Gratitude

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything God has given us-and God has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s Love, every moment of existence is grace….”

                                            Thomas Merton-Thoughts in Solitude

Cultivating daily gratitude is a mindfulness practice and a transformative way of living. Gratitude is being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation and to return to kindness.  Practicing gratitude can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, enhance well-being, improve sleep quality, and immune function. It improves energy, self-esteem, and health.  During this coming holiday season, where many people find the outer pressures of life stress-filled, a daily gratitude practice may be just the right thing to counter balance the holiday stressors, so that one can truly enjoy the magic of the season.

Here are some simple ways to cultivate daily gratitude.

Say:

I am grateful for __________________ (person in my life)

I am grateful for ___________________(a food I enjoy)

I am grateful for ___________________ ( some aspect of nature)

The list goes on and on. The important thing is to practice daily, pause, reflect, and give thanks. Choose one thing to be grateful for daily.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving and a light-filled Holiday Season.