{this post is by Jena Coray, originally published on Miss Modish}
With Thanksgiving tomorrow, we wanted to talk a little about gratitude today. I think we all know how powerful gratitude can be- if we focus on all that is wonderful and incredible about our lives, rather than what we don’t have, it opens us up to feel more joy, more fulfillment and abundance in our here and now.
The more you can bring gratitude into your everyday, the more happiness and balance it will bring into your life. It can become a deep well to pull from when you experience pain, fear or uncertainty- drop your bucket into that well of thankfulness for all that you have, and it can help you get through anything.
Lately I’ve found myself feeling grateful for so many things…
Grateful for quiet moments and deep breaths,
for dark days of pelting rain and hunker-down brain-storms,
for days when light pours thru the windows, beckoning me outside
Grateful for every shade of yellow and Japanese Maple red,
for rakes and straw and the duckboots that we found at Goodwill,
for worn-in wool cardigans and falling-apart fingerless gloves
Grateful for time to connect with those I love,
for weekends I wish would never end, good-news phonecalls,
for laughter over dinners, just one more beer and walking with arms locked
Grateful for breakthroughs, shifts and momentum,
for big thinkers and gentle encouragers,
for the guideposts that continue to lead me down this twisted and narrow path
I’m ever so grateful to be walking.
To help manifest more gratitude in your everyday:
One of the guided meditations I listen to is about manifesting gratitude in your life. At the end of it, David G, the meditation guide-man, asks some questions that have really helped me realize and open up to all that there is to be grateful for in my life. And I thought they could help you too!
Ask yourself these 5 Q’s to get your gratitude rolling- try to find at least 3 answers to each:
- What do I take for granted? Maybe your breath, your senses, your body, your health… what else?
- What relationships do I have that I cherish? Is there a certain person you connect to? A pet that’s very special to you? What relationships do you feel lucky to have?
- What freedoms, unique gifts and opportunities do I have? Think of your talents, your ambitions, your passions…
- What advantages have I been given in life? This could be a long list if you really think about it…
- Who are my backers in life? Don’t focus on those who you feel don’t support you, they are a drain on your energy- who are your champions? Your defenders? Your supporters? Who are your partners in life that have helped you get where you are right now?
Give yourself permission to relish in all that is good in your life, and be grateful for it!
