Thornton Wilder reminds us, “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”
A highly respected yoga teacher once told me the best thing she did to reset her frame of mind was to introduce a gratitude practice every morning. As a certified morning grump, I was looking for ways to reduce my angst in the early morning hours when I would much prefer to be snuggled deep in my covers than wake. I decided to adopt her gratitude practice, and it has been a wonderful way to center my heart each morning before even opening my eyes to the day.
What’s beautiful about this is its simplicity. Every morning when you alarm goes off and you begin to wake, think of three things you are grateful for; that’s it!
Simple.
Easy.
Life-changing.
Some mornings it may be more challenging–you might be thankful for the air you breathe, the roof over your head, and the blanket resting its weight on your body.
Other times, it may be the love you share with family members, a new path of discovery, and a healthy body.
The important thing is to not make this complicated or grandiose; what enters your brain first is usually the way to go.
Over achievers, resist the urge to add more than 3 things; that would add on more expectations each morning and reduces the efficacy of the practice. Keep it short, simple, and straight from the heart.
Gratitude. Science is only beginning to tap into the benefits of this powerful mindfulness practice that waits and witnesses patiently in the background as our civilization becomes more and more attached to “MORE”. As an article in Wharton’s Healthcare Monthly illustrates, Hebb’s law tells us, “neurons that fire together, wire together.” In essence, like attracts like. Tapping into the vast field of neuroplasticity, practicing gratitude can actually form new neural connections in your brain. How beautiful is that?! Especially as you set your mindset for the day ahead.
Love, light, and gratitude –V
Joy and Soulshine 