Have you ever been really sick and when you start to feel better you have a greater appreciation for how good it feels to be well? We all have so much to appreciate in our big and busy lives that we sometimes forget to actively be grateful for all our blessings. By focusing on how much in our lives we have to be grateful for, we give ourselves a wonderful reprieve from using our mental energy on what's not working, how much we have to do and how far we are from our goals.
Developing a gratitude practice gives us a structured way to renew our spirits and truly appreciate all that is right in our lives. There are many ways to practice gratitude: practice gratitude during a daily ritual (i.e. in the shower, driving to work, walking the dog, upon waking or just before going to sleep), incorporate a gratitude practice into another mindful ritual (i.e. meditation, attending religious services, or yoga practice), or on an "as needed" basis when you are feeling stressed out and consumed by "what's wrong" thinking. Just a minute or two of mindfulness will do wonders for your attitude.
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