One of the
best things we can do for our health and general wellbeing is to practice gratitude.
Feeling blessed and grateful is a gateway to joy; it's almost the same
feeling, so that's a good place to start.
When you think of those things that please you by their existence, you
lift yourself up and open yourself to gladness that you exist in the same world
as those things, and you become more aware of the wonder and beauty in your
life. I have found that my best route to
genuinely feeling grateful is to think of small things that move and delight
me. Fireflies and the smell of
honeysuckle on a summer evening, for example.
Take a moment to think of something
that pleases you deeply, that doesn't bring up any negative connotations in
your mind. You may love your job and
still be stressed by it, so pick something very simple or small. I'm an artist, so for me it's color and light
that nourish and satisfy me - sunsets and
the light off icicles and the first flowers in spring. When you have something, allow your mind to dwell on it,
the colors, textures, smell or taste, everything you love about it. Imagine it as clearly as you can. Now take note of the sensation in your body,
the feeling that fills you as you focus on this simple joy. Let the feeling grow as much as you can, how
wonderful that this exists, how good it is to experience it, how blessed you are
to be aware of the goodness. As the
feelings of wonder and joy fill your body, in your heart say "Thank you
for existing" to whatever you're focusing on. You can also thank the Divine for the
existence of this cherished creature or experience.
Regularly practicing
this basic kind of acknowledgment and appreciation powerfully
shifts our mental-emotional state and our health for the better.
