Written by As we move toward Thanksgiving may we reflect on those things we are thankful for.
What if we developed an attitude of gratitude that we carried with us each and every moment of each day? Living in a “state” of Grateful Appreciation changes everything. It not only changes our mental and emotional state but it also changes our physical body. The evidence has been documented.
In one study, one group of participants were asked to name five things they’re grateful for every day, while another group was asked to list five hassles. Those expressing gratitude were not only happier and more optimistic, they reported fewer physical symptoms (such as headache, cough, nausea, or acne). Other gratitude studies have shown that those with chronic illnesses demonstrate clinical improvement when practicing regular gratitude.
So how do we develop and maintain an attitude of gratitude? Here are some suggestions. You can add more of your own.
1. Before you get our of bed in the morning spend a few minutes in relaxing breathing, meditate if it is your practice, and focus your intentions on 5 things that you are grateful for. It doesn’t matter if they are big or small. It could be your warm bed and the feel of the soft sheets on your cheek, the bird singing outside your open window or the aroma of fresh brewed coffee made by the love of your life!
2. Keep a Gratitude Log. Buy a notebook, decorate the cover however you wish with gratitude words or pictures, and write in it things that you are grateful for. When you focus on what you appreciate it appreciates!!
3. Express gratitude to people you encounter during the day. It can be just a word or two spoken to the cashier at the store. Look them in the eye and give them a gratitude complement. It will not only be a blessing for them but it will raise your vibrational frequency as well.
4. Practice expanded grateful awareness. In the midst of whatever you are doing pause, look around, see the beauty that is there, feel the love in your heart, notice things that you might otherwise miss and consciously look for targets for gratitude.
5. At the end of the day, just before you drift off to sleep wrap yourself in a cocoon of Grateful Appreciation. Hold that vibration by breathing it in, focused intention and visualization. Play with it with your feelings and as you smile sweetly drift off to sleep.
These are just a few suggestions to get you started. You can come up with more of your own. Be creative, listen to your inner guidance, catch the wave of grateful appreciation as it builds within you and ride it with love and joy!!!
In Grateful Appreciation,
Don
“God is delighted to watch your soul enlarge.” Meister Eckhart (1260-1329)
Recent Comments