Gratitude and Thankfulness

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Since being diagnosed with an incurable disease I have decided to make a conscious effort to practice gratitude in some small way every day.  When I do, I feel much more connected with the flow of life, instead of isolated and alone in my own struggles and fears.


Gratitude can be a powerfully transformative practice.  Practicing gratitude can actually improve our emotional and physical well-being.  Extensive research in the routine of gratitude and thankfulness has found that people who keep weekly gratitude journals had fewer physical symptoms, exercised more, had a better outlook on life and were more likely to reach their goals. Individuals with neuromuscular disease who practiced daily gratitude "have more high-energy positive moods," felt more connected to others, and felt more positive about life.


A powerful way to cultivate gratitude is to focus on what is really happening in our lives, rather than falling into the traps of complaining and drama.  The basic practice of Naikan, which translates to "inside-looking," consists of asking oneself three questions every day:  "What have I received today?  What have I given?  What trouble have I caused?"  While Naikan doesn't deny the difficult parts of our lives, it puts things into perspective. 


I ask myself these three questions every night while meditating on my meditation cushion. http://serenitylifestyleandgifts.com/item_149/Zafu-Meditation-Cushion.htm


Make thank you, your mantra every day.
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