I thought I would talk about being grateful the day after Thanksgiving in this French Friday email. How we can cultivate gratitude by becoming more conscious of what we are grateful for. It feels like our world is full of ungratefulness, harsh attitudes and selfishness, and yes there is love also, but I feel we all could use a bit of a mindful reset.
Let's talk a bit more about gratefulness and why?
This time of year can be hard emotionally, with high expectations. Not everyone feels that their life is like a Hallmark movie. Actually very few people feel this way, but there is always something to be grateful for. Being grateful can not only help you to count your blessings, but gratitude can actually help you to become a happier person, and our relationships more copasetic.
Here are some simple ways to be grateful and show gratitude from the Harvard Health Publishing.
"Giving thanks can make you happier."...
"Each holiday season comes with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Certainly, major depression or a severe anxiety disorder benefits most from professional help. But what about those who just feel lost or overwhelmed or down at this time of year? Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it's built right into the holiday — being grateful".
Gratitude will make you stronger...
Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier or thinking they can't feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.
Here are some ways to physically cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.
Write a Thank-You Note.
You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter or email expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person's impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.
Thank Someone Mentally.
No Time to Write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual.
Keep a Gratitude Journal.
Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you've received each day.
Count Your Blessings.
Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.
Pray.
People who believe in God can and should use prayer to cultivate gratitude.
Meditate.
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase (such as "peace"), it is also possible to focus on what you're grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.)."
P.S. I am grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you for your patronage through out the years. I am honored and humbled you have chosen Dr. Lucy as your natural skin care company.
P.P.S. A great movie to watch about gratitude is the movie, "Pollyanna". Yes it has been around for a long time, but the gratefulness and happiness this little girl has in her heart changes the people in this small town to a loving community. Plus this movie just makes you feel good! I think we could all use a little bit of that! I know I loved it as a child and so did my kids. They were always so calm and happy after watching it!
With Love and Blessings!
Rebecca