The Practice of Gratitude

Perhaps I’ve been caught up in the American Thanksgiving spirit, but over the last week I’ve been overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude. I’m so grateful for the expansive network of friends that I have; the diversity and ingenuity of the young people who surround me; the power of the people when they speak up; the creativity of smart empowered women; and the opportunities I have to lead, inspire, and empower others.

The world is a troubling place, and it is too easy to get caught up in our fears and pain. The Practice of Gratitude can be challenging, but can have a powerful pay off.  A few years back, I attempted to keep a Gratitude Journal, committing to writing down at least 3 things I was grateful for each day. Unfortunately, this practice didn’t last long. It wasn’t that I didn’t have things to write down, the process just felt artificial to me. Others have had great success with the Gratitude Journal, which brings me to my point. However you practice gratitude, it is something we should do daily.

Whether it is done in a journal, your prayers or daily interactions with friends, family, and strangers, it is important to find those things, large or small, that we can acknowledge bring love and joy into our lives. Life is too short to pass them by and it is too easy to get caught up in the negativity and feel sorry for ourselves. Find a way to practice gratitude that fits into your lifestyle and makes sense. It can be as easy as posting on Facebook, sending an email to someone, or reminding yourself before you act or speak that a spirit of gratitude will serve you better.

I’m grateful for this time of gratitude to remind of all the good things that come with life. And pie.

This video has recently been making its way around Facbook, it is another great reminder of what is right with the world and things to be grateful for:

Sometimes, security cameras catch something totally different