The special holiday of Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to press the pause button and take stock of the blessings in our lives. It’s a time when we can notice and be grateful for a job and roof over our heads, a loving pet, and companion, good health, cherished friends, grandchildren, opportunities, freedom, hobbies, creativity, and life itself.
Not only is this an opportunity to be thankful for what we have, we also have a chance to embrace the feelings of thankfulness. Being in the state of thankfulness brings in positive, healing energy that nourishes us deep in our souls. It feels good, like a warm cozy comforter on a cold winter night, like the first bite of our favorite ice cream, or better yet, warm pie and ice cream, or like a long walk in the warm springtime.
Practicing thankfulness helps us create positive beliefs and this promotes positive behavior. It also releases endorphins into our system, which improves health and a happy outlook.
Would you like to try it right now? Get a pen, paper, and write at the top: I AM THANKFUL FOR____: Then number it 1-100 and fill in the blanks. Write down anything that pops in your head, and do it quickly. Then, read your list slowly and aloud. Notice how you feel when you have completed this.
You may even want to tape it to your refrigerator for a while or the mirror in your bathroom. Creating a thankfulness journal will give you yet another opportunity to continue adding to your list.
When we practice thankfulness, we open ourselves to another experience of our world. As we continue to discover and acknowledge our thankfulness, it grows and touches the lives of others and ourselves in positive ways.
I am thankful for each one of you! Peace & Blessings, Patricia
