The holiday season is here. Many of us are already turning our thoughts full steam ahead toward the upcoming gatherings, lists to fill, events to host, traveling to do, and much more. If we aren’t mindful, we can easily miss the simplistic beauty of Thanksgiving and the gift it can give us.
It doesn’t help that our culture persistently pushes us to move on to the next great thing, even before we’ve stopped to enjoy the time we have. You know how it goes, right? The stores are gushing with chocolate candy and adds are bidding us to buy our significant other the most exquisite gift for Valentine’s Day before Christmas is even over.
How can we possibly be truly present where we are and grateful for what we have when we’re constantly told we need to be more, have more, and experience more?
Gratitude.
What dictionary.com defines as “the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful” and Merriam-Webster dictionary goes on to define as “the state of being grateful: THANKFULNESS”.
Aren’t those beautiful? They seem like a recipe for infusing joy into our days.
Easy, right? Maintain a state of being thankful.
As much as most of us would love to think that we exude a sense of gratitude this time of year, the truth is that it can be challenging for us to sustain and honestly, difficult to cultivate some days.
So where do we start? How do we take back the attention of our heart and mind during this sweet season we have before us?
Let’s start TODAY, right now, in the moment by setting an intention of gratitude.
Each and every moment that we notice our thoughts turn to what we want, still don’t have, isn’t working, wrong (with people, us, the world)… Let’s make a conscious effort to return our heart and mind back to all that we have to be so very grateful for.
Our brain is a powerful gift, so let’s put it to good use this season. Dare to make the shift.
A few ways to practice gratitude today:
• Write a thank you note
• Say thank you
• Volunteer
• Donate to your local animal shelter
• Spend intentional time with someone special