Another year has gone by in the blink of an eye, and the holidays are upon us once again. How apt it is for Thanksgiving to fall first in line, as it puts us in the right frame of mind for those to follow; but in the bustle of everyday life, we’re liable to lose sight of its inner meaning.
Before we get caught up in all the actions it takes to make a successful Thanksgiving meal, let’s spend some time reflecting on the true meaning of Thanksgiving, and how to cultivate gratitude throughout the year.
Cultivating gratitude
Positivity is a choice we can make that impacts our physical and mental health in many ways — all of them being good! Sometimes the smiles come naturally, but opting for a positive attitude when facing trying situations can be a little tricky. This requires the understanding of one basic principle: Everything we have is a gift.
In an increasingly individualistic society, chock full of modern conveniences, it is easy to develop a sense of entitlement and take things for granted. We’re encouraged to believe that material gain is some sort of key to happiness, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The real key is to be happy with what you have. Counting your blessings is a great way to start cultivating gratitude.
Count your blessings
One of the first steps in cultivating gratitude is to acknowledge all the good in your life. Our very existence is a miraculous gift of the Creator, and the whole world is a gift that we share. So many of us are preoccupied with protecting our “possessions” that we forget to appreciate the many wonders that bless us every day.
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“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
Voltaire
- When was the last time you gazed at the limitless sky and pondered our exceptional situation in the universe? There is most certainly life on many of the countless other planets out there, but our humble Earth provides an environment perfectly crafted for humans. Only here can we raise our consciousness and return to our Divine nature.
- How often do you contemplate the perfect balance of nitrogen, oxygen and other gasses that we call air, and our ability to take it in effortlessly to sustain life? The same could be said for water and sunshine.
- Do you give yourself time to experience the outdoors? Much has been written about nature, but I think Laura Ingalls Wilder expressed it best with her words: “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”
- Of the people whom you meet each day, who isn’t a complex work of art? Do you value your day-to-day interactions, let alone your friendships? A smile, a nod, or even some sharp criticism shows that you were noticed by another human being. Be grateful for that.
- Most of us derive quite a bit of pleasure from eating, but we rarely reflect on the extraordinary effort that has gone into each morsel. From the cultivation of plants and the raising of animals to the processing and final preparations, food production is a continuous orchestration of materials and energy that no individual could complete alone.
Practice gratitude
Once you’ve discovered the endless array of gifts you’ve been granted, you will be able to bring more and more gratitude into your life. Try to carry the attitude of gratitude throughout the day.
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”
Cicero
- Look for the good – In every gloomy situation there is a glimmer of light, so focus on that rather than making counterproductive complaints. Where you see shortcomings, use your grace and wisdom to make up for them.
- Keep a gratitude journal – Devote a diary to thankful thoughts, recording the various characters and experiences that you are grateful for. Dig deep and be specific. You may repeat the same subject multiple times, but focus on different aspects in your details. On days that you are not feeling particularly grateful, you can review your journal and feel your heart swell with warmth.
- Express your gratitude – Whenever effort is expended on your behalf, make your appreciation apparent. Whether it is a warm hug, a formal statement of gratitude, or quiet praise in your heart to the Creator, don’t let the opportunity to say “thank you” slip by.
- Spread gratitude – Like our forefathers at the legendary first Thanksgiving feast, spread gratitude by sharing the abundance you are blessed with. Be it your wisdom or your wealth, your special skills, or simply your smile, use what you have to do good and inspire gratitude in others.
