Gratitude is a Practice
One we cultivate moment by moment...
Gratitude can be a single moment in time; something we share with family at a
gathering or stumble into during moments when we notice a state of grace in
our lives. It can also become a way of appreciating life through a practice of
gratitude. In a such a practice, one learns to slowly, intentionally cultivate a
perspective or attunement to gratitude which, in time becomes a way of life. A
way of seeing the world. A way of engaging with all of the experiences of your
life, as well as the people and events in it.
Taking a moment to feel gratitude, unlocks a place in our heart. It unlocks a place
in our awareness. There is beauty and delight, and something to be indeed
thankful for. This may begin as something you are only able to do once of year
during the time of harvest and celebration. However, the incorporation of a practice
of gratitude can be an important health tool. A daily practice of gratitude supports the
reduction of anxiety and depression, decreases blood pressure, improves heart health
and off-sets the effects of stress and improves sleep
(https://www.uclahealth.org/news/health-benefits-gratitude ). At first we are only able
to dip into a feeling of gratitude for the singular, lovely aspects of our lives. This is
where one begins,, but then over time, we are able to feel real gratitude even for
events that are hard to negotiate, or the learning processes that teach us about
ourselves. With gratitude practice we come to a state of being that is lighter. We are
practicing gratitude each moment of our day with each person we encounter and each
new event, challenge, engagement, interaction becomes an opportunity for practicing
the awareness of gratitude. Today I am grateful that my colleague remarks that
something was not set up appropriately before her event. I am grateful that she brings
this to my attention and that we are able to identify the system issue at hand, that I
gracefully (after an internal moment of bumping around) realize and take
responsibility for my part in the issue, that I am able to show up with love for her and
respect for the issue that she is having and navigate an outcome that will work for us,
not just in this instance, but also in creating a larger system that works for everyone
else in our organization. I did not get to this place with ease. It took a lot of practice,
and some days are harder work than others... Practicing respect for another human
and practicing honoring another persons views that are different from mine, honoring
their needs that do not seem even the slightest bit important, practicing the
opportunity to get better at engaging with others and as I look to my life. I am
now able to see how tremendously making this shift has changed my life, my
world and my experience. But it was slow. Moment by moment, when I remembered; I
tried to step back and see, what could I be grateful in this scenario?
Am I just grateful for the learning process?
Am I grateful for another perspective, even though I didn’t meet it with grace
and wasn’t able to finesse the situation?
Am I grateful just that it went to a boiling point it exploded and we were able to
look at each other and say “Wow. Let’s try to do that better next time”?
Gratitude can be a momentary thing. It can be something that you do
occasionally or once per day. However, if you embrace it and make it into a
practice it may change the way you live and other peoples experience of living
with you.
In profound gratitude.
TIPS for creating a gratitude mindset
• Take a moment in the morning or just before bed to list a few of the things/
event/people you are grateful for that day.
• When you have the opportunity to say thank you- stop for a moment and feel
thankful.
• Send a note to an individual you know making them aware of what you are
thankful for about them. Keep it simple, it can be a text/email or sticky note.
Dr Frances Malone is a local nurse practitioner and owner of DogFish Moon
Sanctuary, a Wellness Center in Poulsbo where she practices her unique brand
of coaching; empowering people in creating their best life. Her Intuitive Wellness
Coaching is individualized and seeks to address the main places where that
individual feels stuck. They may be in pain that is primarily emotional, physical,
environmental, or they are experiencing the mental health distress of anxiety and
depression and are looking for 1:1 support with effective strategies to eliminate
costly behaviors (procrastination, self-sabotage, overthinking, playing small) and
move into a place of clarity, motivation and well-being.
www.dogfishmoon.com