Grateful
In the spirit of closing this year and bubbling with excitement about the new one fast approaching, I’m playing with what grateful feels like. First, let me express my gratitude to each one of you for playing with me in these little missives about life and our feelings. Thank you! Big hugs to each one of you, all around!
When I feel grateful, my heart warms. Have you experienced that? When I’m feeling grumpy, finding different ways to show gratitude helps me feel warmly aware. (She found a yummy, special sauce to include in her recipes for intentional living.) Did you know that expressing gratitude helps you sleep better? I didn’t know that! It makes sense, though.
Think about this for a moment. You step into a garden. Every flower you see represents an aspect of your life that you’re thankful for. As you walk through the garden, every flower and plant flourishes into vibrant life. If you applied this to the world surrounding you, how do you think life would be different? Can you see how your life flourishes?
This grateful feeling fosters resilience during challenging times. In terms of relationships, it nurtures mutual respect and kindness. Grateful people often experience fewer aches and pains—now there’s a reason to stop and notice when this little gem makes an appearance. Let’s not forget the sleep component; naming 2 or 3 or 10 things you’re grateful for before you drift off into dreamland settles us into a good chemistry for sleeping. I don’t know about you, but that sounds downright delicious!
As we’re winding down 2023, and 2024 bursts forth, remember to be thankful for this emotion of gratefulness. Sprinkle some on your work toast, your roasting projects, and your soup of friends. Spread a little into your inner world of self. There is much about you that is worth recognizing with gratitude!
Her coloring book brims with gratitude…
If you would like to explore more feelings in the Stayin’ in Touch – Positive Emotions book, click here for more information.
Image by myeongae lim from Pixabay