thank·ful (adjective): feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.
I love this time of year. Fall, especially in San Francisco, is typically fantastic. The air is crisp, but warm; the subtlety of the season shows itself in the golden carpet of fallen leaves on the sidewalks; and all those delicious root vegetables at the farmer's market... don't get me started! It's a time of year when I somehow naturally feel full of gratitude. Though many share my sentiment, this time also brings stresses for some of the impending holiday shopping to be done, or loneliness.
If you're in the second camp, here are a few things to consider -
How often do you pause to appreciate what you have in life? In my own life, as I've seen more of the world, I've come to realize that many of the things I’ve been given are not rights, but privileges. Like the ability to live in a country that's safe (considering how much of the world is in turmoil) and to gain an education. Then there's the fact that I have a roof over my head, running water, eat several, balanced meals a day, and that I have all five senses to enjoy that with. Sometimes it’s easy to feel down because you’re going through a tough time. But remember, no matter how bad your situation may seem, there are millions of people that have it far worse off than you, and thousands of things to be grateful for.
"When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself." - Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief
Practicing thankfulness is one of the most powerful ways of thinking to bring about a change in our circumstances. We often find ourselves struggling with thoughts of fear, worry, anger, frustration, anxiety, helplessness, self-doubt, depression and hopelessness. This kind of thinking has a major affect on our health and vitality, and does absolutely nothing to move us in a positive direction. In fact, it make matters worse. Thankfulness, on the other hand, is one of the quickest and most powerful ways to create a change in our circumstances and move us in a positive direction.
Being thankful gives us access to our highest awareness and allows us to see the myriad of possibilities, discover what we truly want, and realize a vision for the future. Thankfulness also brings about a physical and mental transformation. We find ourselves smiling. Our spine straightens. Our muscles relax. Our creative juices begin to flow, and we get ideas on how to turn our situation around and move in a direction that inspires us.
"When I started counting my blessings,
my whole life turned around."
- Willie Nelson
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