At this time of year, we look forward to Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and other joyful, spiritual and cultural celebrations in December. Even though Thanksgiving has passed, it is important that we all remember to continue the practice of thankfulness every day of our lives. Having an “attitude of gratitude,” has always been associated with acknowledging the blessings that our higher power has given us. When we are in gratitude, we receive many healthy benefits for our bodies, minds and spirits.
The more we practice quiet meditation and focus on true feelings of gratefulness in peaceful moments, the more stress-free and less depressed we become. Research has shown that frequent calming moments of gratitude can affect our autonomic nervous system, which can lower our heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and muscle tension. This medicine is abundantly available, has no side effects and can be taken in large or small doses regularly. No one needs to prescribe it for us, and the more we take, the better we feel. It can even help us sleep better at night and wake up feeling refreshed and looking forward to our day.
Our minds also benefit when we can calm our constant thoughts and focus on a simple object, thought or feeling. We don’t have to be Zen masters to learn to relax, close our eyes, and give thanks to our higher power for the blessings we have received. Clearing the chaos in our minds, also helps us focus more easily on tasks. Calming moments of meditative thankfulness has also been shown to manage anxiety and depression. Although there are many therapeutic and pharmaceutical cures for these symptoms, there is one thing to keep in mind: It is impossible to be depressed and grateful at the same time. It is also difficult to be stressed and thankful at the same time. Making a list of some of the things we are grateful for, and keeping it handy to refer to when we need it, is a good way to clear the mind clutter.
Science has shown that we exude energy with our thoughts and actions. I truly believe that what we put out into the world, we get back. When we think loving thoughts of gratitude, which include thanking our higher power for our families, friends and other special people in our life, we energize the joy within ourselves. When we thank our higher power for the gifts of abundance and health, we also open up our lives to the continued flow of good things that may come our way. Along with thankful thoughts, we must also consider our actions and find ways to express gratitude each day. Whether it is giving an honest smile to someone in distress, or sharing kindly conversation with a lonely person who may be in need of cheering up, we are giving thanks back into the world. One of my good friends, Steve, who is the recipient of a successful heart transplant, practices a daily ritual of being thankful for the gift of life he has received and prays for the deceased person who gave him his new healthy heart. Steve now volunteers at the hospital where doctors saved his life, and spends time inspiring and giving hope to others who are in the critical care unit recovering from heart surgery. His daily practice of giving back is welcomed by doctors and hospital staff in helping the sick recover and Steve’s mental and physical health has also markedly improved.
The simple act of thankfulness can enrich our everyday lives. When we are thankful, we are no longer aware of what we don’t have, but all that we do have. When our thoughts and actions are firmly based upon giving, it is amazing how much caring, better health and abundance we attract into our lives. Finally, there is something else we shouldn’t forget, which is the powerful healing practice of thanking the spirit within ourselves for being able to understand the value of giving gratitude.