The Benefits of Gratitude

We continue with the theme of gratitude this week, as we move toward the Thanksgiving Holiday. 

I start today with a big thank you to all the men and women who have served our nation.  Today, as it is Veteran’s Day, I recommend taking some time out of your day to remember those veterans you know and those you never were able to meet.  People who fought hard to keep us safe and bring us freedom.  Those courageous men and women who saw things they cannot forget, and still kept fighting for what was right. 

I stumbled across this wonderful article on Gratitude and studies on its health benefits and ways to show your gratitude.  I recommend everyone take a few minutes out of their day to read this article from Harvard Health Publications, http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/in-praise-of-gratitude.  

The article gives many great ways to cultivate gratitude; writing a thank you note, thanking someone mentally, keeping a gratitude journal, counting your blessings, praying, or meditating.  All of these are simple ways of showing your gratitude.  

By putting your gratitude out into the universe you truly feel happier and more positive, as you look at the amazing bounty that surrounds you and focus in on what matters most.  Finding ways to stay positive and not get stuck in the negative has so many health benefits, and people who tend to show gratitude, tend to have more positive thoughts, which leads to a healthier and happier life.  I found this quote from John F. Kennedy this morning, and thought it appropriate to share today, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”      

I leave you today with a beautiful poem by Gary van Warmerdam.  I used this poem in my Thanksgiving yoga class last year, and it seemed to touch not only me but all of my students as well.  I share it in hopes it moves you too. 

Thank you Life

Thank you for this breath
Thank you for this inhale
Thank you for this exhale
Thank you for this Life

Thank you Heart
Thank you for this pounding
Thank you for this pulsing
Thank you for this Love

Thank you feet
Thank you for this walk
Thank you for this run
Thank you for the Dancing

Thank you Eyes
Thank you for the Sunrise
Thank you for the Sunset
Thank you for all the Colors

Thank you Ears
Thank you for The Music
Thank you for the Rhythm
And Thank you for the Stillness

Thank you Hands
Thank you for the Caressing
Thank you for the Clapping
And Thank you for the Holding

Thank you Mouth
Thank you for the nourishment
Thank you for the Wine
Thank you for the Kisses

Thank you Nose
Thank you for the Flowers
Thank you for the Pines
Thank you for the Sniffles

Thank you Arms and Shoulders
Thank you for the Carrying
Thank you for the Burdening
And Thank you for the Hugging

Thank you Voice
Thank you for the Expression
Thank you for the Word
Thank you for the Gift of Creation

Thank you for this Day
Thank you for the Light
Thank you for the Stars
Thank you for the Night

Thank you Self
Thank you for the Laughter
Thank you for the Play
Thank you for You

Thank you for the Emotions
Thank you for the Joys
Thank you for the Tears and Sorrows
Thank you for the Richness

Thank you for the Abundance that is.
Thank you for the Abundance that is given.
Thank you for the so many experiences and so many things
Thank you for this Dance.

Thank you Life

Namaste, 

Jesse