Fostering an attitude of gratitude

“Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.”
-- Estonian proverb

We discover a sense of wholeness as we appreciate both the small and big things in our lives. And it really helps to remember to appreciate ourselves. Appreciation goes deeper than acceptance to respect and admiration. Let go of criticism and self-abuse.

Appreciation significantly turns on the heart. While it sometimes arises spontaneously, it is also a soul quality we can choose. The more often we choose to be appreciative, the easier this choice becomes and the more frequently our heart opens to give and receive love.

It is powerful to appreciate not only the things and people in life, but the more conceptual things like values, your processes and the laws and principles that allow us to fit into the reality we live in. Appreciating concepts helps anchor our big picture beliefs and philosophy of life.

To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, we can keep a gratitude journal. Each evening, write down at least 5 things for which you are grateful. This simple but powerful tool helps open our eyes to the abundance of our world right now. For lots of ideas for what we can be grateful for, see our sample list below.

~ John & Patrice