Gratitude

“Experiencing and expressing gratitude is an important part of any spiritual practice.  Gratitude is an emotion of connectedness, which reminds us we are part of a larger universe with all living things.” Melanie Greenberg, PhD

Getting ready for Thanksgiving this year, gratitude is naturally on my mind and I want to share 3 simple ways I incorporate gratitude into my daily life.

First, we have a gratitude tree on our kitchen door door that I cut out of a brown shopping bag years ago. Each year, we write one thing we are grateful for on a colored paper leaf and tape it to the tree. I started this tradition when Lexi (my 10 year old daughter) was only a year and a half old. We keep the tree up year ’round to remind us each day to be grateful and what we are grateful for. I love seeing Lexi’s sweet kindergarten handwriting now that she is a 5th grader, and each year Zane (my 7 year old son) is *still* grateful for candy!

Second, I start and end each day with thanks. In the morning, my first thought is “Thank you, Goddess, for the gift of today.” It puts me into an open, receptive frame of mind, curious to see what the day has in store for me. In the evening, I follow the advice of an old song and “count blessings instead of counting sheep.” I replay the day in my mind and appreciate all the wonderful aspects of it that I can before I drift off into sleep (which I am always grateful for, too!).

Finally, I love inspirational quotes, songs, and videos. Here is one of my favorites for inspiring an attitude of gratitude. I hope you enjoy this video, too.

Thanks for being in my world and thanks for being you!

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer