"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie
I've begun to notice something over the past couple months: the power of gratitude. Every day, we run around from point A to point B, passing in assignments, eating lunch with friends, reading, writing essays and running up against deadlines. As students, we're stressed. It can be difficult to slow down and take a breather when we've got so many more important things ahead on the daily checklist. Gratitude, I believe, can deeply transform one's appreciation for the little things, and it may even lead to some great things!
For me, I try to make time to slow down every day. Even if it's just closing my eyes for a moment and taking a deep breath or two, I try to make the spaces between those busy random thoughts a little bigger. And I try to always have some level of gratitude within me.
Entering the holiday season is the perfect time to start with your own practice of gratitude. The great thing is, you can be grateful for literally anything--small or large--at any hour, on any day. I'll give you an example.
Today marks the first day of December (rabbit rabbit). Where did the last months go? Where does the time disappear to? As you think about the last few months, I bet you had some good times. For a moment, close your eyes and practice sending gratitude out (to what? A person? An animal? The universe? The energy of life? You choose.) Send gratitude--deep thanks and appreciation--to those times, the friends or family involved, the laughter, your strength and ability to overcome obstacles. Maybe you want to send gratitude to the shoes on your feet, or the money that allowed you to buy them. Maybe you're grateful for the chair you're sitting in, or simply the breath that passes in and out of you without your permission or observation. Bottom line: we've all got something to be grateful for, even when the world seems unfair and turns you on your head.
Take a moment out of your busy day and cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath and think: What do I have to be grateful for today?
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