What if you woke up today with only the things you thank God for yesterday?
You don’t have to be a religious person to be thankful for all the things you’ve been blessed with. In many spiritual traditions, prayers of gratitude are considered the most powerful form of prayer. Through these prayers, people recognize the ultimate source of all they are, and all they will ever be. Feeling thankful can improve your health in both direct and indirect ways. Some research shows that the experience of gratitude can induce a sense of happiness and relaxation, which in turn improves the immune system, and decreases blood pressure! This November, let’s all vow to count our blessings each day. If you have kids, they should always be one of the reasons to feel thankful for daily. When you see them running around the house giggling, remember that joy, and take it all in, and thank whichever God or higher power you believe in that you have little bundles of joy that keep you on your toes and keep you going. Work on establishing a daily “thankfulness” routine in which you remind yourself of the gifts, benefits, and good things you enjoy and focus less on what you lack or what’s causing you stress. Try to consider simple things like the last time you enjoyed a homemade meal or had a great cup of coffee—did you pay attention to all the flavors or the feelings of pleasure as you took the first bite or first sip? It’s easy to ignore such small moments of positivity in our lives as we’re currently living in a constant state of panic and anxiety, but stopping to appreciate the simple pleasures makes them even more powerful. Practicing gratitude can also make you better equipped to handle difficult situations in your life, which naturally and inevitably arise, especially this year. My family and I have tragically lost not one, or two, not even three, but actually 6 close friends and relatives to COVID-19. We are also going through a tough financial situation, and to makes things harder, my health has retaken a bad turn with Lyme disease and Graves disease, but
I try to remain positive and smile through the pain. What are some things that make me feel personally thankful? A genuine smile from my little nephew, a long and warm hug from my mother, baking pumpkin bread with my sister, funny memes sent by a friend, cuddling with my cats while watching a romantic comedy…little things like that are what keeps me going these days. Setting aside a couple of minutes a day to recall moments of gratitude associated with ordinary events, your personal achievements, or all the amazing people you have in your life gives you the potential to live a more positive life with a true sense of gratefulness. Find yourself tethered to your cell phone or the internet for hours each day? Harness the power of this technology to send out some good vibes, such as a text or Facebook comment. Tell your followers, friends, and relatives who much you love and appreciate them. Into funny inspirational messages? I know I am! Why not share or write a daily gratefulness post? It might be cheesy but helpful! Words are compelling, and the more we remind ourselves of the good, the less we focus on the negative. If you find yourself struggling to come up with reasons to feel grateful for, why not try putting yourself in the shoes of someone less fortunate? I know we shouldn’t even compare our current situation with anyone else’s, but that’s not the point. Recalling someone who may have a debilitating physical condition, for example, may inspire gratitude for your own healthy body, which you may have taken for granted otherwise. Lately, with the limited use of my left arm, I still feel thankful that the right one is strong and able to type these words for you to read. With all that said, I am truly thankful for each one of you! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart to our readers and advertisers for your loyalty and readership; I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. May your plates and hearts always be full! Until next time,
Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi.
