It's Always Wonderful Time to Have Gratitude and Give Thanks!

 

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. --Melody Beattie

As we roll in to the month of November, one word comes to mind - GRATITUDE!
When was the last time you took a moment to appreciate all of the blessings in your life?  When you show gratitude for these things, you will attract more of the same.
Gratitude is all about appreciating the things you have in your life.
During this amazing time of year, we pause and take the time to appreciate all the goodness and beauty around us. This can be as enchanting as the full moon, a glorious sunrise, or something as simple as the aroma of fresh ground coffee with your favorite barista.  Be thankful for the gift of friendship, a child’s laugh, the nod of greeting from a passerby.  Appreciate the change in the season.  The cool autumn weather is a gentle reminder of the great rebirth of whats to come.
When we focus on gratitude, we are reminded of what is right in our lives rather than what has gone wrong.
Have you said “thankyou” to someone to show how grateful you are for them today?  It’s such a small thing, but it can have a huge impact on your life, and the life of that person.
Let's take this time to incorporate gratitude into our lives and into the  lives of others by incorporating just a few of these simple ways to exercise and grow our gratitude:


•    Start a gratitude journal and count your blessings.
Write as many things down from your day as you can recall.  What works for most people is to say "thank you" for everything they encounter each day, for example a sunrise/sunset, frost on the trees (especially when the sun is shining), food, shelter, warm homes and offices, clothing, colleagues, work/jobs.
•    Pay it forward.
Practice an "Act of Kindness" every day.  What ONE thing, small or big, that I can do today will make someone’s life easier?
•    Do someone a free favor.
Without expecting anything in return, do something nice for someone.  Just something small.  Get them a drink or a coffee, do a chore for them, offer to do an errand, anything they’d appreciate, really.  Think of what the person likes, wants or needs, and try to do something (even something small) to help them.  Actions speak louder than words, and doing something nice will show you’re grateful more than just saying it.
•    Accept things as they are.
No matter how much the situation has turned out differently to your expectations, it is the way it is. You don’t know how much worse off you could have been, had things gone differently.  Savor the current moment and be grateful for what is.
•    Give a little gift.
It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but a little gift can be a tremendous gesture.
•    Be Thankful!
Each and every day take time to be grateful for all that you have in life.  Gratitude is, after all, a great stress-buster!  What you think about brings more of the same into your life.  So, focusing on the positive, even during difficult times, is one of the best ways to reduce and alleviate stress and transform your life!
May you and your loved ones share this time of thanks and gratitude and may it grow and multiply all that you cherish!

 

Walt Szymborski
 Candle Wick Shoppe