Be Grateful
“Gratitude moves us away from let’s-make-a-deal exchanges in relationships toward a sense of abundance, in which you feel fed beyond measure and in turn give with all your heart without keeping score.
Then recognize the benefits to you of what has been given. Reflect on how it helps you and those you care about, makes you feel good, and fuels your own generosity in turn.
And recognize the benevolence of the giver, whether it is a person, Mother Nature, or the physical universe — or, if this is meaningful to you, something Divine. Don’t minimize the benevolence to avoid feeling unworthy or indebted; open up to it as a telling of the truth, as a giving back to the giver, and as a joyful leaning toward that which is truly gift-giving in your world.
Last, soak up the gifts coming to you, whatever they are. Let them become part of you, woven into your body, brain, and being. As you inhale, as you relax, as you open, take in the good that you’ve been given.”
Rick Hanson, Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time
Do you practice gratitude? I’ve seen a lot of references to the “attitude of gratitude” in anticipation of Thanksgiving this week, and while I love the increased attention to thankfulness, I feel compelled to assert that it is more than an attitude. It is a practice.
Research shows that people who are joyful and “wholehearted” {and who sleep better!} are those who actively practice gratitude. Each day, they take time to reflect on their blessings, large and small. They say them out loud, or write them down, or meditate on them before bed. They have made it a practice, not just an attitude. The more we train our brains to see the good, the more we avoid the negative perceptions and self-talk that can rob us of our joy. It doesn’t mean we ignore the bad, or adopt the naive view of Dr. Pangloss in Candide and assert that every tragedy “is all for the best!” It means we choose to honor abundance even in the midst of scarcity. We recognize that joy and suffering can coexist.
In honor of Thanksgiving, this week I invite you to start a gratitude practice, if you don’t have one already. I love writing in my gratitude journal each night, but you can practice gratitude in many ways: you could do it while walking the dog, or at dinner each night with your family, or during prayer. But make it a practice.
This week, I am grateful for so much:
- For my health, and the health of my family.
- For a job I love, but also for several days off from work to rest and to spend with my family.
- For having what we need for a Thanksgiving meal with family, and, for that matter, warm meals every night of the year.
- For my home and all the comforts within. Especially my cozy chair and comfy bed.
- For my children ~ for their smiles, their laughs, their ridiculous jokes, their dance performances, the artwork they make for me, and for the hugs and kisses {which make up for all the tantrums I’ve written about lately!}
- For my husband, for too many reasons to list. But especially for doing all the laundry each week. 🙂
- For my parents, for all the free babysitting and for the infinite ways they have provided for me and my family. Sometimes there just aren’t enough words.
- For my sister and her family, for supporting us and for listening to me on my not-so-grateful days.
- For kind, generous, and hilarious friends, colleagues, and neighbors. I realize how awesome it is to live and work amongst wonderful people!
- For an infinite number of small joys, but especially coffee, good books, and warm blankets. Preferably all at once.
And, I just LOVE my home decorated for the holidays. I love that during the darkest time of the year, we fill our homes with light.
Finally, I am thankful that, as much as I love blogging, I am taking a week off to spend time with my family! I’ll be back next Monday, and December will be awesome ~ The HerStories Project publication, Brilliant Book Club posts, and getting ready for the holidays! Have a great, thankful, and safe week ~
- A Mindful Approach to New Year’s Resolutions - January 13, 2020
- Just This Next Step - December 16, 2019
- WAIT: A Mindfulness Practice for Waiting in Line - December 9, 2019
