November is National Gratitude Month, and as we all know, it culminates at the end of the month with Thanksgiving. In this celebration that is so near and dear to so many people, we are able to take time to stop, gather with our loved ones, enjoy a hearty meal, and give thanks for all that the year has given us, taught us, and maybe even perhaps taken away from us. Every year is formative in its own way and this time provides us an opportunity to really reflect on how the year has shaped us and how we can continue to move forward from where we are. Thanksgiving, and the month of November as a whole, invite us to see gratitude as a daily practice.
Practicing gratitude goes way further than just learning how to say “thank you” as we do when we are children. Having a practice of gratitude is beneficial for both our long-term physical and mental well-being. It allows us to feel a deeper connection to ourselves as well as those around us and to live more fulfilling and satisfying lives despite our current circumstances and all the trials and tribulations we may face along the way. Being grateful for the cards we are dealt, no matter what they may be can reduce stress and enhance our moods and thus consequently also improve our relationships.
Thanksgiving is just one day, but there are many ways we can actively seek to implement a practice of gratitude all year long. One of the most basic ways to start is by keeping a gratitude journal. Sometimes something as simple as writing down one thing we are thankful for each day can turn around our entire perspective on our situation and change it for the better. There is something to be grateful for every single day, even in our darkest moments. Even something as simple, but not given, like a roof over our heads or a warm meal, can be the thing that we are grateful for when things are not going well. Alternatively, when things are going well, this practice is still important because it humbles us and reminds us that we cannot go about this life alone and we should be happy and grateful for all the people that have helped us get to where we are today. Practice gratitude, and see your heart flourish like never before.
