Gratitude Ritual

I can’t stress enough the importance of gratitude, that’s why I wanted to do another post on it. I think that’s why I love November so much because it brings awareness to feeling grateful, in large part because in the states we celebrate Thanksgiving.

Here we are the last week of November and I would love to see all of us continue the spirit of gratitude into our everyday life, past the month of November.  

 

I’m sharing 5 simple gratitude tips that you can start today:

 

1. Before you go to bed each night write the top 3-5 things you’re grateful for. I encourage you to try and find ones that are unique. Instead of saying the same thing each night look for things things that are new and different and unexpected. I like to be as specific as possible. Knowing that you do this nightly ritual you’ll actually be looking for things during the day to be grateful for, which is a beautiful practice in itself. And writing engages the left brain, which helps lock things in! You can simply keep a pad in your bedside table drawer or get a journal.

 

2. Express gratitude to others. We live in a busy world and often times forget to say thank you to someone who has had an impact in our lives. Every once in a while, I try and do once a month, pick 3 people and let them know how grateful you are for them. You can write them a letter, send a meaningful text or simply call them and express how your life is better because of them. Feeling gratitude for someone is amazing and telling someone you are grateful to them and how you feel can take the feeling of gratitude even deeper.

 

3. Say thank you first thing in the morning. When you wake up, before your eyes open, simply say ‘thank you’ as a mantra at least 10 times. How we start the day is how we live the day and how we complete the day. With this being said, when you start your day with gratitude it’s a way of intentionally infusing it throughout your day. Often as soon as we wake up the thoughts will run rampant, so before allowing those thoughts to come in express gratitude. Saying thank you is so simple and requires very little thinking. I love this being the first thing I think every morning. I repeat it anywhere for 10-20 times. I find it energizes me and has me ready for the day.

 

4. Use self care show gratitude for your body and your soul. Gratitude starts with feeling a sense self love, so express gratitude for you. All of you – your soul, your body, your heart, your contribution to this world. Self care is essential and I consider this to be part of my daily gratitude ritual. Typically self care will slow us down and connect us to our body. Things like taking a nice bath with epsom salts, candles and soft music. It’s a chance to express gratitude for your body, your health and wellbeing.

 

5. Gratitude before meals. It’s really about blessing the food before ingesting it. I like to quietly pause and offer a silent gratitude prayer before eating any meal. I love silently, honoring where the food came from, the hands that prepared the food and the nourishment the food will give me.

 

Gratitude is essential and has the ability to enhance our lives and actually shift our perspective, as well as our reality. These are simple practices you can start to incorporate today. Your life will shift and your awareness will change. You’ll feel more inspired, more fulfilled, and more joy.

 

Here’s what I know for sure, there is so much to be grateful for. You probably slept in a warm home last night, you likely ate one or two meals yesterday and you are still breathing. We can always find something to be grateful for. Now focus on that, spend several minutes in gratitude daily. What we focus on expands. So where are you putting your energy? Just a simple shift will start to expand and shift your life. Gratitude is an amazing place to start.

 

I’d love to hear from you! Is there a gratitude practice or ritual that you do and love, please share!

 

I’m beyond grateful to you, the reader, for coming here and being a part of the conversations. Thank you for contributing and investing time in your growth and development.

 

xoxo