“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.” ~ Douglas Wood
Gratitude is more than a feeling, it is a way of fully being…
“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.”
The season of thanks and giving is upon us once again and yet, for so many, it is also a time of what feels like unrelenting fear, anxiety and chaos. It’s been a really rough go of things, to say the very least.
And yet, does this not mean that we should all be giving thanks even more than ever? I feel that it is so. By choosing to count our various blessings and to place a sense of gratitude first in our minds, we are choosing to believe in hope. And right now hope is our very best defense (also always wearing a mask when out – safety -yours and other’s – first yo!).
While this Thanksgiving and Holiday season may not look or feel like the seasons past, that doesn’t mean that they will, or have to be, bad ones. Sure, certain traditions may have to be altered, but who’s to say they can’t still be celebrated and even made richer for the uniqueness of this situation?
While we cannot gather or celebrate as we might like, we can still be beyond grateful for so much.
I have taken to listing reasons I’m grateful each day. From the very small and mundane to the bigger and deeper things. I’m grateful for my warm, soft bed, for the love of my animals, for the family I have, for simply waking up and getting to see the sky and smell the fresh air.
The more things I name in gratitude, the more I can think of and the richer and fuller and brighter my heart becomes. When my focus is on thankfulness, my anxiety actually begins to ease and any unhappiness or disgruntlement I may be feeling slips away only to be replaced with a kind of warm comfort.
Yes, how I would like things to be is far from what is currently happening, but when I count my blessings I find that there is plenty to enjoy and delight in. Traditions can be adapted. The celebrations can be flexible. The hope that lies at the heart of this season can still glow, stronger and brighter and more meaningful than ever.
So this week, and each one that follows, find things you are thankful for and see if any unhappiness or anxiety is eased as you do. It doesn’t have to be hard, just start small and maybe surprise yourself with how overflowing your cup of gratitude actually is. For, after all, gratitude and kindness cultivate miracles, so let us cultivate a few of our own!
Namaste ~ Ella
~ Affirmation Mondays are positive words of wisdom, insight and joy to add a bit of cheer to the start of your week and any day you need a bit of a pick-me-up! For even more inspiration please check out my Affirmation Mondays Pinterest Board and my Quote-spirational Board!
~ Check my Instagram on Mondays for Inspirational quotes and every day for a little jolt of happiness!
Lawhimsy 
I love how you think Ella, your intelligence and wisdom shines through your expression and your words… and you are very much a “delight to sight!”
Thank you so much for such a lovely compliment John and for taking the time to visit! I hope you’re having an utterly whimsical day!