Living everyday with gratitude by your side

When Thanksgiving arrives, how do you feel? Do you experience an expectation to be thankful or do you find you already live a life full of gratitude?

I feel fortunate to live a life that is gratitude-centered. Of course, some days are easier than others to have your heart swell with humbling thanks. But even in those tough times, I somehow am able to find the lesson, see the evolution, and allow a true feeling of thanks for growth.

This hasn’t always been easy for me. It takes time, and even practice. And, if I think about it a little more, a lot of patience. As we are going through hardships, none of us experience the awakening, beauty and release in the moment of pain. It takes an unpredictable amount of time. It’s like riding a roller coaster blindfolded…you feel in your gut the highs and lows…but you never know when the whirlwind will be over. But, we all know that the roller coaster will be over. And then, as your hands fly into the air, you let out a laugh, beam a smile, and feel stronger. Bravery begins to bubble over, and you’re ready to go again.

It is then that your soul begins to realize that it is safe to be grateful in the moments of pain, and in neutrality. These are the times when gratitude is most important.

Gratitude opens the door to abundance.

Think about it. How can you ever move forward in your happiness, love, peace, whatever it is you want, without feeling whole-heartedly grateful?

OK, just to be clear…I am definitely not saying that you need to go through huge trials and tribulations to find a life of gratitude. It is much easier to start small. Very small. Think about being thankful for these things…

• The air you breathe…take in a deep breath and tell me we are not all connected
• Your home, in whatever shape it may be! Check out my ode to my home here!
• A body that does what it is supposed to do, and even if you have certain ailments, there are several parts of your body that bring you many gifts!
• Someone who takes the time to hold a door open for you
• Your best friend’s laugh
• The cotton candy sunrise
• The smell of Thanksgiving dinner cooking in the kitchen (mmm…stuffing!)

If you start to give energy to finding gratitude for those little things (and those scary times), more good will start rolling in, and the bigger they will become.

This Thanksgiving, give thanks for anything you can think of…big or small. Bad or good. Happy or sad. Life will always be filled with contradictions, it’s how we react to them that builds our character.

And like everyday, bring your best self to the table. Share your heart thoughts with your loved ones. See what happens. Take a leap and be truly you. And, maybe, just maybe, turn off that phone 😉 Then…see what kind of magic will unfold.

Big blessings to all of you and your special ones!