The official celebration of gratitude that we call Thanksgiving is now upon us. As a society and a nation, we must believe gratitude to be very, very important. It is SO important that we proclaim a day just for the purpose of giving thanks. We set aside an entire day to focus on gratitude. But Thanksgiving Day has become more than that. Or maybe it’s become less. Now it’s a day of not only feasting, but feasting to the point of gluttony. On Thanksgiving Day, Americans eat more food than on any other day of the year! And now, the observance of the holiday also involves frustrating travel scenarios and hours of traffic; football games; “I Love Lucy” marathons on TV; and the beginning of the holiday shopping season. It seems that we have lost sight of Abraham Lincoln’s original intention. During the Civil War, in 1863, he proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”. The dictionary defines thanksgiving as “the expression of gratitude, especially to God”.
When we are grateful, we raise our consciousness and increase our connection and mystical union, whether in or out of meditation or any other spiritual practice. Whether you believe in God or not, apparently, it would benefit all of us if we actually practiced gratitude every day of the year. Research has suggested that people who are more grateful are happier, less stressed and more satisfied with their lives and their relationships. Grateful people also appear to have higher levels of control of their environments, growth and purpose in life. They have more positive ways of coping and finding solutions to their problems. And this is something we can all benefit from – grateful people sleep better! Maybe it’s because of the happy thoughts before sleep. Thankful is defined as a state of being “pleased and relieved”.
Studies have shown that the longest lasting effects of any kind of gratitude practice are associated with the act of writing a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal doesn’t have to be a big deal. Simply make note of three things every day that you feel grateful about. Something as simple as “I am grateful for my health” or “I am grateful for the love of my family”, can help you to focus on what is really important in your life. Writing in a gratitude journal can make you more optimistic about the future. Studies show it can make you exercise more and live a more healthy lifestyle. It has been reported that those who consciously practice gratitude are more enthusiastic and more determined to make progress towards personal goals. “Counting your blessings” actually is a blessing itself!
Melody Beattie says, “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”.
Setting aside time to give thanks for one’s blessings is a practice that will serve you well. You don’t need anyone else to tell you that it’s officially time to do this. Do this every day. Get yourself a little book to keep by your bedside. Just before you go to sleep take a moment to reflect on your day. Consider the blessings you have received on that day and make note of them. Take a moment to acknowledge the good that is flowing into your life. Recognize the source. Celebrate the abundance of the life you are living. All is well.