Giving Thanks

I recognize the cliche of discussing gratitude on Thanksgiving week. Like I can’t think of something original, but I think this year especially it is important to pause, breath and take in gratitude. Gratitude is a small and mighty practice, some call it a spiritual practice. It is a small voice in the storm saying that despite it all I am blessed.

Brene Brown describes gratitude as catalyst for joy “For it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”  Ann Voskamp in her book 1000 gifts finds that despite the depression, overwhelming pain and circumstance, listing small gratitudes can alter your mood, your relationships and your life.

Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a leading researcher in the area of Gratitude, found that people who practice gratitude by journaling, meditating or praying were healthier, had better relationships, slept better, had more energy, more confidence and were more likely to achieve their goals. It is important to clarify that these are not just fortunate people who have more to be grateful for than you and I, they are people who have chosen to look for, dig up if necessary, glimmers of beauty in their life.

Being thankful for those in our lives with differing opinions, practices and beliefs inspires us to grow intellectually, experience deeper love and become more self aware. Being thankful for unexpected challenges (after we cry, get angry, and sit with the pain for a while) can propel us forward. Fervently seeking gratitude, despite it all, can change us, it can make us a better version of who we are.

The practice of Gratitude sounds complicated, like a yoga pose, but it simply taking a moment to breath in deeply and acknowledge “I am so glad I have warm socks” looking at the person next to you and saying “I am so happy you are in my life” or even giddily blurting out “chocolate” (okay, that could just be me). So tell someone this week that you are grateful for them (and mean it), soak in beauty in small things around you, breath in joy, blurt out happy thoughts and practice gratitude.  You won’t regret it.

Happy Thanksgiving