“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.” – Lionel Hampton
Has anyone else noticed that society has seemingly decided to skip Thanksgiving the past few years? I miss seeing fall decorations for November but everyone is jumping from Halloween to Christmas overnight. It’s such a wonderful and special day to slow down, be with family, talk about what we are grateful for, play board games, drink hot chocolate, and all the those little things that make November and December so magical. So here is my pitch to bring it back! By focusing on being thankful and how gratitude can improve our quality of life, we can see the importance of celebrating a holiday dedicated just to the practice of gratitude.
The power of gratitude on our health
If you haven’t heard of the concept of having a gratitude practice (ad nauseam) over the last few years then you may have been living under a rock. For me it was definitely a life-changing practice. I take the time every morning to sit quietly for about 15-20 minutes and just reflect on what I have to be grateful for that happened any time within the last twenty-four hours. I like to come up with at least five things but you should figure out what works for you. But why even take the time to do this little practice in the first place? What can it do for your mind, body, and soul?
In the article, 10 Ways to practice gratitude and the benefits, as found on calm.com, “Gratitude, in its simplest form, is the act of feeling grateful for what you have. It can be directed toward people, events, circumstances, or even intangible things like good health or personal growth. It involves recognizing and acknowledging each moment that makes us realize the goodness we have around us.” One phrase I fell in love with that was used by a leading expert on gratitude, Robert Emmons, is that gratitude is “an affirmation of goodness”.
Some of the health benefits include a boost to positive emotions, lower blood pressure, stronger immune system, better sleep, it encourages generosity and compassion, can improve our relationships and resiliency, and can even enhance our self-esteem. So definitely worth giving it a try, right?
What are some different ways to practice gratitude?
The Thanksgiving holiday is one day focused on gratitude, but what if we took this day and turned it into something we do every day? While the basic “gratitude practice” most people refer to is primarily having a gratitude journal, there are so many great opportunities to bring gratitude into our lives at almost any moment. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Try a gratitude meditation: I use the Calm app which my favorite gratitude series ranging in time from 10 to 20 minutes
- Take a moment to tell someone how thankful you are for them
- Create a gratitude jar: this is one of my favorites and something I’m starting in January, putting in one item per week that I’ll review at the end of the year
- Volunteer or give back: when we take a moment to see how others may be struggling it puts our own beautiful lives into perspective
What if a gratitude practice is not your thing?
There are so many ways to experience the benefits of gratitude without having an official practice of any kind. For you, this might look like simple meditation or practicing small acts of kindness like holding the door for someone or sharing a genuine smile with a stranger. This momentary burst of joy you gain can change the trajectory of your day, hey, maybe even your life if you do it enough.
I hope you heed the call to “take back Thanksgiving!” and spend this special day creating those core memories with your family based on a foundation of gratitude! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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