Gratitude is the positive state of being grateful; an overwhelming feeling of appreciation and thankfulness, and the desire to return kindness to others. The holiday season is a time of year many of us feel grateful for the people and things in our lives. It is a wonderful thing for all of us to express these feelings of gratitude towards one another. These expressions may be in the form of gifts, kind words, hugs and a simple thank you. It is important to continue throughout our daily life with acts of gratitude.
“The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” is a quote by Mary Davis. These words resonate with me as they are true every time. When I feel in a dark or negative space, I take a moment to breathe and feel grateful for the things and people in my life, my negative space turns itself into a positive space! Even during our darkest times we can be grateful for something or someone if we open our hearts. Grateful for my breath and the air we breathe. Grateful to be alive today. Grateful for a family member, pet, friend, member of my community. Grateful for sunrises and sunsets. The gratitude we express to ourselves does not have to be life changing, it is in the simplicity that we see what truly matters in life.
If you are in need of feeling grateful volunteering is a great opportunity to accomplish this! Get in touch with your local food bank or shelter, if you love animals your local humane society, if you love kids look into reading stories at the library, working with our elderly population is wonderful as well! Spending time in nature to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day will also inspire gratitude. Comment below what your gratitude rituals are and what and whom make you feel grateful!
A mantra for your meditation: When my mind shifts, the world shifts.