s picky, but we love each other.
– Max Maneater
My first sip of morning coffee, a simple pleasure, brings everything else into loving focus.
– Clockwork Janz
Quick clicks on my wife’s desktop computer as they log out for lunch. I know they’re coming to get a kiss.
– Max Maneater
The Dinner Bell Dance, a new family tradition and a practice in actively celebrating gratitude for the food we are about to receive.
– Clockwork Janz
An uneven sigh caught between tears, seeing the mutual aid roll in after an unplanned surgery. How grateful I am when others can share.
– Max Maneater
Striking a match to light a candle helps me remember how blessed I am for the roof over my head.
– Max Maneater
Creaky steps in my home — the loudest sound at 9 p.m. after finally putting my toddler to bed. I am so grateful to live in a beautiful old house with well-loved wood floors.
– Clockwork Janz
An uneasy shift in a kitchen chair after telling someone, “it’s ok, we can help.” How grateful I am to be able to share.
– Max Maneater
To practice gratitude, I wrote a short piano meditation on gratitude. I layered the sounds we recorded over it as well. Give it a listen and reflect on your own gratitude.
What sounds are making you feel grateful lately? Let me know. Sharing can inspire gratitude in others, and it feels good to express! I might come out and record you for the next article if you want to share.
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Clockwork Janz is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach them at clockworkmakesmusic@gmail.com.
Max Maneater is an Indianapolis-based producer, burlesque dancer and emcee. They co-produce the monthly sold-out show “Burlesque AF” at Almost Famous, serve on the board of directors for Indy Drag Theatre and perform on stages across the Midwest.
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